Explore a multitude of Tombstone's haunted locations with special access during the evening hours. Each location is allotted one hour of access with no more than 10 people per group.
Allen Street
The streets of Tombstone are said to be the pathways of many ghosts, one of which is the long dead Marshal Fred White, who was accidentally shot by Cowboy faction leader, Curly Bill Brocius on October 28, 1880. White, the first marshal of Tombstone, had gained the respect of the Clanton Gang, and had arrested “Cowboy” members on a number of occasions, rarely having any problems when doing so. In the early morning of October 28th, Curly Bill and several of his cohorts were making sport by shooting up the town.
When White went to disarm the gunman, a shot was fired, hitting White in the groin. Even though, it was thought that he would make a full recovery, he died two days later. Today, he is said to haunt the street in front of the shooting site, which was an empty lot where the Bird Cage Theatre was built a year later.
Another cowboy, that of a man moving along in a long black frock coat, has also been seen on a number of occasions. Crossing the road near the Crystal Palace, the apparition is often seen near the site where Virgil Earp was ambushed and shot in the arm, crippling him for life. The spirit never makes it across the street, leading many to believe that this may the ghost of Virgil Earp, himself.
A woman in a long white dress has also been sighted on Tombstone streets. One legend tells that she is a fretful mother whose child died from the yellow fever in the 1880’s, and devastated, she took her own life later. Another version of the tale claims that she was a brothel madam who was hanged and continues to stalk to streets in search of her executioners.
Schieffelin Hall
Schieffelin Hall was constructed in 1881 by Al Schieffelin, brother to Tombstone 's founder, Ed Schieffelin. The hall was envisioned as a first class opera house, offering culture to the citizens of Tombstone for the first time. And that it did for the next several decades, offering a theatre alternative to the decadent Bird Cage Theatre, where the “proper” people of Tombstone wouldn't be seen.
The hall opened in June, 1881 to grand applause as the largest and most imposing building in Tombstone, as well as the largest adobe building anywhere in the Southwest.
Fully restored today, it is said to host a number of spirits and many say it is one of the most haunted but overlooked building in Tombstone . On several occasions people have heard what sounds like chains or spurs rattling inside the building. During one ghost tour, an entire group heard the sounds. A number of other strange sounds have also been heard in the building, especially during Tombstone City Council meetings that regularly occur in the building.
Bird Cage Theater
VIP Guests ONLY
One of the oldest original buildings in Tombstone and most authentic attractions in this once booming mining camp, the Bird Cage Theatre also has the reputation as being the most haunted place in town, allegedly continuing to host as many as 31 ghosts.
The Bird Cage was named for its 14 small "cribs" hanging from the ceiling that once housed “painted ladies,” dressed as finely feathered birds. After its opening in 1881, it quickly gained a reputation as the wildest place in town, so much so that even the far away New York Times said of it: "the Bird Cage Theatre is the wildest, wickedest night spot between Basin Street and the Barbary Coast ."
Between 1881 and 1889, the Bird Cage never closed its doors 24 hours a day, as it provided gambling, drinking, and other vices to its many customers. The saloon was the scene of 26 deaths, which can be attested to by the 140 bullet holes which can still be viewed today.
The Bird Cage Theater investigation by Sci Fi's Ghost Hunters.
Seemingly, some of these old legends of the past continue to stalk the old saloon as both staff and guests, alike, have reported seeing ghostly apparitions in 1800's clothing.
Most often sighted, is the figure of a male stage hand that appears wearing black striped pants, a visor, and holding a clipboard, as he walks across the stage.
Other occurrences include the sounds of raucous laughter and music pouring from the doors of the old theatre at night. Others report hearing the faint sounds of a woman singing and other strange sounds coming from the balconies of the main floor.
The sharp scents of cigar smoke and whiskey are other common phenomena experienced by visitors. After closing time, the staff has heard the sounds of clinking glass and cards shuffling.
One of the more fascinating tales is of how a dice
table, which weighed several hundred pounds mysteriously moved the night before. When staff arrived the next morning, they table had been moved in front of a door with a sign that read: “Don't Disturb Our 26 Resident Ghosts.” The table is so heavy that it reportedly took eight men to move it back to its former position.
