Surrounded by mountains in the Arizona Desert, Tucson is a University town full of oddities: eclectic nightclubs, vintage shops, and dilapidated buildings. The town may be modest and simple, but it has more than its fair share of paranormal activity! Residents have reported seeing ghosts, hearing strange noises, and even experiencing possessions. Some say the town is cursed, while others believe it is simply home to a lot of restless spirits. Whatever the cause, there’s no denying that this town is definitely haunted!
Let’s begin our exploration of the ten most haunted sites in Tucson, Arizona.
1. CARLOS IGNACIO VELASCO HOUSE
The Carlos Velasco House was constructed in the year 1850 using traditional adobe methods. It initially consisted of only three main rooms and an entry hall but has since been expanded to include more luxurious rooms and features. In 1878, the Velasco couple, Carlos and Beatriz, acquired a house that they set about to renovate and revamp in the 1880s. This was done in order to make it their ideal residence. In the year 1915, after Carlos’ passing, the residence was put up for sale and underwent additional renovations. As time passed, the mansion was converted into apartments, yet it was not taken care of properly resulting in its deterioration. Seemingly at this point, stories of hauntings began to emerge!
Were Carlos and Beatriz displeased with the current state of the building? A group has recently purchased the building with the intention to restore it to its former state. Interestingly, it appears that the spirits inhabiting the building are now more benevolent than before! Carlos and Beatriz may have been unhappy with how abandoned the building had become. But now that new owners are planning to refurbish it, hopefully, the couple’s attitudes and the atmosphere around the property-will change for the better.
2. TUCSON MEDICAL CENTER
Tucson Medical Center has been known to have a high level of paranormal activity for some time. Employees frequently report their hair being grabbed, getting smacked in the face, and feeling something strikes them that is not visible. Night shift workers say they have heard mysterious footsteps and sounds of people talking that can’t be explained. Some patients have even gone as far as to say they felt a chair being pulled away when they went to sit down, although the room was empty.
Many apparitions have been reported, the most common of which is a child wandering around the hallways. Others have seen an elderly woman and an eerie feline!
3. CENTENNIAL HALL, UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA
Constructed in the mid-20th century, Centennial Hall at the University of Arizona has only existed for around 70 years. Despite this, its land dates back to 1521 during Spanish Colonial times. This is why one of the apparitions inhabiting it is a Spanish male.
He can be observed striding atop the catwalks near the stage and lingering around in the backstage area. It is believed he died on the land during a duel. He is certainly not alone in haunting Centennial Hall.
It is said that a woman dressed in Victorian-style apparel has been seen lurking in the wings of shows and attempting to distract the actors. Moreover, she has been held responsible for jostling people on staircases as well as corridors.
4. ST MARY’S HOSPITAL
St Mary’s Hospital, the first of its kind in Arizona, was founded in 1880 as a tuberculosis unit. Eventually, it became a general hospital. Tales of a spectral nun who supposedly resides there have circulated widely; however, due to the numerous nuns that have worked at the hospital throughout its history, there is no way to definitively identify her.
It is said that no matter her identity, she still continues to shadow the staff, looking out for those under care. Reports have it that she even managed to save a female patient’s life when she alerted a nurse of the situation.
The nurse, while walking down the corridor, noticed a nun pointing to one of the patient’s rooms. After advancing closer, the nun had disappeared; but when peering inside, it was clear that the woman was attempting suicide.
5. SANTA RITA HOTEL
Due to the unnerving supernatural occurrences that took place in the Santa Rita Hotel, it was shut down by its owner. Many of the employees were too frightened to return after being hounded by apparitions.
On multiple occasions, security guards have contacted the police due to loud steps from above and the light turning on. Yet, no one has ever been found.
It is believed that a multitude of supernatural entities dwelled on the site, with Ferguson being the most notorious. The story goes that he shot his wife and her paramour before taking his own life in the lift’s hoistway.
Reports of his presence were common in the hotel; he was notorious for mucking about with lights and other electrical components. Furthermore, it is thought that he was the one who would hurl stones at people and rearrange objects.
The hotel was the talk of Tucson due to its paranormal activity, such as self-opening doors and wet footprints showing up at the pool’s edge. It’s no surprise why it was labeled as the city’s most haunted spot; it would have been a remarkable place to explore before its demolition in 2009!
6. HOTEL CONGRESS
Hotel Congress has been a part of Tucson’s downtown area since 1919 when the town was flourishing industrially and there was a need for an upscale hotel to accommodate train travelers and cattlemen in transit.
The hotel, popularized by gamblers and gangsters such as John Dillinger’s gang in the 1920s, has been the source of numerous paranormal activity reports. These range from those killed over gambling debts to suicides and victims of epidemics.
Vince, who was a long-time guest of the Hotel Congress for 36 years, passed away due to a heart attack. Even after his death, he has remained in the hotel as one of its most well-known spirits. He is often spotted in the bar area where he spent a lot of time during his life.
7. FOX THEATRE
The Fox Theatre is a common destination for people who appreciate theatrical arts and those looking to catch a glimpse of a spirit. At times, live shows have been disrupted when props start to move by themselves! Many paranormal investigators have visited the theatre, and all agree that it is inhabited by several spirits, one of which is reportedly the ghost of someone who perished in a car crash outside. Additionally, there have been instances of random laughter and other noises coming from the wings.
8. BLOOM ELEMENTARY
The female principal of Bloom Elementary has passed away, but it seems that she still wants to keep an eye on things. This is what people have been reporting since her death. She’s making sure everyone stays in line and no strange events happen at Bloom Elementary. Employees assert that they have spotted her ghost frequently in the passageways, and that doors lock or unlock by themselves.
9. THE PIONEER HOTEL BUILDING
At least 30 spirits are held captive in the Pioneer Hotel building in downtown Tucson, due to a fire that occurred there in December 1970 and took their lives. After massive renovation efforts in the 70s and 80s, the hotel has been transformed into an office and apartment building resulting from a fire. Employees have reported incidents of their stationary being shuffled around and electronics not functioning correctly. Reports of paranormal activity in the building include a door that was unable to be opened–until a staff member requested the spirits’ assistance. Immediately, it swung open, then slammed shut! Additionally, people have commonly seen shadowy figures of women and children.
It is the basement, however, that holds the most terror. Reports say a young girl’s spirit lingers in the dark hallway, but it is not only her; two malevolent forces are also said to be lurking down there.
10. BANK OF AMERICA
At the Bank of America branch on Stone Avenue, a phantom appears to have taken up residence; this is an unexpected occurrence at a local bank. The ghost’s presence has been made known to those in the area.
The lobby of the bank is where a spirit of a bearded young man is seen most often. His heavy steps have been heard on the stairs and he has been known to be quite loud, shutting doors with a bang. An accompanying scent is also reported to be surrounding him.
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