Situated in the Black Hills of Yavapai County in Arizona lies the town called Jerome. Established in the 1870's on Cleopatra Hill, it overlooks the Verde Valley and Sedona. It is about 100 miles north of Phoenix along State Route 89A between Sedona and Prescott Valley.
With a history of being one of the most violent towns in the wild west,Jerome is also known as the "Largest Ghost Town in America". Originally starting out as a copper mining camp, Jerome used to be the fourth largest city in Arizona. However, Jerome began to lose more and more business as times changed and demand for copper began to decline until finally there were only about 75 people left living in the town trying to keep it alive. Since the town no longer was able to sustain itself as a mining town, the residents began touting Jerome as an artistic community and as the world's largest ghost town.
In 1927, the United Verde Hospital was opened by the Phelps Dodge Mining Corporation in the town. This was where local miners came after suffering gruesome injuries while digging for copper (many of who succumbed to their grievous wounds) or where the insane were brought to be cured of their mental illnesses.The United Verde Hospital which closed its doors in 1950 is said to have had many deaths during its time. The historic hospital stood vacant for 44 years until the Altherr family purchased it in 1994. The family then renovated it and opened the Jerome Grand Hotel in 1997.
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located at 200 Hill St., the rumored ghostly presences and unexplained activities have attracted many to this haunted destination. A visit to the Jerome Grand Hotel, like the Town of Jerome, is an experience in the past. The colorful history of this building, that dominates the top of Jerome is full of surprises and mysteries.
Standing on the third-floor balcony and gazing at the red rock peaks of Sedona 40 miles north, it’s difficult to believe this building contains so many secrets, so many deaths. It doesn’t seem like you’re leaning against the same wrought iron railing where at least one victim met a violent death. When you ride the original elevator, it’s an adventure in time, but by day, you don’t think about its haunt, the ghost of Claude Harvey, a handyman murdered in 1935. His head was positioned beneath the elevator to simulate a suicide, and most believe he hangs around to clear his name. Mr. Harvey is an active ghost, sometimes bedeviling the lobby staff with all manner of noisy phenomena and poltergeist activity. There are many other ghosts within the Jerome Grand. Over the years, screams of the injured from hospital days, whispers, and squeaking gurney wheels have been heard. Apparitions have been noted in many places, particularly on the third and fourth levels. The most-seen phantom is thought to be a nurse. One room on an upper floor contains the spirit of a suicide who hanged himself from a heating pipe near the ceiling.
Guided tours are done on a daily basis in the town of Jerome. Each tour is led by a spirit guide who will tell all participants about Jerome's history as a ghost town and will tell the tales of accidents in the mines, murders and suicides. Tour participants will visit buildings thought to be haunted and will be supplied with flashlights and electromagnetic field readers, which detect hot spots. Guests are encouraged to bring digital cameras in hopes of capturing apparitions, orbs or unearthly shadows. Tours are offered every night at or around sunset, according to Tours of Jerome's Scary Gary, and are appropriate for children age 6 and older.
REFERENCES
1. The National Paranormal Society http://national-paranormal-society.org/tag/haunted-locations/
2. Mystery Playground: Hunting Ghosts with Nancy J. Cohen http://www.mysteryplayground.net/2015/09/hunting-ghosts-with-nancy-j-cohen.html
3. haunted locations Archives - The National Paranormal Society http://national-paranormal-society.org/tag/haunted-locations/