Nestled among the red rocks of Northern Arizona, the small town of Sedona attracts visitors from around the world. Some visitors come to relax in the serenity of the high desert while others seek to experience the purported mystical aspects of the place. The area is steeped in pioneer folklore and Native American culture, which might explain the rumored paranormal activity. Some nearby inns and hotels proudly advertise their ghosts.
A national historic landmark that was restored in 1994, the Jerome Grand Hotel overlooks the tiny town of Jerome which is about 27 miles southwest of Sedona. Jerome once boasted the title of Arizona's fourth largest city because of its abundant copper mines. The hotel was originally built as a hospital and asylum, thus providing a rich foundation for contemporary ghost stories. The hotel offers a ghost tour for its guests. The tour includes overnight use of ghost hunting equipment such as an electromagnetic field meter and an infrared thermometer.
Jerome Grand Hotel
200 Hill Street
Jerome, AZ 86331
888-817-6788
jeromegrandhotel.net
Also located in Jerome is the Mile High Inn. Situated above a popular restaurant, the building served as a bordello at the turn of the 20th century. Four ghosts are rumored to roam the Mille High Inn: Jennie Banters, the madam of the bordello, an elderly man, a young man, and a cat. Jennie, the most famous of the Mile High Inn ghosts, was murdered by a client and reportedly haunts the eight guest rooms and the kitchen area. The unnamed older man has a mild temperament and seems to prefer the guest rooms while the anonymous younger man is grumpy and manifests in the form of cold breezes. The feline ghost rubs on guests' legs and then disappears. Unexplained paw prints sometimes are found on bed linens.
Mile High Inn
309 Main Street
Jerome, Arizona 86331
928-634-5094
jeromemilehighinn.com
About 26 miles to the north of Sedona is the city of Flagstaff and the Hotel Monte Vista. Located near historic Route 66, the hotel is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. In recent years, the popular hotel has attracted a wide variety of famous guests as well as an assortment of poltergeists. No fewer than a dozen ghosts are reported to haunt the hotel. These apparitions include a bank robber that bled to death in the bar, prostitutes that were killed when thrown from a window, a affable bellboy (supposedly witnessed by none other than the actor John Wayne), and a couple dancing in the cocktail lounge.
Hotel Monte Vista
100 North San Francisco Street
Flagstaff, Arizona 86004
800-545-3068
hotelmontevista.com
