toscana
E L Y T S E F I L
by Mark Gatchell
a scary good time Whether it's September 1 or October 31, spooky season is all about visiting haunted places with gruesome pasts and ghost stories sure to send shivers down your spine. This frighteningly fun day trip centers around Jerome; Arizona's most notorious ghost town; and branches off to Prescott, Wickenburg, and Tempe. Buckle up: it's going to be a terrifying ride! The spooky adventure takes just under four hours, which leaves you plenty of time to explore each place without needing to spend the night anywhere. However, I highly recommend spending the night at the Jerome Grand Hotel. I have spent many nights at the Jerome Grand and have enjoyed it every time; I've even had my fair share of possible ghost sightings! The trip begins in Tempe, at Casey Moore's Oyster House. Yes, the Oyster House is haunted. The story, as it is told, is of a young woman who was murdered in the upstairs room. From time to time, she makes her presence known when patrons enter the restaurant. Everything from paintings crashing to the floor, silverware hurled through the air, lamps swing to-and-fro, and furniture rearrangement. What is guaranteed to not be scary at the Oyster House, though, is the delicious seafood. Once you hop in your car and hit the road, set your navigation for the Vulture
Mine in Wickenburg. One of the most infamously haunted places in the state, Vulture Mine was abandoned in the 1940s after the War Production Board ordered all non-essential mines to be closed. The mine is famous for once having a hanging tree, which may be the cause of reported "cold spots," orbs, and haunting voices. Public and private ghosts hunts are held throughout the year, and a thrilling, not-for-the-faint-of-heart, overnight lockdown is popular, as well. Putting the pedal to the metal head to the Palace Restaurant & Saloon in Prescott, Arizona. By now, a hearty lunch is surely needed or pull up a stool at the bar, order, and drink, where famous characters such as Doc Holiday and Wyatt and Virgil Earp have patronized the saloon. The basement is where all the action took place, once being the site of an underground jail, gambling rooms, and even a speakeasy. The tour takes you to all the spookiest places and some hot spots around the Prescott town square. After your gun-slinging is over in Prescott, saddle up and head to Jerome, our final destination. Jerome is undoubtedly the most infamous of all haunted cities in Arizona. Tucked away at the base of the hill is Old Miners Cemetery. Over 500 burials took place here, and you'll see headstones that date back as far as the 1890s. Climb from the bottom of the hill to the top and visit the Jerome Grand Hotel. The Grand was once a hospital, for over 25 years, and is said to have thousands of ghosts that roam the halls. Apparitions of children, patients, and of course, the spirit of poor, Claude Harvey, the maintenance man that was mysteriously found pinned beneath the elevator in 1935. And finally, a trip to Jerome wouldn't be complete if you didn't grab a bite to eat at the Haunted Hamburger. Yes, the Haunted Hamburger is really haunted. The owners say the spirits of former tradesmen haunt the establishment as hammers would mysteriously disappear during renovations along with nails and other tools. After a long, spooky (if not terrifying) adventure ends, hop on your brooms, and head back to Toscana to the safety of your home! PAGE 4
