Arizona Ghost Stories Author: Joyce Luciano San Carlos Hotel Tales of old west haunting’s are explored here of famous ghost stories in magical Arizona. From a historic suicide at the landmark San Carlos Hotel to the bewitching Superstition Mountains, these accounts will make skeptic’s into believers that there is life after death. The San Carlos Hotel was built in 1928. It is located in the heart of downtown Phoenix, six miles from Sky Harbor International Airport. It proudly boasts an old adage, “they loved the San Carlos so much, they built a city around it.” Today it is surrounded by modern sky scrappers but still maintains its original charm. The Ghost Of Leone Jensen On a hot Valley of the Sun evening in May 1928, the blonde twenty-two year old Miss Jensen dressed herself in a billowing gown to attend the dance in the main ballroom. Not much is known of the circumstances of her untimely death. Some say, she was jilted by her Bell-Hop boyfriend. According to legend he worked at the nearby Westward Ho Hotel. Other reports indicate she was pregnant out of wedlock. In 1928 a pregnancy out of wedlock was one of the supreme disgraces. Whether her death was a suicide or murder is unknown. It was reported that sometime during the predawn hours she found her way to the rooftop of the seven story hotel and plunged to her death on the pavement below. Shortly after her death, visitors and staff began reporting cool breezes followed by a misty apparition floating through the narrow halls of the San Marcos. Others have attested the manifestation was wearing a ballroom gown. Early reports in The Arizona Republican, now known as The Arizona Republic stated, “she suffered from lung problems.” Claims of letters written on hotel stationary indicated she could no longer bear the pain. Whether or not it was tuberculosis is unknown. TB was in epidemic proportions at that time. The Haunted Schoolhouse Well In 1874 a well was dug for Phoenix’s first schoolhouse which would be toppled to build the San Marcos Hotel. Water is known to be very spiritual. During the time the school was operating reports of drowning prevailed. Guests have heard and documented laughter and the bouncing of an unseen ball. The hotel did provide a ghostly tour which began in the basement where the sounds of giggling school boys have been heard. Hotel employees claim to have seen four young boys running, laughing and playing in the halls. Unlike Leone Jensen, they are happy spirits. Legend tells that Native Americans worshipped the God of Learning prior to the one-room Adobe Schoolhouse being built for Indian children. The school expanded to a sixteen room brick structure in 1893. Ultimately, it was condemned and torn down paving the way to construct the San Carlos. Famous Visitors People from all walks of life are drawn to the mysterious San Carlos Hotel. Standing at street level gives one the impression that a doorman from another era is posted to usher guests inside. Notable persons who have been captured by its charm include actors, Clark Cable, Marilyn Monroe, Mae West, Spencer Tracy, Jean Harlow, Cary Cooper, Cary Grant, and Humphrey Bogart. Perhaps their spirits still visit this lovely hotel. One never knows just who they may encounter during a visit to the San Carlos. The Stagecoach Motor Inn. Neither famous or even well known, The Stagecoach was located in the heart of a small town known as Black Canyon City, Arizona on Old Black Canyon Highway. BCC is quite scenic and pretty. It is surrounded by the Bradshaw Mountains. It was owned by the author (Joyce Luciano) from 1988-1994. The name at purchase was, The Newport Inn. A 25 Unit Motel with four commercial units, Boyd Daly Real Estate, Allstate Insurance, a small title company and book store. In rememberance of Boyd, he was also part owner of The Four B’s Café. A very popular tourist spot known for its gigantic pancakes. Boyd was a 25 year retired Major in our United States Air Force. According to Boyd and very true as I would soon discover, BCC is a closely knit small town where one must be accepted by the townfolk. I said to Boyd, “it more or less reminds me of the old Bette Davis tv mini series whose title still escapes me.” Its content was the youthful residents were to have a baby of Satan’s. Gruesome story. Nonetheless, it still comes to mind when I think of BCC and its townfolk. Fresh out of New Jersey in 1987, I stuck out like a sore thumb but eventually was accepted by the folk of BCC. Massive renovations were underway after the sale was completed (close of escrow). One bright, sunny afternoon, I seated myself outside the little manager’s bungalow smoking a cigarette as I waited for the crane to be in place for my new neon sign. Glancing over at a rather large old tree gave me a feeling of discontinuity. On one of its mighty branches I saw a man hanging from a noose, then another and still another. All three on different branches of that looming large old tree. I blinked several times thinking it had been a strange shadow that created an illusion. Much to my surprise, not only did they remain but became more colorful. A red scarf flowed in the breeze from each man’s front pocket and speckles of blood were spread over various parts of their bodies. The men appeared to be of Mexican heritage. After a few minutes, they faded from my line of vision when I was distracted by the groaning sound of the crane lifting my sign into its proper position. It had become my customary habit to stroll over and visit with Boyd. Seating myself near his desk which was strategically placed under the window for just the right light I asked Boyd if there had ever been a hanging in BCC. He said, “legend has it that sometime in 1872 or ‘73 they caught and hung three men who had been stealing livestock and hung them without a trial.” He continued, “they say Jack Swilling was involved and it was him they stole from” I had no idea who Swilling was. Boyd said, “you may as well say, he founded Black Canyon City when he founded the Swilling Irrigation Canal Company.” With a sly smile that turned into a wide grin, Boyd asked, “why?” “Don’t tell me you saw those men hanging from that tree over there?” “A lot of people see them.” © Copyright Joyce Luciano 2000. All Material Contained Herein.
Posted on: Thu, 29 Aug 2013 06:50:52 +0000
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