Blustery winds and sweater weather have taken residence here in Denver. And, legend has it, so have some spectral visitors. These supernatural reports span the city, highlighting some of Denver's rich (and sometimes sinister) history.
If visitors and staff are to be believed, these Mile High City landmarks may play host to some ghostly guests:
- Cheesman Park
- The Grant-Humphreys Mansion
- The Brown Palace Hotel
- The Molly Brown House Museum
- The Denver Firefighters Museum
The Cheesman Park Cemetery Obliteration
Cheesman Park attracts picnickers, volleyball players, and joggers from across the city for its beautiful scenery and expansive grassy center. Surrounded by local bars and restaurants, Cheesman Park is the perfect day-off destination. While soaking in the sun and fun, no one would suspect they were playing atop a 19th-century cemetery.
The Prospect Hill Cemetery was home to thousands of corpses before the U.S. Congress approved a conversion of the cemetery into a park. Families of the deceased were notified for an opportunity to move bodies, but over 5,000 dead remained buried in the old Prospect Hill Cemetery. A hack job was done when removing the bodies, leaving bones strewn across the site (and below the surface).
In 1907, the land was converted into the park we know and love today, when workers discovered bones and entire skeletons just underfoot! Many say the ghosts of those left behind still haunt Cheesman Park today.
The Grant-Humphreys Mansion Murder
This picturesque Grant-Humphreys Mansion resides atop a grassy knoll in Denver's Capitol Hill neighborhood. The building's ivory and blush exterior paints a whimsical, storybook picture but the mansion's history sounds more like a horror story than a fairytale.
Built in 1902, the Grant-Humphreys Mansion was home to Colorado's third Governor, James Benton Grant. In 1917, the mansion was sold to Albert E. Humphreys who made his fortune oil drilling in Wyoming. Humphreys found himself embroiled in an infamous oil scandal, though he maintained his innocence until the very day he was shot in the head in his basement gun room.
The mansion has been restored and hosts events frequently many an eventgoer feels a spooky presence in what used to be the gun room. Some have even claimed to see a ghost in the room proclaiming his innocence.
The Mysterious Brown Palace Hotel Death
The Brown Palace Hotel, located in downtown Denver, is one of the city's most iconic and historic landmarks. It's renowned for its luxurious accommodations and timeless elegance, but it's also famous for its reputation as one of the most haunted hotels in Colorado.
Legend has it that in the early 1900s, a honeymooning couple checked into room 904 and tragedy struck. The groom returned to the room to find his bride had mysteriously died in the bathtub. Guests and staff have since reported strange occurrences in Room 904, including faucets turning on and off by themselves, lights flickering, and an eerie presence that lingers.
But, not ones to be contained, ghosts are said to roam throughout the hotel. One of the most commonly reported paranormal encounters is that of a well-dressed, bearded man who is often seen ascending the grand staircase. Witnesses describe him as a courteous but somewhat melancholic figure who appears and disappears without a trace. And some have claimed to see apparitions of waitstaff in vintage uniforms moving silently through the hotel's dining areas. They appear to be carrying trays and performing their duties as if it were a bygone era.
The Ghostly Music of the Molly Brown House Museum
The Molly Brown House Museum, located in Denver's Capitol Hill neighborhood, is famous for its connection to the legendary socialite and philanthropist, Margaret "Molly" Brown, who is best known for surviving the sinking of the RMS Titanic in 1912. While the museum provides valuable insights into Molly Brown's life and her contributions to society, it has also gained a reputation as one of Denver's most haunted places.
Visitors and staff have claimed to hear piano music emanating from the grand piano in the front room, even when there is no one present to play it. The piano is said to play snippets of classical music, which was a favorite of the Browns. There have also been reports of shadowy figures and apparitions seen throughout the house. Some have described seeing a woman in Victorian-era clothing, believed by some to be Molly herself.
The Denver Firefighters Museum's Phantom Footsteps
The Denver Firefighters Museum is housed in a downtown historic firehouse, known as Fire Station No. 1, which was built in 1909. This beautiful building has witnessed the heroic efforts of Denver's firefighters for over a century. However, some say that a few of those firefighters may have never left.
One of the most well-known ghostly tales from the Denver Firefighters Museum involves the apparition of a firefighter dressed in an old-fashioned uniform. Visitors and staff have reported seeing him wandering through the museum, particularly in the area where the vintage fire trucks are displayed. He appears as a spectral figure in full gear, from the days when horse-drawn fire carriages were the norm.
Another eerie occurrence that has been reported is the sound of disembodied footsteps echoing through the museum's corridors. These footsteps are often heard when no living soul is in sight.
Haunted Places in Denver
It isn't spooky season without a few good ghost stories and none are better than the ones close to home. You may have been serving volleyballs on a grave last weekend or brushing disembodied shoulders with a famous historical figure during your latest museum trip. Who's to say? But one thing's for sure visiting Denver's historical landmarks is a spine-chilling way to support your local establishments and make the Halloween spirit last just a little bit longer.
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