Jerome, AZ

While Jerome is home to dozens of spirits, the most famous ghost story is widely considered to be the tragic murder of Sammie Dean.

The Story of Sammie Dean

In July 1931, Sammie Dean was a beautiful woman working in Jerome’s "Crib District" (the red-light district). She was well-known throughout the town and had many admirers, including the sons of several prominent local officials.

On July 10, she was found strangled to death in her apartment. The crime was brutal, and the room had been ransacked. Despite the town’s small size and the fact that several high-profile men were considered suspects—most notably the mayor's son—no one was ever arrested or charged with the crime.

The Haunting:

Local legend says that because her killer was never brought to justice, Sammie’s spirit remains in Jerome. She is most frequently spotted in the area of "Husband's Alley" and the old buildings near the center of town. Witnesses often report:

 * A beautiful woman in a long dress wandering the streets at night.

 * The sound of phantom footsteps and a feeling of being watched in the building where she died.

 * The scent of vintage perfume or the sound of a woman crying in the wind.

Other Notable Mentions:

 * Claude Harvey: A maintenance man at the Jerome Grand Hotel (formerly the United Verde Hospital) who was found crushed under an elevator in 1935. He is said to still roam the hotel’s boiler room and hallways.

 * The Ghost Cat: Many guests at the Jerome Grand Hotel report feeling a cat brush against their legs or hearing it purr in empty rooms.

 * Headless Charlie: A miner who lost his head in a blasting accident and is said to wander the dark tunnels of the abandoned mines beneath the town.