High above the Verde Valley in Arizona’s Black Hills lies the once-booming mining town of Jerome—a place frozen in time and wrapped in eerie tales. At the pinnacle of this historic town stands the Jerome Grand Hotel, an imposing Spanish Mission-style building with a panoramic view and a captivating legacy. More than just an architectural marvel, this hotel boasts a history that’s equal parts fascinating and frightening. With creaky corridors, lingering spirits, and chilling whispers from the past, it’s no wonder the Jerome Grand Hotel is considered one of Arizona’s most haunted destinations. Whether you’re a thrill-seeking traveler or a paranormal investigator chasing the unknown, this hotel offers more than just a place to sleep—it offers a walk through a storied and spectral past.
The History
From Hospital to Historic Landmark
The Jerome Grand Hotel didn’t begin its life as a place of rest and relaxation. Originally constructed in 1926, the building was known as the United Verde Hospital. Perched at 5,240 feet above sea level, this reinforced concrete structure was one of the most modern and fireproof buildings of its time—an essential quality in a town that had suffered devastating fires in previous decades.
The hospital served the booming mining community for nearly 40 years. At its peak, Jerome’s population swelled to over 15,000 residents—all due to the productivity of the United Verde Copper Company, owned by mining magnate James S. Douglas. The hospital treated everything from mining injuries to tuberculosis, making it a critical facility in the rugged industrial town.
The Decline of Jerome
By the 1950s, the copper veins that had built Jerome’s wealth were running dry. The population dwindled rapidly, dropping to fewer than 100 residents as the mines closed and workers left in search of other opportunities. In 1950, the hospital officially shuttered its doors. The building sat vacant for decades, a crumbling relic overlooking a near-ghost town.
A Hotel is Born
In the early 1990s, the Altherr family purchased the dilapidated hospital with a vision to transform it into a historic hotel. Extensive renovations were undertaken, preserving many of the original features like the 1926 Otis elevator—the oldest self-service elevator still in operation in Arizona. The Jerome Grand Hotel opened its doors in 1996, ushering in a new chapter while honoring its storied past.
The Haunt
Ghosts of the Past: Documented Encounters
Turning a hospital into a hotel might seem like a clever play for real estate—unless, of course, you’re sharing space with the spirits of former patients, nurses, and miners. Over the years, countless paranormal events have been reported at the Jerome Grand Hotel, making it a mecca for ghost hunters and thrill-seekers alike.
The Phantom of Room 32
Room 32 is infamous among guests and staff for its paranormal activity. Visitors have reported hearing wheezing breaths, coughing fits, and unseen presences during the night. Some even claim to see a shadowy figure standing near the window before it vanishes into thin air. Local lore suggests this was the room of a man who either died of illness or took his own life—depending on which ghost story you believe.
The Elevator That Moves on Its Own
The original 1926 elevator is one of the most iconic features of the hotel, but it’s also one of the creepiest. Hotel staff have documented multiple instances where the self-operated elevator will travel between floors with no one inside, responding to phantom calls from empty hallways. The sensation of being watched while riding it is enough to unsettle even seasoned ghost hunters.
Children’s Laughter in the Hallways
One of the eeriest claims involves the ghostly laughter of children echoing throughout the third floor. There are no historical medical records to confirm a pediatric ward at the United Verde Hospital, but guests and workers alike have claimed to hear playful giggles and the sound of small footsteps running down empty corridors.
A Nurse’s Lingering Spirit
Several guests have reported seeing an apparition of a woman in a white nurse’s uniform. Often seen near the old maternity room (now Suite 35), this ghostly figure is said to glide silently across hallways and vanish into walls. Paranormal investigators using EMF detectors and spirit boxes have picked up strong electromagnetic readings and voice phenomena in the area, further fueling the belief that this nurse is still on duty—long after death.
EVPs and Thermal Evidence
Numerous paranormal investigation teams have documented unexplained voices through EVP (Electronic Voice Phenomena) devices. Cold spots, moving shadows, and temperature fluctuations have also been recorded, especially in the boiler room and former surgery areas. If you’re lucky—or unlucky enough—you might walk into a room that suddenly drops several degrees with no logical explanation.
Plan Your Paranormal Pilgrimage
The Jerome Grand Hotel isn’t just a hub for supernatural sightings—it’s also a beautifully restored piece of Arizona history. With antique furnishings, period-appropriate décor, and an on-site restaurant (The Asylum), the hotel perfectly blends Gothic old-world charm with otherworldly intrigue.
If you’re a fan of the undead or simply intrigued by historic haunts, the Jerome Grand Hotel offers an exhilarating weekend escape. Whether you’re touring the town’s abandoned mines, joining a nighttime ghost walk, or conducting your own investigation inside the hotel, you’ll find no shortage of paranormal possibilities in Jerome.
So pack your EVP recorder, charge your night vision camera, and head to one of the most haunted hotels in the Southwest. Who knows? The ghost of Jerome’s past might decide to welcome you personally.