Just a short drive from the chaos of Las Vegas lies a dusty old saloon steeped in history, legends, and lingering spirits. Tucked away in the sleepy ghost town of Goodsprings, Nevada, The Pioneer Saloon is not your average Old West watering hole. This weathered relic of a bygone era has stood the test of time for over a century, serving as both a monument to frontier grit and a hotspot for the supernatural. Whether you’re a history buff, a ghost hunter, or a desert road tripper looking for something otherworldly, a visit to The Pioneer Saloon feels like stepping into the past—if the past came with ghostly whispers and bullet holes in the walls.
The History
The Birth of a Western Legend
The Pioneer Saloon first opened its doors in 1913, built by local businessman George Fayle. The saloon was constructed to serve the booming mining town of Goodsprings, which was bustling at the time thanks to nearby silver and lead mines. Fayle spared no expense when building the saloon, importing the now-famous stamped tin walls and ceiling from Chicago in the early 1900s. These panels still cover the inside of the saloon today, imbued with over 100 years of smoke, stories, and lore.
The marble bar, the brass foot rail, and even the original poker tables evoke a slice of Old Nevada. But it’s not just aesthetics that give The Pioneer Saloon its charm. This was a true frontier saloon—grit, gunfights, and all. It was a place where miners came to blow off steam, deals were struck over whiskey, and sometimes, tempers flared with deadly results.
Ghost Town Origins: Life in Goodsprings
Goodsprings itself was founded in the early 1900s and once rivaled Las Vegas in population. However, as the mining industry dried up, so did the town’s prosperity. Many businesses shuttered their doors, but resiliently, The Pioneer Saloon remained open. Its continued operation is both a testament to its cultural significance and its ability to adapt to changing times.
Over the years, Goodsprings faded into semi-obscurity, but the saloon endured. Thanks to preservation efforts and increased interest in “haunted history,” the saloon found a new life as a tourist attraction and paranormal hotspot.
Clark Gable and Tragedy in the Sky
One of the most poignant pieces of The Pioneer Saloon’s legacy occurred in 1942. Hollywood legend Clark Gable spent several days in the saloon, chain-smoking and drinking, while waiting to hear news about his wife, actress Carole Lombard. Lombard was aboard TWA Flight 3, which tragically crashed into nearby Mount Potosi while returning from a war bond tour.
Locals still remember the sorrow that hung in the air during those days. Today, the saloon honors Lombard and Gable’s connection with a memorial room filled with newspaper clippings, photographs, and personal items, giving visitors an emotional connection to the Hollywood tragedy played out in this remote Nevada town.
The Bullet Holes Are Real
If you ever find yourself inside The Pioneer Saloon, be sure to take a look at the wall just to the right of the door. There, you’ll find genuine bullet holes left behind during a fatal card game gone wrong in 1915. According to local lore, a man was caught cheating and paid with his life. The coroner’s report—on display in a glass case nearby—details the bullet trajectory and cause of death, offering a chilling glimpse into the lawless past that defined the American West.
The Haunt
Paranormal Claims and Ghost Stories
The Pioneer Saloon isn’t just a historic treasure—it’s a paranormal hotspot that draws ghost hunters from around the world. Over the years, countless visitors and staff members have reported ghostly encounters within its weathered walls.
The most commonly cited apparitions include:
- The Cheating Gambler: Said to have been shot during a heated poker game, this spirit is known to rearrange poker chips, whisper unintelligibly, and even tap shoulders late at night.
- The Lady in White: Believed to be the restless spirit of Carole Lombard, this figure is seen roaming near the memorial room where personal items from her life are displayed.
- The Smoking Man: Witnesses report seeing a shadowy figure seated at the bar, cigar smoke curling into an otherwise empty room. Despite strict no-smoking rules, the scent of caramel cigar smoke lingers with no physical source.
First-Hand Accounts
Paranormal investigation teams have captured chilling EVPs (Electronic Voice Phenomena), sudden temperature drops, and even video evidence of unexplained movements. The bar’s large mirror has been known to reflect figures no one else in the room could see. One team even reported a beer glass sliding across the bar on its own—without any logical explanation.
Staff members who close up at night often speak of hearing old-time piano music filling the building, though no such piano exists. More than one bartender has claimed to hear chairs move, laughter echo, or footsteps shuffle when the building is completely empty.
Featured in Paranormal Media
The haunted reputation of The Pioneer Saloon has certainly caught the attention of the media. It has been featured on several paranormal investigation shows, including Travel Channel’s “Ghost Adventures,” where the crew encountered unexplained anomalies and conflicting EMF readings. The saloon is often listed as one of the most haunted bars in the United States, and it’s no surprise why.
Join a Ghost Tour or Investigation
If you’re brave (or perhaps just curious), the saloon offers regular ghost tours and overnight investigations. These experiences invite paranormal enthusiasts to explore the saloon’s haunted hallways, use EMF detectors, spirit boxes, and even communicate with the beyond. You can rent the entire location overnight or join guided experiences led by experienced paranormal investigators who have documented unusual activity time and again.
Conclusion: A Must-Visit for Ghost Hunters
Whether you’re chasing a love for Old West history or seeking out encounters with the supernatural, The Pioneer Saloon in Goodsprings, Nevada offers a rich blend of both. It’s a rare location that holds onto its bygone past while opening its doors to anyone with a sense of adventure—and perhaps, a strong constitution for ghostly happenings.
From the bullet-pocked walls and Hollywood tragedy to unexplained footsteps and ghostly apparitions, The Pioneer Saloon offers more than just a cold drink and a good story. It offers a portal to another time—and perhaps, another realm. There’s a reason this desert haunt has remained in operation since 1913: some places don’t just survive history; they become a part of it.
If you’re a ghost hunter, paranormal enthusiast, or simply someone intrigued by the strange and storied, don’t miss your chance to experience The Pioneer Saloon. Bring your EVP recorder, order a whiskey neat, and get ready to meet the spirits who never left. After all, at this iconic desert saloon, history is very much alive—and watching.