In the heart of Denver, Colorado lies a serene urban oasis known as Cheesman Park. To the casual observer, it’s a picture-perfect retreat: joggers winding past flowering gardens, families lounging under mature trees, and photographers capturing majestic mountain sunsets. But to the keen historian and intrepid ghost hunter, this idyllic park hides a chilling past — one steeped in scandal, tragedy, and whispered hauntings. Beneath the green space and peaceful ambiance, a darker story stirs, making Cheesman Park one of Denver’s most haunted hotspots. If you’re ready for a journey through time and the otherworldly, this park is more than just a beautiful escape — it’s a portal into a paranormal past.
The History
Before Cheesman: Native American Lands
Long before Denver emerged as a bustling city, the land that would become Cheesman Park was sacred territory. Native American tribes, including the Cheyenne and Arapaho, inhabited the region, using the land for hunting and ceremonial purposes. Its gentle hills and panoramic views held spiritual significance. However, that reverence would be upended in the 19th century as settlers pushed westward and development transformed the landscape.
From Cemetery to City Park
In 1858, the U.S. government set aside 320 acres of land east of Downtown Denver to be used as a cemetery. Originally named Mount Prospect Cemetery, it later became known colloquially as City Cemetery. The burial ground served as the final resting place for a wide variety of people — from Civil War veterans and early pioneers to criminals, the impoverished, and victims of disease outbreaks.
By the 1880s, however, views toward the cemetery had shifted. With surrounding neighborhoods like Capitol Hill flourishing, locals complained that the burial ground had become unsightly and neglected. The city, hoping to raise property values and expand green space, decided to repurpose the area into a public park. In 1890, Congress approved the transfer of the land back to the city for recreational use.
The Infamous Excavation
What followed was one of the most bizarre and controversial chapters in Denver’s history. The city hired an undertaker, E.P. McGovern, to exhume and relocate the bodies buried in City Cemetery. But McGovern’s work quickly descended into chaos. To maximize profits, he used undersized coffins, sometimes chopping up remains to make them fit. Multiple sets of remains were mishandled or buried together indiscriminately, and some bodies were left behind entirely.
Local newspaper reports from 1893 described open graves, scattered bones, and coffin parts strewn across the area. Outraged and horrified, citizens demanded the project be halted — and it was. But by that time, hundreds of bodies had been improperly moved, and untold numbers remained beneath the soil. Over time, the area was cleaned up, landscaped, and converted into a functional urban park. In 1907, it was renamed Cheesman Park in honor of Walter Cheesman, a Denver pioneer and businessman whose family donated funds for the park’s pavilion.
Yet despite its beautiful facade, the spirits of those left behind may not rest so easily.
The Haunt
Unrest Beneath the Surface
Hundreds — possibly thousands — of bodies were never relocated. Today, it’s believed that as many as 2,000 remains are still buried under Cheesman Park. Paranormal enthusiasts suggest that this spiritual unrest is the source of many strange occurrences reported around the area. The idea of a city park being built over unmarked graves is disturbing enough, but firsthand accounts of ghostly apparitions take the story even further into the supernatural.
Paranormal Sightings and Experiences
Locals and visitors alike have reported eerie encounters within Cheesman Park. Common paranormal phenomena include:
- Disembodied Whispering: People walking through the park late at night have reported hearing whispers with no discernible source. Some describe the whispers as coming from directly behind them — only to turn and find no one there.
- Shadow Figures: Unexplained shadows moving between trees or behind the pavilion have been seen. Witnesses often say the shapes seem human but vanish when approached.
- Cold Spots: Even on warm nights, inexplicable cold spots chill certain areas of the park. Paranormal investigators believe these could be signs of spiritual activity.
- Children’s Laughter: One of the creepiest consistencies in reports is the sound of children laughing and playing — despite there being no children around. This is especially common near dusk and seems to come from the grove of trees near the old cemetery site.
- Feelings of Unease: Psychics and sensitive individuals report feelings of heaviness, nausea, or sadness in certain sections of the park, particularly near the perimeter where many indigent graves were once located.
Scientific Investigations and Media Coverage
Cheesman Park has been featured on several television specials and documentaries focusing on haunted locations. Paranormal research groups have used tools like EMF detectors, spirit boxes, and night vision cameras to document unexplained activity. Some investigations have recorded anomalous audio, while others have noted electronic equipment malfunctioning mysteriously within the park’s boundaries.
Despite skepticism from some, the consistency of the stories through decades — along with ongoing discoveries of skeletal remains during nearby construction projects — lend a strange credibility to the claims. The line between urban legend and historical fact is unusually thin here.
A Living Park with Silent Tenants
Today, Cheesman Park is a beloved gathering space in Denver. On any given day, you’ll see yoga classes under the trees, wedding photographers snapping romantic sunsets, and dogs chasing frisbees gleefully across open lawns. But just below the surface, a different energy thrums. The very soil this joy grows from was watered with sorrow, mishandling, and loss. Perhaps it’s this tension between beauty and tragedy that keeps the spirits attached…watching from beyond, waiting to be acknowledged.
Conclusion: A Paranormal Paradise in Plain Sight
If you’re a ghost hunter, historian, or thrill-seeker, Cheesman Park offers a truly unique adventure. It’s not often you can walk your dog and investigate a haunted site all in the same afternoon. With its rich and troubled history, unexplained activity, and undeniable aura, the park invites exploration on multiple levels — both earthly and ethereal.
Whether you’re capturing EVP recordings under the moonlight, scanning for EMF anomalies near the pavilion, or simply absorbing the layered energy of this historic ground, Cheesman Park is one location you’ll want in your paranormal travel journal. But a word of caution: Be respectful, for the dead may be uneasy, but they are still there. Tread lightly, and you just might hear them whisper back.
So pack your gear, charge your night vision camera, and make Cheesman Park your next haunted destination. Denver’s most accessible ghost story might just be hiding in plain sight — beneath your very feet.