A Haunting Experience Tours

06/08/2024

Last night on my tour was a couple who have family members who moved to Prescott in the early 1880s. Three brothers, Frank, William and George Heisler. Many family members are here in Prescott for a family reunion so I did research on the family and found such amazing information about them and their contributions to Prescott and the history of this town. Now they feel even closer to our beautiful town and another reason to keep the downtown area the way it is.

Send a message to learn more

05/11/2024

Gettysburg: Many people know about the Civil War, but until you have been there, you really don't know. I stayed 4 nights in Gettysburg and I learned so much and felt so much heavy energy there.
We visited the Shriver House Museum. Here is some information about it.
The Shriver House in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, holds a significant place in the history of the American Civil War, particularly the Battle of Gettysburg, which took place from July 1 to July 3, 1863.
The house belonged to the Shriver family, specifically George and Hettie Shriver, along with their daughters Sadie and Mollie. During the Battle of Gettysburg, the house became a focal point of intense fighting, as it stood at the dividing line between Union and Confederate forces.
On July 1, 1863, the first day of the battle, Confederate troops occupied the town of Gettysburg. The Shriver House was in the path of the Confederate advance, and it became a temporary headquarters for Confederate sharpshooters who used it as a sniper's nest to fire upon Union troops.
During the battle, the Shriver family sought refuge in the basement of their home, while the upper floors were occupied by Confederate soldiers. The house sustained damage from artillery fire and gunfire during the conflict.
The Shriver House was used by the Confederates for surgery. They would remove doors and use them for surgery tables and gurneys to carry the wounded. They used all the clothes for surgery and to wrap wounds.
Pictures show two areas in the attic used by Confederate snipers watching for the Union soldiers when they entered town.
After the battle, the Shriver family returned to find their home heavily damaged. They undertook extensive repairs to restore the house to its pre-war condition. Today, the Shriver House Museum offers visitors a glimpse into the civilian experience during the Battle of Gettysburg.

11/06/2023

What an amazing October. With the release of mine and Parker Anderson's new book, Haunted Mining Towns of Arizona, we had so many speaking engagements and book signings. AND the haunted tours have captured some very interesting orbs and ghosts. It's so active here in Prescott and people on the tours have been having fun taking pictures.

The pictures attached were taken by someone in the Hotel Vendome. See the railing through the woman's shoulder? And the glass of wine. In the second picture she is gone and so is the wine bottle. There is someone standing in the front of the hotel and the red neon lights are reflecting on them. Who are they and where did they come from? Not a guest at the hotel.

10/24/2023

Parker Anderson and I went to Sedona yesterday to explore cemeteries. I lived in Sedona for several years and had only been to Sedona's grave site. It was a beautiful day to be outdoors at the peaceful cemeteries.

We also had lunch at my favorite place, The Coffee Pot Restaurant. Love that place, the people and the food.

Just a few pictures of the cemeteries we visited including Sedona Schnebly's grave site.

10/12/2023

Watch the video podcast I did today. https://fb.watch/nD6yEh7STc/?mibextid=Nif5oz

10/11/2023

RESERVATIONS REQUIRED 928-642-5074

10/11/2023

09/08/2023

It's that time of the year when the possibility of capturing a ghost/orb / haunted picture on my tour (Haunted Prescott). They say that because the veil is thinner, you can see the other dimensions easier. I have been doing the tours for 14 years and have definitely seen a pattern...the last half of September, all of October, and the first half of November, much more activity is photographed.
BUT people on my tour have been capturing incredible pictures throughout the year. I have attached a few that they have shared with me.
Check out my website for more information. October is my busiest month, and it is booking up quickly. www.ahauntingexperiencetours.com
Tours start at a haunted hotel and end at a haunted saloon. Tours start at 6:30pm, a walking tour that lasts approximately 2 hours and is $35/person. Put a group together and get $5 off per person. I talk about the history of this town, the first territorial capital of AZ. The hangings, the Earp Brother, Doc Holliday, Big Nose Kate, the Red Light District, and so, so many other ghost stories. Things I have personally seen, felt, and captured on camera.
More questions? Call me, Darlene Wilson, at 928-642-5074 or email me at: [email protected]

08/03/2023

Parker Anderson and I have a new book coming out Sept 2023 called "Haunted Mining Towns of Arizona". It covers so many of the mines in the state of Arizona and their ghost stories. Here is an excerpt from the book about Patagonia, Arizona.
Patagonia, Arizona
At an altitude of 4,050 feet, Patagonia is tucked away among the Sky Islands and home to about 900 people. The Coronado National Forest encircles the area, giving it a feeling of remoteness.
Sky Island refers to mountain ranges in the Arizona area that are floating habitat islands due to their height above the clouds.
It is said that the Welsh miners who had migrated from Patagonia, South America, are thought to have given Patagonia's region its name. They started referring to the area as the Patagonia Mountains.
Native Americans were the first people to live in the area. They discovered that the lush terrain around the Sonoita and Harshaw Creeks was ideal for a way of life full of hunting and fishing opportunities. Spanish explorers arrived in the region close to the Mexican border in 1539.
Father Kino arrived in the region in 1692 as a missionary to convert the locals to Catholicism. They found Sonoita Creek in 1698 and went there to meet the native inhabitants of the Arizona region.
It became challenging to mine or raise livestock in the area as the Apache started conducting raids in the late 1700s. Many miners and homesteaders gave up and fled as a result of the constant attacks.
When the Gadsden Purchase was signed in 1853, mining activity picked back up. Order was restored when American troops were dispatched to the region in 1856. But because of the start of the Civil War, the troops were pulled out, which allowed the Apache to resume their rampage.
In 1867, when the war was over, the army was ordered back, setting up a camp, and mining and ranching resumed.
Rollin Rice Richardson, a rancher and Civil War veteran, invested in the Patagonia Mountains region in the 1890s, which included mines and a ranch. He paid a Tucson surveyor to draw up the settlement's boundaries. In 1899, he requested the opening of a post office and named the community Rollin in his honor. The locals opposed this notion and wanted it named after the Patagonia mountains. In 1900, it was acknowledged as the town's administrative name.
Patagonia featured three hotels, an opera theater, a schoolhouse, a two-story train depot, two parks, numerous shops and saloons, and running water in 1900. As the stock market crashed in 1929, the region experienced uncertainty. Also, the summer rains contributed to floods and the destruction of most bridges. By November of that year, the railroad had submitted a request for approval to cut its Patagonia–Mexico route.
Although Patagonia's economy has had ups and downs, it is steadfast in its commitment to and love for its people. The town's citizens requested incorporation in 1947; on February 10 of that year, it became official.
As financial difficulties returned to Patagonia in 1957, the mill and power plant closed. The railroad abandoned the depot and began removing the tracks in a month. The town's primary source of income was gone.
When the last ore was shipped in 1960 and the last of the railroad line was removed in 1962, a Patagonia resident bought the depot in 1964 to keep it from being demolished. A year later he sold it to the local Rotary Club who began restoring it. The station grounds were donated to the town and made into a Town Park in 1966. The restored depot is now the municipal offices of Patagonia.
A resident of Patagonia purchased the depot in 1964 to prevent it from being demolished after the final shipment of ore was made in 1960 and the final removal of the railroad line in 1962. He sold it to a local club, which wanted to renovate and save the structure. They started renovating it a year later. In 1966, the town received a donation of the station grounds, which became the Town Park. The Patagonia municipal offices are now in what was once the old depot.
The Town Park today is a favorite place for the locals to enjoy quiet walks, family picnics, and annual festivals. The oak and willow trees lined the park, providing shade in the summer and stunning autumn colors in the fall. Walking along the park, you will notice the shops, galleries, and restaurants you can explore.
Patagonia Lake was established in 1968 due to a dam erected south of the town, and it became a state park in 1974. It is a man-made reservoir just southwest of the town of Patagonia. It is now a popular area for boating and sport fishing. There are camping areas, picnic areas, table and grill areas, and cabins you can rent. Visit the Arizona State Park website for more information about this park.
Today, hikers, international bird watchers, and cyclists congregate in or stay the night in Patagonia. A gravel cyclist’s paradise, the Arizona Trail is bike-friendly. An outdoor restaurant, The Cyclist's Menu, has a bike shop and space heaters for winter, where the riders congregate. A board outside the restaurant lists the Cycling Regulations. On a Saturday morning when Wilson and her friends were in Patagonia, the cyclists gathered, sipping coffee, chatting with friends, and getting ready for their adventure.
Wilson and her friends fell in love with the town, the people, and the region's stunning beauty on our trip to Patagonia in November 2022. When we arrived in town, late at night we passed a building called Velvet Elvis La Mision. The next morning, of cours,e we had to check it out. We had the privilege of meeting the owner, Cecilia San Miguel. A beautiful woman with an incredible imagination and a strong belief in following your heart and vision. "The universe will support you," Cecilia said. And it is.
Walking through the doors, you are transported to another world — a world of color, history, and mystical beauty like no other in Arizona. You come to an abrupt stop, mouth wide open, stunned into silence at the impressive grandness of this 5,000-square-foot restaurant.
You are greeted by the most stunning wood carving of Archangel Michael — the spiritual warrior in the battle of good versus evil. The enormous room has different sitting areas, a comfortable sofa, table and chairs, and brilliant, colorful murals and art. In the back of the sitting area is the most impressive bar. “Insert pic. 069”
The menu runs from salads and freshly baked breads to calzones and Stromboli, designer pizzas, and mouth-watering desserts. Check the website for more information about the Velvet Elvis at La Mision. https://www.velvetelvislamision.com/
One story Cecilia shared with us was that while the construction was going on, she had a small apartment built inside the restaurant where she lived. At night, when it was very, very cold, she would put on her long white fur coat to keep herself warm. She'd walk around the restaurant, inspecting everything and making plans for what she wanted to be done. We joked that people walking through the park late at night saw the "Lady in White" ghost wandering around the restaurant and that renovations really do agitate the spirits.
Haunted? With this much history? Most definitely. The paranormal activity I heard about was from people who are visiting the area. They report strange activity such as shadows hanging around the old train depot.
Although there is no evidence to suggest that Patagonia is haunted, the surrounding abandoned mining camps, towns and cemeteries do have activity.
The old B/W pictures courtesy of Nancy Burgess of Prescott, AZ
Velvet Elvis pictures courtesy of Darlene Wilson of Prescott, AZ

07/13/2023

Parker Anderson and I have a new book coming out Sept 2023 called "Haunted Mining Towns of Arizona". It covers so many of the mines in the state of Arizona and their ghost stories. Here is an excerpt from the book about Harshaw, Arizona
Once a thriving mining town of around 2,000 people, now a ghost town. The ruins of one building are still evident, and the Harshaw cemetery is under a giant Sycamore tree. It is difficult to see the deserted mining town, knowing it was once home to many families, over 200 buildings, homes, and businesses. There is sadness felt by all of us. Knowing that the one ruin left standing represents part of the history of this great state. Circumstances change so quickly.
Clara Migoya, a journalist wrote an article for “High Country News” 9-28-2020 said it best. "Centuries-old sycamore trees tower over the dry riverbed of Harshaw Creek, in the Patagonia mountains of southern Arizona. Where houses once stood, flat, barren earth stretches to the base of nearby low oak-covered hills. A crumbling wooden building, a relic of a mining supervisor's home, and a cemetery are all that remain of what once was one of the West's richest mining towns."
It was thought to have been a Spanish settlement and ranch before it became Harshaw. In about 1764, the Apache assaulted the settlement, and everything was destroyed. 44 people died in the attack on the nearby ranch.
It all began when David Tecumseh Harshaw was instructed to relocate his cattle out of the pasture where he had them grazing in the Patagonia Mountains. They were in Apache country; the Indian Agent Tom Jeffords informed him. As a result, David Harshaw relocated them to the current location in 1877, renaming the town Harshaw in his honor after discovering a rich silver deposit there. He began operating several mines nearby, named one Hermosa and another Hardshell. Two years later, David Harshaw moved after Harshaw sold everything to a New York organization.
The town was founded in 1881, and its post office operated there between 1880 and 1903. Boarding houses, bars, hotels, shops, blacksmiths, banks, general stores, stables, dance halls, and an Arizona Bullion newspaper office were all there.
The mining resumed, but only briefly. The New York group stopped all mining due to the decrease in high-grade silver in the mines. A fire was started by a violent storm with lightning. The town began to die as the mine's ore supply was exhausted. The remaining buildings were deserted as people began to leave.
Over the years, several individuals and businesses have held various leases on the mines in the area. Yet as silver prices dropped, the mine once more closed.
Clara Migoya wrote a great article about Harshaw and the Soto family. The Soto family grew up in Harshaw in the 1940s and 50s. Now living in Tucson, they often gather and remember their childhood days. They still have a property in Harshaw, and they knew the town as El Durazno, meaning "the peach." The Sotos arrived in the El Durazno area in the 1870s. The town had 30 saloons, a church, a school, shops, and a post office.
When Ben Daniels, one of Roosevelt's Rough Riders, sold a mine in the Harshaw district to a business partner in 1906, Harshaw made headlines again. It appears that the mine was owned by someone other than Mr. Daniels.
The Coronado National Forest was formed in 1953, but Harshaw encountered afoul of the U.S. Forest Service in 1983. Because the 70 residents have yet to officially receive titles to their land, the federal government referred to them as squatters. The forestry staff's efforts to relocate and cooperate with them were unsuccessful.
When they arrived, all but one of the old buildings had been removed by the forestry service. The house is thought to belong to a superintendent or one of the mine owners.
Wilson and her friends, Linda, Tom, and Melissa paid a visit to Harshaw in November 2022, and the shell of the building and the hillside of the cemetery is still there. A beautiful, peaceful area, sad as well knowing what this area meant to so many people, and now little is left.
We wandered up the hill to the Harshaw Cemetery. Some of the markers are difficult to see because of the growth of weeds and trees. Headstones go up a small steep hill, with some monuments; some with trees growing around them.
We had our recordings going as we walked the cemetery. Linda captured the children's voices laughing as if they were playing a game of hide and seek. Happy laughter, happy children's spirits.
Wilson and her friends then walked to the one remaining shell of a building believed to be what is left of James Finley's house. It was built to be the superintendent's residence around 1877. Wilson and her friends sat inside the structure and had their recorders going. We heard voices of people outside the building hovering by the opening that once was a side door. It felt as if they wanted to come in but were hesitant.
A young girl's voice was heard the most. She was around 16 years old and was excited for us to be there and wanted to talk with us. Maybe share her stories of life in Harshaw. But someone, in a male voice, cautioned her not to enter. He insisted that those with him leave…and they did.
I am sure there are many other spirits still lingering there. The town of Harshaw was loved by many. Children were born there, and miners and families died there. It's only natural that some may stay and remember the days past.
Nearby is the town of Patagonia. Another beautiful Arizona town. I will share stories and pictures next about this town and the people.

07/07/2023

Parker Anderson and I have a new book coming out Sept 2023 called "Haunted Mining Towns of Arizona". It covers so many of the mines in the state of Arizona and their ghost stories. Here is an excerpt from the book about Gleeson, Arizona and Joe Bono.
The Apache ruled this area for years. Although they were not miners, they would negotiate deals with other Native American tribes giving them the right to extract turquoise in certain regions. They were believed to be mining in that area in the 1850s and for several decades afterward.
In the 1880s, Tiffany & Company became interested in the turquoise mines when they created a fashion craze for the polished blue-green stone. It became quite a fashion, and the turquoise mines were reopened. The original name for the town was Turquoise, Arizona. It even had its own post office from 1890 to 1894. But as with most fashion crazes, they don't last long, and soon the mines were forgotten.
Now the popular mineral was copper, which was abundant in that area. Although silver and gold were found, the copper brought in the miners and prospectors.
John Gleeson purchased a mine in this area and opened a new post office, naming the town after himself. The population was about 500 at that time. He expanded the mine to a much larger scale. He owned that mine until 1901 when he leased it to a copper company that owned multiple claims on surrounding land.
In 1912, a devastating fire burned down a whole town block on both sides of the road, consuming 28 buildings. But like so many towns in Arizona that were ravished by fire, and there were many, they rebuilt, but not with timbers but brick and concrete.
Mining was an important factor in developing that area, causing the economy and population to explode. With ore's decline in the 1950s, the mining companies abandoned the district. With that were the rail service and the removal of railroad tracks.
At one time, Gleeson had all the amenities of a big city. There were hotels, a mercantile, a movie theater, a roller-skating rink, an impressive hotel, a red-light district, several saloons, and even a Chinese restaurant owned by Yee Wee.
Gleeson's only "jail" was a huge oak tree in a wash with a cable. Constable Wes Cates enforced the law then, and he would chain the prisoners to the cable, where they would stay day and night, rain, shine, or snow.
They built a jail made of wood and a tin roof in 1906. But in 1910, three prisoners tore off part of the roof and escaped, but not for long. So, in 1910, they replaced the wooden jail with the existing building.
In 1917, when the USA became involved in WWI, the need for copper was in great demand, and by 1918, Gleeson's population reached 6,000. But with the end of the war and the order of copper now gone, miners were laid off, and mines closed — many left town seeking jobs in other areas.
In 1938 parts of the Zane Grey novel "The Mysterious Rider" was filmed in Gleeson. But by 1939, the town was dying. The post office had closed, the last mine closed in 1957, and Gleeson had become a ghost town.
Most of the buildings are gone except for the jail. Thanks to Tina Miller and Joh Wiest. They would drive past the jail daily to work from their home in Gleeson. They were the owners of the Tombstone Mercantile Co. in Tombstone. “Insert pic. 052”
In 2008 Tina and John purchased the Gleeson Jail and 10 acres of land. They began the restoration of the historic property. Getting it structurally sound was the priority. Repairs of the roof and structural beams were next. The windows had to be rebuilt and a door replaced. Bit by bit, the interior was filled with artifacts from the early 1900s. Stories were collected from local historians, and Tina's background and attention to detail have helped re-create the Gleeson jail.
In 2014 they sold the jail to Joe Bono. Joe Bono was born in Gleeson, and his father owned the Bono General Store just across the road from the jail. Only a little of the store is standing today. My friends and I (Wilson) visited Gleeson in November 2022 and enjoyed meeting Joe Bono. He owns 40 acres of Gleeson, including the ruins of the old schoolhouse where he and his family attended school. He took us on a 4-wheel ride all around Gleeson. He took us up to an old mine shaft, and we walked around very carefully because of the open holes.
Joe took us to the ruins of the Gleeson School, built in 1918. It was a massive two-story building. There were four teachers and scores of students. The last classes were held in 1945.
The Jail Tree we wrote about earlier still has the cable where the prisoners were chained. The tree has grown over parts of the cable but still runs across the wash. Joe told us that his father said passing children used to throw rocks at the prisoners. That massive tree is still there today.
The Shannon Mining Company, which owned the big mines, erected a hospital and made it accessible to its workers in 1913. Only there could miners, ranchers, and their families receive medical care for their ailments. Several patients were treated at the hospital during the Spanish Flu pandemic (1918–20), many of whom recovered. The hospital had electricity as well. Also, it featured a pit where, after an amputation, the body parts were transported and buried, but the local wildlife would later enter and dig the parts up. They started burning the body parts in the pit to keep the animals away.
We drove past an old, abandoned trailer home where they said "Bigfoot" had lived. He was a giant of a man. A man, along with his accomplice, murdered two young girls. I should say they brutally murdered Mary and Mandy, 13-year-old girls. On July 4th, 1991, there was a community celebration where families would gather, camp out and enjoy the festivities.
There have been numerous reports of hauntings at Gleeson from tourists or paranormal research groups. One person said she thought a prior prisoner's ghost who died while serving his time haunted the jail. Some visitors have mentioned feeling cold areas, hearing unusual noises, and even seeing an apparition.
Whether you believe in the paranormal or not, the intriguing location appeals to both history fans and ghost hunters because of its rich past and eerie legends. Make plans with Joe Bono if you're interested in investigating or learning more about the history of the region. Keep in mind that everything is private property, and please respect that.

06/23/2023

On our trip to Clifton, AZ in July, we will be staying at the beautifully renovated and haunted Clifton Hotel. An absolutely stunning place with the nicest owners, Karen and Matt.
We met several ghosts there. One is a prankster named Smitty. We have met him every time we have stayed there. AND I look forward to seeing him again.

Another spirit we have met there is a young woman who was murdered by an abusive boyfriend. She ran away and thought she was safe in Clifton, but he found her, murdered her, and threw her in the river. She still shows up at the hotel because she loves the music and the happy people there. Many people, including me, have smelled her perfume in the ladies restroom. Hopefully, we'll see her again.

And another was Julie Pitt. She and her husband owned the hotel, but he, being a judge, was too busy, so she ran it. A strong, independent woman has talked to us through our spirit box. I said that Karen and Matt (the present owners) loved the hotel as much as she did and she replied, "Impossible".

So, hopefully, we will see our favorite spirits again and meet some new ones.

The Clifton Hotel. The last photos are of the hotel when Matt and Karen purchased it. Those pictures are Matt's before pictures that he shares with us. As you can tell, they have done a magnificent job of restoring it.

06/21/2023

I will be returning to one of my favorite places in Arizona. Clifton, AZ. We will be there in July at the request of a shop owner who has some crazy and not-so-nice entities in her space. We will investigate, remove any negative energy/spirits, and fill it with only positive energy.

I'll keep you all posted.

06/12/2023

Check out this picture taken on my haunted tours here in Prescott, Arizona. Do you see the white ghost cat? In another picture I took right after this, there is NO ghost cat. I went back into the hotel days later to see if there was anything sitting there that could have made that picture and there is nothing.

05/26/2023

Great News!!! The publisher just sent us the cover for our new book. It's beautiful. Haunted Mining Towns of Arizona. The book will be released in September 2023. Parker Anderson and I are so excited about this book.

We met the most wonderful people on our journey of writing this book.

There is sadness at the sight of abandoned mining towns and a reminder of the rise and fall of human endeavors. These once-thriving communities, bustling with life and energy, now stand as ghostly remnants of a bygone ear. As you wonder through their empty streets, a wave of melancholy washes over you, accompanied by a sense of loss and the echo of forgotten stories.

Once prosperous and vibrant, these towns were built upon the dreams and sweat of hardworking individuals seeking a better life.

The sadness of seeing abandoned mining towns lies not only in their physical decay but also in the collective memory they represent. They are reminders of the existence, the inevitability of change, and the unpredictable paths that life can take.

Abandoned mining towns have the power to ignite our imagination and inspire us to preserve their history. We need to learn from the past and to cherish the stories they hold.

I hope you feel the love that went into this book when you read it. That it encourages you to take a road trip and explore some of these places. Some are abandoned, some are thriving well and some are striving to make a comeback.

05/18/2023

What is intuition? It is a powerful and often elusive phenomenon. Sometimes referred to as a "sixth sense" or a "gut feeling". It is an ability that we all have to some degree. Some people have strong intuition, while others may not feel as connected to their intuitive senses.

It can be thought of as a form of subconscious processing, where our brain is picking up on subtle signals and patterns that we may not be aware of consciously.

For more information and articles on Intuition, check out my website:

RESERVATIONS REQUIRED 928-642-5074

04/25/2023

Join me for this unique and special workshop on Developing Your Intuition. Find out more at https://developingyourintuition.com

04/17/2023

This will be fun. I'll be there along with other speakers and vendors sharing our ghostly stories. Sign up for the many ghost investigations around town. I've done them and they are great. Hope to see you in Globe this Saturday, April 22nd

***********ONE WEEK TO GO***************
Here is the lineup for our speakers and workshops that cover a wide range of fascinating topics. We have a few ghost hunts left. Don’t wait get your tickets today!!
www.gogparacon.info

04/15/2023

How are Intuitive and Psychic Abilities Alike?

Psychic and intuitive abilities are often used interchangeably but they are not exactly the same thing. Both involve a heightened sense of perception beyond what is considered normal, but they differ in their source, focus, and method of operation.

Psychic abilities refer to a range of phenomena that are traditionally associated with the paranormal, such as telepathy, clairvoyance, precognition, psychokinesis, and mediumship. These abilities are said to be innate or acquired through practice and training, and they involve accessing information or influencing the environment through means that cannot be explained by conventional scientific principles.

Intuitive abilities, on the other hand, are more closely related to natural instincts and gut feelings. They are often described as a "sixth sense" or an inner knowing that comes from a deeper level of awareness beyond rational thought. Intuition is believed to be a subconscious process that draws on past experiences, emotional intelligence, and non-verbal cues to guide decision-making and behavior.

Learn more about these abilities in my workshop at the Prescott Library in Prescott, AZ.

Connecting You With Your Inner Knowledge