Ghostly Journeys Through Nevada's Haunted History

By Mary Bennett, Carson City Ghost Tours

Craving a journey beyond the mundane? Consider a step back in time to meet the spirits of Nevada’s bygone era—a landscape rich in haunted history, where stories of pioneers and fortune seekers echo in the wind. Ghost tours can be a wonderful way to experience and glean the unforgettable stories of legendary characters who inhabited the Wild West, while also making a deeper connection with the beautiful nature of Northern Nevada.

Carson City: Where History Haunts

Just a 30-minute drive from Reno via Hwy 395, Carson City is a treasure trove of ghostly lore. Nevada’s capital lays claim to the largest historic home district in the state. Inhabited first by Native American tribes such as the Washoe, Western Shoshone, Northern Shoshone, and Paiute, the city grew dramatically after the discovery of the Comstock Lode in 1859. Northern Nevada quickly erupted into a culture of wild days and nights, invention, reinvention, and the considerable quest for the American dream.

The spirits of Carson City are as complex as its history. Many date back to the Civil War and the great quest for gold and silver that shaped the American West. Haunted mansions stand as testimony to those who found fortunes, while the restless spirits who lost it all continue to wander. Some spirits you might “meet” include Samuel and Orion Clemens, and the incomparable stagecoach driver Hank Monk, who may end up riding home with you if you have extra whiskey lying around.

Immerse Yourself: Carson City Ghost Walk

The best way to dig deeper? Take the Carson City Ghost Walk. Led by the theatrical Madame Curry, widow of Carson City’s founder Abraham Curry, the tour guides you through the perils and possibilities of a wild west town. The creation of theater artist Mary Bennett who manages the tours with her spirit-wrangling daughter, Baylee Biber, this 90-minute Saturday evening tour takes you through the historic Victorian West Side during the summertime. The Carson City Ghost Walk has been running for 30 years and offers 120-minute daytime tours featuring local building and home tours along with additional actors. Visit carsoncityghostwalk.com for more details.

Essentials for the Walk

Perfect for a date night, solo affair, or family exploration, the ghost walks are the perfect opportunity for historic fun. As tours are conducted rain or shine, it’s recommended that you dress appropriately and bring water, a light source, and your walking shoes. For the perfect touch, add a decorative walking stick. Round off your adventure with a meal at one of Carson’s local eateries, and perhaps a cocktail before your journey. Check out visitcarsoncity.com/food-and-drink for dining options.

The Spiritual Connection

Why are we so intrigued by ghosts? This curiosity dates back to ancient times and was particularly popular during the Victorian era. Seances, spiritualism, and a desire to understand the afterlife have always captured human imagination. We use grace, emotional intelligence, and our senses to connect with the energy from the past, which is still a part of us, and use human stories that want to be told and learned from.

More Stops on Nevada’s Haunted Trail

While in Carson, don’t miss the Stewart Indian School, which highlights Native American history and educates us about cultural and moral values. The Great Basin Native Artists Gallery, whose mission is to create better knowledge of the art and peoples of the Great Basin and to create opportunities for this underrepresented region in all forms of the arts, creates a place for healing from historical trauma. Find more information on Stewart Indian School at stewartindianschool.com.

A stop at Bowers Mansion in Washoe Valley brings you face-to-face with the tragic story of Eilley Orrum Bowers, the famous Washoe seeress who predicted the 1875 fire in Virginia City, and at one time was one of the richest women in the United States. After Mrs. Bowers’ death, it’s been reported that guests can see a green light floating around the grounds. Many shadows, spirits, and speculations have been reported in and around the mansion. Bring your suit in the summer to swim with the water babies, but whatever you do, don’t answer their cries.

A brief drive southeast on Hwy 395 takes you to Dayton. With its deep historical ties as a stop on the Pony Express and a bustling town after the discovery of the Comstock Lode, there are a few wonderful spots to explore, including the cemetery. You can also visit the Odeon Saloon, featured in the 1961 film The Misfits, which has recently been reopened to the community (daytonnvchamber.com/visitor-center).

Head up the hill toward Virginia City on State Route 341, drive through the rock formation called Devil’s Gate, a known hideout for robbers and highwaymen in the 1860s, and make a stop at the Gold Hill Hotel. Gold Hill was the industrial center of the Comstock Lode and has continued to exist in the shadow of Virginia City. A stop at the Gold Hill Hotel features Wednesday evening ghost tours, fine dining, and a groovy stone bar to wet your whistle. Visit goldhillhotel.net.

Continue your journey by ascending to Virginia City, the so-called “Queen of the Comstock,” perched atop the Virginia Mountain Range. This storied locale offers an enticing blend of the eerie and the historical. Explore the intricate mines, venture through museums that peel back the layers of time, or raise a glass at iconic bars like The Bucket of Blood and The Silver Queen. For those who dare, ghost tours of the town and The Washoe Club, Virginia City’s most famous and haunted saloon, await, offering bone-chilling encounters with resident phantoms. If that’s not thrilling enough, hop on a vintage train tour, meander through the infamous cemetery, and hope to get a peek at a local spirit. See visitvirginiacitynv.com for more information.

The Spirits of Today and Yesterday

Our mode of travel has evolved since the 1860s, but the tales from that era offer us an enriching lens through which to view our modern journeys. Whether you hear the impatient query, “Are we there yet?”, from the back seat or simply seek to explore the paths less taken, a visit to Nevada’s haunting locales puts our contemporary expeditions into enlightening perspective.

Experience the thrill of connecting with the past, and you might just find that these age-old stories remain ever relevant, whispering secrets and life lessons that are as haunting as they are insightful.