Dark Phantoms of Robb Canyon - Reno, Nevada

About 15 miles north of Lake Tahoe, just west of Reno, Nevada the is a small canyon that runs to the north and south called Robb Canyon.  A serene, beautiful valley that was a haven to get away to.  That all changed in the early 70's when someone exploring the canyon made a gruesome discovery.

The remains of four murdered transients were discovered in Robb Canyon in Reno, Nevada decades ago and they still are believed to haunt the canyon to this day.  Image courtesy of lobster20 FreeDigitalPhotos.net

A hiker exploring Robb Canyon discovered what was thought to be human remains partially sticking out of the dry desert soil.  When the police arrived, the unearthed the body of a woman and three men that appeared to be transients or homeless.

Robb Canyon part of Rainbow Ridge Park in Reno, Nevada thought to be the haunting grounds for four murdered transients

It is thought that the spirits of these souls lost in this desert canyon have not gone.  Over the years since the discovery many claim to hear strange blood curdling screams coming from Robb Canyon.  Many exploring the canyon have seen what are known as shadow people.  Dark human like figures that are not people, but some sort of dark phantoms from the after world.  

Many exploring the canyon at night, never make it very far as they are overcome by a feeling of dread and fear.   They end up leaving not long after darkness falls.  There have been reports by some who claim that they have been held down by some unseen force.

An aerial view of Robb Canyon and Rainbow Ridge Park in Reno, Nevada

Robb Canyon is now part of Rainbow Ridge Park in Reno, Nevada and is considered one of the most haunted places in the Western United States.

American Ghosts and Hauntings Index by Region 

Lake Tahoe - North Shore on Dwellable

 

 

The Ferris Mansion - Carson City, NV

The Ferris Mansion located in Carson City, Nevada was built in 1863.  Some time later the home was purchased by George Ferris who lived in the home with his wife and two children Mary and George, Jr. George Ferris, Sr. was a prominent landscaper in the Carson City area, however the home would become well known as the childhood home of the man who invented the Ferris wheel, George Ferris, Jr.

The Ferris Mansion in Carson City, Nevada

When it came time for Mary to wed, she decided she wanted to be married at her grand home.  Many guests came from all around to witness the magnificent wedding.  However, many of those guests got more than they bargained for.  As some believed it was a double wedding.  After spotting a second bride in full wedding dress in the backyard, they approached George Sr. and asked who the second bride was and who she was marrying.  Then Mr. Ferris promptly replied, "There is no second wedding, only one bride will be married today".  To the astonishment of the guests, the bride seen in the backyard was no where to be found.  

Some people have claimed to have even spoken to her, hearing he phantom bride mentioning something about looking for her groom,  perhaps wondering where he had gotten to.  The Ferris family did some research and determined that only one wedding had taken place at the home previously as there was only one owner.  The bride was left standing at the alter by her groom-to-be.  So it seems that she is now spending eternity looking for her lost love.

The Haunted Doll in the Long Branch Saloon - Virginia City, Nevada

Like many other western mining towns, Virginia City, Nevada exploded in population back in the late 1800's.  It is most famous for playing host to the Comstock Load silver strike in 1859.  This was one of the iconic boom towns of the old west featuring a Boot Hill cemetery, not to be confused with the one in Tombstone, Arizona were participants in the OK Corral incident are buried.

Virginia City, Nevada in the 1800's

View of modern day Virginia City from Boot Hill Cemetery

Boot Hill Cemetery in Virginia City, Nevada

The Long Branch Saloon, not the one in Dodge City that you have seen on the TV show Gunsmoke, is said to be haunted by the spirit of a little girl.  Folks say they have seen her wandering around in the upper floors of the saloon.  Some say they have seen a strange blue light emanating from the upper floors and upon investigation, there seems to be no source.  The most notable activity is that of a particular doll located in the 3rd floor.  They say if you change the doll's clothing and set it down, the next day the doll's clothing will be changed back the way it was originally.  They say, this is because the doll belonged to the little girl who haunts this establishment.  Because you see, back in the 1800's she was playing in front of the saloon and was accidentally run over by a wagon and killed.  

Some say you can also hear the wailing of a woman emanating from the saloon when there appears to be nobody inside.  It is believed this is the crying of the girl's mother, who was devastated at the loss of her daughter.

The Longbranch Saloon in Virginia City, Nevada

Accompanying the little girl in her ethereal meanderings is what is said to the the spirit of an Indian that used to frequent the hotel.  Two Feathers as he was known, got into a bar room brawl one day with another patron of the saloon.  A gun fight broke out and Two Feathers was killed on the spot.  Some say they have briefly seen his apparition appear in a particular location in the saloon.  This spot happens to be near a slot machine that exudes some strange behavior on occasion operating on its own.  It is believed that it is the ghost of Two Feathers haunting the device.

A photo believed to be that of Two Feathers