Copper Queen Hotel

Perched atop the historic mining town of Bisbee, Arizona, the majestic Copper Queen Hotel stands as a testament to the American Southwest's mining boom, where for over a century, guests have reported encounters with ethereal residents who never checked out.

WRITTEN BY

James Sutton

Built in 1902 by the Phelps Dodge Mining Company, the Copper Queen Hotel was designed to be the crown jewel of Bisbee, offering luxurious accommodations to mining executives, investors, and wealthy travelers. The four-story Italian Renaissance-style building, with its striking red brick facade and elegant design, quickly became the social hub of this bustling copper mining town.

Among the most famous spiritual inhabitants is Julia Lowell, a prostitute from the 1920s who, according to legend, took her own life in Room 315 after being rejected by the man she loved. Today, male guests report seeing her dancing seductively at the foot of their beds or feeling her presence in the room. Some have even claimed to smell her signature lavender perfume wafting through the halls.

The hotel’s third floor is particularly active with paranormal activity, where a young boy named Billy is said to roam the corridors. Guests and staff have reported hearing his infectious laughter and the sound of running footsteps when no children are present. Some visitors have even reported their belongings being playfully moved around their rooms, attributed to Billy’s mischievous spirit.

Perhaps the most imposing presence is that of an older gentleman, believed to be a former hotel employee or mining executive. Often spotted in the hotel’s dining room and lobby, this cape-wearing specter is known for his sophisticated demeanor and tendency to suddenly disappear into walls. His presence is frequently accompanied by the distinct smell of cigar smoke, even though smoking is now prohibited in the hotel.

The Copper Queen Hotel has embraced its supernatural reputation, maintaining detailed ghost journals where guests can record their paranormal experiences. These leather-bound books contain hundreds of entries describing unexplained phenomena, from mysterious footsteps and disembodied voices to full-bodied apparitions and objects moving on their own.

Modern paranormal investigators have flocked to the hotel, equipped with EMF meters, thermal cameras, and other ghost-hunting equipment. Many have captured compelling evidence of supernatural activity, leading to the hotel’s feature on numerous paranormal investigation shows and cementing its status as one of Arizona’s most haunted locations.

Despite—or perhaps because of—its ghostly residents, the Copper Queen Hotel continues to attract visitors from around the world. The hotel maintains its historic charm while offering modern amenities, allowing guests to experience a unique blend of luxury and supernatural intrigue. Each room tells its own story, and many visitors hope to add their own chapter to the hotel’s ongoing paranormal narrative.

For those brave enough to spend the night, the Copper Queen Hotel offers ghost tours and the opportunity to stay in its most haunted rooms, including the infamous Room 315. Whether you’re a skeptic or a believer, the historic hotel provides an unforgettable experience where the past and present mysteriously intertwine, making every creak, whisper, and unexplained shadow part of its enduring legacy.