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SALT LAKE CITY — Ghosts supposedly roam the streets and haunt the buildings of Utah’s capitol city.
This Halloween, if you are looking for a real scare, learn about the ghosts of Salt Lake City, and if you dare, visit those in places open to the public.
Alta Club
Supposedly haunting the room he once occupied is a ghost of a man who fell asleep with a cigar in hand, alighting the couch he was upon and burning the top floor of the club. In the club is a photo of the man, which matches the description of a ghostly figure.
Marks from the fire’s smoke can still be seen on the stone along the the outer upstairs windows.
*100 E. South Temple*Members only
Rio Grande Depot
One of the more famous of Utah’s supposedly famous haunts, the Rio Grande Depot was constructed in 1910, and it has since been inhabited by ghosts. Appropriately, it houses the Utah State Historical Society, which restored the building 60 years after it was built.
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In addition to housing archives, the depot is said to house at least two ghosts. People claim that the station is haunted by the ghost of a woman killed at the station while chasing after a diamond engagement ring thrown to the tracks by her fiance during a lover’s quarrel. She is described as a beautiful woman with black hair, wearing a purple dress.
The second ghost, some guess, may be that of George Gould, who built the depot. This male ghost is said to walk about the balcony, lobby and first floor.
Local legend has it that a security guard getting off the elevator once interrupted a whole party of ghosts, flickering the lights on and off.
*300 South Rio Grande Street*Open to the public
Memory Grove
Though the story varies, it always involves a bride-to-be. A ghost of a woman is said to haunt the Memorial House, a reception center in Memory Grove where her wedding was to be held. Supposedly, as she crossed B Street, she was struck by a vehicle and killed. Some say she loves purple in the afterlife as she did in life and is awakened by it. Others say drivers can go to the spot she was killed and see her cross the road in her wedding dress.
*Memorial House:485 120 EastOpen to eventsMemory Grove Park:375 120 E*Open dawn to dusk
Salt Lake City Cemetery
Salt Lake City celebrities like Porter Rockwell, Larry H. Miller and most of the former prophets of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are buried in this cemetery. Buried among them are some more infamous people, as well.
The 1958 grave of Lilly E. Gray is inscribed with a haunting message: “Victim of the Beast 666.” Located in the X1 section of the cemetery, the inscription, likely written by her husband Elmer Gray, spooks visitors, who often leave pennies by Lilly’s grave.
Another supposedly haunted grave, that of Jacob E. Moritz, is said to show the face of its occupant. The face appears, some say, if visitors walk backward around the crypt three times and look into it.
*200 N St*Open 8 a.m. to dusk
Devereaux Mansion
A little girl, framed by an upstairs window, can sometimes be seen from the Devereaux Mansion grounds. The 8-year-old is said to hum, sing and talk to herself. Some say, when the girl gets angry she shuts open doors and throws things on the ground.
*340 W. South Temple*Open for events