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The
Arizona
Paranormal
Society

Jerome Grand Hotel
Pre-Investigation
Jerome, AZ
Case # B-203

The Arizona Paranormal
Society

Name: The Jerome Grand Hotel
Location: 200 Hill Street, P.O. Box 757, Jerome, AZ 86331
Manager: Withheld
Case #: B-203
Date: August 11th, 2007
Time of arrival: 8:00pm

Investigators: Frank Madrid, Lori Marshall, Gino Madrid, Jim Koch, Casey Hall,
Bill Allen, Cindy Lee, Randy Arbogast, Ian Stewart, Lori Kissich, Erina Koch, Annie
Preston.

Guest Investigator: Jamie Chesterson, Founder of The Texas Paranormal Society
(TPS)

Reason for investigation: Preliminary Investigation in preparation for shooting
Channel 3 Halloween Special.

Weather conditions: Clear and calm.
Outside Temperature: 69 degrees f.
Humidity: 30%
Wind: 0-4 mph
Geomagnetic storm activity: Quiet
Moon: waning crescent
Average EMF baseline readings: 1.6
EMF Spikes: to 4.0

HISTORY OF THE JEROME GRAND HOTEL:

Perched above downtown Jerome high upon Cleopatra Hill is another haunted hotel
– the Jerome Grand Hotel. Originally, this building served as the United Verde
Hospital, opened in 1927. Constructed by the United Verde Copper Company for its
many employees and their families, the hospital was a much needed facility in a town
that had grown to a population of some 15,000 people. A show-place building, it
was the highest structure in the Verde Valley and was the last major building
constructed in Jerome. Built to last, the structure was of a fire-proof design and
could withstand the many nearby mining blasts of up to 260,000 pounds. While
other area buildings crumbled or slid down steep slopes caused by the mine
blasting that sometimes could be felt as far away as Camp Verde, the 30,000
square foot hospital wasn’t fazed. The building was an engineering marvel, even by
today’s standards, as it was constructed on a 50 degree slope.
By 1930, the five-story Spanish Mission style building and its facilities were
written up as one of the most modern and well equipped hospitals in Arizona. But,
like the Copper Company itself, the hospital couldn’t survive once the copper
deposits played out. The town’s people moved on to other opportunities and the
hospital closed in 1950.
For the next 44 years it stood abandoned; however, until 1971, it continued to be
maintained, just in case it was needed in an emergency situation. Then, for the next
two decades, it sat silent and neglected. But, in 1994, the building was purchased
by the Altherr family from the Phelps Dodge Mining Corporation and the
restoration to its current glory as the Jerome Grand Hotel began. All effort was
given to maintaining the interior and exterior integrity of the historic building and
in 1996 it reopened as the Jerome Grand Hotel.

HAUNTED HISTORY:

Almost from the beginning, the building has had a history of hauntings. Perhaps
because of the many people who died there, or the emotional trauma suffered by the
many who were housed in its asylum. It is said to be one of the most haunted
buildings in the state of Arizona, with a number of strange phenomena occurring
over the decades.
Shortly after the hospital opened, both patents and staff began to tell stories of
hearing people talking, coughing, moaning, and cries of distress coming from empty
rooms. Some believed they may have possibly have been coming from some of the
many lingering spirits who had died in the deathly flu epidemic in 1917. Though the
hospital wasn't even built at that time, perhaps these lost souls found the
building, wishing that it had been there.
One of the first reports of a spectral soul was that of a woman dressed in white
that began to be seen on a hospital balcony shortly after its opening. Thought to
have been a nurse, the phantom lingered for years, but apparently has moved on as
she has not been seen since the building became a hotel.
One spirit that is has lurked in the building for many years is that of an old
bearded miner. His “appearance” was first reported by a hospital patient who
reported having seen the bearded man gliding down the hall, turning on all the
lights on his way. Another nurse during the building’s hospital reign reported
having seen a bearded man standing at the very end of a hallway. However, when she
approached, him, the man mysteriously vanished. Today, guests of the hotel
continue to report spying the ghostly vision of a bearded man, especially on the
second and third floors.
Another spirit, just that of a small boy, described to be about six years old has
also been spied on the third floor.
The phenomena described in the historic hotel includes all manner of strange
occurrences including the sounds of phantom footsteps going up and down the
stairs and hallways, doors that open and close of their own accord, objects that
inexplicably move of their own will, and electrical appliances that turn on and off
by themselves. Many of these bizarre happenings occur before the housekeeping
staff, who have seemingly become favorite targets, sometimes hearing their names
being called out by phantom voices. However, they say that the ghosts are
accommodating enough, as when they ask them to stop, it does, at least for a few
days.
The hotel lobby is an active place for many of the spirits. Here, the lobby doors
have often been seen opening and closing by themselves, like someone is arriving or
leaving. Chairs have been rearranged while desk clerks turn their backs and items
have flown off the shelves in the gift shop as well as from the walls in the lobby.
The lobby desk has also received a number of phone calls from empty rooms. It
comes as no surprise when the line is picked up that no one is on the other end.
Near the old 1926 Otis elevator that is still operational, a finely dressed elderly
woman in white has often been spied standing.
But, the most famous ghost of the hotel is that of a man named Claude Harvey, who
was a hospital maintenance man in 1935. Harvey, who was well-known in Jerome, was
more familiarly called “Scotty” by townsfolk who were shocked to hear about his
death at the hospital. When Harvey’s body was found pinned under the elevator in
the basement, his death was ruled an accident. Strangely, though, the inquest into
his death determined that the elevator did not kill him. Some said perhaps he
jumped to his death but the vast majority suspected, instead, that the man was
murdered and his body dumped at the bottom of the elevator shaft. The elevator
was found to have been in perfect working order and Harvey was an experienced
maintenance man. What's strange is that he was found beneath the elevator with his
neck broken and the only other mark on his body was a small scrape behind the ear.
Rumors abounded with a number of theories and potential suspects, but the cause
of death remained officially "an accident.” Almost immediately after his death,
strange occurrences began in the building especially in and around the elevator.
Lights in the elevator shaft have been seen and the sound of the creaking elevator
has long been heard, even when the building was vacant, no power was one, and
even yet today, when it is unused.
Other have claimed to see the figure of a shadowy man in the basement, on the
stairs and near the elevator. The spectral man has been described as appearing
furious. Others have simply “felt” an angry presence. Many speculate that Harvey
has unfinished business here on earth, not resting until his murderer has been
implicated. Though his spirit is said to make those whom he encounters
uncomfortable, Harvey has never hurt anyone.
Other spirits are also said to roam throughout the hotel attributed to a number of
tragic events in the building, including a man in a wheelchair who committed suicide
from a balcony, a shooting and a caretaker who hanged himself. A woman in white is
sometimes been seen roaming the hallways and a small child has been seen running
through the bar area.
Guests and staff continue reporting being pushed in the hallways, doors that slam
shut by themselves, the sounds of ghostly cries and taking photographs that
persistently develop with ghostly hazes and numerous orbs.
Today, the beautiful Jerome Grand Hotel currently provides 23 fully restored,
modern rooms, with more rooms available in the future as the hotel continues to
renovate. It is Jerome's only full service hotel with its own bar, restaurant, gift
shop, and 24-hour front desk.

General Impressions:

The long winding road leading you through Jerome will take you right to the front
entrance of the majestic Jerome Grand Hotel. The hotel itself has been beautifully
restored and is a sight to behold. Upon entering the lobby, I was taken by the
nostalgia that was offered to me. From the front desk to the old Otis elevator,
every floor has a piece of old time history to behold. The long hallways on every
floor are decorated in a fashion that reminded me of old time pictures of the
1920's era. The building is immense in size and has a somewhat eerie bold presence
among any other building around it. Such a cool place to be in. The view from the
fourth floor balcony is a spectacular one. I was very impressed with the
architecture, landscaping and overall location of this fine hotel.

The Arizona
Paranormal Society

The Arizona Paranormal
Society

The "New" Jerome Grand Hotel in all of it's majestic glory

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"The Arizona Paranormal Society" and/or T.Az.P.S. name and all things contained within this site are the property
of "The Arizona Paranormal Society". Reproduction or unauthorized use of any material without expressed
written consent is a violation of the copyright laws and is strictly prohibited.
(C) 2006-2008 "The Arizona Paranormal Society"

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The T.Az.P.S. team arrived approximately at 8:00pm from different locations
of Arizona and conducted a meeting prior to setting up monitor base camps.
At 9:00pm Jim set up base camp in the boiler room while Jamie, Founder of
Texas Paranormal Society, set up base camp in the old operating room suite
on the third floor. There were many floors and rooms to cover and plenty
of investigators to cover them all. The camera crew from Black Knight
Productions were there to acquire footage for an upcoming television
Halloween special as well as a documentary depicting haunted locations in
Arizona.
After all of the monitor base camp equipment was set up and sub teams were
divided into small groups, EMF and temperature base line readings were
taken in the areas of interest. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary as far as
base lines were concerned. Video cameras were set up in the boiler room,
elevator shaft, maintenance room, storage room, operating room hallway,
operating room, and in a large suite under renovation over the Asylum
Room which we will call the "Burn" room because of the smoke aroma that
was there. This is the room where a woman in white has been reportedly
seen looking out of the balcony windows.
Each T.Az.P.S. member carried their personal equipment which consisted of
video cameras, digital still cameras, digital and analog recorders, EMF
meters and Infrared thermometers.
EVP sessions were conducted in all areas of interest and the base camp was
monitored at all times.
There was approximately 70 hours of video and audio and approximately 540
still pictures taken. EVP sessions were conducted by T.Az.P.S. team members
in all areas of predetermination throughout the Grand Hotel. This
pre-investigation allows us knowledge of the hotel's layout and gives us
the information to concentrate on the areas of activity for placement of
equipment for the actual investigation.

Personal Experiences:
Lead investigator Gino and Randy, both from the Phoenix team, paired up
and went to investigate the Burn room, which is currently under renovation.
As Randy followed Gino around a corner, Gino saw someone standing by the
window at the end of the hall and raised his camera to take a picture and
the person vanished. Upon analyzing the picture, adjusting contrast and
brightness, this is what he captured...................

After showing Gino this picture, Gino states "That's exactly what I saw!". It
almost looks as if she is wearing a straight jacket.

Annie and Erina were in one of the bed rooms in the old operating room
suite and at one point, Annie felt something cold brush past her hand. Erina
took two pictures of Annie's hand and caught a shadow anomaly very close
by. Just as quickly as it appeared, it disappeared as you see in the second
picture.....

The woman down the
hallway

---Mouse over picture to see
outline of---
The woman down the hallway

The Arizona Paranormal Society

The Arizona Paranormal
Society

Guest Investigator
Jamie Chesterson
Founder
Texas Paranormal
Society

Jamie Chesterson with a
few of the TAzPS crew
outside the Jerome
Grand Hotel

Shadow anomaly at the top of
the pillow

Shadow anomaly gone.

Investigator asks
"Who are you?"
Answer....."Marsha"

Investigator asks "How
long have you been here?"
Answer........"I don't know"

Investigator asks "Is that
you?"
Quick answer......."Yes"
Investigator asks "Can you
come back?"
Answer......"I don't care
guys"

These are possible baby
or child noises

This is a nice exhale
of some sort

You'll hear some whispers
then the name "Jesus
Christ" then more whispers

This one is strange...It
sounds like whispers and
then some kind of forced
sound....... Maybe one of
the phantom coughs

Investigator asks "Are you
waiting for somebody to
come back, or are you
watching sombody leave?"
Answer......"I'm, dead"

Clean version of
"I'm dead" answer

All and all, for the pre-investigation, the small amount of paranormal
evidence obtained was impressive. Gino's capture as well as all EVPs are
a great addition to our website and all T.Az.P.S. team members look
forward to the actual investigation which will be scheduled very soon.

I want to thank all of T.Az.P.S. team members for the fantastic work they
did. TAzPS is proud of its members and what they personally contribute
in all investigations throughout Arizona. The reputation they have built
for themselves is a fine, professional one that deems recognition in the
field of paranormal investigating. I thank each and every one of them for
their dedication, professionalism and time.

I would also like to take this opportunity to personally thank Jamie
Chesterson, Founder of the Texas Paranormal Society, for bringing his
skills, experience, knowledge, sense of humor, friendship and his
technical equipment on this investigation. It was a pleasure to get to
know him and work with him. His vast experience and methods are
something all paranormal investigators can learn from and I appreciate
his being there....Texas Paranormal Society rocks!!! Thanks Jamie.

We would like to extend a warm farewell to T.Az.P.S. investigator Bill
Allen. He has relocated to Wyoming and he won't be forgotten. Bill was
one of the first investigators we acquired in the beginning of TAzPS and
has proven his expertise in the paranormal investigation field. Bill has
taken many interesting pictures and has recorded many EVPs and they are
posted throughout our website. We are proud to have such a fine
investigator and friend among us. We are looking forward to Bill leading
a Wyoming chapter of T.Az.P.S. in the near future so yes... he will remain
on the T.Az.P.S. team. We wish our friend and colleague the best of luck
and will be seeing him in the very near future. Thanks Bill.

Please check back with us for the actual investigation page as we are
anticipating a great evening of paranormal activity and you will be there
with us in spirit...

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Electronic Voice Phenomenon:

Yes there were many EVP's recorded on this pre-investigation. Some are
responses to questions asked, some are just voiced opinions.

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strange lyrics

possible baby sounds

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A dark anomaly shows up in
the elevator shaft
Photo by Bill Allen

The Arizona Paranormal
Society

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the investigation:

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_____________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________

"The Arizona Paranormal Society" and/or T.Az.P.S. name and all things contained within this site are the property of
"The Arizona Paranormal Society". Reproduction or unauthorized use of any material without expressed
written consent is a violation of the copyright laws and is strictly prohibited.
© 2006-2009 "The Arizona Paranormal Society"

T.Az.P.S. would like to thank the owners and staff of The Jerome Grand Hotel
for the kindness and generosity. They have given us the rare opportunity to
investigate one of Arizona's most historical and beautiful landmarks.
Thank you all so very much.

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