Do The Ghosts of Children Haunt Buford House in This Arizona Town?
Could you live in a haunted house? What if the spirits were just trying to reach out and let you know they were around? The ghosts living in Buford House in Tombstone may just want someone to play with and make their presence known.
Tombstone, Arizona Territory: 1880
In 1880, a prominent mine owner named George Buford built a modest home on Tombstone's Allen Street. To this day, the site is steeped in history - but also in mystery.
Over the years, the Buford house changed hands a number of times. Home to two sheriffs, a mayor, and an Arizona senator at different times. It was even home to the legendary Western movie actor, John Wayne for a while.
As luminous as some of the Buford House inhabitants may have been, some of its most famous inhabitants may still be in residence at the small home.
The Buford House Tragedgy
There are rumors that some of the original residents of Buford House still inhabit the small property. A Texas mining executive named George Washington Buford moved to Tombstone with his wife, Anne. The pair never imagined the tragedy that would befall their family.
In 1888, a diphtheria epidemic swept the growing town of Tombstone. Three of Buford's seven children never recovered from the illness and tragically, they died in the home.
The Ghosts of Buford House
Over the years, Buford House has changed hands many times and even did a turn as a Bed and Breakfast for a while.
Visitors to the home reported many encounters with friendly childlike ghosts. Faucets have reportedly been turned on and off by themselves. Lights flicker without explanation. A few guests have reported the feeling of a cat rubbing against their legs under the breakfast table.
More than a few people have reported feeling the spirits of children and other inhabitants. One of the previous property owners tells of a time she felt a cold hand touch her leg. The feeling left her so unsettled, she insisted on sleeping with the lights on from then on.
Ghost Hunting in Buford House
Ghost hunting groups and mediums have checked out Buford House and reported similar experiences. These days, Buford House is privately owned, so it's best to leave the current owners in peace.
As for the ghosts within - let's hope they let the owners have some peace, as well.
Buford House Photo Credit: Fritz Liess via Flickr/ CC BY-NC-SA 2.0. History and information from City Ghost Tours / Buford House and US Ghost Adventures
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