Colorado’s most haunted saloons await in three legendary ghost towns. Visit St. Elmo Saloon where “Dirty Annie” Stark still watches from upstairs windows, experience Tin Cup’s infamous Frenchy’s Place with its whispers of long-dead gamblers, and marvel at Animas Forks Saloon’s phantom piano music at 11,000 feet elevation. You’ll encounter cold spots, mysterious door slams, and spectral sightings in these historic establishments. Each weathered bar counter holds stories darker than the mountain shadows.
Key Takeaways
- St. Elmo Saloon features “Dirty Annie” Annabelle Stark’s protective ghost and unexplained phenomena like temperature drops and door slams.
- Tin Cup Saloon, once part of a dangerous mining town with 20 saloons, offers spectral whispers and ghostly encounters near historic gunfight sites.
- Animas Forks Saloon sits at 11,000 feet elevation and enchants visitors with mysterious phantom piano music and preserved 19th-century atmosphere.
- All three saloons occupy authentic ghost towns with rich mining histories dating to the 1870s-1880s when populations reached thousands.
- Visitors consistently report paranormal activities including cold spots, apparitions, and sensory experiences that connect them to Colorado’s Wild West past.
St. Elmo Saloon: Where Annabelle’s Spirit Still Keeps Watch
While miners sought gold and silver in the Rocky Mountains during the late 1800s, the small settlement of Forest City emerged, later renamed St. Elmo to avoid confusion with other towns.
At its peak, this bustling community of 2,000 boasted a thriving saloon scene where prospectors gathered after long days in the mines.
Today, you’ll find the St. Elmo Saloon among the most haunted structures in Colorado’s best-preserved ghost town.
The spectral echoes of frontier revelry linger in every creaking floorboard of St. Elmo’s notoriously haunted watering hole.
The Stark family, particularly daughter Annabelle (nicknamed “Dirty Annie”), forms the center of local ghost stories.
After her death, spectral sightings became commonplace in and around the saloon and Home Comfort Hotel, where temperatures suddenly drop and doors slam without explanation. The Mary Murphy Mine was once the area’s most profitable operation, generating over $60 million in gold during its heyday. The entire business district suffered a devastating fire in 1890, which some locals believe contributed to the supernatural energy in the area.
Visitors report feeling Annabelle’s protective presence watching from upstairs windows, still guarding her beloved town from trespassers more than a century later.
Tin Cup Saloon: Echoes of Gunfights and Fallen Lawmen
Among Colorado’s most dangerous boom towns, Tin Cup earned its violent reputation through a chilling body count of lawmen and outlaws alike.
When you visit the remnants of this once-thriving mining community that housed over 6,000 residents and 20 saloons in the 1880s, you’ll feel the weight of its lawless past.
Frenchy’s Place, the most notorious of Tin Cup’s saloons, is said to harbor spectral whispers of gamblers who once dominated the establishment.
Today, while the original structures have succumbed to fires and weathering, ghostly encounters are still reported near the sites where gunfights regularly erupted.
The nearby Boot Hill cemetery, final resting place of “Black Jack” Cameron and countless unnamed outlaws, stands as silent testimony to the violent deaths that now fuel the town’s paranormal legacy.
Similar to the paranormal activity at the Silver Dollar Saloon in Leadville, visitors report seeing apparitions during heavy snowfall conditions.
Two devastating major fires in 1906 and 1913 destroyed much of the town’s business district along Washington Avenue, leaving behind charred remnants that some visitors claim still emanate with unexplained cold spots.
Animas Forks Saloon: Phantom Music in the Mountain Mist
Perched at an elevation of over 11,000 feet in the San Juan Mountains, Animas Forks Saloon emerged as the social cornerstone of this once-thriving mining community established in 1873.
Licensed in 1877, this wooden-frame establishment served as the heartbeat of a town that would grow to 450 residents at its peak.
When you visit today, you’ll experience a ghostly ambiance unlike any other:
- Mysterious phantom sounds of piano music drift through the mountain fog
- The original creaking floorboards speak volumes of the saloon’s tumultuous past
- Preserved period woodwork offers an authentic glimpse into 19th-century mining life
- The lingering smell of mold and decay enhances the haunting atmosphere
The harsh winters and frequent avalanche dangers made year-round living extremely difficult for the mining community.
After the devastating fire of 1891, the town never recovered, leaving behind these spectral remnants for modern explorers. This haunting destination is now recognized on the National Register of Historic Places, making it a protected landmark for generations to come.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Paranormal Investigation Equipment Works Best in These Saloons?
You’ll find EMF detectors indispensable in these old saloons, as they pinpoint energy fluctuations. Pair them with spirit boxes to capture potential voices through frequency scanning—especially in quiet back rooms.
Do the Hauntings Follow Seasonal Patterns or Specific Times?
80% of saloon hauntings intensify during winter months. You’ll notice strong seasonal hauntings from November through February, and ghostly patterns become most active after sunset—especially during the “witching hour” between midnight and 1AM.
Are There Documented Injuries Related to Paranormal Encounters?
While documented hauntings are plentiful, you’ll find virtually no verified injury reports from paranormal encounters. Any incidents at Colorado’s saloons typically stem from environmental hazards rather than spectral interactions.
What Unexplained Phenomena Occur Outside the Saloon Buildings?
At Cripple Creek’s Buffalo Billy’s, you’ll encounter ghostly apparitions of miners lingering on porches, eerie sounds of phantom piano music, disembodied footsteps, self-opening doors, and mysterious cold spots surrounding these historic establishments.
Can Visitors Participate in Overnight Ghost Hunting Expeditions?
You can join overnight ghost tours at select locations like the Stanley Hotel, where paranormal experiences await with equipment provided. Other sites require special permission or pre-arranged group expeditions.
References
- https://salida.com/best-of-salida/ghost-towns/
- https://nightlyspirits.com/haunted-places-to-stay-in-southern-colorado/
- https://gunnisoncrestedbutte.com/blog/haunted-places-in-crested-butte-and-gunnison/
- https://www.cbsnews.com/colorado/news/haunted-history-colorado/
- https://www.colorado.com/articles/colorado-ghost-towns
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lu_FHGOuyhs
- https://www.coloradolifemagazine.com/printpage/post/index/id/172
- https://303magazine.com/2022/10/haunted-hot-spots/
- https://www.kuriositas.com/2025/05/ghost-towns-and-buried-saloons.html?m=1
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=61tdCVtepAk
