The Palace Restaurant & Saloon

Posted: 10.08.2024 | Updated: 10.08.2024

Cowboys, gun duels, and saloons are the first things that come to mind when we think of the Wild West, along with John Wayne. However, living on the unexplored desert terrain of America’s western lands wasn't as glamorous as it may seem. Survival of the fittest was the law of the land, and disease, death, and crime quickly became a daily reality. This made places like the Palace Restaurant & Saloon in Prescott, Arizona, a perfect spot for a ghost hangout. 

The Palace Restaurant & Saloon was the premier venue in Prescott during its early days as a mining boomtown. Locals and visitors could stop by for a drink and briefly escape the hardships of life. However, what made the saloon a temporary escape also made it a haven for vices such as prostitution, gambling, and violence. This is why many believe this historic saloon still hosts ghostly patrons who aren't quite ready for their last call. 

Why is The Palace Restaurant & Saloon haunted?

Any number of tragedies could occur at a saloon in a matter of seconds in the days of the Wild West. The Palace Restaurant & Saloon is no exception, with its history steeped in murder and crime and wrapped in anger and sadness. Many believe that, as a result, a dark energy lingers beneath the masquerading laughter and entertainment that fills its walls, making the saloon one of the most haunted places in Prescott and all of Arizona. Are you brave enough to have an up close and personal experience with some of Arizona’s scariest ghosts? Book a ghost tour with Phoenix Ghosts for more haunted history.

Class in Wild West Fashion

Prescott's history dates back thousands of years to when several Native tribes inhabited the scenic area near the Bradshaw Mountains. However, the city wasn’t officially established until 1864 at the joint insistence of Congress and President Abraham Lincoln to secure the land’s mineral abundance for the Union Forces during the Civil War.

The Palace Restaurant & Saloon was built 13 years later in an effort to add a touch of elegance to the downtown area, and indeed, it did. Patrons from different classes had some of the world’s finest exotic liquors while enjoying a decent meal and conversation. The saloon also posted job vacancies and sold newspapers for those wishing to catch up on the news. If one was looking for a little more entertainment than usual, they could also partake in one of the many table games that took place or, if they were feeling especially lonely, spend some “alone time” with a prostitute. 

The saloon underwent renovations with fire-deterrent materials due to a series of fires over the coming years: iron, granite, ornamental bricks, a stone foundation, and the saloon's well-known prominent neoclassical architectural design. 

Today, it still operates as one of Prescott’s most popular saloons and eateries, standing at the center of Whiskey Row, named after the street’s lineup of bars. It also continues to attract ghost enthusiasts from far and wide for its troubled reputation that may have resulted in several spectral visitors stopping by for a drink. 

A Ghostly Gamble

It’s no surprise that with such a dark history of murder and violence, there have been several reports of ghostly visitors over the years. Some of the saloon’s most notable guests, Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday, were supposedly involved in several gunfights behind the saloon, resulting in the deaths of three men.

Visitors have reported feeling cold spots on the stools next to them when sitting at the bar. At other times, glasses were thrown from the bar, and a mannequin fell over the top of the stairs when no one was there. Furniture has allegedly been witnessed moving, with chairs being pushed across the dining room. It’s believed to be Mr. Nevins, the owner of Prescott’s funeral parlor who lost his business in a poker game with the town sheriff. His presence is supposedly felt among those engaging in a friendly card game to this day. A photo of the saloon’s gaming tables supposedly offers proof of Mr. Nevin’s existence, with a ghostly figure standing beside one of them. Mr. Nevins may still be seeking a chance to win back his business. 

Another spirit known to frequent the bar goes by the name of “Master Pastor.” A more positive presence, he is well known for making his presence known to others by the heavy sound of his boots resounding through the saloon and communicating through EVPs. 

Justice Never Found

According to legend, Jennie Clark was a local prostitute who worked at the saloon and was dating Fred Glover. Her struggles of living a life of prostitution culminated in her being stomped to death by him in the middle of the saloon – no one even stepped in to help. Fred only served five years in prison, but many believe his ghost is serving the rest of his sentence at the saloon, venting out his anger by knocking random objects over.

Another prostitute named Alice supposedly died in the saloon from unknown causes. It’s been said that their spirits are known for throwing various objects around the saloon’s buffet and messing around with the mannequin at the top of the stairs, sometimes turning her head to look down on dining patrons. 

However, a darker force dwells within the basement of Palace Restaurant & Saloon. Converted to a speakeasy during Prohibition, the property was connected to several underground tunnels, making it an underground city of pain and suffering. Patrons would use the privacy to continue getting high on opium and engage in card games, possibly in the presence of mob associates, where breaking a rule was a death sentence or worse. 

Visitors to the basement have claimed that an extremely negative spirit lingers around, making the area bearable for no more than a few minutes, as it feeds on fear and the negative emotions of anyone who dares enter. Many have come to believe that the entity was never even human.

Haunted Phoenix

Known for its sunny weather, diverse and lively culture, and stunning desert backdrop, there is always something new to discover in the beautiful city of Phoenix, Arizona. Beneath the city’s backdrop of mixed earthy hues and rich history lies a more sinister side, dating back to the state’s early days as the setting for the lawless Wild West and giving rise to many haunted locations and spine-chilling ghost stories. 

At the top of the list is The Palace Restaurant & Saloon, which still attracts ghost enthusiasts from far and wide. One of the city’s oldest saloons, it was the place to go for early residents seeking a break from daily hardships. It also served as a hub for some of the worst vices of humanity, creating the perfect setting for believers and non-believers alike.

Ready to muster up your courage and experience the ghosts of Arizona’s past? Book a ghost tour with Phoenix Ghosts. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, and keep reading our blog for more real Arizona hauntings.

Sources:

https://www.prescott.com/history#:~:text=Prescott%2C%20Arizona%20was%20founded%20in,Hickling%20Prescott%20by%20the%20settlers.