The Ghosts of Cleburne, TX
I was in the mood to get out for a weekend so I started looking at a map for something within a couple of hours drive from me. They city of Cleburne caught my attention so I started to do some research. I discovered, to my delight, that there is some interesting history and ghost stories.
30 miles south of Fort Worth, the railroad town of Cleburne has a population of just over 30K. The area was home to a Civil War training camp and was originally named Camp Henderson. In 1867 it became the county seat (it was formerly Wardville) and the name was changed to Cleburne in honor of General Patrick Cleburne. The city was incorporated in 1871.
The Chisholm Trail and the Santa Fe Railroad brought in plenty of people and plenty of business. It wasn’t long before the city began to flourish. Prosperity also came in with Indian corn, livestock, and ultimately, the cotton boom.
Things to Do
There’s plenty of things in Cleburne. Some of them are:
Carnegie Library, now the Layland Museum;
Cleburne Railroad Museum;
Gone with the Wind Museum;
Lake Pat Cleburne;
Original Johnson County Courthouse; and
Plenty of allegedly haunted locations!
So are you ready for the haunted stuff???
View of the Liberty Hotel from Caddo Street
King room
Liberty Hotel
During my stay in Cleburne, I stayed at the Liberty Hotel located at 205 S. Caddo Street. Built in 1924 by A.J. Wright, the hotel was a luxurious hotspot along the Santa Fe Railway. It boasted 69 rooms, 13 of which had private bathrooms. It had the first elevator in Cleburne and phones in each room.
A railroad strike in the late 1930’s took a toll on the hotel and it went into a decline. As highways were built, passengers began traveling by train less and less, and the Liberty Hotel was pushed into disrepair. As time moved on, it was heading towards demolition however, in 2004, this beautiful old hotel was saved by Howard Dudley and into it he breathed new life.
View of lobby from 2nd floor
Breakfast area
Alleged paranormal activity:
hearing voices;
smell of tobacco;
phantom footsteps;
light anomalies; and
full body apparitions believed to be A.J. Wright and former employees.
I didn’t have any experiences that couldn’t be debunked but I was not staying in a room that is known to have activity. The manager told me that rooms 304 and 312 seem to be the most active based on reports received during check out.
Other allegedly haunted locations in Cleburne
Old Irving Elementary School, now the Kauffman Leadership Academy;
Cattle Baron’s home; and
Wright Plaza Building.
Old Irving Elementary School, now Kauffman Leadership Academy
Old Irving Elementary School
Established by Peyton Irving in 1878 as the Select School for Young Ladies, this private school opened with an enrollment of 25 girls. It was renown as a school offering the best curriculum at the time. The school offered instruction on English, chemistry, mathematics, bookkeeping, government, philosophy, astronomy, physiology, zoology, botany, and music. Enrollment quickly outgrew the building so it moved to a larger facility. The school then became the Irving Elementary School serving grades one through five. Over the years it fell into disrepair but was renovated. It subsequently became the Kauffman Leadership Academy.
Alleged haunts and paranormal activity:
A janitor is believed to have died on the third floor sometime in the 1980s or 1990s and he is seen all over the building.
Feeling an oppressive energy in the building.
Seeing an apparition of a young girl in various parts of the building.
Hearing voices and footsteps.
Cattle Baron’s Home from across the street
The Cattle Baron’s home
This beautiful home (private property) was built by Robert Gatewood, a successful cattle baron, in 1907. It was reported that his wife didn’t like the home so he built another home a year later. The home changed hands a few times and it was even used by the U.S. Army Reserves as an armory. Afterwards, the home was abandonment and heavily damaged by a tornado and vandals. Fortunately the home was saved and restored.
Alleged haunts and paranormal activity:
phantom footsteps;
disembodied voices and laughter;
random banging;
the apparition of a woman in a white gown;
an oppressive feeling upstairs; and
the feeling of being watched.
Wright Plaza Building
Wright Plaza Building patio
Wright Plaza Building
Built in 1893 as a wagon and saddle shop, Andrew J. Wright purchased the building for his dry goods operation. In 1916, he purchased the Hamilton Hotel next door which he demolished to expand his growing business. Wright operated the business until the mid 1920s, then he handed it to his sons. They ran the family business until its closure in the late 1970 at which time the Wright Building changed hands again. You can visit the building now as it is home to locally-owned businesses.
Alleged haunts and paranormal activity:
phantom scent of perfume;
hearing footsteps;
an apparition of a woman on the second floor seen looking out the windows;
an oppressive feeling on the second floor;
cold spots; and
a hostile spirit is believed to be on the second floor.
There are other historic buildings that may be of interest:
Johnson County Courthouse;
Masonic Lodge; and
Old Johnson County Jail.
Old Johnson County Courthouse Museum
Masonic Lodge
Old Johnson County Jail
If you are a history buff or paranormal enthusiast, Cleburne has a lot to offer. Staying at the Liberty Hotel convenient because I was able to walk to dinner, the courthouse, as well as the businesses around the square.
Time for me to select a location for the next weekend getaway! If you have any suggestions, I would LOVE to hear them! I fall down a rabbit hole every time I research towns and historic properties and I absolutely love it. Now go out there and make this beautiful day count!
Annette