The Ghosts of Fort Worth

Ghosts

Mar 24

Haunted Places in Fort Worth, TX

Fort Worth, Texas, known for its rich history and vibrant culture, also boasts a haunting past that lingers in its numerous supernatural hotspots. From historic mansions to eerie cemeteries, here are some of the most haunted places in Fort Worth:

1. The Stockyards Hotel

Built in 1907 in the heart of the Historic Fort Worth Stockyards, the Stockyards Hotel has a well-known reputation for being haunted. Many guests and staff members have reported paranormal encounters with ghostly figures wandering the halls and unseen entities throughout the property. It is alleged by some that Bonnie and Clyde haunt the 3rd floor of the hotel. Another well-known spirit is that of a former guest, a murdered gambler from the Wild West era, who continues to haunt room 305. Other paranormal activity reported includes hearing footsteps, sudden whiffs of tobacco, and hearing disembodied voices and laughter.

2. Miss Molly's Bed and Breakfast

Built in 1910, Miss Molly's Bed and Breakfast began as a boarding house. It was originally known as Palace Rooms but changed its name to The Oasis during the prohibition period. It became a bordello in the 1940’s during which time it was called the Gayatte Hotel. Now a bed & breakfast, this quaint 8-room property offers not only a cozy retreat for visitors but also a hotspot of paranormal activity. Paranormal report include the feeling of being watched, hearing disembodied voices, and witnessing objects moving on their own, . The spirit of a former resident, Miss Molly herself, is believed to be the mischievous force behind these occurrences.

During my last stay, the innkeeper reported the room to her door and a dresser drawer opening on their own. Note to paranormal groups: this place is a challenge to investigate due to noise contamination and EMF coming from the business downstairs.

Oakwood Cemetery, 701 Grand Ave, Fort Worth, TX 76164

The cemetery is fairly large and very peaceful.

3. Oakwood Cemetery

Established in 1879, Oakwood Cemetery began on land donated by John Peter Smith who is known as the Father of Fort Worth. Smith was very involved in the community, and even began a school and served as schoolmaster. During the Civil War, Smith supported the Confederacy and helped form Company K under the command of Col. William Steele, and fought in throughout New Mexico, Arizona, and Western Louisiana.

There are several graves of notables and prominent figures in Fort Worth’s history buried here. Luke Short was a gambler, gunfighter, saloon owner, cowboy, and army scout. He is known for a gunfight in which Tim “Longhair” Courtright, once a marshall in Fort Worth, was killed. While the headstone portrays James Brown Miller as a husband, Miller was more. Much more. He was known to have killed a brother-in-law and was known to be a hitman for hire. He admitted to killing 51 people however it seems that number has not been confirmed. I can’t help but wonder how much his wife knew of his “employment activities.”

The cemetery is believed to be haunted by gunslingers, saloon owners, and prominent members of society. If you decide to go visit, look for Bartender’s Row -- a section of the cemetery with graves of those who lived during Fort Worth’s Hell’s Halfacre days.

Short was a notorious gunfighter in Ft. Worth history.

Mr. Miller had the reputation of being a hired assassin.

One of many graves for unknown individuals.

4. Thistle Hill Mansion

Thistle Hill Mansion, a grand mansion built in 1903, is not only an architectural marvel but also a site of ghostly occurrences. It was built by William Waggoner for his daughter Electra Waggoner and her husband. The happy couple lived a life of elegance and they entertained with lavish parties.

Former residents and visitors have reported hearing disembodied voices, laughter, footsteps, and other strange noises throughout the property. They also talk of experiencing unexplained temperature changes, and witnessing doors opening and closing by themselves. A woman dressed in white has been seen on the grand staircase, and a man with a handlebar mustache roaming the halls. It is believed that the spirits of the home's original owners still linger within its walls. During my last visit, there was scaffolding all around the building so I opted not to take pictures. I will hopefully remember to update with new pics once the work is done.

5. Historic Camp Bowie Boulevard

Known for its charming boutiques and restaurants, Historic Camp Bowie Boulevard also hides a haunted secret.
In 1917, this street, then called Arlington Heights Boulevard, was the main artery through a WWI training center named Camp Bowie. After the war, business and residential development spread into this area and, in 1919, the street was renamed Camp Bowie Boulevard. Locals and shop owners have reported seeing a ghostly apparition of a Confederate soldier walking along the street. Many believe this spirit is a remnant of Fort Worth's wartime past that has never truly left. Go for a visit and see if you encounter a ghostly soldier!

Many celebrities and notables have been here.

6. Billy Bob's - Fort Worth

I couldn’t live this close to Fort Worth and not check out the ghost stories surrounding Billy Bob's, the world's largest honky-tonk. Built in 1910 and once an open-air barn used to house prize cattle for the Fort Worth Stock Show., Billy Bob's has been known as THE place to for live country music, dancing, and rodeo events. What you may not know is that beneath the party energy and atmosphere lies a hidden and dark past. Legend has it that the spirits of the past still roam its halls, giving visitors more than just a good ol' time.

Numerous sightings have been reported at Billy Bob's, but one of the most commonly reported experiences is the figure of a woman dressed in a long white dress. Believed to be the ghost of a heartbroken performer from the club's early days, she often roams the second-floor balcony. Other paranormal reports include cold spots, shadow figures of cowboys on the dance floor, and disembodied voices and laughter are often heard.

When is Your Haunting Adventure?

Do you dare to explore the haunted hotspots of Fort Worth? If you're a brave soul, pay a visit to any of the places I Iisted above. Perhaps you'll be fortunate enough to catch a glimpse of an apparition, or maybe you will hear the echoes of ghostly cowboys. So, dear readers, I invite you to experience the chilling allure of Fort Worth. Venture forth if you dare, and may your night be haunted by thrilling encounters that will leave you questioning the boundary between the living and the departed.

Make this beautiful day count!

Annette

Sources:

Stockyards Hotel, https://www.stockyardshotel.com/history/. Accessed March 24, 2024.

Miss Molly's Hotel, https://missmollyshotel.com/about/. Accessed March 24, 2024.

Oakwood Cemetery, http://www.oakwoodcemetery.net/index_files/Contact.htm. Accessed March 24, 2024.

Texas State Historical Association, https://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/entries/thistle-hill. Accessed March 24, 2024.

Camp Bowie District, https://www.campbowiedistrict.com/post/the-history-behind-camp-bowie-boulevard-the-historic-corridor. Accessed March 24, 2024.

Billy Bob's, https://billybobstexas.com/about. Accessed March 24, 2024.

Annette Luevano