This was once a dude ranch – now its a place for troubled teens. Staffers claim there is an apparition of a woman in a white gown that haunts certain dormitories. Bloodstains appear and disappear mysteriously on certain bathroom walls. A girl’s cries are often heard at night.
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Geographic Information
- Address:
- 2491 W Jefferson Rd
Elfrida, AZ 85610
United States
Get Directions » - GPS:
- 31.6853574, -109.59485030000002
- County:
- Cochise County, Arizona
- Nearest Towns:
- Elfrida, AZ (5.4 mi.)
McNeal, AZ (7.3 mi.)
Sunizona, AZ (14.0 mi.)
Pirtleville, AZ (22.8 mi.)
Douglas, AZ (23.7 mi.)
Bisbee, AZ (25.6 mi.)
Tombstone, AZ (27.9 mi.)
Naco, AZ (31.9 mi.)
Rodeo, NM (34.7 mi.)
Dragoon, AZ (35.2 mi.)
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Disclaimer: The stories posted here are user-submitted and are, in the nature of "ghost stories," largely unverifiable. HauntedPlaces.org makes no claims that any of the statements posted here are factually accurate. The vast majority of information provided on this web site is anecdotal, and as such, should be viewed in the same light as local folklore and urban legends.
I was there as a 17 year old teenager when one night me and Timmy a apache Indian made a witch’s board with our blood on the deck inside the teepee we stayed in and talked with a spirit using a Styrofoam cup over our letters & #rs we made out of blood.God who sees all things knows im not making this up.
Adrian I was also there. I was there from 1989 to 1991. I’ve heard all the rumors of the ghost but never seen anything
Wow Joseph I was there from 89-91 also!.. I never heard any stories of any ghosts there or see anything.. Byron was Sundance Lodge head staff at that time, did the Colorado Quest and at the time didn’t think I was having any fun but look back on it and was the best time of my life
I stayed there when it was a dude ranch in the 70’s, and I don’t believe any of it that there are ghosts there, even if the owners were murdered. I have to tell you the owners were the nicest people. The ranch should never have gone down hill like it has. They kept it so beautiful. I have such great memories from my stay there.
All I know is what I shared with Rich and Fontana. This is the same stuff from when I was there back at camp 1999. Someone ran right pass me by the school heard the run get distant as who ever it was kept running but I did not see them I just stood there holding a rake.
I was there too during that same time I love rich. That place changed my life
ABSOLUTELY!! this place changed my life forever!.. rich @ Cochise was cool, also Glen and all the wilderness staff, 89-91 all the staff was always cool to us from Sundance Lodge all the way to RESIDENTIAL!.. cooking school with DAVID was also the greatest!
I was there in 98, I remember Rich, he was a good guy. I heard all the ghost stories but never heard or seen anything. Sunrise camp circle up….
I remember Rich. I worked at VQ from 1990- 1992. I heard all the rumors too. Never saw anything. Never experienced anything while working there. I lived on the property for 2 years.
I was there during this time I was. In apache
I ran in 1999…witta white boy…and a other…I left from Sundance lodge.
I stayed here as a young child from the ages of 13 – 15. I have taken photos of the young girl. I used to go out on walks here at night and have seen many things. The young girls screams seemed to be heard more often in the month of June.
can you share the pictures of the little girl at the barn?
I was in vision quest in elfrida from 94-2000. And sure I seen all the ghost that you talk about. There was a old fat white man maybe 80yrs old and 290lbs. He was night watch. And I was at seven stones camp and I remember walking to the bathroom at 3am when I seen a white ghost horse with a rider at full speed. But it was a glow. And you can see it was a ghost. He told me it was normal. Kids would call him crazy but at night I spent talking to him always. And then I became a regular at watching paranormal stuff. At the barn I seen a little girl about 4yrs of age kicking something around at the barn at also 3sm. During Christmas 98 while I was in impact camp across from barn.
I was there 94-96. You remember white kid from east coast named Jaison Zello. Your name seems very familiar
Wow I remember hearing stories about the little girl that passed away from being kicked right outside the barn it was the owner’s daughter I believe the story was told. I never seen anything but it had recently happened from what I was hearing so we were constantly being warned to watch out for the animals kicking us. I was there from late 89, 90 to 92
I went there several times in the 70’s we went over the summers for a month. My parents became friends with Mildred and Chuck the owner. What a fun place. We were taught all kids of Rodeo tricks by Clayton White. Best wrangled you could ask for. I went to see it 3 years ago after vision quest resided there. The rooms are in such shambles. The beautiful stables were still in good shape though. It’s been for sale. What I wouldn’t do to buy it and bring it back. I always though that when I grew up I would work there. I’m sorry Mildred and Chuck died before I got the chance
I was in VQ 1988 89 it was your last chance before being sent to CYA.I was 15..They sent me there from California.left when I was 17..Yes there were lots of rumors of the place being haunted.A lil girl and boy use to be seen running thru the camps.All us kids slept in Tee Pees.The staff there use to beat up the kids if you got in trouble .Tried running away beat me up and took my shoe laces away..aMade me sleep in the middle of camp..They call it COA center of attention..
I was there in the mid 90’s. That place was cruel. I got sent over from the east coast.
Was here in 2008-2009. The little girls ghost that cries comes from the barn. She is the daughter of the old horse caretakers. She was kicked in the head by a horse and died in the barn. She likes to play with the lights at night. Would see her all the time walking back from kitchen duty at night.
The little girl was Norman Person’s granddaughter. I was working for VQ at the time and had just walked away from the barn headed back to the camp when the baby was kicked “in the chest.” Her parent’s, Norman Persons son and his wife tried to rush her to the hospital but it was too far away. She was a toddler just barely two years-old. We were told the kick in the chest exploded her heart. Norman Persons made all the wagons for VQ.
Theresa, I worked for Vision Quest in the 1980’s at the Elfrida Lodge as a counselor. I was married at the time to horseman Michael Thornton. We’re divorced & I remarried. I loved the Lodge & knew Norman. Will you call me to connect? Gayle Thornton Behrend 206.841.8815
I was a teacher there at the time. My name is Jim Sumpter and had a house in Elfrida. I
I was there in the mid 90’s Jaison Zello
I was a young girl back then. My Grandpa Ron Shaver worked here as well as my Grandmother sue and my Mom Debbie. I remember when this happened. It was heartbreaking.
Thank you Theresa for setting Amber’s story straight. She was such a beautiful girl.
I was in vision quest there at 1999 and 2000. I was 15 when I entered in 16 when I left I experienced a lot of different paranormal experiences. One night they had me cleaning the showers after night and after everyone went to bed we had to stay up and clean the showers I went to go get the cleaning supplies when I had came back every shower head was turned on. This happened almost every other night to everyone that was there.the Head Lodge Master at the time she said they would have people come in and paint the walls but after so much time you can see the blood stains come back on the walls and that was in the main house on the top of the hill. In the barn area there was an apparition of a small girl and the story was that she had died when she was kicked in the head or somewhere on the body by a horse. You can hear screams at night if you’re there sometimes you could hear it.we had camels on the premises because we also had camel rides as well as horses there we dealt with both of them we fed them one time we had a camel calf was born and then a week later we had to take that Camel calf out because it was just going crazy because something was back there with that Camel.one time late at night we had a movie night at the school and then we were walking down through a trail that led to our barracks it went through the basketball court and all we could hear is drums and Indians passed right through us like a it was like a war thing going like a war beat of the drum.we had a drill instructor and a lot of the drill instructors stayed in these cabins that were right by the barn area and one of them ended up going crazy and killing himself this guy was a normal sane guy and then ended out bad and he and he killed himself because he went crazy from what I understand he did not kill himself on the premises but from what I understand there’s there was a lot to play with it about where he was staying in one of those rooms. Something bad lives there. This was my first paranormal experience as a teenager. Ever since then I have been obsessed with the paranormal.. one day I will go back and investigate this place. I think the land might be cursed from the native Americans it’s sat underneath a set of mountains where Geronimo used to live and hide and do what he needed to do you know fighting everyone that he fought.there’s just so much history and blood stained on that land that I’m not surprised at anything happens in that area
Can you share your photo of the child?
Can you share a picture of the child ghost at the barn? How did you get your information?
VQ came to York pa 1979 to recruit staff. I ended up at Lodge In Elfridia . Never experienced ghost! What I did experience is something I will never ever forget…….my job was staff…. Never will I forget the people who were in charge….. so sad… anyone there at this time I would like to hear from you
I
I was In Vision Quest 1987 to 1988.
Hello I was a vision quest candidate from 96 to 98 we were Sundance lodge at the I remember camp Cochise before I left rich was the lodge master that place changed my life for the good
I worked there in ‘97 and lived in the lodge. Most staff were professional and caring except for the ones in charge. They were abusive to the kids and staff alike.
I was in VQ in 97-98 never experienced nothing paranormal! But the staff was kool! Ritch and both mikes! And Linda Suzanne Julia and Dahlia! Met the love of my life there! Chris Spivey!
I worked there in 2003/2004. Never seen anything but will say this.
The radio in my room on property would turn on without me doing anything to it. My wife had some stuff happen too.
The barn, 110 in the middle of summer was still really cool, almost cold inside. Hard to explain.
Some of the kids that worked early mornings would claim to see the little girl everyone talks about.
The main house i only went in a couple times. Both times were creepy but again never seen anything.
Cool place id like to visit again and see whats left of it. So many stories, memories, laughs. Thankfully none were of seeing the ghosts everyone mentions lol.
Anyone that was there in 1980s ? Would like to hear from you
I am an empath, worked here a number of months & never saw a thing like what’s described. The owners were truly awful people tho. I was charged as their child’s nanny for a short period. I was abused by the child, literally being struck everyday. The owners knew I have CPSD from physical abuse. I asked them for help from a medical professional. They told me to go home & pack my stuff. I took that as a sign from my spirits it was time to go. Good. Later.
I talked to mention I was paid $0/hr to drive 2 hours each way to get there. $10/hr to watch the child. 2020. Min wage was $12.50 I think.
**failed
I was there 1994-1997. My name is Jaison Zello. Does anyone remember the riot on Dusty Trails wagon train in Carson City NV? That was a rough place to do time as a kid. I would love to hear from some old friends. Wish we would have kept in touch. I got sent from the East Coast over to AZ. Anyone remember me?
Wow I remember hearing stories about the little girl that passed away from being kicked right outside the barn it was the owner’s daughter I believe the story was told. I never seen anything but it had recently happened from what I was hearing so we were constantly being warned to watch out for the animals kicking us. I was there from late 89, 90 to 92
I worked at Vision Quest in Elfrida as a Team Leader for exactly 24 hours in September 2000! I was recruited and signed up after retiring from the Air Force, I was told I would be in charge of a 4 person team. When I showed up for work I was given the “Girls” tribe (Rose?) with no assistance and was told by other counselors not to be caught alone with the girls as I would end up being accused of sexual abuse. I said BS to this and after chasing escaped youths through the desert and talking one disgruntled girl down from the roof of the school house said I’m done! To bad, I had high hopes of being a positive role model and guide for these troubled teens! WQould love to hear if anybody was there during my one day!
Would love to hear from anyone that was there during my time 96-98 era I was in Sundance lodge
100 percent haunted. I was there in 2007 for about a month. Saw apparitions in the main office building as well as the shower/bathroom.