Location Description and History

The ghosts of cowboys still haunt this old saloon. They have been seen standing in the doorway, seated at the bar, and knocking over beer cases in the basement.  Big Nose Kate, whose real name was Mary Katherine Harmony, was a flamboyant and promiscuous woman who owned the place in the 1800's.  Many years ago in the 1800's, Big Nose Kates Saloon was once the Grand Hotel. This great hotel hosted such infamous personalities as Wyatt and Virgil Earp, Doc Holliday, as well as the Clantons, and McLaurys.  And as legend and folk lore have it... in this hotel was a janitor and odd job man, known simply as "The Swamper". He was a trusted and honest helper who was given his accommodations as part of his hard earned pay. "The Swamper" had his own special bedroom which was located in the dark basement of the Grand Hotel. This was his own special and private haven where he could enjoy peace and solitude away from the hustle and bustle of the hotel's many guests. Within his private domain where no guests were invited, he also kept secret his passion for silver.

The basement was deep enough below the surface of the ground to afford entrance into one of the catacombing mine shafts which ran underground beneath the hotel as well as most of Tombstone. "The Swamper" spent many painstaking hours over a period of years tunneling an entrance into the shaft. When the digging was completed, he could gain access to a thick vein of silver where he extracted ounce by ounce of the glorious silver nuggets. This mine entrance is still a prominent feature of the bar's basement. 

It is still unknown if "The Swamper" spent his silver or if he hoarded it in an unknown niche somewhere on the premises of the Grand Hotel. However, several workers of the now "Big Nose Kates saloon" will swear that they have seen a ghost wandering the halls and stairs. It has been reasoned that the ghost is indeed "The Swamper" and that his afterlife is being spent protecting the silver that may still perhaps be buried somewhere in this legendary building. For a short time in the 1880's Tombstone was the largest community from Texas to San Francisco with 10,000 residents. In the early 1880's, there were no less that 110 licensed drinking establishments (Saloons to you Tenderfeet). One could dine in elegance, drink and, in general, 'raise hell' if so inclined (and many did) at such establishments as The Grand Hotel, The Cosmopolitan Hotel, Corrigan's Saloon, Vogan & Flynn's Saloon, The Crystal Palace Saloon, The Oriental Saloon (the Earps were part owners and resident Faro dealers there), and Campbell & Hatch's Billiard Parlor.

From the Tombstone Epitaph

September 9, 1880

Through the courtesy of Mr. H.V. Sturm an Epitaph reporter yesterday paid a visit to and made a brief inspection of the new hotel christened the grand which will be formally open for dinner this evening at five o'clock. The general size and character of the structure have been mentioned so often during the course of construction that further mention would be superfluous and we will confine ourselves to a description of the interior appointments of it. Passing into the building by the front entrance the first thing that strikes the eye is a wide and handsome staircase covered by an elegant carpet and supporting a heavy black walnut banister. Thence upstairs to the main hall, and turning to the right we are ushered into a perfect little bijou of costly furniture and elegant carpeting known as the bridal chamber. This room occupies half of the main front and is connected with the parlor by folding doors through which the reporter passed, and entering the parlor was more than astonished by the luxurious appointments. A heavy brussels carpet of the most elegant style and finish graces the floor, the walls are adorned with rare and costly oil paintings; the furniture is of walnut cushioned with the most expensive silk and rep, and nothing lacks, save the piano which will be placed in the position shortly. On down through the main corridor peeping now and then into the bedrooms, sixteen in number, each of them fitted with walnut furniture and carpeted to match: spring mattresses that would tempt even a sybarite, toilet stands and fixtures of the most approved pattern, the walls papered, and to crown all, each room having windows. All are outside rooms thus obviating the many comforts in close and ill-ventilated apartments. Returning we pass down the broad staircase and turning to the left are in the office and reading room. Here we met Mr. R.J. Pryke, the polite and affable clerk, so well known to Yosemite tourists in California. The office fixtures are as is common in first class hotels and fully in keeping with the general character of the house. The dining room adjoining next invites inspection. Here we find the same evidence of good taste in selection and arrangement that is so marked a feature of the whole interior. Three elegant chandeliers are pendant from the handsome centerpieces, walnut tables, extension and plain, covered with cut glass, china, silver castors and the latest style of cutlery are among the many attractions of this branch of the cuisine.

Thence into the kitchen where we find the same evidence before mentioned; an elegant Montagin range 12 feet in length, with patent heater, hot and cold faucets, in fact all the appliances necessary to feed five hundred persons at a few hours notice are present. The bar occupies the east half of the main front and is in keeping with the general furnishings. Want of space prevents more than this cursory glance at the Grand and its appliances for the comfort and convenience of guests. A Grand (no pun intended) invitation ball will take place this evening.

Movement of objects, including glasses on the bar and mannequins on the false balcony.

Unexplainable noises, including the sounds of footsteps in the basement and in the saloon after closing.

Unusual areas of extreme cold and gusts of cold air.

Disembodied voices, especially in the basement.

We were allowed into the saloon after closing to conduct our ghost hunt. The main focus of this investigation was search the basement of Big Nose Kate's for unusual Electromagnetic fields that were found on previous ghost hunts of this location. We were accompanied on this hunt by members and DJs of the 93.7 KRQ ghost patrol, a radio station out of Tuscon Arizona. The ghost hunt was recorded on audio for the station to play back on the air on Halloween night.

Cameras were set up to monitor the Swamper's area while the team searched the basement. Readings of 6 milliguass were detected around the north end of the area and were accompanied by some unusual photos that showed a odd black form or mist in them. The cameras monitoring the Swamper's area did pick up unusual objects, but many of the targets look like dust particles.

Electromagnetic fields were also located around the Swamper's area. These readings were weaker ( up to 5 milliguass) but were intermediate in nature. The strongest field that was acquired last only 30 seconds with a initial reading of 3 milliguass which gradually elevated up to 5. The field then completely vanished and could not be reacquired.