Location Description and History

Just over the mountains of Tuscon lies a section of desolated desert. This section of land was owned by Pima County. The area was discovered by film makers and gradually converted into a film set. In July of 1939, Columbia Pictures reserved $250,000 to create a set for the filming of Arizona, which was to bring the true ruggedness of the Old West to life. In the years following this pioneering project, many studios used the site for western films and added new structures. In the 1940's and 1950's movies filmed at Old Tucson studios included, The Bells of Saint Mary's (1945) with Bing Crosby and Ingrid Bergman and Gunfight at the OK Corral (1957) with Burt Lancaster and Kirk Douglas. In 1959, Robert Shelton formed the Old Tucson Development Company and began to restore buildings previously erected on the site. He envisioned the property as a family attraction, much as it is today. He leased the land from Pima County and began construction on the public park. A year later, Old Tucson Studios opened its doors to the public as an amusement park. At the same time, the site was still operating as a movie studio.

Each movie filmed on the set contributed to the expansion of the set, building by building. John Wayne's four movies contributed greatly to the growth of the "town." Rio Bravo (1959) added a saloon, bank building, and doctor's office to the park. The film MCLINTOCK! (1963) added the McLintock Hotel to the set. A face lift was given to Front Street for the filming of the movie El Dorado (1967). The film Rio Lobo (1970) created a cantina, a granite lined creek, a jail, and Phillip's ranch house to the set.
During the 1970's, the studios procured their treasured steam locomotive the "Reno" which has been used in several movies. It was originally built in 1872 for Nevada's Virginia & Truckee Railroad. During this time, Old Tucson added to its growing attractions, Silverlake Park which included an antique carousel and several depots.
On April 25, 1995, a raging fire destroyed 40% of Old Tucson Studios and with it piece of Tucson history. Buildings, costumes and memorabilia were all lost in the blaze.

The origin of the fire remains a mystery as specific details were never disclosed. Most of the buildings in the studio were classified as "Temporary Structures" meaning fire prevention devices such as sprinklers were not required. Adding to the problem, propane and gunpowder stored near the fire area demanded the attention of firefighters and the majority of the water which was in scarce supply. So much water was used in the attempt to prevent an explosion that the surrounding areas became flooded, further impeding the firefighters as they attempted to wade through the mud. After 4 hours, the fire was finally under control. Damages were estimated to be in excess of $10 million with 25 buildings destroyed including the sound stage, the Kansas Street filming region and the wardrobe from Little House on the Prairie, the McLintock Hotel, Rio Lobo Cantina, the Mission in Mexican Plaza, and the soundstage.

Some of the more popular films shot at the studios include The Three Amigos (1986) which starred Chevy Chase, Steve Martin, and Martin Short; Tombstone (1993) with Kurt Russell; and The Quick and the Dead (1994) starring Sharon Stone and Gene Hackman. Several television series were also shot at the studios including Little House on the Prairie and the High Chaparral.

Paranormal phenomena has been reported in several areas of the studios by security guards. The first is the Grand palace saloon. Several ghosts, including one of a little girl, have been spotted throughout the building. The little girl is often spotted on the stairs leading to the second floor. Adjoining the saloon is Rosa's Cafe. The apparition of a young woman has been seen here and reports of unusual noises and moving objects are common place.

The school house is another studio building that has unusual phenomena associated with it. Security guards hear the sound of children and the lights go on and off by themselves. The door also seems to unlock itself, much to the display of the security guards.

The hauntings are not limited to specific buildings however. The ghost of a cowboy has been seen and heard walking about the town's streets. Security guards have heard the sound of footsteps and spurs moving down the streets surrounding the saloon and town hall. One security guard actually saw the "cowboy" walk right past her and through the locked door of one of the studio's shops.

Another phenomena that occurs through the studios is called "Shadow man" by employees. Basically it appears like a dark human figure that seems to follow (or stalk) security guards and visitors.

Other unusual activities that occur are the random turning on of building lights around the studios.

SGHA was out at the studios for 2 nights. After arrival at the studios we set up base in the Grand Palace saloon. Our integrated 8 camera system was setup monitoring various locations within the saloon and the adjoining Rosa's restaurant. Team 1 was assigned to monitor the cameras at base while Team 2 moved off to examine the Arizona Theater.

The initial plan for the Arizona Theater was to have three female members of SGHA investigate the area. One of the members had a infrared video camera and was to film the stage area. After the women were escorted in, the male investigators moved outside near the entrance. After a five minute wait, the male investigators returned to the theater. As they rounded the final corner of the entrance corridor, the women screamed. They had heard the tapping noise associated with the ghost near them and felt something threatening. The team returned to base to analyze the cameras and discuss the women's experience.

The camera revealed nothing and it was determined that the reaction of the women may have been group induced hysteria. It was also possible that the tapping noise they heard could have been the male investigators returning to the theater. So another team of female investigators was selected and we reentered the theater, this time with a tape recorder to attempt to obtain some EVP. Once again the male investigators left the theater, waited 5 minutes, then returned. No unusual activity was reported by the female investigators present.

Meanwhile, the Team at the saloon conducted random checks of Rosa's Cafe and the saloon itself. Several unusual EM fields were located in Rosa's Cafe, however no source or explanation of the fields could be found. After the entry team returned from the theater, the base Team was sent out to look for unusual readings at the carousel. This was originally the location where a security guard was forced to shoot a trespasser. Nothing of interest was found.

Our second night at the studios started much like the first. A decision was made to send in the first group of female investigators to try to obtain EVP samples in the Arizona Theater. Once again the women screamed and felt something near them that seemed to pin them back against the wall. The team regrouped and headed back to base. After discussing things for awhile, we decided to do a little experiment. Dave and Josh were dressed in drag and sent into the theater to see if anything would happen. Nothing did.

Afterwards we discovered that two of the women sent into the theater had bruises. One of them had three small bruises on her thigh that resembled fingerprints while the other had a bruise on her ribcage. Infrared video taken by one of the female investigators in the Theater shows an "orb-like" object approaching the women's location from the far left side of the building.

Investigations of the Grand palace Saloon and the town hall building turned up negative results. We did obtain some interesting readings and one photograph from Rosa's Cafe.

Kristin searching Rosa's Cafe	Odd EM field in Rosa's cafe	Ashley in Rosa's cafe	Searching the carousel.	The door to the Arizona theater	Looking in Town Hall
Josh and David getting ready	David in drag	David and Kat	Bob after 8 red bulls	David in the Town Hall	Patrolling the Streets
			MT	MT	MT

EVP Samples

The obviously interesting area of the studios was the Arizona Theater. The physical evidence (bruises on two of the female investigators) casts some doubt on our hysteria theory although it is possible that it was a factor. Although several people and investigators on the site had "sightings" of the Shadow man, all of the sightings were made by individuals and do not have the control of verification by another investigator.

EVP taken at the Theater was recorded on three different sources (tape recorder, and two camcorders). This makes the phenomena extremely interesting . The photograph taken in Rosa's Cafe is still unexplainable and attempts to replicate it were not sucessful.

The studios are worthy for another in depth look.