Location Description and History

There were two theatres in town, Schieffelin Hall and the Bird Cage Theatre. Schieffelin Hall was where the “respectable” people in town went for entertainment. It opened in June of 1881. It was built for the people of Tombstone by Ed Schieffelin's Brother Al. It is the largest adobe structure in the southwest United States and was built to be used as a theater, recital hall and a meeting place for Tombstone Citizens. Wyatt and Morgan Earp attended a performance there the evening that Morgan was killed by an assassin's bullet. It is still in use today. he first theatrical performance in the Hall was "The Ticket-of-Leave Man" given on September 15, 1.881 by the Tombstone Dramatic Association to benefit Tombstone's Hook and Ladder Company who needed a fire alarm bell. The bell was presented during the IDA's production of "Lost in London" in November 1881.

The first professional company to appear in Schieffelin Hall was Nellie Boyd Dramatic Co. of New York who presented "The Banker's Daughter" December 5, 1881. On Christmas night, the Hutchinson Variety Troupe gave a performance at Schieffelin. For the next quarter century, many professional companies performed at the theater as part of the regular circuit from Chicago to San Francisco. Tombstone was known as a good "show town". Many of the plays were followed by dances and other activities by the proper people of town who would not be seen at the Bird Cage Theater. There was also banquets, parties, boxing matches, lectures, roller skating, and many benefits for worthy causes.

In the early 1900' s, motion pictures were shown at Schieffelin Hall followed by Shakespeare's "As you Like It" in 1917. Then, for nearly 50 years Schieffelin Hall remained virtually empty, falling into ruin with only the Masonic Lodge and pigeons using the building.

Then in September 1963, the building was purchased and restored by Historic Tombstone Adventures. Later it was donated to the City of Tombstone by Bob Love. Today, it is the theatrical center of Tombstone, a National Register Listed historic edifice

Schieffelin Hall, where the present day City Council meets, is located just across Fremont street on the opposite corner from the City Hall.

Schieffelin Hall is one of the most haunted but over looked buildings in Tombstone. During the 2003 Clanton Days Ghost Tour, the entire group heard what sounded like chains or spurs rattling inside the building. At first they sounded like they were coming from around the corner of the building, then they sounded like they were coming from inside the building. Some of the people present said it sounded like spurs.

The spirits seem to be most active during town council meetings, which are held here periodically.

We swept the building for Electromagnetic fields that could be of paranormal origin. Most of the fields we located were A/C, especially around the stage area. However we did locate several D/C fields in the lobby which appeared to be in motion. Photographs taken during the measurements of these fields reveled several "orb-like" structures in them.

Photographs

Click on the thumbnails to view the larger image

It would be interesting to do a more in depth investigation of this location. The EM fields in the lobby were quite unusual.