Uncover the original sins of this unusual town where famous spirits and ominous apparitions roam the scarred streets, tormenting anyone in their wake.
The Gold Rush Brings Settlers—and Spirits—to Reno
A western metropolis known for gangsters, slot machines, and flashy displays of wealth, Reno is a place that boasts blatant debauchery while harboring an even darker past. Gunfights, prostitution, and countless murders left their mark on the city, and have continued to manifest and morph into something more disturbing and otherworldly.
Aptly known as the Silver State, settlers came to Nevada in droves in search of precious metals, from gold to silver, to copper. With lofty dreams of making a fast fortune, these individuals underestimated the pain, bloodshed, and death they were about to face when they began constructing what’s known as modern-day Reno. These miners inadvertently created a legacy of greed and violence – one that continues to haunt the city of Reno to this day.
Discover the hidden, harrowing truths of this peculiar town, and get ready to bear witness to the appalling, the scandalous, and the mythical. Welcome to Reno, where the past crimes of pimps, outlaws, and gamblers have left an impenetrable stain on the fabric of this disturbing city and continue to live in the present.
What will I see?
A Cursed History Plagued by Tragedy and Heartbreak
The depravity that keeps this fast-paced city running pales in comparison to the mayhem, chaos, and agony that reverberate throughout the streets of this irreverent area of the world. Venture to one of Reno’s most troubling sites, the former Mapes Hotel. A true symbol of grandeur, the Mapes Hotel was built on a site that took many forms, previously the old post office but originally, an ancient Native burial ground. This construction would teach a very disturbing lesson in the perils of disturbing sacred grounds.
Hear spine-tingling accounts of its famous hauntings, including those of Marilyn Monroe, Clark Gable, and Montgomery Clift. It’s believed during the filming of The Misfits, the angry spirits of those whose final resting place was repeatedly disturbed cursed the film and some associated with it. The fates of the three famous actors would be sealed with Clark Gable’s being the first, passing just days after filming wrapped.
Marilyn Monroe would meet her end one year later, and her spirit makes frequent visits to the hotel, often seen roaming the sixth floor where the movie was filmed. Of course, she’s not the only famous figure associated with the Mapes. Uncover the intriguing mystery of D.B. Cooper and how his story is directly tied to the Mapes Hotel.
The Outcasts Turn Otherworldly
Behind the glimmering facade of “America’s Biggest Little City” lies the remnants of a gruesome and grossly disturbing past. The rise of Reno was not without tragedy as injustices committed against immigrants resulted in the rise of crime, prostitution, drug use, and death – all of which continue to haunt the areas formerly known as Chinatown and the Red Light District.
Discover present-day Lake and East 1st Streets where those who were ostracized from the community were forced to establish their own section of Reno known then as Chinatown and the Red Light District. Though the Chinese were shunned from the rest of the city, their community offered sought-after services such as nourishment from their cuisine and laundry services as well as some from the darkest desires of the wicked. Heinous acts and merciless murders would give the area a reputation for being a grimy and unholy part of town – a reputation that precedes it to this day.
Otherworldly activity is predominant in the area with reports of faces being spotted in windows, strange smells of noodle soup in the air, mysterious “hot spots”, and disembodied screams of horror being the most common. Could it be the opium dealers, prostitutes, gangsters, and brothel-goers who once bloodied these streets? Find out with Reno Ghosts.
WHY IS RENO SO HAUNTED?
Why Reno’s Disturbed Past Continues to be Resurrected
For its size, Reno has a very complicated history that goes far back thanks to vengeful spirits from its past. From the Native Americans that once occupied this land, to the rush of overeager gold miners, thousands of souls have come and gone throughout the centuries. And with this came conflict—a conflict that would oftentimes prove to be deadly.
For years, cowboys and ranchers were a common sight in Reno, where they would stop to bathe, rest up, and grab a strong drink in between jobs. Because of this, gunfights and outlaws stirred up trouble around town. In the midst of these senseless murders, the law attempted to take control, leading to one extreme incident: the city’s one and only lynching.
Visit the Virginia Street Bridge where it’s said that the angered spirit of the condemned man still wanders the site where he was hanged all those years ago, searching for vengeance on those who delivered him to meet his grisly end. Hear the terrifying tales of what happens when the man is summoned and what can happen to you if you dare do the same.
Shining Lights and The Darkness Behind Them
Don’t be fooled by the shining lights of Reno’s famous 24-hour casinos. The victims of this decadent era in Reno’s history continue to haunt the halls of casinos, bars, and hotels, perhaps trapped inside of the opulent prisons of their own making.
Uncover the Riverside Hotel, the site where Reno was established, and has seen multiple owners throughout the years, some more nefarious than others. Learn more about the infamous Myron Lake who not only owned the primitive hotel but would ultimately die in the building. Strange events have occurred in the building ever since, not to mention the decades of misfortune that befell each owner from robberies to unexplained fires and even financial ruin.
Though the building is now home to local artists the space can hardly be claimed as their own as the long-dead residents of the past continue to reside in their former residences. Hear the horrific tale of George Wingfield, one of the richest men in Nevada who allegedly killed the mother of his child and the child itself in the building, and whose spirit has been condemned to wander the hotel with the souls of the innocent he ruthlessly murdered.
WHAT’S SO SPECIAL ABOUT THE RENO GHOSTS TOUR?
See a Different, Darker Side of this Historic Destination
It’s no surprise that a place as unpredictable and undefeated as Reno has a history that reads like a horror film. Though the city has torn down countless buildings that once served as gateways for prostitution, drugs, and other illicit behaviors, Reno will never be able to shake its sordid past.
Follow Reno Ghosts and journey into the shadowy alleyways of the formerly-known Lovers Lane, where thieves, gamblers, and ladies of the night would collide in a shameless parade of sex, money, and drugs. Learn about the restless spirits that roam these empty concrete corridors at night, and witness the horrific consequences of the deadly shootings, robberies, and fights that have left this place cursed by the sheer magnitude of human malevolence that took place here in the early days of Reno’s history. The memories you make will follow you far beyond your trip to Reno and into the grave and perhaps, even beyond.
A Unique and Unforgettable Adventure That Will Leave You Spooked
Join us for a nonstop, once-in-a-lifetime adventure through the terrifying, the opulent, and the mystic. This city is a strange hub of violence and mystery, so much of which is void of all logic and explanation. One such example is the seemingly inconspicuous Roy Frisch House, a building that has been at the heart of an unsolved disappearance for nearly 100 years.
Learn about the bone-chilling theories behind the strange case of its owner, Roy Frisch, who many speculate was forced to skip town, suffered from a strange case of amnesia, or worse, was brutally killed. Many followers of the case believe Roy was murdered and his body was viciously thrown into a mine shaft, or that mobsters were paid to have him slaughtered, weighed down, and dumped in Lake Tahoe. Some even believe that at night, Roy’s spirit can be heard, slowly prodding up the front stairs, returning home at last.
Join a Growing Ghostly Community
Whether you’re a lifelong fanatic or new to the concept, the ghostly community has a little something to offer everyone. Here, you’ll find eclectic, creative minds who all share a love for the macabre, the dark, the mysterious, and the supernatural. And for paranormal fanatics, Reno is something akin to a haven for endless ghost stories, local legends, and terrifying tales.
We invite you to take a stroll with us through downtown Reno, where you can witness a side of town that has been erased, for fear that it might be too disturbing for the average visitor. There’s an eerie malfeasance to this city that has stuck since the day settlers arrived in the west, after decades of mining-related deaths, shootouts, senseless crime, and disease. Experience a side of Reno that can only be unveiled at night, when the spirits of the city’s past arise from their earthly graves.
