When Arizona was just a territory and vigilantes ruled the dusty streets and trails, John W. Weatherford rode into Flagstaff, Arizona. With a grand vision for Flagstaff, Weatherford soon began building what would become known as one of the finest hotels in the West. Opening on New Year’s Day, 1900, the luxurious hotel attracted visitors such as newspaper tycoon William Randolph Hearst, former President Theodore Roosevelt, Old West author Zane Grey, and lawman Wyatt Earp.

After completing his luxury hotel, John Weatherford built the Majestic Opera House, which opened in 1911. When it burned down in 1915, Weatherford was not deterred and rebuilt his theater, this time calling it the Orpheum, which still stands today.

In the early 20th Century, watercolor artist Thomas Moran spent many nights at the Weatherford Hotel while completing his sketches of western landscapes. These works of art helped move Congress to preserve places such as the Grand Canyon and Yellowstone as National Parks.

Over the years, this historic building served several purposes, including as Flagstaff’s first telephone exchange, restaurants, a theater, a radio station, and a billiard hall. Today, it has been fully restored and once again serves Flagstaff travelers.

Along with its rich history, the Hotel Weatherford is also said to be home to a couple of resident ghosts. The Zane Grey Ballroom, with its stained glass windows and antique Brunswick bar from Tombstone, is where at least one of Weatherford’s ghosts is said to appear most often. In this beautiful ballroom, the ghostly woman has often been spied floating across the room. Other times, she is said to dart from one side of the room to the other. Other phenomena in the ballroom include the light over the pool table, which seemingly sways of its own accord, and whispers and voices coming from an otherwise empty bar.

Apparently, there the ghosts of a long-ago bride and groom also haunt the hotel. According to the legend, the honeymoon couple was murdered in Room 54 of the hotel in the 1930s. On at least one occasion, an employee staying in the hotel awoke in the middle of the night to find a bride and groom sitting on the foot of the bed. Today, the room has been turned into a storage closet, but that hasn’t stopped the ghostly pair, as guests have often reported seeing the couple enter the room. Staff often report hearing an unseen spirit call their names on the fourth floor and feeling a presence behind them.

While at the historic Hotel Weatherford, you may very well “see” a ghost, but if not, you are sure to enjoy the authentic Old West Hotel, old-fashioned rooms, and delightful lounges.

Contact Information:

Hotel Weatherford
23 N. Leroux Street
Flagstaff, Arizona 86001
928-779-1919

 

©Kathy Alexander/Legends of America, updated October 2026.

Also See:

Haunted Monte Vista Hotel

Museum Club’s Unearthly Guests

Arizona – The Grand Canyon State

Arizona Photo Print Galleries

Arizona Route 66

Arizona Route 66 Photo Gallery

See Sources.