This unassuming strip mall, on 19th Avenue & Northern in Phoenix, has an Albertsons, Starbucks, Einstein’s Bagels and other shops or offices, and would never thought to be haunted, but it is. Many years before the strip mall existed on this site, there used to be several eroded buildings standing there. These structures were murky and eerie and abandoned for many years. There was much speculation that the buildings were haunted and ghosts have been reported wandering around the grounds. Between the deteriorating walls of these dark dwellings, apparitions and other strange occurrences had been seen and heard by eyewitnesses. Young kids and teens would dare each other to investigate the buildings at night using only a flashlight for protection. They would find an open hole in the fence to gain access and slowly, as a group, would enter a building. They never lasted the night claiming to hear crying, and whimpering sounds coming from the long dark passage. Only a few brave souls would check out the basements where there were rumors of torture and murder that occurred in there. Others would report seeing three headstones, one large in the middle and two smaller ones on each side. The strange thing was, they were never seen in the light of day.
Today there sits a strip mall where some employees reported hearing crying and seeing what they could only describe as a ghost in various areas of the stores they were working at. Others have claims of seeing a ghostly looking homeless man in the area behind the store where a body of one was found several years ago. The reports were that he was murdered in his sleep. He seems to be still hanging around behind the strip mall, making an appearance from time to time.
Fantastic! My sister used to live near that property when they didn't have the strip mall there. She told me what her neighbors said about sounds coming from there and movement. I always wanted to go in and check it out but the cops kept a good watch on the place. It always interests me when new places are built and yet activity continues. It really makes me lean towards residual held by the land and not the building specificially.
ReplyDeletevery interesting. you don't usually associate this type of area as being haunted, but it happens.
ReplyDeletelike autumn says, likely residual.
Sharon, I didn't see that mall before the stores were there. I would have been one of those that would have checked the place out when it was the old worn out buildings. The activity now is probably residual, just like you said.
ReplyDeleteSandra, you just don't know what kind of history is around your neighborhood. I was fascinated to find out about this.
Now, that's different. A strip mall that is haunted. Never heard about that one.
ReplyDeleteThere is nothing like that around here, however there is one place that I've been told is. It's a small playground not far from here. During the late evening hours, it is said that strange things happen there that have no explination. Swings move on their own, and See Saws go up and down and their are no kids on them. I've not known just why this happens. Who or what would haunt this place is unknown to me. Maybe something was there in the past, but what is was I have no idea.
This would be the perfect place for me. Starbucks and Ghosts! Who could ask for anything more!
ReplyDeleteLes, wow a haunted playground. I wonder what the history is of the area that the playground was built on. It just might an interesting story there.
ReplyDeleteJessica, I have to agree, Starbucks and ghosts are a great combo. I wonder if they like the frapps too?
We used to live not too far from there! I love when you post pics. It makes me homesick but also gives me a chance to see "home." (If that makes any sense?) And then when you write about this kind of thing...awesome! I'm with Jessica: Starbucks and ghosts, what more could a girl want???
ReplyDeleteThe old building used to be the Good Shepherd School for Wayword Girls. It was a Catholic school built in 1930 and then burned down (I am not sure when) but sat empty for years! It was extremely creepy looking and teenagers, including myself always dared ourselves to sneek into the old abandoned building to witness for ourselves the rumors of satanic warship and hauntings. Of course I never did sneek in, I was way to chicken but for those who grew up in Phoenix you are sure to remember this place. It was so freaky looking. It is just so weird because I work right by this location now at 19th ave and Northern and I frequent the Starbucks and Albertson's a lot and to think all of the freaky stories that came out of this creepy building! I would love to hear more about the stories of the building when it was still used as a girls school. I think it was closed in the late 60's or 70's but I have read other posts from people who went to the school who say it was haunted then! I sure wish I could find a picture online of what the building looked like before they built the Albertsons when it was all fenced off. If anyone can locate a pic please post it!
ReplyDeleteHere is a link to a pic of the original Good Shepherd School for Wayward Girls here in Phoenix....
ReplyDeletehttp://www.city-data.com/forum/attachments/phoenix-area/38240d1237505565-how-do-you-remember-phoenix-stories-good-shepherd2.jpg
Thanks for the picture. I may have to repost this and add the picture of the school.
ReplyDeleteAs soon as I entered this Albertson's for the first time to help out my mother in law, I immediately felt it to be very creepy. Then I heard a cashier mentioned it was haunted so I came to this very interesting webpage.
ReplyDeleteI am looking for residents of the Good Shepherd Girls Home in the early 1960's who may have known my mother. Please contact me at lwebb19@hotmail.com.
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