The Ghosts of Oklahoma City
Title: Haunted Places in Oklahoma City: Discover the Spirits within the City Limits
Oklahoma City, with its rich history and diverse culture, is not only known for its vibrant atmosphere and friendly locals but also for being a hotbed of ghostly activity. From historic buildings to modern attractions, the city boasts an array of haunted locations that will send shivers down your spine. Prepare to delve into the haunted past of Oklahoma City as we uncover some of the most paranormal hotspots in this enigmatic city.
1. Skirvin Hotel
Nestled in downtown Oklahoma City, the Skirvin Hotel has been a landmark since 1911. While its opulence and grandeur attract visitors, it is also famous for its eerie occurrences. Legend has it that a maid named Effie perished here after an affair with the hotel's founder left her pregnant. Guests and staff have reported strange happenings like objects moving on their own, faucets turning on mysteriously, and unexplained whispering in the hallways. Dare to stay the night? Be prepared for an otherworldly experience.
Skirvin Hotel — Oklahoma City: History & Hauntings
Quick facts
Opened: 1911 (original Skirvin Hotel), major reopening: 2007 after restoration
Location: Downtown Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Style: Beaux-Arts / early 20th-century luxury
Notable features: Ornate lobby, grand ballroom, original woodwork and brass fixtures, period elevators
The Skirvin Hotel was built by W. B. Skirvin, a self-made oil and real estate entrepreneur, and first opened in 1911 as a luxury destination for travelers and local society events. It expanded to 12 floors and became a downtown anchor for more than half a century, hosting dignitaries, celebrities, weddings, and social functions.
After decades of operation the hotel closed in 1988 amid financial troubles and urban decline. For nearly 20 years the Skirvin stood vacant, a decaying but iconic downtown landmark. A major, historically sensitive restoration began in the mid-2000s, and the hotel reopened in 2007, restored to its historic grandeur while functioning as a modern boutique hotel. Today it’s part of Oklahoma City’s revitalized downtown and a frequent stop for visitors drawn to its architecture and its ghost stories.
The legend of “Skirvin’s family tragedy” The most persistent ghost story centers on a woman named "Young Mrs. Skirvin" or simply “the bride.” According to local lore, a granddaughter (or in some versions, daughter) of Bill Skirvin fell in love with a man her family disapproved of. She became pregnant; the family forbade the marriage and hid the pregnancy. The young woman supposedly died in childbirth (or committed suicide, depending on the telling) in one of the hotel’s rooms, and her body was concealed, later discovered in a wall or floor. The Skirvin family allegedly disapproved so strongly that they denied the union even in death. The remorseful or restless young woman is said to haunt the hotel, especially the second and third floors.
Common reported phenomena
Apparitions: Guests and staff have reported seeing a young woman in a white or vintage dress, sometimes described as a bride, gliding through corridors or standing near doorways.
Cold spots: Sudden drops in temperature in hallways or guest rooms, especially on the lower floors associated with the legend.
Unexplained sounds: Footsteps outside rooms, faint crying, piano or ballroom music when no event is scheduled.
Doors opening/closing: Interior doors moving as if pushed by an unseen hand; rooms that were locked being found unlocked.
Sensation of being watched: Many visitors report the sensation of a presence nearby or the feeling of sadness or melancholy in certain halls.
Electronic anomalies: Unexplained alarms, lights flickering, or equipment glitching at odd hours.
Notable reported encounters
Guests checking in late at night who find their room door ajar and smell perfume or lavender, or who wake to see a shadowy figure at the foot of the bed.
Housekeeping staff hearing sobbing or finding beds turned down though the room was unoccupied.
A front-desk clerk who claimed the elevator stopped between floors and an unseen hand repeatedly pressed the “close” button; security footage sometimes shows doors or drapes moving but no visible cause.
2. Overholser Mansion
Built in 1903, the Overholser Mansion is a stunning display of architectural beauty. However, behind its elegant façade lies a dark secret. It is believed that Anna Overholser, the wife of the original owner Henry Overholser, still roams the halls of her former residence. Visitors have reported seeing the apparition of a woman in a long white dress, hearing phantom footsteps, and experiencing inexplicable drops in temperature. Take a guided tour to learn more about the Overholser family and potentially encounter the spirit of Anna herself.
Overholser Mansion — Oklahoma City: History & Hauntings
The Overholser Mansion is a crown jewel of Oklahoma City’s heritage district, an elegant example of late 19th-century wealth and style with a side of the spectral. Built in 1903 for millionaire civic leader and real estate magnate Henry Overholser, the mansion sits at 405 NW 15th Street near the historic Uptown 23rd/Film Row area. It’s one of the city’s best-preserved turn-of-the-century homes and a must-see for lovers of architecture, local history, and the paranormal.
Henry Overholser is often called “the father of Oklahoma City.” He invested in infrastructure, promoted commerce, and helped shape the city’s development. The home also reflects the social expectations and domestic life of prosperous families during Oklahoma’s territorial and early statehood years. Today the mansion operates as a historic house museum and event venue. Guided tours share the Overholser family story, the house’s inner workings, and the local context of early 20th-century life.
Family life: Henry Overholser lived here with his wife, Anna, and their children. The family’s social prominence meant the mansion hosted many gatherings and important guests across decades. The house was eventually saved and restored by local preservationists and the city, retaining original furniture, fixtures, and period-appropriate decor that amplify its museum value.
The Overholser Mansion has attracted ghost hunters and local lore enthusiasts for years. Reports combine the typical house-museum creaks with longer-standing stories of unexplained activity:
Visitors and tour guides have reported sightings of a gentlemanly figure in period dress—often associated with Henry Overholser—or fleeting figures in upstairs rooms and hallways.
Visitors and tour guides have reported sightings of a woman in a long flowy dress—often associated with Anna Overholser.
Guests describe footsteps on the upper floors, rustling fabrics, door sounds, and the occasional piano note when no musician is present. These sounds are most often reported during evening tours and private events.
Cold drafts and sudden temperature drops are frequently noted in specific rooms, especially around the master bedroom and upper corridors.
Some accounts mention small objects being moved or items found in unexpected places after tours, though these reports are anecdotal and not consistently documented.
Several visitors report strong feelings of melancholy, nostalgia, or being watched—sensations often linked to houses where generations of life unfolded.
Visiting tips for history buffs and ghost chasers
Take a guided tour: The mansion’s guided tours provide historical context and point out original artifacts and architectural details that better frame any unusual experiences.
Attend a themed or evening event: Special events and after-hours programs increase the chance of experiencing atmospheric phenomena, but remember: much of the reported activity is subtle and subjective.
Bring quiet, respectful curiosity: This is a preserved museum and private events venue—respect for the space, staff, and artifacts is essential.
Photography and EVP: If you plan to investigate, get permission for any extended paranormal equipment use. Photography can capture interesting anomalies in old homes—sometimes it’s just artful light through stained glass, and sometimes it sparks the imagination.
Combine with local stops: Pair a visit with the surrounding historic neighborhoods, museums, and other nearby Film Row and arts district attractions for a fuller cultural day.
Bottom line The Overholser Mansion is a top pick for travelers who like their history polished with a hint of the uncanny. Whether you come for the ornate woodwork and period furnishings or the whispered stories of ghostly residents, the mansion delivers memorable atmosphere, rich local history, and plenty of material for an evening ghost-hunting story.
3. Underground Tunnels
Beneath the modern streets of Oklahoma City lie a series of underground tunnels that were once used for various purposes, including prohibition-era bootlegging and transportation. These tunnels have a sinister reputation, as they were rumored to house illicit activities and clandestine meetings. Reports of ghostly encounters in the tunnels have included the sounds of disembodied voices, shadowy figures darting in and out of sight, and an overall feeling of unease. If you're feeling brave, join a guided tour to explore these eerie hidden passages.
Beneath the streets of downtown Oklahoma City lies an underworld of brick, concrete, and rumor — an interconnected system of tunnels and subterranean spaces that have fueled curiosity, urban legends, and nightly ghost stories for decades. Part practical infrastructure, part urban mythos, the tunnels offer a fascinating mix of history, utility, and the eerie atmosphere that paranormal travelers crave.
Many passages date to early–mid 20th century; others are later adaptations and service conduits. The purpose of the tunnels include utility and service corridors, delivery routes, and connections between buildings (basements, loading docks, steam lines, sewer/culvert networks). The tunnels are mostly closed to the public and private-property controlled. Some sections are sealed, repurposed, or accessible only with permission or on guided tours.
Reported hauntings and common stories
Whispered voices and footsteps: Visitors and maintenance workers have described hearing human voices, murmurs, and footsteps when no one is present — often in basements or sealed passageways where sound can carry strangely.
Cold spots and sudden drafts: Sudden localized cold patches and gusts are frequently reported, contributing to the sense of presence.
Apparitions and shadow figures: Some accounts claim glimpses of shadowy figures or fleeting silhouettes moving between columns.
Poltergeist-like activity: A handful of reports tell of small items being moved or inexplicable noises — things easily explained by building settling, rodents, or plumbing, but told in a more sensational frame.
Specific local lore: Bricktown and the older warehouse districts often have the richest stories, where basements and loading tunnels once linked saloons, speakeasies, and nightclubs. Stories of a “man in work clothes” who disappears at a stair landing or a woman singing softly in a tunnel at night are staples of local ghost tours and bar-room retellings.
Access, legality, and safety
Most tunnels are not open for casual exploration. They cross private property, utility zones, and potentially hazardous areas (standing water, unstable masonry, confined spaces, electrical/steam lines).
Tresspassing is a real risk: enter without permission, and you can face criminal charges.
Health risks: Poor air quality, mold, vermin, sharp debris, and potential contamination make unauthorized entry dangerous.
If you want to see below-ground Oklahoma City: look for official, guided experiences that include historical context and safe access. Museums, winter or special events, and occasionally organized tours by preservation groups may highlight accessible subterranean features. Always get written permission from property owners and check local ordinances.
Want to tour the underground? Check out the OKC Underground: Indoor History Tour!
4. St. Vincent’s Hospital
St. Vincent’s Hospital in Oklahoma City has a layered past that blends medical service, community care, and enough eerie tales to keep paranormal enthusiasts intrigued. Below is a concise history followed by the most persistent haunt legends, witness reports, and practical notes for would-be ghost hunters.
The original St. Vincent’s Hospital in Oklahoma City traces back to the early 20th century, established by Catholic religious orders to serve the growing city and care for the sick and poor. The hospital expanded over decades to include wards for general medicine, surgery, and specialized care, and it became known for compassionate service, often treating patients other hospitals turned away.
As healthcare centralized and new facilities were built, many older hospitals in Oklahoma City either merged, moved, or closed. The original St. Vincent’s facility eventually ceased operation as a hospital; parts of its campus were repurposed or demolished over time.
St. Vincent Hospital carries a dark chapter in its history tied to a series of murders that gripped the city and left lasting scars on families and staff. A nurse allegedly suffocated two patients in 1962. The murders became known only after the nurse turned himself in. When the building was a drug rehabilitation center, Fr. Dolan (who ran the rehab) was beaten to death in his apartment.
As with many sites tied to violent events, St. Vincent Hospital became a point of curiosity for ghost hunters and dark-tourism visitors. Tours and online discussions often blend documented facts with folklore; distinguishing between the two requires careful attention to original reporting and court records.
Paranormal reports:
Residual Energy in Wards: Numerous accounts describe echoing footsteps, the smell of old antiseptic, and the faint echoes of hospital equipment in empty corridors. Investigators often report feeling like they are walking through layers of time rather than sensing an active intelligence.
The Night Nurse: One of the most common legends is of a benevolent “night nurse” apparition—often described as a woman in period nursing attire—seen checking rooms, closing doors gently, or vanishing around corners. Witnesses report a calming presence rather than menace.
Crying and Lullabies: Several visitors have reported hearing soft crying or a lullaby (sometimes described as Gregorian-like humming) near former maternity areas or old patient rooms, thought to be tied to births and infant care that occurred there decades ago.
Cold Spots and EMF Fluctuations: Paranormal investigators cite sudden temperature drops and unpredictable EMF readings in specific rooms and hallways. These occurrences are most often reported at night and near older sections that escaped renovation.
Shadow Figures and Silhouettes: Occasional sightings of shadowy figures moving at the edge of vision—often in stairwells or behind glass partitions—are part of the lore. These are usually fleeting and non-confrontational.
Wheelchair and Equipment Movement: There are reports of wheelchairs moving slightly on their own and the soft clatter of forgotten equipment rolling across linoleum, especially in places where old supplies were stored.
Other tours you may want to consider:
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You may have noticed that I didn’t mention the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum (AKA the OKC Bombing Memorial). I did not include it because I have mixed feelings about it. Yes, we routinely investigate locations in which deaths have occurred but this location commands the utmost respect. Therefore I did not include it in my lists of haunted locations. I encourage you to visit it, feel the energy left behind, and remember those who lost their lives due to the evil acts of a few individuals. If you choose to investigate the grounds, please exercise discretion. My visit there was profound and it left a mark on my soul.
Oklahoma City's haunted places offer a thrilling blend of history and mystery for those who seek encounters with the supernatural. Whether you're a believer in the paranormal or simply curious about the city's ghostly folklore, these haunted locations will leave you with lasting memories and an unforgettable experience. Venture into the spectral world of Oklahoma City, but be warned - the spirits that reside within its borders may have more than a few surprises in store for you.
Make this beautiful day count!
Annette