Red Dirt Scares: 10 Most Haunted Places in Oklahoma

When it comes to the most haunted places in Oklahoma, the scares are as big as the prairie skies!

Oklahoma’s spooky side is sure to rattle your cowboy boots. So hitch your wagon (or ghost-hunting gear) partner, these are the 10 most haunted places in the Sooner State.

The Skirvin Hotel 

Oklahoma City

The Skirvin Hotel is a 14-story Art Deco icon in downtown Oklahoma City, built in 1911 by businessman W.B. Skirvin. Known for its gorgeous Gothic lobby and opulent design, the hotel has been a symbol of luxury for over a century andone of the most haunted places in Oklahoma.

The legend of Skirvin’s ghost centers on Effie, who worked there during the Prohibition era and got pregnant in an affair with W.B. Skirvin. To avoid a public scandal, Skirvin allegedly locked Effie in a room on the top floor.

Isolated and sad, Effie went crazy. After giving birth, she threw herself and the baby out of the window. 

Reports of paranormal activity have been frequent over the years. Guests have claimed to hear the sound of a baby crying late at night, doors creaking or slamming without cause, and lights flickering unexpectedly. Words like “HELP ME” have appeared in the steam of bathroom mirrors. Employees and guests have described feeling an unsettling presence, particularly on the upper floors.

Cain’s Ballroom 

Tulsa

Cain’s Ballroom, a historic music venue in Tulsa, has a long and storied history that dates back to its opening in 1924.

It was here that Bob Wills & The Texas Playboys hosted their first regular radio broadcast, cementing the venue’s place in music history. 

Bob Willis and the Lady in Red: The venue is haunted by multiple spirits, including Bob Wills himself and a mysterious woman referred to as the Lady in Red. People have reported lights flickering on and off, sudden cold or hot spots, orbs appearing in photographs, disembodied voices, and the sounds of giggling or singing. These two hauntings are what put Cain’s Ballroom into our list of the most haunted places in Oklahoma.

One former employee recalled an encounter near the old restroom behind the stage. “I heard a woman crying, moaning, and sobbing like she was in pain,” they said. “I asked, ‘Are you okay?’ and looked around, but I was completely alone.”

The Cowboy: Another common sighting is a man dressed in early 1900s cowboy attire. Witnesses describe his clothing in detail, including a wide-brimmed hat and dusty boots. He has been reported to interact briefly, such as trying to order a ten-cent bag of popcorn (those were the days!)  before disappearing into thin air.

Chloe: Though her exact identity remains unclear, many believe she may have been a dancer during the ballroom’s heyday in the early to mid-20th century. Chloe is often described as a woman in period attire from the 1920s or 30s, complete with a flowing dress and heels.

Chloe sits near the edges of the ballroom or watching the stage, moving to music that only she can hear. She is accompanied by a floral scent, like old-fashioned perfume, which stays in the air even after she vanishes. Others have described hearing soft, feminine humming or feeling a light touch on their shoulder when no one else is near.

Stone Lion Inn 

Guthrie

The Stone Lion Inn in Guthrie was built in the early 1900s, it was home to Mr. and Mrs. Houghton and their 12 children. Tragedy struck when 8-year-old Augusta died after being given the wrong medication by a nurse. 

The house later served as a funeral home and boarding house before Becky Luker purchased it in 1986, intending to restore it. However, whatever spirits that lingered hated the renovations. Soon, loud footsteps echoed from the back staircase in the early hours of the morning, and doors opened and closed randomly.

Alarmed, Becky once called the police, fearing intruders, only to realize the “visitors” weren’t of this world. The third floor, once the children’s playroom, is filled with activity. People have reported unexplained noises, strange lights, and the feeling of unseen hands brushing against them. Guests have been woken up to the sensation of a child patting their face. Others have described hearing a music box playing, though there isn’t one in the house.

“One of my guests just the other day came out of this room and said, all night long, I heard this music box,” said owner Becky. “Where is that music box? I said I don’t have a music box in this house.” Becky said guests have told her they were woken up to a child patting their face.”

Today, The Stone Lion Inn remains one of the most haunted places in Oklahoma.

Constantine Theater 

Pawhuska

The Constantine Theater, a bright landmark on Pawhuska’s Main Street, was originally built in the 1880s as the Hotel Pawhuska, then transformed into a theater in 1914 by C.C. Constantine, who gave it his name. 

The theater is haunted by multiple spirits, including Sappho Constantine Brown, the daughter of C.C. She was first encountered in the 1980s by workmen during renovations, accompanied by the sound of light footsteps. 

Other weird stuff includes the echoes of a past fight during the building’s time as a hotel replay over and over. Raised, angry voices, thuds, and crashing furniture are heard, with no physical fight occurring or actual damage done.

The Woman in the Button-front dress is another of the Constantine Theater’s most well-known spirits. Often seen on the inside balcony, she is thought to be a guest from the building’s time at the Hotel Pawhuska. Her detailed appearance and the distinctive buttons down the front of her dress have been frequently reported throughout the years.

Fort Washita 

Durant

Fort Washita, established in 1842, was a U.S. military post that protected the Chickasaw and Choctaw Nations.

During the Civil War, it was occupied by Confederate forces from 1861 to 1865, who destroyed much of the fort as the war ended. Today, Fort Washita is a National Historic Landmark.

One of the most infamous spirits associated with the fort is Aunt Jane, believed to have been killed by thieves after refusing to give them her money. She was beheaded, and her remains were scattered across the grounds. Her angry spirit haunts Fort Washita, terrifying visitors and reenactors.

In a different version of the story, Aunt Jane possessed a child, Molly Stalcup, and threatened to cut off her hair before being driven away by the girl’s mother via prayer.

Other Manifestations:

• A green shape walking from the barracks to the stables was witnessed by high school students during a Civil War reenactment.
• Strangulation sensations were felt by reenactors spending the night in the Bonahan Cabin, with one woman awakened by an invisible presence standing over her.
• Recurring dreams of suffocation were reported by multiple guests staying overnight at the fort.
• Charles and his 32 Dogs: Charles, a long-time resident near the fort, was known for his pack of loyal dogs that he kept close by. Visitors can hear the sounds of barking and growling, even when no animals are there. Some have seen figures resembling Charles and his dogs wandering the grounds at night.

The Overholser Mansion 

Oklahoma City

Built in 1903, the Overholser Mansion is a stunning 20-room Victorian home that was once the residence of Henry Overholser, one of the city’s founding fathers, and his wife, Anna Ione Overholser.

Known as the “queen of Oklahoma City society,” Anna hosted lavish events in the home, including a notable reception for President and Mrs. William McKinley. Her deep connection to the mansion explains why many believe her spirit remains, making the Overholser Mansion one of the most haunted places in Oklahoma.

Anna’s ghost is described as a petite woman in a white gown with a Gibson Girl hairstyle, matching her photograph in the home. The photo depicts her in a pearl-adorned gown she wore to the McKinley reception. People report seeing her ghostly figure gliding through rooms or peeking out from the turret windows on the second and third floors as if she’s still watching for Henry to return home, followed by the scent of fresh roses (Anna’s favorite flower).

Other occurrences include unexplained creaks, squeaky doors, and visitors feeling something unseen jostle or tug at them. A young boy once saw a woman in white who was thought to be Anna. 

According to Lisa Escalon, the mansion’s museum coordinator, Anna has been seen floating through the house in her signature gown, with her hair perfectly styled, as she has been for decades.

Gilcrease Museum 

Tulsa

Northwest of downtown Tulsa, the Gilcrease Museum houses over 13,000 pieces of American Western and Native American art.

The museum is also known as one of the most haunted places in Oklahoma, with many reports of paranormal activity from staff and visitors.

Manifestations:

• Child #1: Seen near the gardens, this child is usually playing or hiding near the plants.
• Child #2: Described as a quiet figure who often appears near the entrance of the museum, watching visitors.
• Child #3: Known to move quickly from room to room, this spirit has a playful nature, sometimes knocking over small items.
• Child #4: Always standing near the stairs, this apparition is often accompanied by the sound of faint laughter or footsteps.
• Child #5: Witnesses report seeing this child sitting near windows, gazing outside as if waiting for someone.
• Child #6: A more mischievous presence, this spirit is associated with items disappearing and reappearing in strange places.
• Child #7: Often spotted in the garden at dusk, this manifestation is sometimes followed by the sound of a giggle.
• Unknown Male Spirit: An unidentified male ghost is known to wander the house, making loud banging noises. 

The presence of so many child spirits at the Gilcrease Museum is a mystery, but there are some possible explanations. The land may hold onto the dark history from pioneer or Native American times, where children faced illness or accidents. 

Some spirits could also be tied to the museum’s artifacts, many of which carry deep cultural or personal significance. 

Belvidere Mansion 

Claremore

Built in the early 1900s by John M. Bayless, the Belvidere Mansion is a lovely example of Gothic architecture. Tragically, Bayless died from complications following appendicitis surgery before completing the mansion. 

His wife and 7 children finished construction and lived there until 1919. The Rogers County Historical Society restored the mansion in 1991, and today, it serves as a historic site, event venue, and tea room.

Many believe John Bayless and his family still reside in the mansion. Unexplained phenomena, including shadowy figures, toilets flushing on their own, sudden temperature changes, and the sensation of being touched by unseen hands, have been reported for over a century.

Paranormal investigators claim the second floor is especially active, with psychics reporting children playing, John Bayless, and the spirit of a young woman who committed suicide in the 1940s when the mansion was used as apartments.

John Bayless’s spirit is described as stressed and sad, likely tied to his untimely death. He appears most often on the second floor, and some have seen him pacing back and forth. Witnesses have seen shadowy figures resembling a man in period clothing, as well as sudden feelings of heaviness or sadness in certain areas of the house. 

The young woman who committed suicide in the 1940s remains a more mysterious figure. She is often sensed in the same area as the children’s playroom on the second floor. Those who have seen her feel sadness or unease in her presence, and she is sometimes followed by faint weeping or whispers. 

The Cherokee Strip Museum 

Perry

Once operating as a hospital, the Cherokee Strip Museum is now filled with relics of Perry’s rich past, and one of the most haunted places in Oklahoma. 

The museum has exhibits on early settlement life, including a unique POW display, but it is equally known for its haunted reputation. The building, completed in 1932, has seen its share of death.

Many believe the spirits of patients who died from botched surgeries linger in the former hospital, with activity concentrated on the second and third floors, which are now sealed off. 

Visitors report unexplained voices, cold spots, and shadowy figures, as well as a player piano that mysteriously plays on its own. Some have reported seeing strange lights and shadows at night, including figures visible through the intact north-side windows and on the roof, despite the fact that it can only be accessed through trapdoors inside.

Trapper, a friendly German ghost tied to a POW exhibit in the museum, appeared after the museum accepted an item connected to him. Though his exact story remains a mystery, Trapper is believed to watch over his possession.

No one is sure what that item is, but many think it may be a uniform piece, a tool, or an object he used during his time as a German prisoner of war. This artifact is thought to anchor his spirit to the museum, where he “watches over.”

The Parallel Forest

Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge

Hidden within the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge lies the eerie Parallel Forest, a grove of 20,000 red cedar trees planted in 1912 to combat the Dust Bowl’s harsh winds. 

What makes the forest unique is that the trees are spaced precisely 6 feet apart in all directions, creating a perfectly aligned grid that stretches for 16 acres. Viewed from above, the forest forms a near-perfect rectangle, an unnatural symmetry that sets it apart from any typical woodland.

While the forest’s origins are practical, its atmosphere has created creepiness. Visitors report strange occurrences, such as hearing voices, the rhythmic sound of unseen Native American drummers, and feelings of unease that make them want to leave.

Before the forest was planted in 1912, the area was part of the ancestral lands of Native American tribes, many of whom believed certain places held sacred or mystical energy. These connections could explain reports of unseen drummers since rhythmic drumming was an important part of Native American rituals and ceremonies. 

The Parallel Forest’s weirdness makes it one of the most haunted places in Oklahoma.

How to Find It:

The Parallel Forest is accessible via Oklahoma State Route 115 in the Wichita Mountains. Look for a small cement pad and a distinctive line of cedar trees along the side of the road.

Tulsa Theater 

Tulsa

Originally completed in 1914 as the Tulsa Convention Hall, the Tulsa Theater has been through it. During the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, the theater served as a detention center.

During the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, a horrible act of racial violence, white mobs attacked the prosperous Greenwood District, called “Black Wall Street,” wrecking homes, businesses, and community institutions. 

Over two days, more than 1,000 buildings were burned, 300 residents were killed, and thousands were left homeless. 

The Tulsa Theater served as a detention center where black residents were forcibly held. The massacre caused an estimated $1.8 million in property damage at the time (equivalent to over $27 million today).

Enrico Caruso, a renowned Italian tenor who performed there in 1920, caught a cold, which led to his death from pleurisy in 1921. Many believe his spirit returned to haunt the theater, and he’s been seen and heard in the theatre ever since.

Fort El Reno

El Reno

Fort El Reno, located in the historic city of El Reno, is definitely one of the most haunted places in Oklahoma. 

Established in 1874, this military post was a safe place for the Cheyenne and Arapaho tribes during the Indian Wars and later as a German POW camp during World War II. Named after General Jesse L. Reno, who died during the Battle of South Mountain, the fort is dripping with tragic history.

While the official records do not confirm it, some believe that members of Indigenous tribes were buried at Fort Reno following a massacre in 1877. Visitors have seen ghosts at night, followed by cold spots, mysterious and loud footsteps, and doors slamming without explanation.

The sightings are described as shadowy figures or fleeting human shapes, thought to be Indigenous people or former soldiers tied to the fort’s past. These forms are frequently seen near the cemetery or in the windows of historic buildings.

Paranormal activity is not limited to the outdoors—faces have been spotted in windows, water faucets in the visitor center have turned on by themselves, and orbs have appeared in photographs.

Adding to its haunted reputation, Fort Reno hosts a monthly Ghost Tour, where visitors are given lanterns and guided through the fort’s grounds, buildings, and cemetery by paranormal researchers. 

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