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Haunted Cheyenne
In 1867, at the spot where the Union Pacific Railroad crossed Crow Creek, the city of Cheyenne was born. Since then, the Magic City of the Plains has had a long history of hauntings. Drop into the Shadows Pub and Grill, and you may find yourself sharing a drink with a spectral patron from another era. Spend a night at the Historic Plains Hotel, and you may run into one of the many ghostly guests who refuse to check out. Even the Wrangler store seems to be home to a phantom cowboy. From the ghosts of the historic Depot and Rail Yard to the spirits that still linger in some of the city's private homes, this frontier town is filled with spooky happenings and chilling sightings. Join writer and guide Jill Pope on a tour of the stories behind this city's most chilling spots.
146 pages, Hardcover
First published September 5, 2013
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
June 30, 2018
As a previous reviewer stated, this book is very much in the typical vein for books on local hauntings undoubtedly written to pique the interest of ghost-obsessed travelers. This particular title, however, seems to have a strong vein of advertisement running through it. The author, according to the bio information, is the director of the Visitor's Bureau, so she is obviously not without significant bias toward Cheyenne being a great place to visit. That bleeds through quite often as she not only tells the paranormal stories, but attempts to sell the reader on Cheyenne as a vacation destination.
I mean, it was convincing. It sounds charming and I'd like to go there based on what I read. But if you're just looking for ghost stories, be aware that there is a sales angle to this particular book. It's an easy, enjoyable read and I don't regret having read it in any way. The layout and pictures were very pleasing and the stories were detailed and very fun and spooky.
I would also point out that the stories that mention Native Americans are disappointing, pretty one-sided, and definitely told from a white perspective. Not in an overtly racist way by any means, but if you're a critical reader who understands cultural perspectives and the absence of the voices of some of the stakeholders in the stories, this might bother you. And the story about the alleged ghost of the Chinese railroad worker where a child in the house called him the "China man" and the whole family started using that as the name for the ghost? Yeah, just saying, like... to the author... are aware that "ch***man" is a racial slur, right? Might have been good to leave that out of the book. Putting a space in between doesn't really fix it.
I mean, it was convincing. It sounds charming and I'd like to go there based on what I read. But if you're just looking for ghost stories, be aware that there is a sales angle to this particular book. It's an easy, enjoyable read and I don't regret having read it in any way. The layout and pictures were very pleasing and the stories were detailed and very fun and spooky.
I would also point out that the stories that mention Native Americans are disappointing, pretty one-sided, and definitely told from a white perspective. Not in an overtly racist way by any means, but if you're a critical reader who understands cultural perspectives and the absence of the voices of some of the stakeholders in the stories, this might bother you. And the story about the alleged ghost of the Chinese railroad worker where a child in the house called him the "China man" and the whole family started using that as the name for the ghost? Yeah, just saying, like... to the author... are aware that "ch***man" is a racial slur, right? Might have been good to leave that out of the book. Putting a space in between doesn't really fix it.
November 12, 2018
The author definitely did her research. I learned quite a bit about the history of Cheyenne and its buildings.
October 29, 2013
Haunted Cheyenne by Jill Pope is what you might call your typical haunted location book. It aptly retells, as most of these local color books do, tales of ghostly spirit encounters throughout Cheyenne, Wyoming.
The writing is narrative--neither exciting nor dull and redundant--it does the job it promises: it tells you what may be haunted, where, and in many cases, why. So, there is nothing astounding about this book. Unless ghost hunting is in your after school activity repertoire, one could easily bypass it for other fictional frights that would be more satisfying. It is not this author's fault. Books like this rarely do more than present reported experiences with the historic background, and so, without personal connections, haunting stories from one part of the world start to sound like all the rest.
There are only a few most interesting tales of hauntings that tie back to local crimes. Among these is the story of the murder of film maker Allen Ross who became involved with the cult leader of the Samaritans.
Where Haunted Cheyenne does not disappoint--especially when you are new to the area--is with the overview of the history of buildings in Cheyenne. This book takes the reader on an historic journey through the downtown depot created during the railroad explosion and hell on wheels era where, when you have had the experience of being in the area, you can feel the shadows of the bars and brothels.
For a stocking stuffer, a gift to a visiting guest in Cheyenne, for those interested in history in a nutshell, it is worth getting your hands on Haunted Cheyenne by Jill Pope. A bit pricey at $19.99 for a 138 page book, but if you have any experience in Cheyenne, Wyoming at all and can point to a location or a building in Wyoming's state capital, it is probably worth it.
The writing is narrative--neither exciting nor dull and redundant--it does the job it promises: it tells you what may be haunted, where, and in many cases, why. So, there is nothing astounding about this book. Unless ghost hunting is in your after school activity repertoire, one could easily bypass it for other fictional frights that would be more satisfying. It is not this author's fault. Books like this rarely do more than present reported experiences with the historic background, and so, without personal connections, haunting stories from one part of the world start to sound like all the rest.
There are only a few most interesting tales of hauntings that tie back to local crimes. Among these is the story of the murder of film maker Allen Ross who became involved with the cult leader of the Samaritans.
Where Haunted Cheyenne does not disappoint--especially when you are new to the area--is with the overview of the history of buildings in Cheyenne. This book takes the reader on an historic journey through the downtown depot created during the railroad explosion and hell on wheels era where, when you have had the experience of being in the area, you can feel the shadows of the bars and brothels.
For a stocking stuffer, a gift to a visiting guest in Cheyenne, for those interested in history in a nutshell, it is worth getting your hands on Haunted Cheyenne by Jill Pope. A bit pricey at $19.99 for a 138 page book, but if you have any experience in Cheyenne, Wyoming at all and can point to a location or a building in Wyoming's state capital, it is probably worth it.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews