Back in high school, we used to love going to “Haunted” places around town and trying to spook each other.
I wish I had this list back then, but I did go to a few of these then including Therosa’s Bridge.
Here is our list of the truly spooky, haunted places in (or around) Wichita:
Theorosa’s Bridge
Technically this isn’t Wichita, but it’s close enough. You can find Theorosa’s Bridge between Sedgwick and Valley Center (37°52′59.18″N 97°22′26.55″W).
There are a few versions of the urban legend, but the core of the story revolves around baby Theorosa. In one legend, Theorosa was the daughter of 19th-century settlers and was stolen by Native Americans. You can supposedly see Theorosa’s mother wondering around the bridge looking for her daughter.
Another version says Theorosa was the mother and threw illegitimate baby into the river, was overcome with guilt and now haunts the river looking for the baby.
Broadview Hotel
The Broadview Hotel was a primetime spot in the early 1900’s for Chisholm Trail travelers.
It was built in 1922 and included a speakeasy.
The story goes that a man named Clarence was enjoying his stay when he found his wife with another man. He then shot and killed his wife. After this, he could not handle the guilt and took his own life from 8 stories up.
Local Youtubers cover their experience here pretty well this pretty well here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZUf94IRIzCY&t=315s
Old Cowtown
Old Cowtown often has Ghost Tours and Paranormal crews come through looking for a paranormal experience like footsteps, whispers, flickering lights, and sometimes apparitions.
The legend goes that the founder of the Wichita Eagle newspaper, Marshall Murdock, had a daughter who passed from spinal meningitis.
Now the family haunts the grounds .
Orpheum Theatre
The Orpheum has also hosted many Ghost Tours with the Wichita Paranormal Research Society.
This building is close to 100 years old. So although I haven’t heard specific stories, we’ll stick with the old = potentially haunted.
Do we need a Phantom of the Orpheum screenplay now?
Carey House Square / Eaton Hotel Ghost
The Eaton Hotel is right on the corner of Douglas and St. Francis by Naftzger Park.
The legend has it that a woman was killed in this hotel and her killer was not brought to justice.
This woman walks the halls of the 2nd and 3rd floors and knocks things over.
Wichita-Sedgwick County Historical Museum
This one isn’t quite as popular of a haunted spot, but this building was the main City Hall from 1892 to 1976. So old = potentially haunted. Sometimes people have heard footsteps, heard footsteps or even been “touched” by spirits. This is typically on the 2nd or 3rd floors.
Kansas Aviation Museum
The Kansas Aviation Museum has a couple stories.
One story says an old plane is haunted by it’s pilot who died after a plane crash.
Others say they have seen a woman looking out the 3rd floor north windows.
McConnell Air Force Base
I haven’t been on the base in years, but people say there are unexplained sounds and lights in empty buildings.
Some people have even reported seeing WWII aircraft landing on the runway.
Delano District
The Delano District has some of the oldest buildings in Wichita. In the 1870’s – 1880’s, it served as a Cowtown and people would blow off steam coming off the Chisholm Trail.
There were gun fights and more that occurred here.
A couple specific locations include Spektrum Muzik and Salon 535 @ The Perfect Touch.
You may hear ghost voices or hear the ghost of Redbeard or Rowdy Jo.
WSU Campus: Wilner Auditorium, Henrion Gymnasium and Fiske Hall
Wilner Hall – George Wilner was a professor and the head of speech and theatre programs for nearly 40 years starting in the 1920’s. Some highlights include voices, doors opening and lights flickering.
Henrion Hall- This was the first permanent gym on WSU campus before the Heskett was built in 1983. The legend goes that a maintenance worker was killed on the job in the 1950’s and now he haunts the building late at night.
Fiske Hall – This building was a men’s dorm and was originally built in 1904. There are no specific stories, but it’s still pretty spooky with lights flickering and what not.
Wichita Greyhound Park & Clapp Mansion
I don’t know any stories and struggled to find some, but I was told they arec haunted as well.
Shoutout to Visit Wichita for doing a great job finding many of these spots!
