Haunted Utah: The places that stay spooky even after Halloween

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The Beehive State is a great place to be during the Halloween season – it has a coffin-full of haunted attractions to choose from.

However, there are places in Utah that (allegedly) stay haunted all year round. These are the types of places you’ll find ghost hunters and mediums trying to connect with the great beyond.

The Hermit Of American Fork Canyon

In American Fork Canyon, a miner named Edward Hines hoped to make a fortune that never quite panned out.

He lived as a hermit until he passed away in the 1920s and is said to reside where the boom town Forest City once stood.

Canyon historian Jay Allen in an interview with KSL TV in 2018 said the spirit of Hines has been storied to create a stir at campsites in the area.

“They still claim to this day that his ghost still haunts the canyon,” Allen said. “If you’re ever around one of the campgrounds and hear rattling of a garbage can and that — no fear, it’s just Ed out looking for something to eat.”

Leslie’s Family Tree

Leslie’s Family Tree restaurant in Santaquin has gotten a lot of attention for its permanent residents.

KSL TV’s Andrew Adams shot a story with a team of paranormal investigators at this location, and they reportedly documented a lot of strange things.

The crew encountered odd noises and malfunction equipment, to name a few.

The restaurant was even featured on an episode of The Travel Channel’s “Ghost Adventures,”

Friend Or Foe At Devereaux

The Devereaux Mansion in Salt Lake City – which is located on the same city block as the KSL TV studios – is said to be haunted by two ghosts, according to “Specters in Doorways, The History & Hauntings of Utah,” by Linda Dunning.

The ghosts apparently will either tease or try to terrorize guests who use the event center on occasion.

According to Dunning, one of the ghosts is a little girl who likes to play tricks on the staff. She can also be seen waving at people at night. The other ghost, who is a wife or a head housekeeper, is more aggressive. She reportedly tries to protect the mansion from misuse.

The Purple Lady

One of the most popular ghost stories in Utah is that of the Purple Lady at the Rio Grande Depot.

Legend has it that 100 years ago, she was trying to retrieve her engagement ring from the tracks when she was killed by train pulling into the station.

She’s far from gone, though – at least if you believe the reports of noises lights going on and off, and music at the depot during times when it’s supposed to be empty.

She’s known as the Purple Lady because of the color of the dress she allegedly died in — the same dress she’s reportedly seen wearing when witnesses catch a glimpse of her late at night.