Halloween is one of my favorite times of year and in the spirit of it, here are a few places I’ve gone to in past Halloween seasons where history, mystery, and a few spooky surprises come together: Lost Dutchman State Park, Schnepf Farms Museum, Butler Amusements Carnival, Victory Steps at Verrado, Governor Hunt Tomb, and Jerome Historic District.
This article serves as a post for October’s #HalloweenChallenge #HistoryInArizona trivia. 
Lost Dutchman State Park
Lost Dutchman State Park - Google Maps
Named after Jacob Waltz, the German immigrant known as “The Dutchman,” the park is tied to a gold mine legend that dates back to the 1870s.
My visits here gave me two different reasons to feel a little spooked. The first time, I remember descending a steep, slippery sandy stretch of trail. My fear of heights and lack of balance made me sweat bullets. I always joke that I’m an ATV going uphill and a scaredy-cat going down. It was the only way back to the trailhead, so I slowly tiptoed down.
The second time, I heard something that sounded like a cross between a howling wind and a haunting flute. It was eerie enough to make me stop and wonder what I was hearing. As it turned out, it was just the wind passing through. Between the mysterious gold mine legend and the strange sounds of the desert, it’s easy to see how this landscape inspires stories!
Schnepf Farms Museum
Pumpkins, farm traditions, and seasonal festivities make this Queen Creek destination a natural fit for Halloween.
I enjoyed learning about the farm’s history in the museum. The farm’s history had some supernatural twists. Ray and Thora Schnepf began farming in Queen Creek in 1941, and not every experiment went according to plan. In 1968, Ray planted 40 acres of pistachio trees that he tended for nearly 20 years without harvesting a single nut.
To spice up the spook, I thought I’d stop by the corn maze by the museum. After leaving the trailer ride that had brought me there, I ventured into the area around the maze. The cornfield was enormous, and after a while, I couldn’t really see anyone else around. That’s when I started getting nervous. What if I couldn’t find my way back in time and missed the trailer ride back? Well, since I’m writing this post here- looks like I got back.
Butler Amusements Carnival
Location note
Note location varies by time of year so check their website. When they had it in Arizona, it was at Superstition Springs Center mall.
Nothing says Halloween quite like the lights, sounds, and thrills of a carnival! Butler Amusements was founded in 1970 by George “Bud” Butler, his wife Evelyn, and their son Earl “Butch,” building its reputation around the motto “The Cleanest Show in the West.”
One of the things that caught my eye was a huge pendulum-style ride that sent people soaring what looked like a hundred feet into the air. Just watching it was enough to make me think twice about getting on!
But the “scariest” part was getting out of my mind. I remember sitting in my car for several minutes, feeling too shy and scared to get out and walk around taking pictures. With hardly anyone there, I worried I would look goofy photographing the carnival on my own.
Looking back, there was really no reason to feel awkward. I was there to explore and capture what interested me, and that was reason enough.
Victory Steps at Verrado
Victory Steps at Verrado - Google Maps
Looking for a Halloween challenge without a haunted house? Come climb the 340 steps made from railroad ties in 2020, on the hillsides of Buckeye’s Victory District.
What makes this staircase a little intimidating is the lack of a handrail. Going up can feel like a fun challenge, but when you turn around and see the drop below, the experience can suddenly feel very different. If you are heights-averse, you might find yourself focusing a little more on where you’re placing your feet than on the view.
Governor Hunt Tomb
Governor Hunt Tomb - Google Maps
One of the most interesting things about this visit was discovering that the tomb existed in the first place. I hadn’t known it was there, so finding it felt like stumbling upon a hidden piece of Arizona history. The tomb belongs to George W. P. Hunt, Arizona’s first governor, was built in the 1930s and stands on a hill in Papago Park.
Getting there wasn’t entirely straightforward, though. I made a few incorrect turns before eventually finding the parking area. Once I arrived, the thought of visiting a tomb added a little Halloween atmosphere to the experience. It’s not every day you come across a pyramid-shaped resting place while exploring the Valley!
It’s a striking reminder that even a place that looks mysterious at first glance can lead you to an unexpected piece of history.
Jerome Historic District: A Ghost Town That Lives On
Jerome Historic District - Google Maps
Not every bootiful place has to be scary. For me, Jerome is beautiful in its own way-the winding roads that cling to the mountainside, the sweeping views, and the crisp mountain air that makes you want to slow down and take it all in.
Jerome grew from a mining camp after copper deposits were discovered in the 1870s, eventually becoming a bustling mining town. When the mines closed in 1953, the community faced an uncertain future, but instead of giving up- they leaned in preservation efforts to protect the town.
Even with its ghosttown reputation, Jerome feels less like a spooky destination and more like a place that invites you to wander, explore, and appreciate the scenery.
Sometimes, the best Halloween discoveries aren’t frightening at all. They’re simply bootiful!
