The MVD Ghostchasers organized their first paranormal investigation at the Pioneer and Military Memorial Park and historic Smurthwaite House in January 2010. The Smurthwaite House, built in 1897, has been rumored to be haunted for many years.
It was first located at 602 N 7th Street in the downtown Phoenix area and became the private residence of Capt. Trustrim and Ann Connell. Their daughter, Caroline Connell Smurthwaite, grew up in the home. Caroline’s daughter, CarolAnn, was born at Smurthwaite House and had the pleasure of spending her childhood in the family home as well. Both of the Connells’ died in rooms of the two-story house. CarolAnn operated a gallery in the residence for several years. Upon her death, the building was willed to the City of Phoenix.
Recently, a former worker at Smurthwaite House during its early restoration phases in 1983-1984 contacted the members of the Pioneers’ Cemetery Association. The house had been moved to its current location at 1317 W Jefferson Street in 1994 and is now used as a research center for the PCA members. The former employee had found the current Smurthwaite House information on the Internet and was pleased to see the building had been renovated back to an early 1900 time period. She was happy the home was being used as a museum piece in the tender hands of the PCA.
And then...she asked the question…"is the house still haunted?" Debe Branning, on the Board of Directors of the PCA, and the former worker began to converse and shared tales of similar activity experienced in the Smurthwaite House. Workers then--and volunteers now have reported footsteps on the 2nd floor, the odor of cigar smoke in the parlor, and some unseen entity triggering the motion sensor at the back door.
Recently, sixteen new paranormal investigators were guests of the PCA volunteers on Saturday, January 28, 2012. They toted cameras and ghost hunting equipment as they filed in to the cemetery in order to re-examine the possible haunting of the Smurthwaite House.
A quick cleanup of the cemetery was first on the agenda. Walking the fence line, they picked up trash and debris often tossed into the graveyard. Cindy spoke about tombstone styles and symbolism. She then broke the group into five teams and sent them into the cemetery grounds on a difficult twenty question scavenger hunt. Given a simple clue, the guests had to find a name on certain tombstones that described a certain material, style, epitaph, or symbol.
After a pot luck, some of the guests ventured back into the cemetery to take pictures and do EVP work while small groups explore the second floor of the Smurthwaite House. Some of the investigators sensed the presence of an elderly man. Could it be Capt. Connell? Others felt they were surrounded by a young girl. Does Caroline or CarolAnn come back as a child in the hallways where they laughed and played? Audio and Video recordings are being reviewed and perhaps they will soon have the answers!
Guests are invited to visit the Pioneer & Military Memorial Park Cemeteries from 9am to 3am on THURSDAYS or arrange for a private day time tour.
Pioneer & Military Memorial Park
1317 W Jefferson Street
Phoenix, AZ 85007
Debe Branning nazanaza@aol.com
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