The two-story OK Street Jailhouse Inn was built in 1904 as the local branch of the Cochise County Jail, just one block from Bisbee Arizona’s famous Brewery Gulch. By 1915, during Bisbee’s mining boom, the jail was not able to handle the weekend overflow of jail mates. The drunk tank was packed with as many men the cell could hold. The cellblock literally became a sweatbox and a larger facility became necessary. When the larger detention center was built nearby, the OK Street Jailhouse was closed and sat vacant for decades.
Bisbee was often used as a filming location for Westerns in the 1950’s. John Wayne had part ownership in the old jailhouse building. In 1988, the jail was converted into a two level suite and has captured the heart of Bisbee visitors ever since.
While you are serving your sentence at the OK Street Jailhouse Inn, you and your “gang” of family and friends are the only inmates. The downstairs entry way was once the jailer’s office. The former drunk tank now houses a living room/kitchen combination, and a half bath. On the second floor, the former cell for serious offenders is now a bedroom with a full bath, including a Jacuzzi tub for two. The jail cells give you sort of a "home sweet home arrest" feeling. You can stay for a weekend getaway, or opt for some serious time behind bars and stay for as long as your vacation allows.
The MVD Ghostchasers have talked to several guests locked down in the OK Jail House Inn for the weekend and they almost all say there is a feeling of “someone” watching you during your confinement. You must remember this was once a working jail which means there were deaths from murders, illness, and accidents happening in the cells from time to time. Much of the intense energy has settled in to the steel bars and stone walls that remain in the old Jail House Inn.
Guests often ask the owner if their confined quarters are haunted. She promptly shows her "inmates" photos of orbs and shadows photographed by guests, and informs them that they could have some additional "ghostly cellmates" during the night. It appears that even though Bisbee’s old desperado’s jail sentences are over, many of the former cons are not taking advantage of parole in the afterlife.
Inmates at the OK Street Jailhouse need to rely on public parking, which is available a few steps from the Jail. The small private parking area next to the Jail is off limits to their inmates. The Jail is within walking distance to some of the attractions, restaurants, and haunted places in Historic Old Bisbee. And, besides, think how startled your friends will be when you tell them you spent the weekend in the Bisbee Jailhouse with a ghost...or two.
From Phoenix travel I 10 east to Benson exit 303….travel south on HWY 80 to Bisbee.
OK Street Jailhouse Inn
9 OK Street
PO BOX 1152
Bisbee, AZ 85603
520-432-7434
For more info: www.mvdghostchasers.com
Debe Branning nazanaza@aol.com
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