The White Tanks Cemetery is also known as the Maricopa County Cemetery. It was established in 1994 and is currently in use today. Since its opening, the desert cemetery has received over 3,000 burials, including infants and children. The graves are marked simply with rows of coaster-size brass markers engraved with their names or simply Jane Doe or John Doe.
Some of the burial plots are decorated with an American flag, a small toy or artificial flowers. There are no fancy tombstones or monuments in the White Tanks Cemetery. Those fortunate enough to have family members in the area are blessed with an occasional visit. Others buried in the cemetery have only visits from clergy, historians, and those who have a love for cemeteries.
A Maricopa County Sheriff’s prisoner crew does the maintenance on the grounds, attends the minimal services, and performs the burial ceremony. Perhaps some of these lonely residents in the cemetery, reaching out for a friend or family member, or wanting to “go home”, are the reasons White Tanks Cemetery is also labeled as haunted.
Recently, members of the Glendale Paranormal Chasers, the Reaper Team, and the MVD Ghostchasers joined together for an evening investigation of the cemetery grounds. The teams met at sunset and did a walkthrough of the facility, noting where some of the reported paranormal activity had been previously documented.
Ghost hunters and paranormal investigators have noted that an unseen spirit wanders in the area of the porta potty. Other investigators have heard the faint found of a bell ringing near the grave of the departed near the northwest end of the cemetery.
Almost all who visit the cemetery say they have felt “someone” following them down the marked pathways that crisscross the cemetery grounds. Some of the visitors and investigators have felt “someone” touch them on the shoulder—enough to cause them spin around and see nobody in sight.
Investigators report battery drains with their cameras and equipment. Paranormal teams have conducted EVP sessions at the cemetery to see if any of the forgotten “Jane or John Does” may have a message to carry on to a distant relative.
The three groups Glendale Paranormal Chasers, the Reaper Team, and the MVD Ghostchasers pursued the spirits using voice recorders, cameras, EMF meters, and an Ovilus spirit box device. Many of the team members felt an uncanny sadness throughout the cemetery grounds—and yet a certain peacefulness that the 'residents' were properly laid to rest.
Remember ghost hunting protocol when investigating a cemetery or consecrated grounds, whether it be the grandest grounds with ornate monuments or the smallest paupers field with simple makers. Stay on designated pathways, clean up any trash found upon the grounds and don’t leave any debris behind. Cemetery structures, tombstones, should be treated with respect and left undisturbed. No smoking, drugs or alcohol are ever allowed on cemetery grounds. Above all there should be no horseplay within the confines of the cemetery gates.
White Tanks Cemetery
15926 W Camelback Road (off of Alsup Road)
Goodyear, AZ 85395
MVD Ghostchasers
Glendale Paranormal Chasers
Arizona Haunted Sites Examiner: Debe Branning nazanaza@aol.com
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