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Ghosts of the Riordan Mansion
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The historic Riordan Mansion was built in 1904 as two connected houses for two families. The two brothers, Timothy and Michael Riordan, married two sisters, Caroline and Elizabeth Metz and set up their home and business in Flagstaff, Arizona. The Riordan brothers made their fortune from the timber industry in Flagstaff. The lumber baron brothers owned The Arizona Lumber and Timber Company nearby. 
The Riordan brothers built their thirteen thousand square foot mansion while Arizona Territory still struggled toward statehood. The luxurious log-slab siding home consisted of two similar six thousand square foot wings, one for each family, connected by a large billiard room in the center. It is one of Arizona’s most historic and elegant pioneer homes.
The couples raised their families in their private quarters, but the focus of activity each evening would be in the large billiard room in the center of the living complex. The two families would join together in song, prayer, games and other forms of entertainment. At the end of the day the families would retire to their separate living area.
Some say the energy in the Billiard Room can be overwhelming. Arthur, the son of Michael and Elizabeth, had his own encounter with the supernatural when he was a young man staying in the house all alone. The families had gone off together on an outing. Arthur declined the adventure and opted to stay home for the day. Upstairs in his room, Arthur heard the sound of pool balls clicking on the billiard table. He ventured downstairs to investigate thinking another family member had returned home. No one was there. He shrugged his shoulders and went back upstairs. A short time later the phantom pool game started up again. This time Arthur witnessed the balls in motion moving across the table, but there was still nobody in sight. 
The Billiard Room was also a gathering place for family tragedies, too. In 1927, Michael's oldest son, Arthur, and Tim's youngest daughter, Anna, died within hours of each other from the complications of polio. Knowing the disease was contagious at that time, the Riordan’s held the joint funeral in the Billiard Room. The two families and the priest were the only mourners in attendance. The family was very religious and kept a mini chapel on the 2nd floor of the home.
Riordan Mansion is now part of the Arizona State Park system and portions of the home are open for guided tours. The Riordan family donated the home and everything in it to the park for a museum of early Arizona family living. The Riordan Mansion State Historic Park stands tucked away among the Ponderosa pines of Kinlichi Knoll in Flagstaff, Arizona. This five-acre park borders Northern Arizona University.
Although it is not always presented as a haunted mansion by the State Park personnel, occasionally you are able to connect with a guide who has witnessed paranormal activity on a tour—or doing maintenance in the mansion. I was lucky in that manner on the afternoon I came for the guided tour. Our guide had several ghost tales to tell our group. Many previous tour guests have seen the ghost of what they believe is Caroline Riordan walking the hallways in search of Anna. Caroline lovingly cared for Anna who died from polio at a young age of 26. I lingered in Anna’s room for a long period of time. Her photo and college commencement announcement still decorated the room. She was to be married, but her dreams were broken by her illness. I almost expected Caroline to enter the room to check on her as I stood alone taking pictures. At the time of my tour, you could still take photographs so I was hopeful of capturing an apparition on film.
A portrait of Tim's oldest daughter, Mary, hangs in the living room over the fireplace. As you walk around the room, notice how her head and torso appear to turn and follow you. This painting is not supernatural, but merely an optical illusion….or is it?
A portrait of Tim's oldest daughter, Mary, hangs in the living room over the fireplace. As you walk around the room, notice how her head and torso appear to turn and follow you. This painting is not supernatural, but merely an optical illusion….or is it?
409 W Riordan Road
Flagstaff, AZ 86001
928-779-4395
Park Entrance Fees:
Adult (14+): $6.00
Youth (7–13): $2.50
Child (0–6): FREE
Adult (14+): $6.00
Youth (7–13): $2.50
Child (0–6): FREE
For more info: www.mvdghostchasers.com
Debe Branning nazanaza@aol.com
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