Where History Meets Haunting: Cheyenne, Wyoming's Spookiest Spots

Like any city with a rich history, Cheyenne, WY has its fair share of ghost stories. From eerie theaters to haunted church towers, Cheyenne is home to a number of places where the past seems to linger in unsettling ways.

For those brave enough to explore the city's paranormal side, the Cheyenne Street Railway Trolley is offering Hauntings and History tours throughout the spooky season. You can get your tickets here! But if you're looking to explore on your own, here are some places you won't want to miss.

FRONT OF THE ATLAS THEATRE 16TH STREET BETWEEN CAPITOL AND CAREY, Wyoming State Archives Photo Collection

The Atlas Theater

Built in the 1880s, the Atlas Theatre in downtown Cheyenne has a long history of paranormal activity. Reports of ghostly apparitions, strange noises, and mysterious footsteps have made it a favorite spot for paranormal enthusiasts. One common sighting is a woman in the balcony, and staff have also reported objects moving on their own when no one else is around. The theater’s long history and connection to Cheyenne’s early days make it a hotspot for eerie encounters.

NAGLE MANSION 222E 17TH ST, Wyoming State Archives Photo Collection

Nagle Warren Mansion

This Victorian-style mansion, built in 1888, is one of Cheyenne's most elegant structures—but it’s also rumored to be haunted. Guests at the bed and breakfast have reported seeing apparitions of a woman in 19th-century clothing roaming the halls, especially on the second floor. And we can’t forget the rocking chair in the turret room! Strange occurrences like doors opening on their own and objects being moved have also been frequently noted. The mansion’s long history and the untimely death of some of its former residents add to its ghostly reputation.

CAVALRYMAN, FORT F.E. WARREN, Wyoming State Archives Photo Collection

Francis E. Warren Air Force Base

As one of the oldest continuously active military installations in the U.S., Francis E. Warren Air Force Base has its share of ghost stories. One of the most famous tales involves the old officer’s quarters, where strange noises, flickering lights, and shadowy figures have been reported. Paranormal activity is often attributed to the spirits of soldiers who were stationed here and never left. Some say you can still hear phantom footsteps and see mysterious apparitions on the base.

UNION PACIFIC LOCOMOTIVE #4019 "BIG BOY" THAT IS LOCATED AT HOLIDAY PARK, COLOR, Wyoming State Archives Photo Collection

Union Pacific Big Boy Locomotive (Holiday Park)

The Big Boy Locomotive, one of the largest steam engines ever built, sits as a monument in Holliday Park—but it also comes with a haunting tale. Some say the spirit of a railroad worker who died in a tragic accident still lingers around the engine. Visitors have reported hearing ghostly train whistles, clanging metal, and even feeling an eerie presence when standing too close to the massive locomotive, particularly at night.

ST. MARK'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH AT 19TH AND CENTRAL, Wyoming State Archives Photo Collection

St. Marks Episcopal Church

St. Mark’s is one of Cheyenne’s most famous haunted locations, thanks to a tragic accident involving two stonemasons during the construction of the bell tower. After one of them fell to his death, his partner, terrified of the consequences, sealed the body inside the wall. Since then, there have been reports of unexplained hammering sounds, disembodied voices, and ghostly lights coming from the tower. Visitors and clergy alike have been spooked by the church’s eerie atmosphere and lingering paranormal activity​.

And if you're looking for even more ghostly, local content, check out the books Haunted Cheyenne and Haunted Warren Air Force Base!