Fort Worth's haunted places cluster around its cowtown past: the Jett Building, a 1902 railroad ticket office turned reputed brothel; the century-old Stockyards Hotel, where Bonnie and Clyde stayed in life and reportedly linger in death; and Miss Molly's, a boarding house that did a stint as a bordello in the 1940s. Downtown adds the Land Title Building of 1887 and the Scott Theatre. Here is what is said to walk each one.
Haunted Places in Fort Worth
Jett Building: The Jett Building dates back to 1902 when it was the ticket office for the railroad to Dallas. The bedrooms upstairs were for various train employees, but were said to have been used decades later as a brothel. When a candy shop opened upstairs, folks began to report ghostly apparitions darting about. The sound of a ball being bounced against the upstairs wall accompanied by childish laughter is often heard in the evenings. Stockyards Hotel: Over a century old, this historically renovated hotel has housed the likes of Bonnie and Clyde, in life and reportedly in death. Suite 305 is named after the pair and also has some of the Barrows’ memorabilia. It’s said Bonnie’s reflection has stared back from the mirror inside the suite and footsteps have been reported leading to the door from the hallway. Of course, no earthly being is outside. The TV and radio inside 305 also have minds of their own and have awakened guests at the Three a.m. witching hour.
Land Title Building: This stunning red brick sandstone building in downtown Fort Worth was built in 1887 and has had multiple uses throughout the decades. Called “the little red jewel box” by locals, the building has functioned as a bank, law offices, a taver, a restaurant…and the list goes on. It’s been said to be haunted by almost all its inhabitants, and the spirits are the active sort. Pictures fall off walls, footsteps run up and down the original staircase, bottles and glasses fly off tables. Scott Theatre: With an elegant lobby complete with an Italian chandelier and classic murals adorning the walls, the W.E. Scott Theatre is a lovely venue in downtown Fort Worth. Built in 1966, the Scott–like so many theatres–is full of paranormal phenomena and ghostly spectors. Mr. Scott himself is said to visit from his grave, straightening paintings on the wall and checking on the talent. A young man was said to have committed suicide at the theatre and his spirit has been seen walking across the stage and occasionally laughing. Miss Molly’s Hotel: Originally a boarding house, this 1910’s bed and breakfast did a stint as a bordello in the ‘40s. At least one female spirit enjoys jumping in bed with unsuspecting couples, causing more than a little mischief. Guests booking today say the room with the bathroom is the most haunted, and have reported smelling perfume wafting through the air and unexplained cold spots and shadows.
Questions people ask
Is the Stockyards Hotel haunted?
Suite 305, named for Bonnie and Clyde and furnished with Barrow memorabilia, is the hotspot. Guests report Bonnie's reflection in the mirror, footsteps approaching the door from an empty hallway, and the TV and radio waking them at three in the morning.
What is the story of Miss Molly's Hotel?
The 1910s boarding house served as a bordello in the 1940s and now operates as a bed and breakfast. At least one female spirit is known for climbing into bed with startled couples, and guests report perfume in the air, cold spots, and shadows.
What haunts the Jett Building?
The 1902 building, once a railroad ticket office whose upstairs rooms later reportedly housed a brothel, produces sightings of darting apparitions, plus the evening sound of a ball bouncing against an upstairs wall accompanied by a child's laughter.
