Tempe, Arizona is one of the least haunted cities in the USA, searching thousands of newspapers and accounts, there is very little to suggest that Tempe has the level of hauntings of other Arizona towns and cities. However, it has one incredibly active and famous haunting, the old Moeur Family House.
The old family house on the corner of South Ash Avenue and University Drive in Tempe, Arizona was built in 1920 and originally owned by a well-known businessman named William Anthony Mouer and his wife Mary. William was involved in the development of the City’s educational system and he held key positions in the early years of Maricopa County. Within a stone’s throw of the Arizona State University, William and his brother Benjamin were central to Tempe and indeed, Arizona’s governance.
Sadly, William died in 1929 from a cerebral haemorrhage near the fireplace in their home. Mary died in an upstairs bedroom of natural causes in the 1940s. Over the next forty years, the property would change into more disreputable hands, in the 1960s it became a boarding house. During this time there were accounts of drug overdoses, murders and even illegal parties, whatever happened it seemed to make an imprint.
By the Spring of 1986 the building was purchased by Patty St. Vincent and part-owners Gavin Rutledge and David Arkules who converted the house into the Casey Moore’s Oyster House, “Known as the most famous of Irish Pubs in and around Arizona. Casey’s is known as a mecca for the eclectic crowd that lives, studies, teaches and works in Tempe.”
The Hauntings of Casey Moore’s
Many strange occurrences have happened over the years. When it first opened up the neighbors across the street would call the police at night saying that they would see a couple dancing in one of the upstairs rooms. Patty St. Vincent co-owner says her first encounter with the ghost was at night when she was closing, she cleaned up as usual and made sure everything was put away, when she arrived the next morning, she could not believe what she saw. The chairs were all lined up and the plates were stacked on the chairs.
Gavin Rutledge has also had his encounters with the ghost. One night while was by himself closing. He was tapped on the shoulder and also heard his name being called from the upstairs rooms.
Other incidents that have happened have been in the Blue Room, forks and spoons have been known to fly off the table and always hit the same spot on the wall. There are times that the security alarm has gone off without any reason.
“Spirits from the active bordello days have also chosen to remain at Casey Moore’s. Customers and staff have experienced paintings falling off the wall and lamps swaying with no obvious explanation. The spirit of a young woman with light eyes and dark black hair visits. It is said that she was murdered by an acquaintance during the bordello days. She watches you until you meet her eyes and then she disappears.”
Paranormal Legacy
Is Casey Moore’s Oyster House the most haunted building in Tempe, or even Arizona? Who knows but one thing for sure, its atmosphere and food certainly draw in the crowd whether there are spooks or not!
Photos Courtesy of Tempe History Museum and @caseymoores9thandash