Payson’s Historic OxBow Inn

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Sharon and I have a planned trip to Payson, Arizona this month.  Payson has lots of historic places but the one we are interested in is the OxBow Inn and saloon.  Our friends at Arizona Paranormal Investigations (API) http://arizonaparanormalinvestigations.com/ have investigated the place and had lots of paranormal activity.  The claims are of apparitions, disembodied voices, and unexplained noises.  This place is going to be an exciting one to do a ghost investigation.

In the early 1900’s, Payson held its annual rodeo which drew lots of spectators.  As the town grew, it was in need of more accommodations.  In 1933, William and Estelee Wade built a hotel they named the Payson hotel.  They built the hotel next to their restaurant the Busy Bee.  The bottom floor was where the kitchen, dining room, bar and lobby were located.  On the second floor they were nine rooms with a shared bathroom.  The base of the hotel was built with Native red sandstone rocks and the rest was constructed of ponderosa pine logs from the nearby Mogollon Rim forests.
 
In 1945, the Wades sold the Payson Hotel to Jimmy Cox when they decided to retire.  Cox immediately remodeled and expanded the establishment.  He changed the name to the OxBow Inn and in 1946 when Payson was thriving, he added more rooms.  The original nine rooms were converted into one large room for entertainment and the downstairs became the OxBow Restaurant.

The OxBow is currently available for lease or purchase.  Check out their website:  http://www.theoxbowinn.com/


Comments

  1. Sharon DayMarch 7, 2012 at 7:41 AM

    That place looks totally awesome! I can't wait!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Vivienne MossMarch 7, 2012 at 7:45 AM

    Sounds like an awesome place to visit. Wish I could go with you!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Julie FergusonMarch 7, 2012 at 8:24 AM

    I am very excited to get in that place before the ghost hunting to take pictures. I am so happy they are letting us do that. Vivienne, I wish you could come too.

    ReplyDelete
  4. MattMarch 7, 2012 at 9:02 AM

    old stuff is fun...

    ReplyDelete
  5. Julie FergusonMarch 7, 2012 at 10:15 AM

    Yep Matt, I love exploring the old places.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Maquinas y Escombros UrbexMarch 7, 2012 at 3:13 PM

    An excellent job. You have new follower.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Julie FergusonMarch 7, 2012 at 3:26 PM

    Welcome Maquinas. Thanks for the follow.

    ReplyDelete
  8. AnonymousJuly 10, 2016 at 12:17 AM

    The link is not available do you know where I might find it?

    ReplyDelete
  9. AnonymousJuly 10, 2016 at 12:18 AM

    We are opening it up in August. THAT'S WHY THE ABOVE COMMENT

    ReplyDelete

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