By Kathy Murray
Don’t let the beauty of this park, located in Denver, Colorado, fool you: although children play on the bright green grass and use the park’s slides and swings, it is a commonly known fact that this was once the burial place of tens of thousands of people. In fact, it’s not just their spirits that populate the park: many of their remains are still there.
1858
The middle of the 19th century saw a vast amount of land become Mount Prospect Graveyard. Also known as Boot Hill, thousands of men, women and children were laid to rest here, divided into three sections. The first two sections were for religious worshippers. The remaining ground, of which there was plenty, was designated for the sick, the homeless, thieves and other criminals, and those who simply could not afford to pay for a proper plot. In the 1890s, it was determined that the land would make a nice park, so all of the remains buried there had to be moved to different cemeteries throughout the area. The only problem was that the men who were assigned to this task didn’t take their work seriously. The spirits would soon rise to take their revenge.
DISRESPECT
Churches raised enough money to have their own moved without trouble, but those in the “City Section”, as it was called, either didn’t have anyone to claim them, or those who did, had relatives that simply couldn’t afford to help. So the people in the City Section were robbed of their jewelry and other belongings that had been placed with them for their final rest, and by none other than the workers in charge of moving them. Their remains were also scattered throughout the park, and those that were moved to other cemeteries, were not moved whole. Before long, the workers began to feel as if they were being watched.
REVENGE
Something evil was amongst the workers who were moving the bodies and each of the men knew it. Some left their jobs based on this feeling alone. Those who stayed didn’t stay long. Just about every man who worked in the Mount Prospect Graveyard reported seeing a spirit form at least once. One man was even attacked as he was trying to steal from one of the dead. He was jumped on and beaten on his head and face; he also felt as if he were being strangled. He managed to free himself, but when he turned to face his assailant, there was no one there. He quit right then and there.
THERE GOES THE NEIGHBOURHOOD
It wasn’t just those in charge of the move that were plagued by ghostly activity. Those who lived in the closest neighborhoods around the cemetery were bothered by the spirits knocking on their windows and doors at all hours. Apparitions could sometimes be seen not only in these people’s homes, but also wandering the streets. These confused souls can still be sensed to this day at what is now known as Cheesman Park. Most of the remains that made up the City Section have been planted over with grass and mulch and although the park is a beautiful sight, an extreme feeling of sadness looms heavy in the air. Orbs and phantom figures are sometimes seen lurking about. There are also the usual reports of screams, moaning and sobbing coming from underneath the grass.
STILL STIRRING
It seems that the spirits of Cheesman Park won’t be able to properly rest anytime soon. But one thing is for certain: they are angry and aren’t afraid to ask for help from the living, be it by knocking on their doors to get attention or by grabbing you by the shoulder while you’re taking in the park’s otherwise lovely view.