The Haunted Rosson House

The story of the Rosson House is inseparable from the story of Phoenix itself during the territorial period. When Roland Lee Rosson commissioned the construction of his grand home in 1895, Phoenix was a young but ambitious city, determined to prove that civilization could flourish in the Sonoran Desert.

Dr. Roland Lee Rosson arrived in Phoenix in 1879, just two years after the city was officially incorporated. A physician by training, Rosson quickly became one of the most prominent citizens of the young community. He served on the Phoenix City Council, was elected mayor in 1895, and played instrumental roles in establishing the city's infrastructure, schools, and civic institutions.

In 1880, Rosson married Flora B. Murray, a cultured and educated woman who shared his ambitions for their adopted home. Flora became a leading figure in Phoenix society, hosting elaborate parties and cultural events that helped establish the city's social calendar. The couple had no children of their own but were deeply involved in the community's welfare.

When Rosson decided to build a new home befitting his status, he spared no expense. He hired architect A.P. Petit to design a house that would be the finest in Phoenix, incorporating the latest Victorian architectural trends with practical adaptations for the desert climate. The result was the stunning Eastlake Victorian mansion that still stands today.

Construction of the Rosson House began in 1895 and was completed later that same year at a cost of $7,525 - an enormous sum for territorial Arizona. The house was built using the finest materials available, including redwood shipped from California, ornate hardware imported from the East Coast, and decorative elements that showcased the craftsmanship of the era.

The design incorporated numerous features that were revolutionary for Phoenix at the time. The house had indoor plumbing with hot and cold running water, a rarity in the desert Southwest. Gas lighting illuminated the interior, and a sophisticated ventilation system helped cool the house during the brutal Arizona summers. The distinctive octagonal turret, which rises three stories and is topped by a widow's walk, became the house's most recognizable feature.

The interior was decorated with equally lavish attention to detail. Ornate woodwork, including an elaborate staircase and decorative moldings, filled every room. The parlor featured a stunning fireplace with hand-carved mantelpiece. Wallpapers, carpets, and furnishings were selected to reflect the latest Victorian tastes.

Flora Rosson took particular pride in the house and its gardens. She cultivated roses and other flowers that required constant attention in the desert climate, and the grounds became known throughout Phoenix for their beauty. The wraparound veranda, with its intricate spindle work and turned columns, provided outdoor living space where the Rossons could escape the heat and entertain guests.

The Rossons lived in their magnificent home for only two years before personal circumstances forced a change. In 1897, Dr. Rosson's investments failed, and the couple was forced to sell their beloved house. The loss was devastating for both Roland and Flora, who had poured their dreams and resources into creating the perfect home.

The couple moved to Los Angeles, where Dr. Rosson attempted to rebuild his medical practice. Flora never fully recovered from the loss of her Phoenix home. She died in 1904, reportedly still mourning the house she had loved so deeply. Some believe her spirit returned to the Rosson House after her death, unable to stay away from the home that had meant so much to her.

Dr. Rosson lived until 1910, but those who knew him said he was never the same after losing the house and then his wife. His spirit, too, is said to linger in the mansion, perhaps reunited with Flora in the afterlife.

After the Rossons departed, the house passed through several owners, each leaving their own mark on the property. The most significant were Aaron and Emma Goldberg, who purchased the house in 1897 and raised their family there, and later the Whipple family, who occupied the house from 1930 to 1948.

The Whipple era is particularly significant for the house's haunted history. William and Lillian Whipple raised their children in the house during the Great Depression and World War II. The family experienced both joy and tragedy within its walls. Their daughter, it is said, died young from illness, and her spirit is believed to be among those who haunt the house. Visitors and staff frequently report hearing the sounds of a child playing, particularly in the upstairs rooms where the children's bedrooms were located.

By the mid-20th century, the neighborhood around the Rosson House had declined significantly. The once-fashionable residential area had become commercial, and many of the Victorian homes that once surrounded the Rosson House were demolished. The Rosson House itself was slated for destruction in the 1970s, but a passionate preservation movement saved it from the wrecking ball.

In 1974, the City of Phoenix purchased the Rosson House and the surrounding block, creating Heritage Square as a preserved enclave of Victorian-era architecture. The Rosson House was painstakingly restored over several years, with craftspeople recreating original details that had been lost or damaged over time.

The house reopened as a museum in 1980, offering guided tours that allowed visitors to experience life in Victorian Phoenix. Almost immediately, staff members began reporting strange occurrences. Lights turned on and off by themselves. Doors opened and closed when no one was near them. Footsteps were heard in empty rooms. And visitors began seeing figures that shouldn't have been there.

Over the decades since its opening, the Rosson House has become known as one of the most actively haunted locations in Phoenix. The museum staff has grown accustomed to the supernatural activity and treats it as simply another aspect of the house's rich history.

The Rosson House appears to be home to multiple spirits from different periods of its history. Unlike many haunted locations where the ghosts seem confused or distressed, the spirits of the Rosson House appear content, continuing the routines they followed in life as if unaware that decades or even a century has passed.

The most frequently encountered spirit at the Rosson House is believed to be Flora Rosson herself, the woman who created the home and loved it so deeply that losing it broke her heart. Flora's ghost appears as an elegant woman in Victorian dress, typically seen in the parlor, the master bedroom, and the gardens that she tended so carefully during her lifetime.

Staff members report that Flora's presence is often announced by the scent of roses or old-fashioned perfume, fragrances that have no physical source in the house. She appears to take a particular interest in how the house is maintained, and some workers have reported feeling a sense of approval or disapproval depending on the condition of certain rooms.

Flora's ghost has been seen adjusting items on mantles and tables, as if ensuring that her home is properly presented to visitors. She has been observed standing at windows, gazing out at the gardens, or moving gracefully through the parlor as if receiving guests. Those who have seen her describe a sense of profound sadness mixed with contentment, as if she is both mourning her lost life and happy to be home.

One docent reported seeing Flora's reflection in a mirror while giving a tour, describing a woman in a high-collared dress standing behind the tour group. When she turned around, no one was there, but several members of the tour group confirmed they had seen the same reflection.

Dr. Rosson's ghost is encountered less frequently than his wife's, but his presence is felt throughout the house, particularly in his former study and in the turret room that served as his private retreat. He appears as a distinguished gentleman in late 19th-century attire, often with a thoughtful or preoccupied expression.

Staff members have reported hearing the sound of papers shuffling and drawers opening and closing in the study, as if the doctor is still reviewing patient files or managing his business affairs. Some have seen a figure seated at the desk, only to have it vanish when they enter the room.

Dr. Rosson's ghost seems particularly active during tours that discuss his life and contributions to Phoenix. It's as if he appreciates being remembered and wants to observe how his legacy is being presented. Several tour guides have reported feeling a distinct presence behind them while discussing Dr. Rosson's career, and some visitors have photographed what appears to be a shadowy male figure in the background during these discussions.

One of the most poignant hauntings at the Rosson House involves a child believed to be connected to the Whipple family, who lived in the house from 1930 to 1948. The sounds of a child laughing, running, and playing are frequently heard in the upstairs rooms, particularly in what was once the children's bedroom.

Visitors have reported seeing a young girl in old-fashioned clothing playing in the upstairs hallway or peering out from behind doorways. She appears to be between 6 and 10 years old, with light hair and a pale dress. Unlike some child ghosts who seem frightened or lost, this spirit appears happy and playful, as if she doesn't realize that decades have passed since her time in the house.

The sounds of a ball bouncing, footsteps running across the floor, and giggles are commonly reported, even when no children are present in the house. Some staff members have developed an affectionate relationship with this spirit, speaking to her when they hear her playing and occasionally leaving small toys in the upstairs rooms.

One particularly moving account comes from a volunteer who was closing up the house alone one evening. She heard distinct laughter coming from upstairs and, upon investigation, found a child's ball rolling slowly across the floor of the empty bedroom. The ball had not been there when she had checked the room minutes earlier.

Passersby and visitors to Heritage Square frequently report seeing a woman standing in the windows of the Rosson House, particularly the turret windows and the second-floor bedroom windows. This figure is seen most often at dusk and in the early evening, standing motionless and gazing out at the street.

The identity of this spirit is uncertain. Some believe it is Flora Rosson, watching for her husband to return home. Others think it may be a later resident, perhaps Emma Goldberg or Lillian Whipple. The figure is always described as a woman in a long dress, her features indistinct but her posture suggesting someone watching and waiting.

Photographers have captured images of this figure from outside the house, showing what appears to be a translucent form standing at windows that should be empty. Security cameras have also recorded movement in the turret room after hours, showing curtains moving and shadows passing, though no living person is in the building.

Beyond the specific apparitions, the Rosson House experiences a wide range of paranormal phenomena:

The Music Room: The sound of piano music is occasionally heard coming from the parlor, though the antique piano there is not functional. The music is described as classical pieces that would have been popular in the 1890s.

The Kitchen Ghosts: The basement kitchen area, where servants would have prepared meals, is reportedly haunted by the spirits of domestic workers. The sounds of pots and pans, running water, and quiet conversation are heard even when the kitchen is empty.

Temperature Anomalies: Certain rooms in the house experience sudden and dramatic temperature drops that cannot be explained by the HVAC system. The master bedroom and the turret room are particularly prone to these cold spots.

Moving Objects: Items in the house are occasionally found moved from their original positions. Particularly common are reports of rocking chairs that rock by themselves and curtains that move when there is no breeze.

The Presence on the Stairs: The main staircase seems to be a focal point for paranormal activity. Staff and visitors report the sensation of someone brushing past them on the stairs, and some have seen a figure in Victorian dress ascending or descending the steps.

Electrical Disturbances: Despite modern wiring, the house experiences frequent electrical anomalies. Lights flicker, newly charged batteries in electronic devices drain rapidly, and recording equipment often malfunctions during paranormal investigations.