With a little luck you just might encounter a ghost at the Horseshoe Cafe in Benson, Arizona. The diner is located along Highway 80 which runs through the main business section of town. The two story stucco building was built in 1914. It has been used as a post office, train depot, bus stop, and a cafe. Dining at the Horseshoe Cafe has been a Benson tradition since 1938. Travelers driving east and west on the old southern Arizona highway dubbed the “Broadway of Avenues” often stopped here to rest, savor a hot meal, and enjoy good conversation.
Many residents in Benson believe the old landmark is haunted. Some say if you look up to the windows of the second floor, you might see an image of a ghostly woman peering back down at you. The grandmother of Ray Whaley lived upstairs apartment with her pet dog. She died upstairs in the rooms overlooking the highway. When the cafe was temporarily vacant, a dog was heard barking from the upper floor.
A waitress recalled hearing other staff and customers seeing shadows of an older person walking in the back hallway near the restrooms. Other staff has reported seeing an elderly woman near the step railing that leads to the upstairs living quarters. A resident who came to dinner and was seated in the Palomino Room. This is a larger dining area near the bar, and faces the haunted back staircase. She and her three guests had been seated and just placed their order. Suddenly the glass table top cracked and shattered in front of the startled diners. It frightened them so much they moved back to the main dining room. The same guest recalled a recent encountered with one of the past owners of the cafe. The former proprietor admitted there had been a lot of unexplained occurrences in the building. Things would be moved from one place to another. Footsteps and voices were heard on a few occasions.
Step inside the Horseshoe and you will be transported back to the days when a good home cooked meal was part of your daily traveling adventure. Enjoy the Vern Park paintings on the walls, and the huge lighted neon horseshoe adorning the ceiling. Put some coins in the jukebox and slide over in your booth. You just might have a ghostly traveler joining you for dinner or a cup of coffee.
To reach Benson from the Phoenix area, take I 10 East—take the 303 exit and follow HWY 80 into the center of Benson. The Horseshoe Cafe will be on your right.
Many residents in Benson believe the old landmark is haunted. Some say if you look up to the windows of the second floor, you might see an image of a ghostly woman peering back down at you. The grandmother of Ray Whaley lived upstairs apartment with her pet dog. She died upstairs in the rooms overlooking the highway. When the cafe was temporarily vacant, a dog was heard barking from the upper floor.
A waitress recalled hearing other staff and customers seeing shadows of an older person walking in the back hallway near the restrooms. Other staff has reported seeing an elderly woman near the step railing that leads to the upstairs living quarters. A resident who came to dinner and was seated in the Palomino Room. This is a larger dining area near the bar, and faces the haunted back staircase. She and her three guests had been seated and just placed their order. Suddenly the glass table top cracked and shattered in front of the startled diners. It frightened them so much they moved back to the main dining room. The same guest recalled a recent encountered with one of the past owners of the cafe. The former proprietor admitted there had been a lot of unexplained occurrences in the building. Things would be moved from one place to another. Footsteps and voices were heard on a few occasions.
Step inside the Horseshoe and you will be transported back to the days when a good home cooked meal was part of your daily traveling adventure. Enjoy the Vern Park paintings on the walls, and the huge lighted neon horseshoe adorning the ceiling. Put some coins in the jukebox and slide over in your booth. You just might have a ghostly traveler joining you for dinner or a cup of coffee.
To reach Benson from the Phoenix area, take I 10 East—take the 303 exit and follow HWY 80 into the center of Benson. The Horseshoe Cafe will be on your right.