Jerome is known as ??the city of ghosts?? to its residents. Just ask any of the quirky locals, and you're sure to hear some wild tales about this legendary ghost town, which is rich in history and filled with colorful restaurants, bars and hotels.
We escaped the triple-digit heat and high-tailed it to Jerome's Spirit Room ? which has ghost stories of its own ? on a recent Wednesday to explore the town and, more importantly, the notorious bar that singer/songwriter Michelle Branch named her 2001 debut album after.
The Spirit Room was built as the Stone Saloon in the late 1880s, according to the bar's Web site (www.spiritroom.com). It later became the Connor Cafe, one of the finest dining haunts in Jerome, and then George and Jean's Cigar Store.
The space was sold in 1961 and renamed the Spirit Room.
??We've burned down a few times,?? says Michelle Lahti, a vibrant 24-year-old bartender whose reddish-brown hair is wrapped in a blue bandanna.
Naturally, the bar has its share of ghost stories.
??I don't see actual things,?? Lahti says. ??But I've felt stuff. . . . There's pretty much activity in all of the buildings here.??
The Spirit Room, which attracts a combination of regulars and tourists, is a no-frills bar. There's a pool table, jukebox and large stage where rock artists such as Los Guys, Stephen Ashbrook and The Cadillac Angeles have performed. Colorful graffiti decorates the bathroom walls where visitors have scrolled their names.
On this Wednesday afternoon, the bar is pretty empty. A couple of local bikers are drinking beer at the bar, while a couple from Indiana is having an intense conversation at the other end of the bar.
Although a lot of people flock to the Spirit Room for live music on the weekends ? bands play from 2 to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday ? Lahti says the bar has become known for something else.
??We're known for our bloody marys,?? she says of the cocktails, which contain a secret ingredient. ??People love them.??
When asked why people love the Spirit Room, Lahti doesn't hesitate and says, ??For some reason, people's energy just comes alive here.??
Lodging
- Jerome Grand Hotel, 200 Hill St., (928) 634-8200
- The Mile High Inn & Grill, 309 Main St., (928) 634-5094
- The Connor Hotel, 408 S. Main St., (928) 634-5006
- Ghost City Inn Bed & Breakfast, 541 Main St., (928) 634-4678
Eating and drinking
- The Spirit Room, 166 Main St., (928) 634-8809
- The Haunted Hamburger, 740 E. Mingus Ave., (928) 634-0554
- Asylum Restaurant, 200 Hill St., (928) 639-3197
- Mile High Grille, 309 Main St., (928) 634-5094
- The Jerome Brewery, 111 Main St., (928) 639-8477
- The English Kitchen, 119 Jerome Ave., (928) 634-2132
- Paul & Jerry's Saloon, 206 Main St., (928) 634-2603
- Red Rooster Cafe, 363 Main St., (928) 634-0239
- Flatiron Cafe, 416 Main St., (928) 634-2733
Shopping
- Made in Jerome Pottery, 103 Main St., (928) 634-2962
- Cheers, 111 Main St., (928) 634-7988
- The Cactus Shop, 329 Main St., (928) 634-4148
- Nellie Bly, 136 Main St., (928) 634-0255
- Sky Fire, 140 Main St., (928) 634-8081
- Mooey Christmas and Udder Things, 111 Jerome Ave., (928) 634-2604
- Mine Museum Gift Shop, 200 Main St., (928) 634-5477
Source: http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/index. ... =STY-68654
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