Explore the Grafton Cemetery
The Haunted and Historic Grafton Cemetery: A Resting Place That Refuses to Rest
Nestled in the shadows of Zion National Park, the Grafton Cemetery stands as a solemn reminder of pioneer hardships, Native American conflicts, and tragic accidents. This eerie burial ground, located just beyond the ghost town of Grafton, holds the remains of pioneers, children, and even Southern Paiute Native Americans, each with a story to tell—and perhaps, a ghostly presence that lingers. If you listen closely, you may hear the soft whispers of the past, or catch a glimpse of a spirit that refuses to be forgotten.
Want to experience the paranormal firsthand? Join our Zion Ghost Tour, where we bring the haunted history of Grafton Cemetery to life—or rather, to the afterlife.
A Graveyard Steeped in Tragedy
Founded in 1859, Grafton was a settlement built on hope, but marked by hardship. The early pioneers faced deadly floods, attacks, disease, and famine, leaving many to be buried in this small yet hauntingly beautiful cemetery.
The cemetery is home to 84 recorded graves, though historians believe many more souls rest here in unmarked plots. Some graves are marked only with rough stones, while others lack headstones entirely, their stories lost to time. But for those that remain, the names tell tales of struggle, perseverance, and tragedy.
The year 1866 was especially grim, with 13 deaths recorded, making it one of the darkest chapters in Grafton’s history.
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On April 2, 1866, Robert M. Berry, his wife Isabella Hales Berry, and Robert's brother Joseph S. Berry were killed by Native Americans in an attack that sent shockwaves through the community.
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That same winter, diphtheria swept through the settlement, claiming the lives of six people, including three young York children and the Brookfield family’s two daughters.
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On February 15, 1866, a tragic swing accident took the lives of Loretta A. Russell (14) and Elizabeth H. Woodbury (13)—best friends who now share a single grave, their spirits rumored to still play among the trees.
The Forgotten Paiute Graves
Unlike many pioneer cemeteries, Grafton Cemetery is also the final resting place of several Native Americans. The Southern Paiute people lived alongside settlers, but their burials were often unmarked, lost to history. Some believe their spirits still walk among the graves, protecting the land that was once theirs.
Visitors have reported unexplained chills, the sound of drumming, and fleeting shadows near the outskirts of the cemetery—whispers of a culture that existed long before the first pioneers arrived.
Ghostly Encounters in Grafton Cemetery
With its tragic past and unmarked burials, it's no surprise that Grafton Cemetery is said to be haunted. Many visitors and ghost hunters have shared chilling encounters—apparitions, ghostly whispers, and even full-bodied spirits appearing before them.
The Woman in Calico
One of the most famous spirits said to roam the Grafton Cemetery is a woman in a calico dress, her dark hair pinned into a bun. Visitors describe her as looking shockingly real—until she suddenly vanishes into thin air.
Some believe she is Isabella Hales Berry, still searching for her murdered husband and brother-in-law. Others claim she is Margaret Hale, the widow who lost her children, now forever mourning among the tombstones.
The Laughter of Children & The Crying Baby
On still evenings, some visitors claim to hear the eerie laughter of children, as if Loretta and Elizabeth are still swinging and playing in the afterlife. But their laughter isn’t the only sound heard in the darkness—some have also reported the chilling cries of a baby, with no explanation for the ghostly wails.
Could it be the restless spirit of one of the many infants buried in the cemetery? Or does it belong to a ghost from an unmarked grave, forever seeking comfort?
Mysterious Lights & Unseen Figures
Ghost hunters visiting Grafton Cemetery have reported strange glowing orbs floating among the headstones, moving too fast and too erratic to be fireflies or dust particles. Others have felt an unseen force brush past them, and a few have even heard their name whispered on the wind—as if the spirits are aware of their presence.
Could these be the souls of forgotten pioneers, desperate to have their stories told? There’s only one way to find out—visit for yourself.
Explore Grafton’s Haunted Cemetery on Our Ghost Tour
The Grafton Cemetery is more than a historical site—it’s a place where the veil between the living and the dead is thin. With every step among its weathered headstones, you’ll feel the presence of those who came before, their stories etched into the very earth beneath your feet.
If you’re brave enough, join us on our Zion Ghost Tour, where we take you deep into the haunted heart of Grafton with professional ghost-hunting equipment, real paranormal investigations, and stories that will make your skin crawl.
Will you be the next to hear whispers in the wind, see the Woman in Calico, or feel the chilling touch of a forgotten soul?