THE STORY
Reported Haunting
The historic Desha County Courthouse in Arkansas City is associated with the legend of a condemned man known as "Willard," who supposedly cursed the courthouse clock before his execution. Employees and visitors have also reported apparitions, footsteps, slamming doors, unexplained lights, and strange activity surrounding the clock tower.
Built in 1900, the Desha County Courthouse in Arkansas City has developed a long-running reputation for paranormal activity. The best-known legend involves a man locally called "Willard," who was supposedly convicted of burning several hotels around the turn of the twentieth century. Maintaining his innocence, he was allegedly hanged on the courthouse lawn and is said to have cursed the courthouse and its clock before his death. No official record confirming the execution has been located, making this portion of the story local folklore. The courthouse clock has nevertheless become central to the legend. Former Desha County Judge Mark McElroy recalled repeated attempts to repair and refurbish it, only for the clock to behave strangely afterward, including ringing thirteen times, sounding throughout the night, and unexpectedly jumping an hour ahead. Courthouse workers have also reported unexplained footsteps, doors slamming, and sightings of a female apparition. McElroy described witnessing unexplained lights moving across the courtroom ceiling during a paranormal investigation, while investigators reportedly experienced equipment malfunctions in the clock tower. The combination of the cursed-clock legend and decades of reported unexplained activity has made the Desha County Courthouse one of Arkansas' better-known haunted government buildings.