THE STORY
Reported Haunting
The Magoffin Home State Historic Site has long been associated with reports of ghostly figures believed to be members of the Magoffin family. Visitors have described apparitions, footsteps, and unexplained voices inside the historic home.
The historic Magoffin Home was originally built by El Paso mayor Joseph Magoffin in 1875. His family lived there until 1976, when the City of El Paso and the State of Texas bought it–and apparently also bought the ghosts that came with it. One ghost is believed to be Charles Richardson, Joseph Magoffin’s brother-in-law and best friend. Uncle Charlie rocks in the rocking chair that he died in long ago, and also opens and closes doors and tinkers with the lights. Also here are a ghostly lady in blue, thought to be Octavia Magoffin, as well as a little girl and a lady in a white Victorian-style dress. Cold breezes and taps on the shoulder have been reported by homestead visitors.