I second Heather M.'s review from 2010; Hillside Cemetery is rife with spiritual activity. As a nascent paranormal investigator, I visit spiritually active places around the nation (typically ones off the beaten path) and conduct ITC (instrumental trans-communication) research using a variety of devices and apps.
I happened upon Hillside Cemetery on a recent road trip to Colorado. Old cemeteries tend to elicit fewer responses, but I felt drawn to this beautiful burial ground and its ornate, weathered tombstones. At the very least, I wanted an excuse to breathe in the crisp mountain air and admire the scenery.
After introducing myself to any spirits who might have been present, I launched my Spiritus app and began listening for disembodied voices. About thirty minutes passed with nothing conclusive, just random, unaltered phonetic sounds.
As I approached a shaded area towards the top of the hill, however, I began hearing clear, undebunkable names, words, and phrases. The name "May" came through several times. I walked a few steps up the hill and happened upon a grave belonging to May Rickard, an "unfortunate girl" who passed away in 1899. I asked, "May Rickard, if that's you, can you tell me what happened?" I then heard "overdose...suicide." Her tombstone validated these words; she had apparently died of alcoholism and morphine.
Before I could ask a followup question, another female voice added "hooker." I glanced to my right and saw Minnie Morgan's grave. On her tombstone was the same epitaph: "An Unfortunate Girl" but with the word "prostitute" in parentheses. I then realized that all graves in this section bore the same euphemistic epitaph.
As I was preparing to leave, I wished May and Minnie farewell and heard what I consider to be a desperate plea: "No...don't...help!" I realized at this point that I was perhaps the first person to communicate with these poor souls in over a century.
Even if you are skeptical of the paranormal, this cemetery is worth a visit. You will learn much about Silverton's storied past. read more