The Atlas Obscura Podcast Local Legends Corner with Colin Dickey: Mustang Ranch
Oct 16, 2025
Colin Dickey, a writer and cultural historian known for his explorations of ghost stories and the paranormal, dives into the intriguing world of the Mustang Ranch. He reveals the ranch's unusual layout and its dual operation of a public bar and private brothel. Colin recounts chilling tales of hauntings, including hair-pulling incidents and cold spots. He shares why a shaman was necessary to cleanse the space and discusses the emotional labor of sex work, linking it to ghostly experiences. The rich, secretive history of the Old West enhances the ranch's eerie lore.
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Assignment That Became A Ghost Story
- Colin Dickey was sent by Maxim to report on the Mustang Ranch and its owner who had connections to the Tesla Gigafactory.
- His piece was rejected but the trip launched his deeper engagement with the ranch's ghost stories.
Brothel Layout Alters Perception
- The Mustang Ranch combines two separate businesses under one roof and distorts visitors' sense of space.
- Its octagonal hub and long hallways create a surprising, almost theme-park-like interior impression.
High-End Interior And Worker Lineups
- The interior felt high-end with taxidermy, leather couches, and a full ballet-studio mirror used for worker lineups.
- Colin spent two days hanging out, interviewing staff and observing the unusual, staged atmosphere.
