Ghostly Happenings in New Mexico

The Ghostly Spirits of Inez and Armando

In the heart of historic Mesilla, the Double Eagle Restaurant is housed in the oldest building in the town. This adobe home was built during the town's boom era in the 1840s. Many Mexican citizens who were discontent with the new US governance following the Mexican-American War relocated to Mesilla. In 1972, the new owner hired designer John Miegs to curate museum-quality antiques, paintings, and sculptures to turn this restaurant into a work of art.

The romantic story of Inez and Armando makes this also one of the most haunted places in the state. Armando, the heir of the affluent Maes family, fell in love with Inex, a lovely maid employed in their household. His mother discovered this, and Senora Carlotta Maes fired the main one and forbade Armando to contact her. One day when she came home unexpectedly, she discovered the pair in bed. Grabbing a pair of sewing shears in her fury, she stabbed Inez to death. During the struggle, Armando, trying to protect Inez, was also wounded and died from his injuries three days later.

Now the ghostly spirits of Armando and Inez haunt the restaurant. Cold spots are felt, lights flicker, and there is the sensation of unseen presences. The ghostly apparitions of the young lovers have been seen in the hallway. Also the ghost of Senora Carlotta Maes, who is seeking reconciliation with her son. Her presence comes with a feeling of deep sadness.

The Ghost of John Wayne

In Gallup, along the iconic Route 66, the El Rancho Hotel has been a favorite with travelers and Hollywood stars since it opened in 1937. It was built by R.E. Griffith, brother of the famed director D.W. Griffith; the hotel became a central hub for film productions and has hosted legends like John Wayne, Lucille Ball, and Doris Day.

Guests have heard laughter late at night, heavy footsteps, and mysterious tapping sounds echoing through the halls.

In the Bridal Suite housekeepers have seen clothes on the bed taking on human form as if someone were stepping into them and felt sudden cold spots, and doors tend to open and close by themselves.

In the John Wayne Room strange paranormal activity has been noticed, and some claim to have seen the Duke himself crossing the parking lot in Western attire.

The Haunted Second Floor

Located in Chama, Foster's Hotel is a reminder of the Wild West era and one of the most haunted places in New Mexico. It was established in 1881 as a place to stay the night for travelers on the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad.

The most ghostly activity occurs on the second floor which has been closed to the public. Among the manifestations are the following:

In the late 1800s, a woman appointed as a local judge was poisoned by men who were displeased with her position. Poison was added to a pitcher of water in her room, which led to her death. Now in the southwest corner room guests have heard agonized gasps and chocking sounds.

The staff has heard the cries of a young girl, who is believed to have died from an illness over a century ago, in a room across from the one where the judge stayed.

And then there is a ghostly cowboy who wanders the halls with his heavy boots echoing in the night.

The Ghostly Spirit of Bobby and a Woman in a Bonnet

Situated in Alberquerque, the KiMo Theater is a Pueblo Deco picture palace that opened its doors on September 19, 1927. The theater has Native American motifs and an Art Deco design.

In 1951, when a water heater exploded in the lobby, 6-year-old Bobby Darnall lost his life. Now visitors to the theater have seen a young boy in a striped shirt and blue jeans playing on the lobby staircase. He is mischievous and disrupts performance, trips up actors, or messes with props. To appease this ghostly spirit, performers hang doughnuts on a water pipe behind the stage and these actually disappear overnight with small bite marks left behind.

There is also the ghostly apparition of a woman in a bonnet who strolls the hallways.

Where the Ghost of Rebecca Likes to Play

Situated in the Sacramento Mountains, the Lodge at Cloudcroft is a charming Victorian-style inn with stained glass windows and a lookout tower. (pictured above)

Rebecca's Restaurant serves great food and has an outdoor patio overlooking the gardens and pool. It was named after the lodge's resident ghostly spirit. The restaurant has her portraits on the walls and displays a quilt featuring her image in the lobby.

Legend has it that in the early 1900s, a beautiful maid named Revecca with red hair and blue eyes disappeared after her lumberjack lover discovered her with another man. Now her ghost roams the halls. Ashtrays move on their own, doors open and close, furniture is rearranged, lights flicker on and off, and fires light up on their own in the fireplace.

Rebecca's favorite place is the Governor's Suite, Room 101. where lights come on and off by themselves. In the Red Dog Saloon, guests see ashtrays move on their own and flames appear in the fireplace.

The Ghostly Apparition of Julia

Situated in downtown Santa Fe, La Posada de Santa Fe is one of the most haunted places in the state. Right in the heart of it is the Staab House, a Victorian mansion that was built in 1882 by German merchant Abraham Staab for his wife Julia. The couple had seven surviving children. Julia was left with physical and emotional challenges due to her difficult pregnancies. She died in 1896 at the age of 52 but her spirit remained in her house.

The sightings of Julia began in 1979 when a janitor saw a woman in a Victorian dress near a fireplace. Soon after, both staff and guests have seen gas fireplaces turn on and off, chandeliers sway, and personal items disappear from rooms. The ghostly apparitions of Julia have been seen in her former bedroom, which is now Suite 100. She also walks the hallways.

La Posada de Santa Fe offers the Julia Staab Ghost Package. Guests are invited to spend 2 nights at this historic haunted resort and fort and enjoy welcome drinks at the famous Staab House bar, known to be one of the places where the friendly spirit of Julia likes to linger.