This Historic (and Infamous) Hotel Is One of New Mexico’s Most Haunted Places

There are many haunted places in the Land of Enchantment, but no single place is more haunted than the Historic St. James Hotel and Saloon in Cimarron. This hotel is full of ghosts and ghost stories, and people come from all over the world to encounter one during their stay. It's my favorite haunted place in New Mexico, and you're sure to love it, too. Read on to learn more about this very haunted place.

The Historic St. James Hotel and Saloon has a long and storied history. It was first built as a saloon in 1872 by President Abraham Lincoln's personal chef, Henry Lambert. Over time, it grew into a hotel as well. Many famous people stayed at the St. James Hotel over the years, and today, the rooms are named after those famous guests, including Wyatt Earp, Jesse James, Buffalo Bill Cody, Billy the Kid, and others. The current owners have kept its historic appearance both inside and out. The rooms are designed in the style of the late 1800s, and guests love the creaky stairs and antique chandeliers.

The hotel itself is beautiful and comfortable, and it has been featured in several television shows, including "Peace River," which is not about ghosts, and many others focused on paranormal happenings. It's not surprising that this building is haunted; at least 26 murders have happened throughout history inside it.

It is believed there are ghosts everywhere inside the Historic St. James Hotel and Saloon in New Mexico. Guests and staff alike have heard footsteps accentuated by the sound of spurs rattling in the saloon and in the hallways, but when people look for the source of these sounds, no one is there. Some people have reported the smell of rose-scented perfume in some communal spaces; this scent was a favorite of Mary Lambert, the wife of the hotel's first owner. There are even reports of objects moving on their own from place to place, and no explanation for these movements can be found.

Perhaps the most well-known ghost story at the Historic St. James Hotel and Saloon is a result of the murder of T.J. Wright. Wright was a cowboy who supposedly won money, cattle, and even ownership of the hotel from Henry Wright in a poker game on April 5, 1882. However, on the way back to his room, Wright was shot and killed. His room, Room 18, has been kept intact ever since—as if he were still rooming there. Staff and guests have reported seeing and hearing Wright in the hotel still, even in recent years.

The hauntings at the Historic St. James Hotel and Saloon may scare some, but they may be a draw for others. If you're interested in ghosts, then this hotel is certainly worth a visit. You'll love staying in the comfortable rooms and dining at the on-site restaurant, which is still called Lambert's. You never know what you'll find or encounter during your stay, but your visit to the Historic St. James Hotel and Saloon in Cimarron, New Mexico is one that you'll certainly never forget.

Feeling brave? Try planning your own trip to the area using Only In Your State’s itinerary planner.