These 7 Famous Ghosts Haunt New Mexico...And They Refuse To Be Forgotten
By Monica Spencer|Published November 01, 2020
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Monica Spencer
Author
Monica is a Diné (Navajo) freelance writer and photographer based in the Southwest. Born in Gallup and raised in Phoenix, she is Tódich'ii'nii (Bitter Water People) and Tsi'naajinii (Black Streak Wood People). Monica is a staff writer for Only In Your State, photo editor for The Mesa Legend, and previously a staff writer for The Navajo Post. You can reach her at monica.d.spencer@gmail.com.
Ghost stories aren’t an occasion just for Halloween. Specters and eerie apparitions make their presence known every day in the Land of Enchantment. Whether you’re spending the night in a historic hotel, dining in a centuries-old restaurant, or simply strolling down a path, you’re bound to hear of – or even encounter – some of New Mexico’s most famous ghosts.
The first two ghosts on this list are an ill-fated teenage couple from entirely different backgrounds. These star-crossed lovers met in Armando's home (now the historic restaurant) in the 19th century before being gruesomely murdered by his mother upon discovering the couple. The two are said to still haunt the restaurant, where they have been known to break wine glasses, move furniture, and even leave imprints in chairs.
This historic theatre is a gorgeous building... and is rumored to be haunted by the phantom of a six-year-old child. Back in 1951, an explosion in the lobby killed young Bobby Darnall and several other customers. Since that event, he has been believed to haunt the theater and play lighthearted pranks on employees and guests, such as dropping equipment from the ceiling.
Following a string of unsuccessful pregnancies, the mistress of this historic home fell into a deep depression and isolated herself before eventually passing away. In the afterlife, Julia seems to have found a small amount of peace wandering the halls of her beautiful former home in her elegant period clothing, particularly at the top of the staircase.
Any particularly naughty child in the Southwest has likely heard the story of La Llorona, the Weeping Woman. Distraught over finding her husband with a mistress, a woman drowned her child in a river and immediately regretted that decision. The story goes that La Llorona haunts water sources, wandering in search of replacements for her child, only ultimately to drown that child as well.
Located in the mountainous backdrop of Cloudcroft, this resort is the eternal home of a ghost named Rebecca. The maid's lumberjack beau discovered her in the arms of another man and murdered her, forcing her spirit to wander the halls of the hotel. Rebecca is a playful ghost, switching lights off and on, slyly moving furniture, and opening doors suddenly.
This historic hotel is believed to be haunted by multiple ghosts of men from New Mexico's territorial days, but one specter stands out. T.J. Wright haunts the mysterious room 18 and he is definitely not a friendly ghost. Wright was supposedly murdered following a poker game and bled to death behind these doors. Since then, mysterious deaths, horrible accidents, and other malicious events have been attributed to Wright. The hotel keeps the room's doors permanently locked and leave a bottle of whiskey on the dresser to keep him slightly appeased.
How many of these ghosts have you heard of or seen around New Mexico? Are there any haunted places you’ve visited not featured here? Share your favorite ghostly encounter in the comments section or on our Facebook page!
Feel like driving through some of these locations to experience that bone-chilling feeling of hauntings yourself? Be sure to check out the nearly 500-mile road trip that will take you to some of the state’s most haunted locations. Read more in This Terrifying Northern New Mexico Road Trip Will Send Chills Up Your Spine.
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