The American Southwest has its own brand of ghost story. The region is packed with abandoned mining towns, gritty Old West saloons, desert hotels, and aging adobe buildings. They provide plenty of settings for ghostly tales. Some stories are well documented, while others may have started with a grain of truth before evolving over the years with each and every retelling. These are eight Southwestern locations with haunted histories.
The Hotel Monte Vista — Flagstaff, Arizona
Opened in 1927, the Hotel Monte Vista has had thousands of guests, including Hollywood stars and regular travelers. During its nearly century-long history, it has accumulated quite a few ghost stories. Guests have reported seeing ghostly bellboys and hearing babies’ high-pitched crying. Two of the ghosts are supposedly female victims, having been thrown from an upstairs window. Even John Wayne claimed he encountered a phantom bellboy during his stay. It has an old Hollywood feel thanks to its famous guest list, which includes Humphrey Bogart, Bing Crosby, and Clark Gable.
The Bird Cage Theatre — Tombstone, Arizona
Tombstone’s Bird Cage Theatre looks like it was created to be haunted. When it opened way back in 1881, the theater ran 24/7. Folks could stop by for all kinds of debauchery, like drinking, gambling, and prostitution. And there was always plenty of live entertainment. The building has bullet holes from its Wild West days, which tells you a little something about its former patrons. Visitors and employees alike have seen the apparition of a man wearing old-fashioned clothing. The theater was shut down for decades before reopening for tourism. It has managed to retain many of its original features.
The St. James Hotel — Cimarron, New Mexico
The St. James Hotel opened in 1872. It was a popular stopover for the Wild West’s most recognizable characters. Jesse James, Buffalo Bill Cody, Wyatt Earp, and Doc Holliday all supposedly stayed there. With clientele like that, it’s no surprise the hotel gained a reputation for violence. According to hotel lore, roughly 26 people were shot dead here, and the ceiling still contains bullet holes from these rowdier years. Room 18 is connected to the spirit of a gambler named T.J. Wright. It is now blocked off to guests. The St. James is still open for business, so feel free to book a room.
The Stanley Hotel — Estes Park, Colorado
The Stanley Hotel doesn’t just have ghost stories attached to it — it was the inspiration for one of fiction’s most famous haunted hotels. Stephen King and his wife stayed at the quiet hotel in 1974, and the eerie, almost empty interiors gave him ideas for The Shining. The Stanley, which had been open since 1909, had developed plenty of paranormal stories through the years. Guests and staff have reported phantom piano music, children’s laughter, and apparitions floating through the halls. Interestingly, Stanley Kubrick’s movie version wasn’t filmed here, but it is still forever tied to King’s well-known novel.
The Queen Mary — Long Beach, California
The Queen Mary is a ship that repeatedly crossed the Atlantic beginning in the 1930s. It was then permanently retired to Long Beach in 1967. During World War II, the ocean liner transported hundreds of thousands of military men overseas. With a history like that, it’s no surprise the ship witnessed many deaths over the years. It didn’t take long for eerie stories to pop up, detailing apparitions, unexplained sounds, and lingering spirits. In the former swimming pool area, visitors have heard splashing in the empty water. Today you can tour the ship, have dinner in its beautiful dining room, or even spend the night in one of its cabins.
The Whaley House — San Diego, California
The Whaley House was built in 1857 by Thomas Whaley. But even before the home was constructed, the land had an ominous history. Convicted thief James “Yankee Jim” Santiago had been hanged on the property. When the Whaley family later heard stomping footsteps, they attributed them to the executed man. After the Whaleys were gone, the building served several different purposes. It has been a courthouse, a theater, and a general store. Today, it is a museum.
The Mizpah Hotel — Tonopah, Nevada
When the Mizpah Hotel opened in 1907, it was known as one of Nevada’s most luxurious hotels. Its most famous ghost is the “Lady in Red.” Legend has it that she was murdered on the fifth floor after being caught in a love affair. Guests say they hear faint whispering and find single pearls. Other stories involve ghostly children and miners. After being restored in 2011, the beautiful Mizpah is open to the public.
The Driskill — Austin, Texas
The Driskill Hotel opened in downtown Austin in 1886 after it was constructed by a cattle baron of the same name. Even after all the remarkable changes to the city over the decades, the hotel has remained a staple of Austin. It is one of the city’s favorite historic buildings. Driskill only had the hotel for a few years, as he died in 1890, but some say he likes to return to the hotel bearing his name. Employees know he’s around when they smell cigar smoke. Driskell’s haunting, alongside the deaths of other guests, have fueled many stories. Reports of unexplained noises and doors that won’t stay closed continue to this day. It’s the perfect haunted hotel, complete with ornate columns, stained glass, and marble floors.