Most Haunted Places in America: The St. James Hotel
Henri Lambert, a former chef to Abraham Lincoln, went west and built a saloon along the Santa Fe Trail in Cimarron, New Mexico in 1872. By 1880 it had become so popular that rooms were added and it became the St. James Hotel. Sitting on the edge of lawlessness it became the place to be for the now legends of the Wild West. Back then it was one of the most gracious hotels in the west, today it is one of the most haunted places in America.
The St. James Hotel was the gathering place for many of the infamous Wild West characters we can only read about today. Buffalo Bill Cody, Annie Oakley, Wyatt and Morgan Earp, Billy the Kid, Bat Masterson, Black Jack Ketchum, Kit Carson, Doc Holliday, Zane Grey and Frank and Jesse James and even Bob Ford who killed Jesse James all were known to stay at the hotel.
With this cast of characters it is no wonder the St. James had a rough and violent past. There are 26 documented killings at the hotel and no doubt a few undocumented ones. If you visit the St. James you will discover over 20 bullet holes still in existence in the dining room. It is this history that has lead to the many reports of paranormal activity.
By far the most active floor in the hotel is the second floor. The St. James is a non-smoking building yet very often you will catch a whiff of cigar smoke in the hallways. There have been reports of cold spots, voices and footsteps. Most claim that it is more of feeling their presence than seeing them, yet one owner claimed to see a cowboy standing behind her in a mirror.
Other apparitions have also been reported. Henri Lamberts second wife Mary Elizabeth has been seen in the hallway as well the smell of her favorite perfume coming from her room 17 which she occupied. Mary died in the hotel during the winter in 1926. There are also children who have been seen around the hotel. A 2 year old, Mary’s son, named Johnnie has been seen playing in the hallways. Two little girls around the ages of 12 and 9 who died of diphtheria have also been roaming the hotel. Both girls have been said to be very well behaved and polite.
The most prevalent ghost however has to be in room 18. Gambler T.J. Wright had reportedly just won the hotel in a hand of poker. While walking back to his room triumphantly, he was shot in the back. He stumbled into his room (18) and bled to death.
The ghost of T.J. Wright is said to be an angry apparition and not known to like company. There have been claims of being pushed to the ground while in the room; a mysterious orange glow has been seen as well as local stories of mysterious deaths associated people who have stayed in the room. Today room 18 is closed to the public.
The local stories of deaths associated with the room are likely party folklore mixed with truth but if are looking for an interesting night at a hotel, the haunted St. James Hotel may be exactly what you have in mind.
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