St James Hotel in Haunted New Mexico

History
Located in downtown Cimarron, the hotel was first built in 1872 under the name Lambert Inn. The hotel was frequented by lawmen and outlaws alike, resulting in the hotel being the site of multiple murders. Famous outlaws such as Wyatt Earp, Jesse James, Davy Crockett, Annie Oakley, and Buffalo Bill stayed at the St. James. Due to the high rate of killings in the hotel, many bullet holes were discovered in the wood ceiling of the hotel, some of which can still be seen to this day. At one point, three Buffalo Soldiers were killed in the hotel’s bar in 1876. When the railroad was built, the St. James fell into decline. Eventually, the hotel was restored in 1985 and is now open again to the public with a new building added to it. The St. James is now part of the National Register of Historic Places.

Hauntings
It is said that the St. James had at least 26 murders occur within its walls.The owners, guests, and even psychics have reported unexplained events and even identified several different spirits within the hotel. Other reports include items falling off of walls and shelves, cold spots, the smell of cigars, lights turning on by themselves, and cameras ceasing to work inside of the hotel. A short old man, nicknamed “Little Imp” by the staff, has been blamed for objects disappearing and reappearing in strange places. Other guests said they saw a cowboy standing behind her in the mirror in the bar. Room 18 is closed to the public, as several deaths were reported when the room used to be available for rent. Supposedly the spirits of Thomas James Wright died in the door of this room when he was shot in the back. Now, he haunts the room and has been known to push people or appear as a ball of orange light. Room 17 is home to a woman named Mary Elizabeth, who died there shortly after giving birth in 1926. Allegedly, her perfume can still be smelled there. Other times, tapping noises will be heard if the window is open and will not cease until the window is closed. Some have reported seeing a translucent woman appearing in the nearby hallways.