13 Haunted Places Where Checkout Is Apparently Optional

I love historic hotels. Give me creaky floors, old-fashioned saloons, brass beds, and enough Wild West history to make me wonder who walked those hallways hundreds of years ago.

Then somebody says: “Oh, by the way. It's haunted.” And I’m hooked.

So, in honor of October, I found 13 historic hotels across the American West where cowboys, gamblers, miners, lawmen, outlaws, and a few mysterious residents once crossed the threshold.

The hotels are real.

The history is real.

The ghosts? I'll let you decide.

Would I actually spend the night?

Maybe. Maybe not. But no way would I want the room said to be haunted. 

I'm incredibly brave ... while sitting at my computer in broad daylight.

Still, I'd love to visit these places because behind every ghost story is something even better.

Are you brave or a little bit scared? I’d love to hear what you would do and which hotels you have visited.

Niki J. Mitchell

 

 

1.    Bullock Hotel — Deadwood, South Dakota

The Bullock Hotel opened in 1896 by famous Deadwood lawman and businessman Seth Bullock and his partner, Sol Star. Visitors have reported seeing Bullock's ghost wandering the hotel, and the hotel even offers ghost tours. According to legend, Seth still checks on the place. Guests and employees have reported seeing his apparition.

Would I stay? Probably not. But it’s on my bucket list to visit.

 

2.    The Occidental Hotel — Buffalo, Wyoming

This one absolutely belongs near the top. Founded in 1880, the Occidental hosted figures including Buffalo Bill Cody, Calamity Jane, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. A resident ghost known as Emily, a young girl visitors claim to have heard laughing and seen wandering the building.

Would I stay? 

That’s the plan. But I'm sleeping with the light on.

 

3.    St. James Hotel — Cimarron, New Mexico

 Built in 1872, this is about as Wild West as we can get. Wyatt Earp, Jesse James, Buffalo Bill Cody, Billy the Kid and other famous Western figures stayed there. Room 18 is associated with the ghost legend of gambler T.J. Wright who supposedly won the hotel in a poker game before being shot. The room is kept locked. Room 17 is associated with Mary Lambert, wife of hotel founder Henri Lambert. Guests have reported rose perfume, tapping, and a female apparition. 

Would I go? 

Yes, but no way would I open that door.

 

4.    Silver Queen Hotel — Virginia City, Nevada

      Built in 1876, the Silver Queen has its own collection of paranormal tales, including the legend of a woman called Rosie who is said to appear around Room 11 and the staircase. Guests have heard footsteps, whispering, doors moving, and other unexplained activity.

Would I stay?  

Sure. Just don't give me the room everyone describes as the haunted one.

 

5.    Gold Hill Hotel & Saloon — Gold Hill, Nevada

     This is a fantastic addition because it dates to 1861 and is Nevada's oldest operating hotel. Rooms 4 and 5 are associated with spirits called Rosie and William. The hotel itself describes them as friendly. 

Would I stay? 

Most likely.

 

6.    Copper Queen Hotel — Bisbee, Arizona

      A classic Arizona mining-town hotel with several longstanding ghost stories. The Copper Queen has several reported ghosts, including a woman called Julia Lowell, a young boy named Billy, and even ghostly miners. Guests have reported strange noises, apparitions, and unexplained activity.

Would I stay? 

No, but I have visited the hotel. It’a well worth your while. Make sure to get a drink at the bar.

 

 1.    Jerome Grand Hotel — Jerome, Arizona

This is the one we talked about. It occupies Jerome's former hospital building, so it brings a very different type of history to the list. Which already sounds like the beginning of a ghost story. Guests have reported footsteps, voices, apparitions, and other unexplained happenings. Stories involving nurses and former patients have become part of the hotel's paranormal lore.

Would I spend the night?

Maybe. Would I investigate a strange noise in the hallway at 2:00 a.m.?

Absolutely not. That's what hotel management is for.

2.    Connor Hotel — Jerome, Arizona
The Connor gives us the older Jerome connection. It dates to the mining boom and originally combined lodging with the kind of drinking and gambling atmosphere we'd expect from a Western mining town.

Would I spend the night? Why not. Mining towns are fascinating.

3.    Hotel Monte Vista — Flagstaff, Arizona
Opened in 1927, so it's later than our classic Old West period, but its famous phantom bellboy story is too much fun to leave out. John Wayne is among the people associated with that tale.

Did I stayed there when I visited? No. But I did enjoy the hotel tour.

 

4.    The Stanley Hotel — Estes Park, Colorado
The Stanley opened in 1909 and later became famous after Stephen King stayed there. His visit helped inspire The Shining. Guests have reported mysterious music, laughter, footsteps, and apparitions.

 

Would I stay? 

Probably not because the hotel inspired a horror story.

 

5.    Hotel Colorado, Glenwood Springs, Colorado

Hotel Colorado opened in 1893 and has hosted everyone from wealthy travelers to Theodore Roosevelt. Visitors have reported unexplained noises and apparitions throughout the historic property.

 

Would I stay? Yes because there are hot springs nearby. I have priorities. But the lights will stay on all night.

6.    The Bird Cage Theatre, Tombstone, Arizona

The Bird Cage opened in 1881 as a theater, saloon, gambling hall, and brothel. Visitors have mentioned phantom music, laughter, footsteps, and even a handsome cowboy appearing out of nowhere?

Have I been there? 

Yes. This town is way smaller than I expected, but it well worth visiting. Make sure to take on the trolley tour.

 

Happy haunting seems fitting for the month of October.

Why do I like ghost stories? 

It’s plain fascinating and a little bit scary. In Goldi’s Grumpy Cowboy, she asks to stay in room 211 because it’s said to be haunted. And when the infamous ghost named Tom Devlin appears and spins a translucent gun, she stands up to him and tells him to put it away. 

Would I be that brave? 

No way. 

I have hints of ghost in my next two stories, but I plan to have Tom show up in other stories. He’s too interesting of a character.

Niki J. Mitchell

 

 

First Western Romance Author

A Woman of Means

 She was born in 1858 and died in 1949. In the span of those years she managed to achieve these milestone:

·         Survived the sinking of the Titanic and helped row a lifeboat along with fellow passenger Molly “The Unsinkable” Brown.

·         Penned an eye-witness account of the tragedy for Collier’s magazine.

·         Wrote the first western romance novel.

·         Wrote a book on how women could make a living for themselves.

·         Was one of the first interior decorators.

·         Assisted in designing interiors of the White House.

·         After a divorce, supported herself and two children by writing books and magazine articles.

·         Published a book on interior design.

·         A member of the Archeological Society and the American Federation of Arts.

·         Board member of the Washington chapter of the National Suffrage Association.

·         She rode her horse at the head of the procession for the “Votes for Women” parade down Pennsylvania Avenue to the steps Capitol Hill.

·         Worked as a nurse in Rome and Milan during World War I. One of her patients was Ernest Hemingway.

·         Her writings about her trips to Cambodia and other Far East countries laid the groundwork for the modern tourist trade in that part of the world. She became a renowned lecturer on the Far East.

·         Was a founding member of the Society of Women Geographers.

Whew! Who is she? Helen Churchill Hungerford Candee. Quite a woman! She certainly never knew the word “quit” or the words “I can’t.” She was from a fine family and married a businessman. He turned out to be an abusive alcoholic.

After fifteen years of misery and being abandoned time and time again, she sought a divorce in New York City and was denied. Taking her fate in her own hands, she traveled to Indian Territory where she’d learned she could get a divorce. After residing in Guthrie for the required ninety days, she hired an attorney and obtained a divorce. To make ends meet while waiting for her divorce, she wrote articles for Ladies Home Journal and Scribner’s. She also penned a best-selling book, How Women May Earn a Living in 1990. She followed that up with the first historical western romance, An Oklahoma Romance. An instant success, it was the story of a land claim dispute between a doctor and a politically established man. She included as secondary characters people she knew in Guthrie.

Helen was a incredible woman. It’s mind-boggling how she did so much with her life at a time when women couldn’t even vote. She’s a true inspiration.

 

The Great Eclipse of 1878

 Have you ever witness a total solar eclipse? What a remarkable and magical event. In 1878, news of this upcoming cosmic occurrence took the county by storm.                 

  The eclipse traveled through British Columbia, along the spine of the Rocky Mountains and directly over Pikes Peak, making Colorado a top spot for best viewing. Much national attention was focused on cities like Central City, and Colorado Springs, while elevating Denver from a Cowtown of frontier violence and mineral wealth, to a sophisticated scientific community. 

Known as The Great Eclipse, the phenomenon created a spark of scientific interest in everyday people, drawing the country together. Everyone would be looking up that day. 

 Never fear, the women of 1878 were represented! Maria Mitchell arrived leading an all-female expedition to show the world what lady astronomers could do. The press called them "the Vassar girls". Even Thomas Edison made the trip west, but while the majority of scientists and astronomers watched in Colorado, he opted for Wyoming. 

              Not everyone had a pleasant experience. 

    Although the event took place in July, Colorado weather threw the viewers a curve. The wind howled, and 10 inches of snow fell on Pikes Peak. Setting up camp at over 14,000 feet in elevation, Samuel Pierpont Langley, battled not only the weather but a debilitating case of altitude sickness. Undaunted, with grit and determination, he still managed to capture one of the best images of the time. 

Observatories popped up everywhere. One was set up on the roof of the famous Teller House in Central City. Another posh hotel in Colorado Springs hired a band to entertain guests as they watch the solar display.

Local churches cashed-in as well, steeple windows and bell towers went for fifty cents apiece. Thronged with spectators from Europe and the states, tourist at Garden of the Gods rented tents and watched for twenty-five cents each. 

                   

Even the U.S. Government lent a hand when Congress appropriated $8,000 in funds for eclipse observations and expeditions. What a wonderful era when innocent amazement of the world and nature still existed, yet science and education was burgeoning to make lives more interesting and better.

 The next total eclipse to pass over the United States is April 8, 2024. Check to see totality for your area. Looks like it will be south and east of Colorado.

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fmtGqOxxmEU&t=73s

  If you live in Colorado, a total solar eclipse like the one in 1878, won't come along until Aug. 12, 2044!!! 

 Will the eclipse bring together more than the sun and the moon!

   In my story Break Heart Canyon, my hero and heroine, Ryker and Una watch the eclipse all comfy and cozy in a hay cart. 

 Grab your copy here....

Blog www.ginirifkin.blogspot.com

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/people/Gini-Rifkin-Author/100001680213365

Amazon author              https://amzn.to/2R53KA9

The wild rose press       https://www.thewildrosepress.com/authors/gini-rifkin

Pinterest                         https://www.pinterest.com/ginirifkin/pins/

Goodreads                     http://bit.ly/2OnHbrK

Barnes and Noble          http://bit.ly/2xPs9S4

AudioBooks                  https://adbl.co/2OlWbGJ

LinkedIn                        https://www.linkedin.com/in/gini-rifkin-15950489/

Landry ~ By: Julie Lence

 I’m happy to announce my new release, Landry, Book 2 in the Jackson Creek Series.

www.amazon.com/dp/B08FHC2JNH

 

Landry Barlow’s gambling and outlawing has garnered him the reputation of a menace, and a handful of enemies. But in sleepy Jackson Creek, his foremost concern isn’t someone gunning for him. His brother wants him to trade his saloon for a homestead, partner with him outfitting the army with horses. Raised in a bordello by a mother who valued her parlor more than him and deceived by another, Landry isn’t sure he’s meant to put down roots. But then, Nadine puts her faith in him and something inside awakens.

Camped for the night along the trail to western Texas, Nadine Harper’s father loses his footing in a gopher hole and breaks his leg. Nadine gets him to the nearest town, but the only business with a light glowing is the saloon. Swallowing her qualms, she barges inside the watering hole and freezes at the glint in the eyes of the heavily-muscled man barreling down on her. But when he loses his steeliness to take charge of her father, she’s swept up in the tingles peppering her skin. Dangerous and handsome, Landry is a man worth knowing.

                           

Excerpt:

“Spent some time on a Mississippi riverboat. Learned to waltz.” Landry glanced around the room. “Not a lot of space in here, but it’ll do.” He took her hand in his, set their feet moving in a square pattern.

“I know this waltz.” Nadine smiled. “Pa taught me at one of Mr. Smith’s barn dances.” She kept pace with him around the L-shaped area before the stove and sink.

“Who’d you dance with besides your pa?”

“Mr. Smith. Sometimes the sheriff.”

“Anyone your age?”

“No. I’ve never had a suitor.”

“You do now.” His blue eyes bore into her and her pulse quickened. “I’m a gambler and an outlaw. Not many folks cotton to that. If you do, you’ll be mine until you leave Jackson Creek.”

He pulled her flush against him and Nadine gasped.

“Before you say anything, some things you should know. I tolerate lies at the poker tables. They’re part of the game. I don’t tolerate lies away from the tables.”

“A-all right.” She shivered, and stepped out of his embrace.

“I grew up in a bordello. Ma was the owner. I know all about working girls, have Patsy and two more in my employ. I don’t mistreat them and I won’t mistreat you.” He caressed her cheek and some of her unease lessoned. “Won’t let anyone else hurt you, either.”

“Are you telling me this to scare me away? Or because you think I’ll lie to you?”

“Neither. Just want you to know who I am before you agree to let me kiss you again.” His fingers shifted to cup her jaw bone, squeezed gently. “I will kiss you again.”

I hope so! “If I promise to be truthful, do you promise the same?”

“I promise to tell you what you need to know. Some things aren’t safe for you to keep secret.”

Huh?

“I’ve got enemies. Men who wouldn’t think twice to hurt you if they thought you could lead them to me. The less you know, the better.”

Can I not ask about the photograph?

 

***

Bonus:

If you haven’t read Book 1 in the series, check out Slade. He needs a place to hide until tempers calm, and although Jill’s barn looks to crumble down upon him any moment, it’s better than nothing.

www.amazon.com/dp/B072Z13YRK

Excerpt:

“I’m sorry, darlin’. I’d never hurt you.” He hugged her tight. “I was out prowlin’ for your intru―coyote. Didn’t see you leave the house. Heard you open the barn door and…” he crushed her closer to his thick chest of muscle.

Cocooned in his arms, feeling his heart beat as erratic as hers, she slid her arms around his waist and held tight to him. Took comfort in the heat of his body seeping through her thin robe and nightgown into her skin. After a spell, her heartbeat eased, but her pulse continued to race. Slade was a big man. She remembered thinking he could crush a body. Or hold a woman tenderly. She couldn’t attest to her first thought, but the second was true. He held her gently, and with care.

Mmmm, she closed her eyes and savored the feel of his sinew. To fall asleep nestled against him and wake up in the same fashion… to taste his kisses and have him bestow on her the same reverence from this afternoon…

She snapped her eyes open, caught him staring down at her. With the aid of the moonlight shining behind her, she noted the stubble along his jaw, but the expression in his gaze was unreadable.

“Your trembles have ceased.” He grinned wickedly. “Let’s disturb them again.”

Without warning, he shifted her to sit upright, rested a large, calloused palm against her cheek and lowered his head, touched his lips to hers. Bright lights exploded behind her eyes. Moisture dampened her palms, and when she kissed him back, her trembles returned. The kind that robbed a girl of breath and made her heart sing. The kind that made her feel special. Wanted.

Excitement over these new sensations shimmied down her spine. But fast on its heels was scorn for her wanton behavior and a sobering truth. She pushed away from him, scrambled off his lap and ran for the door.

“Jill!” His voice cracked like a whip as he grabbed her elbow, halting her escape. “If you don’t like my kiss, say so. You don’t have to run away.”

“I…” she swallowed hard, felt her eyes mist. “Camille’s who you want to kiss. You settle for me because she’s sick.”

 

To learn more about me and my books, or to see my recommendations,  connect with me here:

Website: www.julielence.com

Facebook page: https://facebook.com/#!/JulieLence

Twitter: https://twitter.com/julielence

Book Bub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/julie-lence

 

 

 

A Cowboy Writes to His Sweetheart at Christmas

By Heather Blanton

This is a letter from my collection. I have no information on the author or the folks he references, no last names, location, nothing. I don't know who Mary and Charlie were, but I hope they never spent another Christmas apart. I have left the letter as-is verbatim, though I did clean up some spelling. I am struck by Charlie's vivid imagery. But back then, letter writing was an art. He seems to just let his heart and his mind wander dreamily. At least that's my impression. What's yours?  Merry Christmas, y'all!

December 26, 1881

My dearest Mary,

 You asked me to tell you how we spent Christmas on the ranch. I venture to guess, it was a far cry from how you spent yours in New York City. I can just see you in the December twilight, hurrying down the snowy sidewalk, your silk hem leaving swirly prints in the powder like little snakes, your dainty black books becoming wet and shiny as you bustle about. Then you dashed up the stairs to your brother’s brownstone to enjoy hot chocolate, the embraces of your family, and a true smorgasbord of food. I bet you had ham and goose, maybe even pheasant. Fresh fruits and vegetables. And desserts. Not just pies, either, but cookies and candy, because sugar is plentiful in the city.

You decorated your tree with delicate glass ornaments, glistening tin cut-outs, perhaps white porcelain stars? You hung presents on the tree as well--store-bought presents. I can imagine the pearl necklace from your parents only pales in comparison to your beauty.

On the ranch, things were different as different can be. I rode fence Christmas Eve. The wind howled and the snow fell in blustery, biting swirls. The air was so frigid it liked to have froze me to death. If not for the fence, I most likely would have lost my way more than once. Upon my return, I can say I was never so glad to see the warm glow of the bunkhouse windows.

Us fellas gathered Christmas Eve night in Mr. Chester’s parlor. Mrs. Chester and the two little girls did a fine job of decorating the tree with popcorn, red ribbons, cookie dough ornaments, and some holly berries. The family then presented all us hands with new neckerchiefs, wool socks knitted by Mrs. Chester’s sweet hands, and our own plate of butter cookies. Much to my surprise and delight, Mr. Chester promoted me to foreman as Jack has given his notice and will be leaving in a few weeks. To celebrate the occasion, Mr. Chester presented me with a new lariat. I am very gratified by this change in my status, Mary, for reasons you may deduce.

The boys and I went back to the bunkhouse and exchanged a few gifts. Pete. S. gave me a fine buck knife from his collection, and I gave him a pair of my spurs. I am ashamed to say I had lamented the gift a little until I was told of the promotion. The jump in pay will much ease the loss of the spurs. I suppose, though, a gift that is easy to give is not much of a gift.

I have several small gifts waiting here for you when you return, and one of greater import. We shall have Christmas in January, you and I, and celebrate not only the season that has passed but a bright and sparkling future. Especially so now. If you see things the way I see them, that is.

I cannot tell you how empty Christmas was without you, Mary, and I hope never to be parted from you again. That is bold of me to say. You know my heart, though, the words I long to say, the dreams I hope to share with you.

I can only say in this letter that I hope you will hurry home.

With deepest affection,

Charlie