There's A Ghost Named TJ Who Occupies A Room At This Haunted New Mexico Hotel
By Catherine Armstrong|Published August 20, 2019
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Catherine Armstrong
Author
Writer, editor and researcher with a passion for exploring new places. Catherine loves local bookstores, independent films, and spending time with her family, including Gus the golden retriever, who is a very good boy.
As local travel experts, we know what travelers are looking for when it comes to finding the perfect accommodations for their next trip. To compile our lists, we scour the internet to find properties with excellent ratings and reviews, desirable amenities, nearby attractions, and that something special that makes a destination worthy of traveling for.
Do you believe in ghosts? If you stay at the St. James Hotel in Cimarron, you just might become a believer. It’s said to be haunted by many different spirits, including one named T.J. Wright, who was murdered there years ago.
Welcome to the St. James Hotel! It's said to be haunted by several ghosts, including one who is so violent and angry that the room where he died is locked and closed to the public. Do you dare stay here?
The hotel was built in 1872 and hosted many famous outlaws, entertainers, and frontiersmen through the years, including Jesse James, Wyatt Earp, Annie Oakley, Buffalo Bill Cody, Billy the Kid, and more.
The hotel is reportedly haunted by several ghosts, including owner Henri Lambert's second wife, Mary, another dressed as a cowboy, and some unseen entities that make their presence known in various ways.
Guests and staff report pictures falling off walls, cold spots, lights that turn on by themselves, and even shrieks and screams coming from seemingly empty corners of the hotel.
The most infamous ghost at the St. James is that of T.J. Wright, who was killed here after winning big in a poker game. Mr. Wright gathered his winnings and headed to the second floor.
He walked down the hallway toward his room (number 18) and was shot in the back by an unknown assailant. T.J. staggered into the room and slowly bled to death.
His spirit is said to still occupy room 18, and he is not happy. In fact, he can be downright violent. One woman reported being forcefully pushed to the floor while cleaning inside.
Others have seen a bright orange orb in the corner of the room, and say that they have felt a malevolent presence. For the safety of guests, room 18 has been locked and is never booked.
The room contains just a bed and dresser, which has several items sitting on it that are said to appease T.J. Occasionally, paranormal investigators are allowed inside, and they report high EMF readings.
While you can't stay in room 18, you can sleep in any of the other rooms, which are each named for famous folks from the Wild West.
Address: 617 South Collison Avenue, Cimarron, NM 87714
Have you ever stayed at this hotel? We’d love to hear your ghost stories! Learn more about the St. James Hotel on its website, and make sure to follow its Facebook page.
