I don’t know about you, but there’s something a bit creepy about walking around the house late at night. The witching hour, when everything in and around the home is still and dark, lets off some spooky vibes. Sometimes your normally cozy home feels chilled, hushed, and just a little unsettling. You can’t help but wonder if maybe there’s a silent spirit guest lurking through the home.
Santa Fe, with its long and rich history, can seem to be a bit of spooky place.
The chilly air drifting in from the mountains along with the shadows of aged trees and fading remnants of the past all up the spooky factor here.
However, there is something about the old La Posada hotel, located in Santa Fe, that emits an uncanny feeling.
We're not the only ones who think so. Guests and former employees have reported witnessing hair-raising experiences on some parts of the property since the 1970s, catching the attention of ghost hunters and shows like "Unsolved Mysteries."
The center of that attention? Former resident Julia Staab.
A German immigrant from a wealthy family, Staab moved to New Mexico and into the home her new husband built: a three-story brick mansion with high ceilings and ornate decor.
Standing just under five-feet tall, Staab lived in the home from 1882 until her untimely death in 1896 at age 52.
Staab raised a gaggle of children in the home and buried one, whose death she never quite recovered from.
According to a story from her great-great-granddaughter, Staab mourned for weeks following the death, refusing to eat or leave her room.
In fact, even after her own death, Staab was apparently unable to rest. Beginning in the 1970s, sightings have been reported of a Victorian Era woman lingering in the home.
It's difficult to say for sure just how haunted the home is.
The original house is now a restaurant and bar on the property of La Posada, but guests, employees, and ghost hunters have encountered Staab in different areas of the hotel and restaurant. Orbs, hints of her reflection in mirrors and windows, and peculiar sounds around the property seem to confirm this. What do you think?
The hotel and former home isn't always spooky. If you're one to suffer an easy scare, we suggest stopping by in the day time for a less frightening experience.
La Posada Hotel is located in the heart of Santa Fe, a short drive from Highway 285. You can find details about booking a stay, dining in their restaurant, and more by visiting their website or Facebook page.
Want to read about another potentially haunted hotel in New Mexico? The hauntings in the historic St. James Hotel in Cimarron are especially creepy. Read more in The History Behind One Of New Mexico’s Most Haunted Hotels Is Truly Terrifying.
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