Cody Polston 
The areas of the prison where the most unusual phenomena are reported are Cell Blocks 3, 4, the tool room and the laundry room. Cell Block 3 was the maximum security ward which also contains the Solitary confinement cell. Activity reported here includes unexplainable noises, a burning flesh or “death” smell, doors that open and close by … Read moreNew Mexico State Penitentiary, Santa Fe, NM (Paranormal Claims)
Opened in 1885, the New Mexico Penitentiary had been authorized by Congress since 1853. The design was based on the same plans used for Sing Sing and Joliet. Beginning in 1903, New Mexico became the first western state to employ prisoners in building highways. The early prison industry in New Mexico produced bricks. On 19 … Read moreNew Mexico State Penitentiary, Santa Fe, NM (History)
I was interviewed by the Albuquerque Journal about the ghost tours in Old Town, Albuquerque. It gives a good description of the tour as well as some info about SGHA. Click on the images to enlarge.
The following entry is in the book ” The Haunted Places, The National Directory” by Dennis William Hauck. Visitors to this seventeenth century Spanish mission are surprised to find the ghost of a conquistador still guarding the ruins. He enters through one of the gaps in the adobe walls and is surrounded by a blue-white … Read moreQuarai Mission (Paranormal Claims)
Like Abó and Las Humanas, red-walled Quarai was a thriving pueblo when Oñate first approached it in 1598 to “accept” its oath of allegiance to Spain. Three of Quarai’s Spanish priests were head of the New Mexico Inquisition during the 1600s, including Fray Estevan de Perea, Custodian of the Franciscan order in the Salinas Jurisdiction … Read moreQuarai Mission (History and Description)
The Casa Armijo is rumored to be haunted by at least four different ghosts, although there could be several others. The first is the spirit of a little girl known as Elizabeth. It is believed that she was a servant girl who died from tuberculosis around 1783. Witnesses have often described her as being “cute … Read moreLa Placita Restaurant, Albuquerque, NM (Ghost Stories)
Several sightings of the apparition of Old Mrs. Griggs have been reported in the front bathroom of the house. Here a young woman saw her reflected in the mirror while she was cleaning up the area. Footsteps and unusual odors are often encountered in the kitchen area. Sounds of objects being moved about is also … Read moreGrigg’s House, Mesilla, NM, Paranormal Claims
In 1850, the Mesilla Civil Colony Land Grant was established by the Mexican government to give settlers in Mesilla land ownership. The grant was later honored by the United States Government. The Civil Colony Land Grant was established to govern the entire town and to distribute the common lands. Father Ramon Ortiz was the Commissioner … Read moreGrigg’s House, History
Although the house has been remodeled several times, the basic house is still intact, and it appears that some of its former residents have refused to leave. Practically every room has its own story and experiences. Each room of the house is named after the families that once lived there. The restaurant is entered through … Read moreMaria Teresa Restaurant, Reported Phenomenon
The strangest experience that I ever had at the Maria Teresa restaurant occurred in August of 2000. I was doing an investigation to capture the location on video for a series of television shows for Channel 27, public access, in Albuquerque called A Ghostly Presence. I met with the film crew in the Baca room … Read moreMaria Teresa Restaurant, personal experience
The focus of our historical investigation was based on the ghost stories surrounding the hotel. The results clearly show that myth-building is a significant issue as many of the stories have no factual basis. The Suicide Jumper There was another Baker Hotel located in the downtown area of Dallas. The hotel had the same owners, … Read moreBaker Hotel, addressing the other paranormal claims
This homestead, built around 1783, is now the home of a romantic restaurant. The showpiece is a long bar that was moved from Fort Sumner, NM, in 1970. The bar has the distinction of having quenched the thirst of notorious outlaw Billy the Kid and members of his gang. Wandering its rambling rooms are at … Read moreMaria Teresa Restaurant, Location History
Interview with David Scoville (manager) I came to work at the Luna Mansion in 1979 and worked as a kitchen manager until 1983. After that, I left eventually returned after a three-year absence. But the present position is general manager/owner. I know a lot of history about the mansion and of stories of the ghosts … Read moreLuna Mansion, Los Lunas, NM (Ghost Stories)
The first issue, historically, with the mistress myth, is that it changes over time, indicating that myth-building is actively changing the story to make it more dramatic. The first accounts of the tale told in the 1980’s state, “Another legend is that a mistress was so distraught that she could not have her lover killed … Read moreBaker Hotel, Historical issues with the ghost of a mistress on the 7th floor
Disembodied footsteps and laughter have been reported on the upper floor of the lobby after hours. Objects have been reported to have been moved about throughout various hotel locations by unseen hands. The bridal suite has reported the mysterious opening and closing of doors. A hotel housekeeper once walked in and was terrified to see … Read moreEl Rancho Hotel, Gallup, NM (Paranormal Claims)
Formally opened December 17, 1937, The El Rancho Hotel was built by the brother of the movie magnet, D.W. Griffith. Drawn by the many films made in the area, Ronald Reagan, Spencer Tracy, Katherine Hepburn, and Kirk Douglas were some of the many stars listed in the guest register. Autographed photos of the stars, Navajo … Read moreEl Rancho Hotel, Gallup, NM (History)
These are the general claims of ghostly activity that is reported at the Press Club. The vast majority of reported phenomena are auditory in nature. The sound of high heeled shoes has been heard by several witnesses walking across the floors of the bar and lobby area. Noises have also been associated with the poll … Read moreAlbuquerque Press Club (Paranormal Claims)
Photographs taken during various visits to the Baker Hotel. Most of these were taken in 2001 and 2002.
Caretakers at the site have reported seeing a figure in Civil war dress lurking around their trailer. Voices are often heard coming from the ruins and believing that someone is in the fort, the caretakers investigate to discover that no one is there. The caretakers at the fort rotate from site to site and not all … Read moreFort Craig, NM (Paranormal Claims)
From a sandy terrace above the west bank of the Rio Grande, about 35 miles south of Socorro, the scrub desert stretches out for miles to the distant mountain ranges. It’s a lonely and desolate place baked by a hot sun in summer and chilled by snow-laden storms in winter. It’s a land of dry, … Read moreThe history of Fort Craig, NM
i was recently interviewed for an article in the Tribune about ghost hunting along with other members of the Southwest Ghost Hunter’s Association. Click on the images to enlarge.
During the investigations at the hotel, we interviewed several people to establish what the paranormal claims actually were. Ronny’s accounts Ronny reported one night he was near the main lobby on the first floor when he heard the distinct sound of a woman in high heels walking across the lobby. Thinking the footsteps to be those … Read moreBaker Hotel, Paranormal Claims