In 2012, my book Ghosts of Old Town Albuquerque was published. One featured topic was the infamous ghost stories surrounding La Hacienda restaurant. As a writer consumed by the supernatural, I found myself irresistibly drawn to the interesting stories told to me by the employees that worked there. However, I was told that there was … Read moreUncovering haunted truths in Old Town Albuquerque
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – The historic buildings of Albuquerque’s downtown and Old Town are the origin of a number of stories passed down over the years. Some of them, undoubtedly, include stories of the paranormal. Local author Cody Polston has been investigating stories of ghosts in New Mexico since the mid-1980s and says he believes the probability that one … Read moreHauntings and ghost stories of Albuquerque (KRQE)
A rather sociable ghost has also been reported throughout various locations in the La Placita Restaurant. Many believe that it is Ambrosia’s daughter Victoriana. Victoriana was born in 1849 and died the 6th of October 1867 at the tender age of 18. She was married to Jose Ynez Perea and it is speculated that she … Read moreThe mystery of Victoriana Armijo
The first printed account of the La Placita Restaurant being haunted was recorded in the Albuquerque Tribune on May 27th, 1977. It was written by Howard Bryan for his column “Off the beaten path”. Today the location claims to have three ghosts, but in this original version there is only one. There is some misinformation … Read moreThe first reported ghost story at La Placita in Old Town, Albuquerque
In 2009, I was approached by Joey who wanted to scare his co-star Stevo on the Halloween episode of URock Albuquerque. I was doing a fundraiser for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation that year so he agreed to promote the fundraiser in exchange for helping him scare Stevo on the show. The KiMO theater itself … Read moreU-Rock Albuquerque, The Haunted KiMO Theater
The Whittlesey House was designed by architect Charles Whittlesey and built on his family’s property in 1903 on the western edge of Albuquerque’s Highlands. It is a three-story frame structure that was designed after a Norwegian villa. Low pitch roofs with exposed log fronting, rough logcut façades and a wide porch surrounding its eastern rooms … Read moreThe history of the Albuquerque Press Club
On occasion, the dolls in the china closet at the entrance to the Church Street Cafe move. Some turn around. Some shift in place. A few press their faces against the glass. Only one person has a key to the display case, but restaurant owner Marie Coleman doesn’t touch the dolls except to put them … Read moreChurch Street Cafe, Albuquerque, NM (Ghost Stories)
*Update 2019: This location is now called Mercando Plaza Gifts. This historic house is thought to have been built in 1840 by the Zamora family. Originally the exterior was done to look like brick; the more modern work was completed by Florencio L. Chavez after World War 2. At the time of its construction, all … Read moreCasa de Fiesta Restaurant, Old Town Albuquerque (History)
Rumors and folklore claim that the Covered Wagon shop, formerly known as the Manual Springer house, was once used as a speakeasy and brothel during prohibition. Additionally, the building is believed to be haunted by the ghost of a prostitute named Scarlett. According to the legend, Scarlett and another unnamed prostitute got into an argument … Read moreOld Town Albuquerque map further debunks the ghost story of Scarlett
More of the ghost stories of the Church Street Café. I was interviewed for this one to tell some of the more popular tales.
While conducting some research on the history of this building, I ran across several articles that may be of interest.
A video that interviews the owner of the Church Street Cafe about the paranormal legends there.
This peaceful little chapel tucked away in Albuquerque’s historic Old Town is said to be haunted by a weeping woman dressed in black who is seen sitting on the benches inside the chapel just before she suddenly vanishes. It is believed that she may be mourning the crash of TWA flight 206 which went down … Read moreHaunted Old Town Albuquerque–Our Lady Of Guadalupe Chapel (Video)
This gallery is composed of photographs taken during investigations and other visits to the Albuquerque Press Club. Most of the “ghost hunting” pictures were taken in 2002 during the initial surveys conducted there.
The first paranormal claim we decided to address was the apparition of a man in a cream-colored double-breasted suit. We had a hypothesis that this apparition was actually a customer that went backstage through the south curtain that covers the hallway next to the stage. Without having an employee watching the south curtain, it is … Read moreWool Warehouse, Albuquerque, NM (Skeptical conclusion of the haunting)
The story behind the paranormal phenomena at the theater appears to be highly exaggerated. It seems that there are many witnesses to several different kinds of ghostly phenomena. However, during six separate investigations, conducted between April 1993 and May of 1999, we were only able to find seven witnesses that have claimed to have had … Read moreWool Warehouse, Albuquerque, NM (Witness Accounts)
The first reported occurrence happens in 1985. There are a few variants, but the basic story goes like this; “During the first production presented in the theater, the Stage Manager, Vicki, kept seeing a cream-colored thing go past her. Then at intermission, she went to check something on the left side of the stage. Then … Read moreWool Warehouse, Albuquerque, NM (The Ghost Stories)
By 1917 Frank Bond was a prominent man in New Mexico business, owning twelve companies in New Mexico. Española was the headquarters for all of the Bond Interests. In 1924 and 1928 he was a possible gubernatorial candidate. However Bond insisted that his good friend, Richard C. Dillon who was also Republican, run for governor. Dillon … Read moreWool Warehouse, Albuquerque, NM (History)
A documentary by Kya Garduno, 13 yrs old. This documentary looks into the history of the “Church Street Cafe” in Albuquerque’s Old Town. Kya interviews the owner, staff and patrons of the restaurant to find out about the ghost that haunts the place: Sarah Ruiz.
Bobby’s Shrine, which lies in a lower stairwell on the west side of the theater has a sign that reads; Bobby’s Shrine He was a 10-year-old boy killed in the building in 1951 This is an offering place for a residents “Spirit,” please treat it respectfully. The sign goes on the list several other conditions … Read moreBobby’s Shrine at the KiMO Theater
Casa de Ruiz is said to have been built not long after the founding of Old Town in 1706. The building was a U-shaped hacienda style residence made of terrones adobe bricks, over two feet thick in some places. At that time, the area was a marshy swamp due to the frequent flooding of the … Read moreChurch Street Cafe, Albuquerque, NM (More Ghost Stories)
Originally, this was the Regina School of Nursing but today doctor’s offices occupy the building. This video contains the claims of paranormal activity given by the employees.