In the heart of Winslow, Arizona, nestled along the historic Route 66, lies a captivating desert gem with layers of history and a spectral presence—La Posada Hotel. Elegant yet mysterious, this restored 1929 hotel is more than a roadside attraction; it’s a living museum, a tribute to the golden age of railroad travel, and—according to whispered rumors—a hotspot of paranormal activity. Whether you’re a history buff, a lover of vintage architecture, or a ghost hunter chasing whispers in the night, La Posada Hotel offers a unique gateway into the past with a few ghostly surprises. Let’s take a journey into one of America’s most enchanting (and possibly haunted) hotels.
The History
Fred Harvey’s Vision Comes to Life
The story of La Posada Hotel begins with Fred Harvey, a hospitality pioneer who revolutionized dining and lodging in the American Southwest through his network of restaurants and hotels known as the “Harvey Houses.” Built in 1929 by the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway in partnership with the Fred Harvey Company, the hotel was intended to be the finest stop along the Santa Fe rail line.
Harvey wanted his hotels to reflect the romance and elegance of the great American West, and for that he brought in Mary Colter, one of the few female architects of her time. Known for her visionary work at several Grand Canyon landmarks, Colter was given full creative control to design and curate every detail of La Posada.
Architectural Brilliance: Mary Colter’s Masterpiece
La Posada wasn’t just another railroad hotel—it was Mary Colter’s self-proclaimed masterpiece. She envisioned it as a sprawling hacienda-style estate blending Spanish Colonial Revival and Pueblo aesthetics. Complete with hand-painted walls, massive arched windows, and carefully selected period furnishings, the hotel was designed to reflect the eclectic cultural fabric of the Southwest.
Colter also created a backstory for the hotel, as was her custom, pretending it was once the grand home of a wealthy Spanish family. The entire décor scheme supported this fictional narrative, giving guests a feeling of stepping into a romanticized past. It was a storybook brought to life, and visitors immediately fell under its spell.
Golden Age and Decline
During the height of the railway era, La Posada hosted celebrities, titans of industry, and curious travelers. Famous names graced the guest registry, including Albert Einstein, Howard Hughes, Amelia Earhart, and Clark Gable. Guests arrived by train, greeted by lush gardens, exquisite dining, and perfectly tailored service—a level of hospitality that was unmatched.
However, changes in travel norms with the rise of the automobile and air travel led to the hotel’s decline. In 1957, just under three decades after opening its doors, La Posada was closed. Tragically, much of Mary Colter’s magic was hidden or destroyed when the building was converted into offices for the Santa Fe Railway. Original furnishings were auctioned off, gardens were paved, and the once opulent interiors fell into disrepair.
Rebirth Through Restoration
The story could have ended there, but like any true legend—it found a way to rise again.
In the 1990s, artist Tina Mion and her husband, preservationist Allan Affeldt, purchased the forgotten structure with an ambitious dream: to restore La Posada Hotel to its former glory. It wasn’t an easy journey. Affeldt had to negotiate with the railway company and secure significant funding, but through years of painstaking work, the hotel gradually returned to life.
Today, the restoration is hailed as one of the most successful historical preservation stories in the American Southwest. Colter’s vibrant, whimsical flair lives on in every archway, stairwell, and mural. La Posada is again a functioning hotel, cultural center, and art museum—more than just a stay, it’s an experience.
The Haunt
Rumors of Restless Spirits
Of course, with any location steeped in nearly a century of history—especially one that fell into disuse—stories of lingering spirits are bound to emerge. La Posada Hotel has become a subject of intense intrigue among paranormal investigators and ghost enthusiasts. Guests and staff report unexplained phenomena regularly, from phantom footsteps in empty hallways to disembodied voices drifting through the hotel’s massive corridors.
Rooms with a Reputation
Room 111 seems to draw the most attention from those interested in supernatural anomalies. Multiple reports detail flickering lights, objects moving without explanation, and sudden temperature drops. One guest claimed their suitcase had been zipped open and clothes arranged neatly on the bed while they were out—despite no staff entering the room.
In other wings of the hotel, shadows are frequently seen from the corner of guests’ eyes. Some report the feeling of being watched or followed, particularly near the original train arches and staircases. Others tell of odd whispers when no one else is around; some friendly, others not so much.
Phantom Residents or Echoes of the Past?
Though La Posada was never a hospital or asylum like other famously haunted structures, its long history and connection to the romantic (and sometimes tragic) stories of its guests may be the root of its ghostly activity. It’s said that some spirits simply refuse to check out.
Visitors have also speculated that the intense emotional and artistic energy infused into the hotel by Mary Colter and later by Tina Mion may have “imprinted” something onto the building. Paranormal researchers call this a residual haunting—where the energy of past events replay like snippets of a broken record.
A Place for Paranormal Investigation
Teams of ghost hunters have conducted overnight vigils in the hotel, reporting EMF spikes, EVP recordings, and unexplained camera malfunctions near certain hotspots. Some have even left with recorded voices saying cryptic things like “stay here” or “don’t go upstairs.” Though such evidence is open to interpretation, it certainly adds fuel to the already intriguing fire.
Interestingly, the staff are never surprised by ghost stories. Many even keep a list of strange guest experiences and anecdotes. But what often surprises guests the most is just how calm, even cozy, the spiritual atmosphere feels. It’s as though the past isn’t quite done telling its story—and maybe, just maybe, it wants you to listen.
Conclusion: Check In—If You Dare
Whether you’re tracing the golden history of America’s railroads, admiring Mary Colter’s genius architecture, or seeking spirits in dimly lit corridors, La Posada Hotel offers an unforgettable invitation into the past. From its vibrant rebirth to its subtle hauntings, it’s not just a place to sleep—it’s a place that lives and breathes with tales of yesteryear.
So pack your suitcase, grab your EVP recorder, and follow the call of the ghostly Southwest. At La Posada, the spirits are friendly (mostly), the stories are rich, and the rooms are waiting. If you’re lucky—or unlucky—you might just have a paranormal encounter of your own.
And if nothing else, you’ll walk away from La Posada Hotel having touched a monumental piece of American history. Whether you’re here for the ghosts or the grandeur, one thing’s for sure—La Posada never truly lets you go.