The Ghost of Julia Staab
In the 1970s, a janitor who was mopping the floor in the library at La Posada Hotel in Santa Fe saw the spectral image of a white-haired women in a Victorian-era gown standing next to the fireplace. The sighting was the first ever reported of what is now largely accepted as the spirit of Julia Staab, Santa Fe’s most famous ghost.
The main building of the hotel was once the home of prominent Santa Fe socialites Abraham and Julia Staab. Their three-story Victorian mansion was once the site of many parties and frequently hosted such prominent dignitaries as U.S. presidents, generals and other prominent visitors to Santa Fe.
But Julia’s life came crashing down around her after the sudden death of her youngest child, a daughter named Henriette, just weeks after her birth. According to legend, Julia took the death extremely hard and took to her room for two weeks, refusing to eat or sleep during that time. When she finally left her room, Julia’s once dark hair had turned snow white.
While Julia eventually returned to social life, her physical and emotional health were never the same. She frequently sought out care at health spas in her native Germany, but nothing seemed to help. Eventually, she once again retired to her room in the mansion on Palace Avenue, where she lived out the rest of her life as a recluse. She died in that room in 1896 at the age of 52.
Since the initial sighting of Julia’s ghost in the 1970s, many people—both employees and guests at La Posada—have reported seeing her ghost or experienced strange goings on at the hotel. Guests staying in Julia’s room have reported sheets being ripped off the bed in the middle of the night and water left running in the bathroom until it spills over the sink flooding the floor. Employees say guests staying in that room frequently check out in the middle of the night.
But possibly the strangest occurance is that of a former concierge who believes Julia actually possessed his body so she could physically lash out at decorators who were conducting a renovation of the old house that Julia didn’t like.
Julia is just one of many ghosts that are said to haunt the historic downtown area of Santa Fe.
About the author:
Ken is a former journalist who has a passion for history, particularly the history of the American Southwest. His interest in New Mexico history was sparked in the 1980s when his wife began making frequent trips to Santa Fe on buying trips for her art gallery, which specialized in Native American art and jewelry. Ken enjoys sharing his knowledge of the centuries-old city of Santa Fe and the people who have lived here—Native American, Spanish, Mexican and American. Ken also has extensive knowledge about the notorious outlaw, Billy the Kid, and is available to lead tours focusing on Billy’s life in Santa Fe and New Mexico.