The Ghost of Guney, Eagle Nest, New Mexico
Nestled in the majestic Sangre de Cristo Mountains of northern New Mexico, the picturesque village of Eagle Nest whispers tales of rugged landscapes, serene lakes, and a history steeped in the lore of the Wild West. Beyond its stunning natural beauty, Eagle Nest harbors a unique landmark known locally as "Guney," a historic saloon and hotel that has witnessed the ebb and flow of time since its construction in 1898. Officially known as the Laguna Vista Saloon, this venerable establishment boasts a history as colorful as the New Mexican sunsets, a past intertwined with gambling, prohibition, and, perhaps, a few lingering spectral residents. The story of the Ghost of Guney, Eagle Nest, New Mexico, is more than just a local legend; it’s a glimpse into the heart of a bygone era.
The Laguna Vista Saloon, originally christened the El Monte Hotel, possesses an origin story as intriguing as its alleged paranormal activity. Local accounts claim that the very foundations of the building were laid with pilfered railroad ties, a testament to the resourcefulness – or perhaps the audacity – of its original builder. These petrified wooden beams, purportedly transported from Ute Park to Elizabethtown over two sweltering summers, vanished mysteriously after the winter, only to reappear as the structural backbone of a new hotel in Therma, a town that would later embrace the name Eagle Nest, New Mexico. The ties, still visible in some rooms, are a physical reminder of the saloon’s unconventional beginnings and the rough-and-tumble spirit of the time. In addition to the building itself, the property also featured a 17-foot deep hand-dug well, along with a number of icehouses that provided cooling for the hotel and its patrons.
The roaring twenties and the thirsty thirties saw the El Monte transform into a bustling hub of activity. Situated conveniently on the route to the horse races in Raton, New Mexico, the saloon became a favored watering hole for politicians and travelers seeking to indulge in the era’s vices. Roulette wheels spun, gaming tables beckoned, and slot machines chimed, contributing to the lively atmosphere that permeated the inns, saloons, and businesses of Eagle Nest, New Mexico. It was a time of both prosperity and peril, where fortunes were won and lost with the turn of a card, and the air crackled with anticipation and excitement.
It was during this era that the El Monte underwent a name change, becoming the Laguna Vista Lodge, under the stewardship of Gene and Pearl Wilson. The Wilsons, known for their vigilance in protecting their gambling profits, often armed themselves when transporting the day’s earnings from the saloon to their private quarters. This anecdote paints a vivid picture of the risks and rewards associated with operating a successful establishment in a time when the line between legal and illegal was often blurred. The history of the Ghost of Guney, Eagle Nest, New Mexico is deeply rooted in this time.
In the early 1950s, the Laguna Vista Lodge transitioned into the hands of Bob and Edith Sullivan, who purchased the property from the Wilsons. The Sullivans leased the restaurant portion of the establishment to Walter Ragsdales, who managed it for several years. As Eagle Nest Lake gained popularity as a tourist destination, the Sullivans actively recruited college-aged women to staff the lodge, restaurant, and saloon, recognizing that the small village of Eagle Nest lacked the necessary workforce to meet the demands of the burgeoning tourist industry. In 1964, a "new" hotel was constructed adjacent to the original building to accommodate the increasing influx of visitors.
Bert Clemens acquired the property from the Sullivans in 1971 and remains the current owner. Robert Sullivan, son of Bob and Edith, remained in Eagle Nest for many years, becoming a respected figure in the community, serving as fire chief, councilor, and mayor. Edith Sullivan, who dedicated two decades to operating the Laguna Vista, was honored as the Grand Marshall of the July 4th parade in 2003, a testament to her contributions to the community. She passed away the following year, leaving behind a legacy of hard work and dedication.
But beyond its rich history and colorful characters, the Laguna Vista Saloon, or "Guney," is perhaps best known for its rumored paranormal activity. Does this historic hotel and saloon harbor ghostly visitors, akin to those said to haunt the St. James Hotel in Cimarron, New Mexico, a mere stone’s throw away? According to Mr. Clemens, the answer is a resounding yes, although he admits to never having personally encountered them. However, a psychic who once visited the property claimed to have detected at least 22 spirits lingering within its walls. One employee recounted an eerie experience in the kitchen, where she heard the distinct sound of a vacuum cleaner running in the dining room. Upon investigation, she found the room empty, the vacuum silent and motionless. These stories contribute to the enduring mystique of the Ghost of Guney, Eagle Nest, New Mexico.
Jim, a former manager of the Laguna Vista, further corroborates the tales of unexplained phenomena. He recounted instances of the piano in the dining room playing seemingly on its own, and of a dining table chair repeatedly being moved to the piano, despite staff efforts to return it to its proper place. These recurring events lend credence to the notion that the Laguna Vista is more than just a historic building; it is a place where the past and present converge.
Perhaps the most compelling and frequently cited legend is that of a woman in dance-hall attire who is often seen before vanishing towards the site of a hidden staircase. This spectral figure is believed to be the ghost of a young woman who arrived at the hotel on her honeymoon. Tragedy struck when her husband ventured out on a hunting trip and never returned. Stranded and destitute, the heartbroken bride is said to have resorted to working as a saloon girl to survive. It is her spirit, the legend claims, that continues to roam the hotel, forever searching for her lost love.
Kristi Dukes, a former employee who worked as a cook in the restaurant in 1999, shared her own unsettling experiences with a spirit believed to be a former saloon girl. According to Kristi, she and her mother, Jane, also an employee, would frequently encounter these ghostly visits whenever they deviated from classic rock or country music in the kitchen. When Kristi would switch to rap music, strange occurrences would begin. A marble rolling pin was once thrown at Kristi, while on other occasions, pots and pans would inexplicably fall from the walls. On one occasion, when odd things were happening, Jane asked Kristi to turn off the music, but when she switched the stereo to the “off” position, the music continued to play. She then unplugged the stereo, and though it had no batteries, the music played on. Frightened, the two left at the end of the evening only to return the following day to a silent stereo.
The most unsettling incident occurred when Kristi brought her two-year-old daughter, Rayni, to work. Kristi had placed jingle bells on Rayni’s shoes to easily keep track of her. Suddenly, Rayni walked into the kitchen very gently and slowly. Kristi said she looked very odd, and when she asked Rayni what was wrong, Rayni replied, "the lady told me to stop making noise". When Kristi asked Rayni where the lady was, Rayni led her mother into the dining room and pointed at "someone" saying "that lady". Kristi saw no one, but Rayni insisted that her mother remove the bells from her shoes. These personal accounts contribute significantly to the lore surrounding the Ghost of Guney, Eagle Nest, New Mexico.
Today, the Laguna Vista Lodge and Restaurant continues to thrive, earning accolades and recognition from travel guides and media outlets alike. Frommer’s Travel Guide consistently rates the Laguna Vista as the best restaurant and hotel in the valley, and in January 2002, the establishment was featured in Sunset Magazine. The Lodge and restaurant have also made appearances on the Late Show with David Letterman around 2005 and, more recently, on the Travel Channel’s Resort Rescue.
Across the street from the Laguna Vista, another spirit is said to reside at Julio’s Restaurant. In its earlier days, Julio’s was a popular gambling spot in Eagle Nest. Legend has it that a woman who lived next door harbored a deep dislike for men. Stories abound of pots and pans being thrown around in the restaurant, and items are often moved from one place to another. Men appear to be her favorite target, as she plays pranks on many of them that come through what was once her front door. This adds another layer to the rich tapestry of ghostly tales associated with Eagle Nest, New Mexico.
Whether one believes in the supernatural or not, the stories surrounding the Ghost of Guney, Eagle Nest, New Mexico, add a unique dimension to the town’s rich history and vibrant culture. The Laguna Vista Saloon stands as a testament to a bygone era, a time of pioneers, gamblers, and dreams, where the line between reality and legend often blurred.