Goldfield Hotel – Luxury in the Nevada Desert
In the desolate landscape of Nevada, amidst the remnants of a once-booming mining town, stands the Goldfield Hotel. More than just a historical landmark, it is a spectral sentinel, whispering tales of opulence, tragedy, and lingering spirits. Located in what is now virtually a ghost town of Goldfield, Nevada, the Goldfield Hotel has captured the imaginations of paranormal enthusiasts and history buffs alike. Its reputation for being haunted adds another layer to the already rich narrative of this desert oasis turned spectral hotspot.
The story of Goldfield itself is a classic boom-and-bust narrative of the American West. In 1902, the discovery of gold ignited a frenzy, transforming the arid landscape into a bustling metropolis. Within a few years, Goldfield swelled to become Nevada’s largest city, a testament to the millions of dollars in ore extracted from its mines. Like many towns whose existence was solely predicated on the mining industry, Goldfield’s fortunes dwindled as the ore veins dried up. The once-thriving hub, replete with numerous saloons, three newspapers, five banks, and even a mining stock exchange, saw its population plummet. At its peak, nearly 35,000 souls called Goldfield home.
However, the golden age was short-lived. By 1910, just eight years after its founding, the volume of ore began to decrease, prompting many residents to seek their fortunes elsewhere. By 1920, the gold was nearly depleted, and the town’s population dwindled to a mere 1,500. A devastating fire in 1923 further crippled the town, consuming 27 blocks of homes and businesses. Today, Goldfield’s population hovers around 500, a stark contrast to its vibrant past. Yet, amidst the decay, glimpses of its prosperous past remain, none more prominent than the Goldfield Hotel.
The Goldfield Hotel stands as a monument to a bygone era of luxury and excess. Its construction began in 1908 on the site of the former Nevada Hotel, which had been destroyed by fire in 1905. Designed by architect George E. Holesworth, the hotel was initially owned by J. Franklin Douglas and several other investors. This four-story edifice of stone and brick represented a significant investment of over $300,000. It boasted 154 rooms equipped with modern amenities such as telephones, electric lights, and heated steam.
The interior of the Goldfield Hotel exuded opulence. The lobby was paneled with rich mahogany, complemented by black leather upholstery, gold-leaf ceilings, and shimmering crystal chandeliers. The hotel spared no expense in providing its guests with the finest experience. It imported chefs from Europe to tantalize the palates of its discerning clientele. Furthermore, it featured one of the first Otis elevators west of the Mississippi River, showcasing its commitment to innovation and luxury. Dubbed the most luxurious hotel between Chicago and San Francisco, the Goldfield Hotel became an immediate success, attracting society’s elite and cementing its place as a premier destination in the West.
The hotel’s ownership changed hands shortly after its completion. Mining magnate George Wingfield, the primary owner of the Goldfield Consolidated Mines Company, and hotel entrepreneur Casey McDannell acquired the property, forming a new hotel corporation called Bonanza Hotel Company. The purchase involved a substantial investment of $200,000 in cash and stock valued at approximately $250,000. The Goldfield Hotel was then merged with McDannell’s existing hotels into the Bonanza Hotel Company.
While George Wingfield held a majority interest in the Bonanza Hotel Company, Casey McDannell assumed the day-to-day management and operation of the hotel. Wingfield, a self-made millionaire by the age of 30, wielded considerable influence in Nevada’s political landscape. His fortune, amassed from the goldfields, allowed him to expand his business empire to include a chain of banks, numerous ranches, and several Reno hotels, in addition to his stake in the Goldfield Hotel and the Bonanza Hotel Company. Wingfield’s political clout extended to both the Democratic and Republican parties during the 1920s. His influence was so profound that the collapse of his twelve banks in 1932 nearly triggered the economic collapse of the entire state.
In 1923, the Goldfield Hotel was sold to Newton Crumley, another hotel entrepreneur who also owned the Commercial Hotel in Elko, Nevada. Crumley, driven by the allure of striking gold himself, embarked on a mining venture beneath the hotel in 1925. He dug two mine shafts, but both proved to be "dry holes," yielding no precious metals.
During Goldfield’s zenith, the hotel catered to a diverse clientele of affluent guests. However, as the gold reserves dwindled and Goldfield’s population declined, the Goldfield Hotel began a slow descent. By the 1930s, with the town’s population below 1,000, the hotel had deteriorated into a mere flophouse for cowboys and transient travelers. During World War II, the hotel served as lodging for Army Air Corp personnel stationed at the Tonopah Air Base, located 25 miles north of Goldfield. After the soldiers departed in 1945, the Goldfield Hotel closed its doors permanently. Despite its closure, the hotel’s historical significance was recognized in 1982 when it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places as a contributing property in the Goldfield Historic District.
Over the years, the Goldfield Hotel has passed through numerous hands, each new owner promising to restore and reopen the dilapidated property. In 1985, a San Francisco investor named Lester O’Shea purchased the building, and his plans seemed promising. However, after completing approximately 85% of the restoration project, his company declared bankruptcy, and the property reverted to the county. In 2003, the county auctioned off the Goldfield Hotel along with nearly ninety other parcels of historic land. Edgar "Red" Roberts, a rancher from Carson City, was the sole bidder and acquired the hotel for $360,000.
Roberts announced plans to complete the refurbishment of the bottom two floors, allocating an estimated $1 million to reopen the historic hotel. The proposed restoration included 40 guest rooms, a casino, and a café. The struggling town of Goldfield pinned its hopes on Roberts, envisioning the reopening as a catalyst for revitalization, creating new jobs and attracting tourism. However, previous failed attempts had tempered their optimism. As of September 2015, no significant progress had been observed. Vandalism had further hampered the restoration efforts, likely fueled by the hotel’s spooky history and the attention it has garnered.
Beyond its historical significance, the Goldfield Hotel is renowned for its paranormal activity. Numerous reports of ghostly encounters have cemented its reputation as one of Nevada’s most haunted locations. Among the many spectral residents, the most famous is a woman named Elizabeth. Legend has it that Elizabeth was a prostitute who frequented the hotel and became pregnant, claiming George Wingfield as the father. Wingfield, fearing a scandal that could damage his business affairs, paid her to stay away for a time. However, when she could no longer conceal her pregnancy, he allegedly lured her into room 109 of the hotel, where he chained her to a radiator. She was left there, supplied with food and water, until she gave birth. Some say she died in childbirth, while others claim Wingfield murdered her after the child was born, throwing the baby into an old mining shaft. Rumors circulated that Elizabeth continued to haunt Wingfield, and the sound of a crying child could sometimes be heard emanating from the hotel’s depths.
However, this legend contains inconsistencies with the hotel’s history. The story claims Elizabeth died sometime in the 1930s, by which time Wingfield no longer owned the hotel. It also alleges that the baby was thrown into one of the mining shafts beneath the hotel, which were built by Newton Crumley some two years after he purchased the property from Wingfield in 1923.
It is unclear whether the legend conflates Wingfield and Crumley, or if the events occurred earlier. Regardless, the legend persists. Elizabeth’s apparition has been described as a woman with long, flowing hair, wearing a white gown, and appearing sad as she paces the hallways, calling out to her child. Others have reported sightings in Room 109, which is often described as being intensely cold. On one occasion, a ghostly figure appeared in a photograph of the room. Many visitors report that their cameras malfunction in Room 109, while functioning normally elsewhere in the hotel.
In addition to Elizabeth, two more ghosts, reportedly individuals who committed suicide in third-floor rooms, have been sighted by numerous witnesses. Their identities remain unknown. One is said to be a woman who hanged herself, while the other is believed to be a man who jumped to his death from the hotel.
In what was once the main dining room, known as the Gold Room, an evil spirit, familiarly named "The Stabber," is said to randomly attack those who cross the threshold with a large kitchen knife. Although The Stabber has never harmed anyone, he is said to have frightened many before vanishing immediately after the "attack."
Near the lobby staircase, three small spirits, including two children and a midget, are said to be pranksters. They sneak up behind people and tap their backs before giggling and dancing away.
Finally, George Wingfield himself is said to haunt his old hotel, making his presence known by the scent of cigar smoke. Others have reported finding fresh cigar ashes in his former first-floor room. His presence has also been sensed near the giant lobby staircase. This legend, too, has some discrepancies with the hotel’s history. Wingfield was not known to frequent the hotel, as it was managed by his partner, Casey McDannell, and Wingfield’s involvement was primarily as an investor. Furthermore, Wingfield died in Reno, Nevada, in 1959. Why would his spirit continue to linger at the Goldfield Hotel?
Many psychics who have visited the old hotel claim that it is a gateway into another world. The Goldfield Hotel has been featured on several paranormal investigation television shows, further solidifying its reputation as a hub of supernatural activity. Whether one believes in ghosts or not, the Goldfield Hotel remains a fascinating landmark, a testament to a bygone era and a repository of captivating tales.