Honestly, if these walls could talk, they’d probably just scream.
Cimarron, New Mexico, is one of those tiny towns that feels like it’s held together by dust, high-desert wind, and a whole lot of ghosts. Right at the heart of it sits the St James Hotel Cimarron NM. It isn't just a place to crash for the night. It’s a 19th-century crime scene that happens to serve a pretty decent steak.
You’ve likely heard the legends. The outlaws. The gunfights. The "26 murders" statistic that gets tossed around like a poker chip. But when you’re standing in the lobby, the air feels different. It’s heavy.
The Chef Who Fed Lincoln and Built a Saloon
The story starts with Henri Lambert. Before he was dodging bullets in New Mexico, he was the personal chef for Abraham Lincoln. Imagine that career pivot. You go from the White House to the wild frontier, opening a saloon in 1872 called Lambert’s Inn.
Cimarron back then was... well, "Cimarron" basically translates to "wild" or "unruly." The name fit.
The hotel grew from a simple saloon into a two-story adobe powerhouse by 1880. It became a mandatory stop on the Santa Fe Trail. If you were a big name in the 1800s—lawman or legendary killer—you eventually ended up at the St. James.
What the St James Hotel Cimarron NM Hides in the Ceiling
Most hotels brag about their "historic charm" or "renovated suites." The St. James brags about its ceiling.
Specifically, the ceiling in the main dining room. If you look up, you’ll see them: bullet holes. Real ones. Not some touristy recreation. There are over 20 holes still visible today.
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Back in the day, the second floor had a double layer of heavy wood flooring. Why? To keep the guests upstairs from getting shot while they slept. When the roof was replaced in 1901, they reportedly found more than 400 bullet holes in the tin.
Think about that for a second.
Four hundred shots fired into the ceiling of a single building. That's not just a rowdy Saturday night; that’s a war zone.
The Guest List from Hell
The names etched into the guest register (or the legends surrounding it) read like a "Who’s Who" of Western history.
- Jesse James: He liked Room 14. He apparently used the pseudonym "Mr. Howard" and always sat with his back to the wall. Classic Jesse.
- Clay Allison: A "gentleman gunfighter" who allegedly killed several people right there in the hotel. He once danced on the bar and said he never killed anyone who didn't deserve it.
- Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday: They stopped by while heading toward the OK Corral.
- Buffalo Bill Cody: He actually stayed there while organizing his Wild West Show.
Even "Black Jack" Ketchum, the notorious train robber, frequented the place. This wasn't a hotel for the faint of heart. It was a place where you kept your hand on your holster even while eating breakfast.
Room 18: The Space You Can’t Enter
If you try to book Room 18, you’re going to get a flat "no."
It’s padlocked. No one is allowed inside. Not guests, not staff, nobody.
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The story goes that a gambler named Thomas James Wright won the hotel in a poker game. He didn't get to enjoy his winnings for long. As he walked toward his room, someone shot him in the back. He crawled into Room 18 and bled out.
Legend says his spirit is "malevolent." We aren't talking about a friendly Casper here. People reported being pushed, seeing orange balls of light, or feeling an overwhelming sense of dread. The owners eventually decided it was better for everyone if the door just stayed shut.
Mary’s Lavender and Other Oddities
Not all the ghosts are angry, though. Mary Lambert, Henri’s first wife, is said to still linger in Room 17.
Guests often report the sudden, sharp scent of lavender perfume. No one is wearing it. The windows are closed. But the smell just... appears.
Then there are the mundane hauntings. Cold spots. The sound of heavy furniture being dragged across the floor when the room above is empty. People see cowboys standing in corners who vanish when you blink.
It’s a lot.
The St. James in 2026: Still Standing (Barely)
There was a real scare in late 2024. The hotel announced it was closing permanently. People were devastated. This place is the soul of Cimarron.
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But, in a classic Wild West twist, it was saved at the last minute. New owners stepped in, and the doors reopened in December 2024.
Today, you can still book a stay. You can choose the "Historic Wing"—where the rooms are period-accurate (no TVs, shared bathrooms for some)—or the modern wing if you aren't ready to fully commit to the 1880s lifestyle.
Actionable Advice for Your Visit
If you’re actually planning to head out there, don’t just show up and expect a Hilton experience.
- Pick your room wisely. If you want the full experience, book a room named after a famous guest (like the Jesse James room). If you're easily spooked, stick to the new wing.
- Respect the history. Cimarron is a living community. The folks there are proud of this history, but they aren't actors in a theme park.
- Check the restaurant hours. The new management has revamped the menu with "Classic New Mexican" dishes. Get the green chile. It’s non-negotiable.
- Look up. Seriously. Go to the bar, buy a drink, and look at that ceiling. It’s the closest you’ll ever get to seeing the Old West without a time machine.
The St James Hotel Cimarron NM isn't just a building. It's a reminder of a time when the law was whatever you could draw from a holster. Whether you believe in ghosts or just like old wood and tin, it’s a trip worth taking.
Just don't try to peek into Room 18. Some doors are locked for a reason.
Pack your boots. Bring a camera. And maybe keep one eye on the shadows.
The history here isn't buried; it's just waiting for the sun to go down.
To make the most of your trip, consider pairing a stay at the St. James with a visit to the Philmont Scout Ranch nearby or the Aztec Mill Museum. Both offer a broader look at how the Maxwell Land Grant shaped this rugged corner of New Mexico. Always call ahead for reservations, as the historic rooms are limited and often book out months in advance for the "spooky season" around October.