Southwest Treasures Newsletter- Celebrating the diversity, magic, mystery, culture and history of Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico and Utah!

September 29, 2025

Hey There Reader

As Halloween approaches, what better time to wander into Santa Fe’s storied past? This oldest capital city in America has no shortage of legends—and The Santa Fe Ghosts and History Tour is the perfect way to discover them.

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This region has witnessed centuries of human triumphs and tragedies — from fierce battles to timeless love stories.

It leads us to wonder—why do spirits remain tied to places they can no longer enjoy?

Maybe it’s because they’re not truly gone—just shifted to another realm, a dimension that overlaps our own.

Here in Santa Fe, the veil between worlds is thin. Some say the spirits still walk these streets, watching, listening… sometimes even reaching through.

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A fleeting shadow in a photo. A sudden chill. An object moved without explanation.

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They’re subtle signs—but for those who pay attention, they’re unmistakable.

Ghosts Don’t Give Directions—But Guides Do!

Allan Pacheco, has lived in Santa Fe all his life.

He’s quite the colorful character. On the day of our tour, he wore a black leather jacket and a brown felt hat shaped like a small sombrero, his brown hair brushing the collar of his coat. His passion for the subject is unmistakable—he lit up when sharing the local history, animated and enthusiastic. He can spin a captivating yarn, too, complete with photos that just might show ghostly visitors from this very area.

America’s Oldest Church with a Ghostly Past

Our private tour started at the front of the San Miguel Mission Church, the oldest church structure in the United States on a chilly November afternoon. Original adobe walls house an altar that was built by Tlaxcalan Indians

As other passersby began to eavesdrop, Allan grew visibly annoyed. Without missing a beat, he ushered the five of us into the nearby church.

Inside, the atmosphere shifted—the air grew still, almost reverent. Ornate paintings and statues adorned the back of the sanctuary, casting long shadows in the dim light. Beneath the front of the church, where sermons are delivered, lies an underground kiva—once used by Indigenous peoples for sacred ceremonies.

After leaving the church, we wandered through the heart of downtown Santa Fe. For the next two hours, we hung on Allan’s every word, drawn into the past by his vivid storytelling. Through his tales, we stepped into another time—one filled with mystery, legend, and some of Santa Fe’s most famous hauntings.

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Julia Staab’s spirit is said to linger at the historic La Posada Resort

It wasn’t until our final stop — the historic and haunted La Posada Resort — that I captured a glimmer of ghostly energy on camera. If you look closely, you’ll see a cluster of small, bright lights circling the lower steps of the staircase, and another near the right side of the handrail a bit further up. It just might be someone making their way upstairs to the suites above.

My friend Shirley believes she might be related to the famous Julia Staab, who once lived in the suites at the La Posada Resort. Rumors paint Julia as a deeply unhappy woman—locked away by her husband, expected to bear children (many of whom she tragically lost), and reportedly subjected to physical abuse.

However, according to Allan, there’s more to the story. He claims that Julia actually thrived on the attention and, by some accounts, had a much more assertive—and even difficult—personality than the legends suggest.

Would I recommend this tour? Absolutely!

If you love uncovering the rich history of Santa Fe, Allan Pacheco is your go-to guide. He’s full of fascinating stories that bring the city’s past (and its spirits) to life.

To learn more about his tours, check out: Santa Fe Ghost and History Tours​

It did get a bit chilly toward the end of the evening, so next time I’ll plan a summer ghost walk—perfect weather for exploring even more of legendary Santa Fe under the stars. 🌙👻

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Pam Neely recently authored The Santa Fe to Taos Thru-Hike Pocket Guide: Mile-by-Mile Directions for How to Go From Plaza to Plaza. Along such a storied route, one can only imagine the whispers of history—and perhaps a few lingering mysteries.

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