Phenomenovices Meet the Grateful Dead
by Nancy Siddons-Daniels

Editor’s Note: It is important to note that Lady D entered the premises “cold.” She was not briefed on history nor prior phenomena in any of the buildings.

When I was first asked to write about haunted buildings in El Paso, I discovered that it was easier to find a house that was haunted than one that was not. Let’s face it, we’re sitting on 400+ years of fierce history. El Paso has seen two Revolutions, Civil War and Apache attacks. Our streets were lined with saloons, gambling establishments and brothels. It was inhabited by gunfighters, cattle rustlers and smugglers. This town had a wicked reputation for “vice for a price.” That’s why we love El Paso so much – because a colorful history makes us more interesting than a town founded by a bunch of choir boys.

Below ground and above, El Paso is a forensic candy store of remains, with spirits of the departed choosing to stay rather than move to the next world. Perhaps they stay for the delicious Mexican food or the great weather. Either way, they invite us to visit them. So, grab your garlic, we’re going on a ghost hunt.

Espirit de “Corpse”

I selected three buildings for our Spirit Corps to visit: the Main Library, Plaza Theatre Downtown, and the Marketplace at Placita Santa Fe (formerly the “Paradise Motel”) on Doniphan. Our Spirit Corps advisor was Diana Calamia (aka “Lady D”), a gifted medium, psychic counselor and Pastor at the Open Door Truth Center, a Metaphysical church in Central El Paso. Lady D was assisted by her husband JR, Chris Davila (photographer/audiographer/thermographer), Esmerelda Flores (psychic-in-training),and Henry Flores (aura reader). To balance out the team, “phenomenovices” (mere mortals who are novices to the world of paranormal phenomena). your intrepid reporter, staff members of the various buildings and Ginny Fischer.

A brief “history;” “reported ghostly phenomena;” Lady D’s “psychic discoveries;” and a “haunted index rating” based on a scale from 1-10, are included for each location; One (1) is “not haunted,” and 10 is “this place is zombified – I’m outta here!”

El Paso Public Library – Where the Spirits “Fine” You

History: Opened in 1904; funded by a $37,500 grant from Andrew Carnegie and built on land which was once a military cemetery. Building razed and rebuilt in 1954 with two basements. Workers were hired to disinter the remains for relocation. Low pay caused workers to take shortcuts – moving headstones only, without the remains. The body of a Civil War soldier was unearthed in 2004 during Library renovation.

Reported Ghostly Phenomena: For five decades, staff and patrons have reported extensive paranormal activity including apparitions of 19th-century soldiers walking sentry and a nurse in cap and cape; “angry” ladies searching through book stacks and card files; a wild party in the Border Heritage section for deceased only; the “reading man” who won’t leave at closing time; inexplicable sounds and scents of flowers and cologne; teleportation (items that move without human help); and physical contact.

Psychic Discovery: Spirit Corps was ushered to the lower floors by EPPL PR Coordinator, Jack Galindo, and several library staffers. Lady D detected a military sentry dog padding up and down stairs and through hallways. The staff hears phantom tapping of computer keys in deserted cubicles, and Lady D explains that this may be “residual” sound – one that is created all day and still lingers into the night. Lady D feels that the rapid patter is caused by the dog’s feet when roaming through the building. In the sub-basement, Lady D sees three small globes of light beckoning her to the “dark corner” at far left, where most of the paranormal activity takes place. The temperature drops and Lady D detects the presence of a woman who sometimes wears different colored dresses. She is at times prim and proper, and other times very agitated and upset; especially now, because she is frustrated that she cannot find her books and card files due to the renovation. Lady D is also aware of a very “bookish” man who enjoys gardening and brings flowers regularly. He is the gentle hand that patrons feel on their shoulders. At the same time, he is also the fellow who won’t leave when staffer Chuck Apuan calls “closing time” and turns out the lights. The resident soldier, who walked sentry for so many years, disappeared when a teleporting antique captain’s chair was returned to the Magoffin home. It is believed that the soldier and his chair were a matched set.

Haunted Index Rating: 9

There is no question that the Library is inhabited by quirky energy that is both benign and hair-raising. In the “dark corner,” I lost my balance repeatedly while walking down the aisles – like being in a fun house where the floor is uneven and you can’t walk straight. Also, we felt a true “cold spot” emanating from the center of an empty card file, yet there were no vents near the cabinet. And finally, there was the undeniable scent of cold flowers, as though a refrigerated florist case had been opened. The smell would come and go as we moved through the basement, and we knew...we weren’t alone.

Paradise Poltergeist

History: The Paradise Motel was built in the 1920s on the grounds of an old stage and postal stop, and served as a roadside motel, occasional brothel and stomping grounds for the “horsey” set from Sunland Park. Doniphan and the Camino Real (“royal road”) are one in the same, beginning as a series of Indian footpaths over 400 years ago. In 1598, the Juan de Oñate expedition traveled the royal road which linked Mexico City to Santa Fe. Billy the Kid, Pancho Villa and General Black Jack Pershing roamed the area, also known as “White Spur.” Roadside business was hurt when I-10 was built in the early 60s, diverting traffic to New Mexico away from Doniphan. The present owner, Sandy Whitacre, is the granddaughter of M.E. Quinonez who bought the property in 1951. Sandy took the buildings over from her parents, Paul and Dora Bailey, in 1989. The buildings now house a restaurant and shops.

Reported Ghostly Phenomena: Vendors at La Placita have fled the building late at night when sounds of moving furniture and clinking dishes have scared them. John, the manager of Magic Pan restaurant, reports that he has heard the ladies’ room door squeaking at night.

Psychic Discovery: Spirit Corps entered at midnight and began a room-by-room reading, starting from east to west. In Room #1, Lady D sees a military man, short in stature, wearing a crisp uniform, who introduces himself as General Pershing. Large animal spirits are abundant and she describes the area as a “meeting place” for horses. She sees 1936 as a very important date. Room #2: Lady D feels the presence of a grandmother who is related to the present-day owners. The woman is in mourning and crying over the loss of her husband. Room #3: Lady D senses a little boy, gravely ill, who passed away in the room after his family stopped on their road journey for him to recover. Room #4: Lady D sees a man dressed in a striped suit. He is quite brusque, but his family sees him differently. He has several businesses, one of which deals with metal. Room #5: Lady D smells pipe smoke and senses that a small fire took place. Room #6: Lady D begins to sing “Won’t You Come Home Bill Bailey” with emphasis on “Bailey.” She explains that this is a room full of music, especially violins. Room #7 is more menacing with the sound of glass shattering from years past. Room #8: Lady D and her assistants concur that this room has seen a lot of sexual activity. She is confronted by a woman in her mid-40s with dark eyes and a no-nonsense manner. This woman is involved in helping women in the area with “female problems.” She does not like people to judge her. She does what she does to help, not to hurt. “Don’t ask questions,” is what Lady D hears the woman say.

Haunted Index Rating: 7

Considering the history of the land on which the Paradise was built, how can it not be haunted. Sandy confirmed that her grandfather, M.E. Quinonez, was considered terse by people outside his family, and he did have other businesses, including a hardware store where he dealt with a lot of metal. M.E. and his wife lived at the Paradise for a time. He passed away in 1973 and his wife in 1979, which explains the “crying grandmother” in room #2. The fact that Sandy’s father’s name was “Bailey” tells us why Lady D heard the song. Any bad energy in this area has been neutralized by the presence of many strong women who, along with Sandy, have cast a magic spell that only Border girls can conjure, making Placita Santa Fe a true paradise for patrons. As for the squeaking ladies’ bathroom door in the Magic Pan – with all of the feminine energy in the area, you know there are never going to be enough stalls, especially for the spirit gals.

Plaza Theatre – Psychic to the Stars

History: The Plaza opened in 1930 and was designed in the Spanish Revival tradition. The theatre thrived during the 40s and 50s, during which time John Wayne and Jimmy Stewart attended world premieres. In the 60s, suburban cinemas and multi-screen theaters drew people away from Downtown; and in 1976, the Plaza closed its doors for almost 30 years. Thanks to the El Paso Community Foundation and extensive renovation, the Plaza is again open and listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

Reported Ghostly Phenomena

Ghost stories have been “flying” about since the theatre opened. Many late-night workers and managers have witnessed paranormal experiences involving a little girl bouncing a ball; a peripatetic rag doll; a man smoking a cigarette who supposedly suffered a heart attack; a woman who had been strangled by her husband and now waters the theatre’s artificial foliage, plus more. Experts say that ghosts love stages, and at the Plaza, these phant-ham actors appear nightly.

Psychic Evaluation: Lady D immediately experiences a vortex of energy and voices in the Wyler rotunda. In the theatre lobby she senses a little girl, who was killed in a carriage accident, bounding down the stairway. She is giggling and looking for her mother. There are smells of musky cologne, smoke and pastries on the mezzanine level. The smoking man is present – he has a “J” sounding name, maybe “Johnson,” and is wearing a WWII uniform, possibly that of a pilot. In the theatre, Lady D can hear warnings to look out for falling ballasts. There is movement in the balcony seats and she detects the presence of frogs. In the women’s bathroom (which used to be the men’s), she smells shoe polish and alcohol; sees a man with a thin mustache, thought to be a prominent banker around age 58, dressed in a suit with top hat and cane, smoking a cigar. In the basement area, she feels drastic changes in temperature.

Haunted Index Rating: 8

As I sat in the mezzanine, I saw a red gossamer scarf appear from behind a parted curtain. I examined the area in the light and found it was actually an open stairway to the ladies’ room. On the stage, while Lady D and others focused on the audience, I turned to look at the back wall, having sensed somebody behind me. The wall appeared to be completely draped in a cyclorama, but through a slit, a man dressed in all black, hands and face quite pale, stepped through and stood watching us. I examined the area closely with a flashlight only to find a solid concrete wall, no curtain, no man. Maria Tavera, Plaza staffer, confirmed that others have seen the same phantom stagehand. Changes in temperature are radical in the basement area, registering a high of 84 degrees and a low of 72 degrees, in the same room. The smell of cigars comes and goes. A photograph taken of a vase shows a glowing orb above it. It is this reporter’s opinion that the face inside the orb is...Jerry Garcia.

Final Conclusion: We just can not dismiss the fact that many “normal” people have witnessed ghostly sightings. El Paso lives up to its description as the “Most Haunted City in America.” But, El Paso spirits seem to be a friendly lot who enjoy a little company now and again. They may get frustrated occasionally and require some attention – just like the rest of us. So take a moment, visit these wonderful historic buildings and say “hello” to our friends from the past – they may be our buddies in the future.