Curious about Santa Fe, the oldest capital city in the United States?
Discover its rich and dramatic past on the Santa Fe Ghosts and History Tour.
This region has witnessed centuries of human triumphs and tragedies — from fierce battles to timeless love stories.
Why do the dead linger in 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.
A fleeting shadow in a photo. A sudden chill. An object moved without explanation.
They’re subtle signs—but for those who pay attention, they’re unmistakable.
A Tour Guide is a Must!
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.
San Miguel Mission Church
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
]
Inside the San Miguel Church in Santa Fe
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.
Julia Staab lived at the 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 digital. 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.
“]
Stairs to suites in La Posada Resort
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? YES!
If you enjoy learning the history of Santa Fe, then Allan Pacheco is your inside man.
To learn more about his tours, visit http://www.santafeghostandhistorytours.com.
It was a little chilly toward the end of the day so, perhaps next ghost tour, I’ll plan for a warmer summer evening to explore the rest of legendary Santa Fe.
