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INVESTIGATION REPORT
Location: El
Rancho Hotel, Gallup, NM
Date: 01
Feb 2002
Personnel Participating:
Cody
Polston, Bob Carter, Jessica Irwin,
Cindy Cribbs, John
and Jerry Santoniello
Equipment Used: IR
thermometer, various EMF detectors, Nightscopes,
Sony Marvica digital
camera, 35mm Cameras, Sony handycam camcorder |
Copyright 2001 by Cody Polston
This report is graphic intense.
If pictures do not come up, right click on them and select "show picture"
Type of Investigation: Ghost Hunt
 |
Investigation
Data
Weather Conditions:
Partly Cloudy
Humidity: 31%
Geomagnetic Storm activity: unsettled
Temperature: 60
ID
# of photos taken:
513
# with possible targets:
44
Average EM Readings:
4 - 7 mg
Average M field readings:
2 mt
Average E field readings:
2 vpm
Cold Spots detected:
none
Hot spots detected:
none
Olfactory Phenomena:
none
Visual Phenomena:
none |
Formally opened December 17, 1937, The EL Rancho
Hotel was built by the brother of the movie magnet, D.W. Griffith. Drawn
by the many films made in the area, Ronald Reagan, Spencer Tracy, Katherine
Hepburn and Kirk Douglas were among the many stars listed in the guest
register. Autographed photos of the stars, Navajo Rugs & Mounted trophy
animal heads adorn the magnificent two story open lobby with its circular
staircase.
History Of The El Rancho
The El Rancho Hotel was built by Joe Massaglia in
1937 for R.E. "Griff" Griffith. Originally, Griffith came to Gallup to
direct a film. He later returned to build the El Rancho Hotel. He also
managed the local Chief Theater. From the 1930's to 1950's, the hotel became
a temporary home for many Hollywood stars. It also became a stopping point
for tourists driving on old Route 66. The hotel is now protected by the
National Historic Preservation Society. This historic hotel is continually
cared for by Mr. Ortega who has made it his personal hobby since its purchase.
The hotel is decorated and furnished in the Old West rustic style. It is
constructed of original brick, ash tar stone, and huge wooden beams with
a pitched wood shale roof. The large portico overlooks the entrance and
reflects the Southern Plantation style. Entering through the solid wood
doors, one views the grandeur of the lobby. The floor is brick, inlaid
in a basket weave pattern, and the light fixtures are made of stamped aluminum.
The stone fireplace cove is surrounded by handmade wooden staircases that
spiral to the second floor balcony. The balcony encircles the lobby and
displays original photos of the hotel and many autographed pictures of
the Hollywood stars. Mr. Armand Ortega has recaptured the hotel's splendor
and charm of yesterday.
The EL Rancho Hotel Was Headquarters
For The Following Movies Filmed In The Area
The Bad Man, an MGM film starring Wallace Beery & Ronald Reagan
in 1940; Sundown, a Wanger film starring Gene Tierney in 1941; Desert Song,
starring Dennis Morgan in 1942; Song Of The Nile, starring Maria Montez
& Jon Hall in 1944; Four Faces West & Colorado Territory, both
starring Joel McCrea in 1947-48; Streets Of Laredo, starring William Holden
& William Bendix in 1948; Rocky Mountain, starring Errol Flynn in 1950;
Big Carnival, starring Kiek Douglas in 1950; Raton Pass, starring Dennis
Morgan in 1951; New Mexico, starring Lew Ayres in 1950; Fort Defiance,
starring Dane Clark in 1950; Fort Massacre, starring Joel McCrea in 1957;
A Distant Trumpet, starring Troy Donahue & Suzanne Pleshette in 1963;
The Hallelujah Trail, starring Burt Lancaster & Lee Remick in 1964.
Reported Phenomena
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Disembodied footsteps and laughter have been reported
in the upper floor of the lobby after hours.
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Objects have been reported to have been moved about
throughout various locations of the hotel by unseen hands.
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The mysterious opening and closing of doors has been
reported in the bridal suite.
Photos of Possible Paranormal
Activity
Click on the thumbnail to view the larger image
Photo 1
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Photo 2
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Photo 3
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Photo 4
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Photo 5
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Photo 6
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Photo 7
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Photo 8
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Photo 9
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Photo 10
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Photo 11
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Photo 12
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Photo 13
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Photo 14
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Photo 15
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Photo 16
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Photo 17
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Photo 18
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Photo 19
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Photo 20
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Photo 21
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Photo 22
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Photo 23
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Photo 24
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Photo 25
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Photo 26
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Photo 27
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Photo 28
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Photo 29 (IR Image)
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Photo 30 (IR Image)
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Photo 31
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Photo 32
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Photo 33
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Photo 34
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Photo 35
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Photo 36
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Photo 37
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Photo 38
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Photo 39
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Photo 40
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Photo 41
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Photo 42
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Photo 43
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Photo 44
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Photos 12 through 14 were taken with one camera,
while photos 38 through 44, taken with another camera at the same time.
Targets appear in photos in both cameras. Cameras were separated by 3 feet
vertically, then by 25 feet horizontally.
