HANNAGAN MEADOW LODGE

ALPINE, AZ

SPIRIT PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP

MAY 1, 2004

 The journey to Alpine from Phoenix is long, but the scenery along the way makes the road trip worth it.   We all met on the porch patio of the lodge about 2pm.  Some of us enjoyed relaxing outside in the clean air, some went for a drive to enjoy more scenery, some hiked down the road to chase after deer.

Hannagan Meadow Lodge was built in 1926 to provide a stopping place for travelers making the two-day trek through the mountains.  The second and third floors, as well as the restaurant and cabins, were constructed in the 1950’s.  Everything was renovated again 1996 making all the rooms and cabins comfortable, rustic and cozy.  This mountain hideaway hosts many guests, including its own resident ghost!

We met in the Hannagan Suite where Debe conducted a class on EVP.   She showed us various types of recording devices to use.  We also listened to various EVP’s recorded by Don Swain and the Yuma Spirit Hunters.  

We all took a hike around the Lodge complex to get a better feel of the layout of the grounds.  It was eerie and we were miles from any town…and that ax sticking out of that tree stump had us making up our own ghost stories!  

We all ate together in the Lodge dining room.  This was a small group due to several last minute cancellations.   We watch deer and elk from the windows while the Lodge staff told us of recent paranormal activity.  Lights turned on…Legos scattered in various rooms…children’s laughter coming from the outside between the Lodge and store…a sighting of an Indian in full headdress riding a horse in that same corridor between the two buildings. 

Debe set her camcorder facing the window where the ghost known as “The Lady of the Lodge” had been sighted.  A former owner was outside locking up the store when he glanced up to see a light turn on in the lodge’s second floor.  He then saw a lady dressed in white standing in the window.  There were no guests staying in the lodge that evening! 

We also left messages on a Scrabble board asking the spirit to spell their name with the tiles and made interesting designs with the Legos hoping to catch someone’s ghostly attention!  

 Grace and Anne stayed up most of the night wandering in the dining area, lobby, and outdoors snapping many interesting photos.  Grace played back her tape recorder in the morning to only hear a clamor of pots and pans in the kitchen as though some ghostly presence was making our breakfast.   

Maybe the former owner still haunts the lodge she once cherished or maybe its because the lodge is built along former highway 666!

Hannagan Meadow Lodge Alpine, AZ

Trisha and pink orb in Hannagan Suite

Small orb at foot of chair in lobby