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By Glenn Ditman

Where there are tales of tragedy in old gold rush towns, there are bound to be stories of hauntings. Historic Columbia State Park hosts two hotels that are known to have otherworldly visitors.

Columbia City Hotel


Photo courtesy: California State Parks

Even though the history of the present day Columbia City Hotel dates back to 1854, when George Morgan bought its north lot, the hotel had no documented cases of hauntings until the 1970s, when it acquired a carved bed and placed it in room one.

As the story goes, a woman, whom hotel staff have come to call Elizabeth, died in the bed during childbirth. When the bed was placed in the hotel room, strange things began to occur there: doors opening and closing by themselves at random, and perfume wafting through the air with no apparent source.

Visitors have also mentioned hearing either Elizabeth or her baby cry at night, and Elizabeth’s apparition is sometimes seen at the window.

Some speculate that the visitor could be a member of the Morgan family, as the hotel was an important facet of the family’s life. Despite destruction caused by multiple fires and the constant changing of building management and leasing, Morgan continued to purchase lots and add onto the structures he built in 1854. Twenty years later, in 1874, the building was called the Morgan City Hotel, with parts of the building having been used as an auction hall, theater, music hall, restaurant, saloon, and even a living space for the Morgans.

By 1890, the hotel had 20 sleeping rooms upstairs, a large office, bar, ladies’ sitting room, and a spacious dining room. At what seems like the height of the Morgan City Hotel’s boom, George Morgan committed suicide by hanging, leaving behind his widow and children.

The hotel has undergone many changes since then, including construction and ownership. But there are still some things left unexplained. In the parlor, the balcony doors open for no apparent reason. There is a foot latch that must be stepped on in order for the doors to open, making the occurrence extra spooky.

Is Elizabeth just trying to get some fresh air? Is it one of the Morgans?

Columbia City Hotel
22768 Main St.
209-532-1479


The Fallon Hotel


Photo courtesy: California State Parks

In 1857, Owen Fallon, an Ireland-born New Yorker who made his way out West, purchased the west lot of what was called the Maine House, a building priorly used as a courthouse and boarding house. After a few unlucky incidences of fire and rebuilds, the building became a boarding house and was named the Fallon House in 1863.

That same year, Fallon purchased the east lot and tore down the wall dividing the two properties, creating a single, larger building. What was once space for a gazette and a bakery is now the ice cream parlor; the theater’s box office was once a saloon. Adding on to this building, Fallon purchased more property on the west side in 1864, which became a garden and stables.

Much like the Columbia City Hotel, the Fallon House has its own tumultuous history. But within all the business transactions among adults, there’s a story of a young boy who fell out of the window of room six and died.

He’s heard running and playing by the door to the room, sometimes seen peeking around corners, and plays with any toys that are left out in the hotel’s parlor. The boy even plays pranks on young children who visit the hotel.

Balcony windows open on their own, loud noises and furniture moving can be heard upstairs, and lights flicker on and off for no known reason.

Fallon Hotel
11175 Washington St.
209-532-1470

For more information, visit Columbia State Park.