Uncle Dale, please tell us about the time you booked a room at a haunted hotel

A report about my first vacation in 5 years

The Setup

I am a native Californian. As such, I have been very interested in the state's rich history for as long as I can remember. When I learned of the Discovery of Gold celebration that is scheduled to take place in Coloma, California, on January 21, 2023, I jumped at the opportunity, as I hadn't taken a vacation since the first week of December 2017 when I traveled to Mexico.

Commemorating the 175th anniversary of the discovery of gold in California, the event is sponsored by the Placerville and Georgetown Parlors (chapters) of the Native Sons of the Golden West. Their downloadable flyer recommended two lodgings in the area: The Best Western Plus Placerville Inn and the Historic Cary House Hotel. Comparing prices and amenities, I opted to book a single room at the latter hotel.

Much to my surprise, I learned about the hotel's colorful and spooky history after booking my reservation. Searching the Internet uncovered numerous articles and web videos that described its original construction during the Gold Rush era; the famous politicians, celebrities, and writers who have stayed there; and allegations that some of the rooms are haunted by spirits who roamed or died onsite in the past.

In 2014, I got a taste of the paranormal when I witnessed a dowser demonstration that was included as part of a ghost walk event that took place in Benicia, California.

I am looking forward to finding out whether my stay at the Cary House Hotel will trigger the type of 'ghostly' encounters that have been reported. For monitoring purposes, I will be bringing my Trifield EMF Meter with me to conduct room tests after I check in.

Better Luck Next Time (updated Jan 23, 2023)

I had prepared myself what to expect up to a point. When I was finalizing my reservation over the telephone, I asked one of the hotel clerks about guest parking spaces and where they were located.

I was instructed to park my car temporarily in the passenger loading zone in front of the hotel, check in and get my room number, and place the paper-based parking pass that would be provided to me on the dashboard of my car that would authorize me to park my vehicle overnight in the public lot in the back of the hotel.

Mistake #1

I made the mistake of booking one of the lowest-priced rooms offered by the hotel. As a result, the hotel clerk at the front desk handed me two passkeys to a standard room on the third floor that was adjacent to the hotel elevator that runs from the lobby to the 4th floor and back.

Immediately after check-in, I should have asked the hotel clerk to see if I could have switched to a different room that was farther away from the elevator.

If I would have made that special request, chances are that would probably have meant paying extra. However, it would have been worth it from a noise perspective, as the self-service elevator (installed in 1926) was in constant use starting at 7:30am and in the evenings until 11pm.

More importantly, the room that I accepted (equipped with a mini-refrigerator, a queen-sized bed, and an antique dresser drawer) was not located on the second floor where many of the ghostly encounters have allegedly occurred.

Mistake #2

I inadvertently left my Trifield EMF Meter at home, so I never conducted any radiation or electrical testing during my stay at the hotel. This happened because I packed the EMF meter in my computer bag thinking I would take my laptop with me. I decided at the last minute to rely upon my cell phone to record my trip and completely forgot about the EMF meter.

General Impressions

Except for the days when I checked in and checked out, it was easier to walk up and down the stairs when entering and leaving my hotel room.

While the Cary House may have attracted celebrities, authors, and famous politicians during its heyday, it's not what I would call a luxurious hotel today. Rather, it offers basic accommodations managed by a team of capable employees. I didn't encounter any musty odors on the premises, and you can spend time admiring the stained glass windows and memorabilia that adorn the hotel lobby.

Please be advised that if you return to the hotel after 8pm, chances are the front doors will be locked and you will have to get the clerk's attention to let you back in.

My most positive statement I can make about the Cary House is its prime location in downtown Placerville. It's conveniently located on Main Street within easy walking distance to many fine restaurants, wine bars, antique stores, and historical buildings that have been preserved.

Getting back on the freeway (Highway 50) is easy, and so is the ability to take in the Gold Rush towns that are situated along Highway 49.

References

Welcome to the Historic Cary House Hotel

'Portals to Hell' Season 2: Cary House's Odd Fellows ritualistic past hints it's haunted by not just spirits, by Anoushka Pinto | Meaww | Published Jun 4, 2020

The History Behind This Remote Hotel In Northern California Is Both Eerie And Fascinating, posted by Emerson | OnlyInYourState | Sep 29, 2021

Cary House Haunted? Anna Hypnotized, YouTube video filmed by SpiderWayne | Feb 29, 2016