Nestled in the remote, rugged landscape of Cimarron, New Mexico, stands the St. James Hotel, now a living monument to the American Wild West. From its humble beginnings as Lambert’s Inn in 1872, established by former Lincoln chef Henri Lambert, it quickly became a legendary stopover on the Santa Fe Trail. Far from a quiet retreat, the St. James was a nexus of ambition, violence, and fortune, where notorious outlaws rubbed shoulders with legendary lawmen, and history was written in bullet holes and spilled whiskey.
For Dungeon Masters seeking to ground their fantasy campaigns in authentic historical grit or a base of operations for their PCs, the St. James Hotel is a great place to start. It’s the fantasy analogue I used in my summary of our hike in Philmont, and we stayed there prior to setting out on our trek.
Famous Gunfights and Infamous Guests
The St. James Hotel’s most indelible mark on history is its bloody legacy. Its saloon, with its pressed-tin ceiling, became the infamous stage for countless altercations, earning the local saying, “It appears Lambert had himself another man for breakfast.” Historical accounts claim upwards of 26 murders occurred within its walls, leading Henry Lambert’s sons, upon replacing the roof in 1901, to discover over 400 bullet holes in the ceiling above the bar – a chilling testament to the frequent deadly gunfights.
Many of these clashes involved legendary figures: Clay Allison, a notorious cattleman and gunfighter, was a frequent, volatile patron, credited with multiple killings within the hotel. Other infamous guests included Jesse James (who purportedly favored Room 14), Black Jack Ketchum, and “Dynamite Dick” Clifton. On the side of the law, figures like Wyatt Earp and his brothers, as well as Bat Masterson, also found respite, or perhaps trouble, within its walls. Even Davy Crockett’s (the namesake’s nephew) fatal shooting in the hotel bar in 1876 adds to its violent lore.
For fantasy campaigns, the St. James Hotel provides a perfect template for a violent, raucus inn, a high-stakes social hub where reputations are made and lost, and danger lurks behind every swinging door.
- Adventure Hook: The PCs arrive seeking information, a bounty, or a quiet night, only to find themselves embroiled in a simmering feud between two rival factions (e.g., a mining guild and a land baron’s enforcers) that frequently use the inn’s common room as their battleground. A notorious retired outlaw, now an NPC, might be a regular, holding valuable secrets but also a target.
- Challenges: The constant threat of gunfights (or magic duels, if adapted to fantasy) could break out at any moment, forcing PCs to react quickly to maintain order or choose sides. NPCs could be killed mid-conversation. Bullet holes in the ceiling (or scorch marks from spells) serve as environmental hazards that provide cover but also hint at the inn’s violent past. Bartenders and innkeepers, like Henry Lambert, are formidable figures who know how to keep a semblance of order amidst the chaos, perhaps even having their own “retired” skills that make them dangerous allies or foes.
Lawmen, Showmen, and Writers
Beyond the bloodshed, the St. James Hotel served as a vital crossroads for the American West. Its location on the Santa Fe Trail ensured a constant flow of traders, soldiers, and travelers, making it an information hub.
Among its notable, less violent, guests were Buffalo Bill Cody, who allegedly planned elements of his famous Wild West Show while staying there, even recruiting local talent. The territorial governor of New Mexico, Lew Wallace (author of Ben-Hur), supposedly worked on his masterpiece in Room 22, seeking refuge from his administrative duties. Legendary frontiersman Kit Carson was also a known visitor.
The St. James Hotel doesn’t have to just be an inn, but a bustling, vital outpost in your D&D campaign, where influential figures gather, offering rich opportunities for roleplaying, information gathering, and unique quests.
- Adventure Hook: The PCs need to meet a specific NPC at this renowned inn – perhaps a contact from a distant city, a reclusive artisan, or a powerful merchant. While there, they might overhear rumors of a new, fantastical traveling show being planned by a charismatic showman (like Buffalo Bill), or be hired a scholar researching ancient prophecies.
- Challenges: Navigating the complex social landscape of the inn, where sworn enemies might be at adjacent tables, requires high Charisma (Persuasion, Deception) checks. Information is currency, and the PCs might need to win over wary barkeeps or decipher coded messages. Quests could involve protecting a traveling minstrel with vital information, participating in a rigged card game to earn a powerful patron’s favor, or even helping a “Governor” character draft a critical treaty amidst constant interruptions and threats.
Resident Ghosts and Lingering Energy
The sheer volume of violent deaths within the St. James Hotel has inevitably led to a rich tradition of ghost stories and paranormal claims. It is widely considered one of the most haunted hotels in New Mexico, with the second floor often cited as the most active.
Guests and staff alike have reported cold spots, disembodied voices, cigar smoke where no one is smoking, and even physical manifestations. The most notorious resident spirit is believed to be Thomas James Wright, a gambler murdered in Room 18 after winning the hotel in a poker game; his malevolent ghost is said to dislike company so intensely that the room is kept locked and inaccessible to guests. Henry Lambert’s first wife, Mary Elizabeth Lambert, who died in the hotel, is also said to linger, a protective presence marked by the scent of roses.
If the hotel is old enough in your campaign, spirits are a part of its lure. But there’s no reason the ghosts can’t also be present along with all the raucuous guests, haunting the halls at night.
- Adventure Hook: The PCs might be assigned a haunted room (like Room 18) and a resident ghost possesses a PC in an attempt to right a historical wrong. A mysterious haunting could be impacting the inn’s business, and the PCs are hired to solve it.
- Challenges: Encounters might involve poltergeist activity (e.g., throwing objects, moving furniture), frightening ghostly manifestations, or even subtle manipulation. A spectral poker game might replay nightly, offering clues if observed carefully. The “ill-tempered” ghost of a murdered gambler could be a recurring, dangerous foe who actively attempts to drive the PCs away from his room or secrets. Conversely, a protective spirit (like Mary Elizabeth Lambert) might subtly guide the party through a faint scent or a gentle touch, helping them identify foes staying at the Hotel.
Haunted by the Hotel
We stayed in the updated, air-conditioned part of the Hotel and didn’t encounter any ghosts. But we did have the opportunity to take a tour, and that was worth every penny. Sitting down at the table in the saloon was an experience that brought to life what it must be like for adventurers to take a momentary respite at a local — and sometimes violent — inn.
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