Ghostly Goings-On at the Dude Rancher Lodge

The Dude Rancher Lodge in Billings, Montana is a unique addition to this month’s Haunted America collection—it’s unique because it’s a relatively ‘new’ haunted location!

A mix of a traditional dude ranch and modern hotel, the Dude Rancher Lodge was built between 1949 and 1950 by Annabel and Percival Goan. The couple ran the lodge together until 1962 when Percival was killed in a car crash. Annabel then took over operations, and ran the hotel alone for nearly two decades. She lived in an on-site apartment, being cared for by her staff, until her health declined to the point where she needed to be moved into a nursing home. Unfortunately, she passed on February 2, 1983.

And, according to the lodge’s website, that was when the paranormal activity started!

It’s not uncommon for an employee to be cleaning an empty guest room and the television come on all by itself. Lights are also known to turn themselves on and off without the help of any living person. Both guests and staff have reported knocks on guest room doors. When they go to answer the door, no one is there. Guests have even complained of children running up and down the halls, laughing, even when no children are booked for that evening. 

Montana Paranormal Research Society once caught an EVP of a woman’s voice in the basement area, lending to the idea that Annabel is the resident ghost. However, it’s possible that her passing was just a catalyst for latent paranormal activity.  When the lodge was built, it used bricks from the old St. Vincent’s Hospital, the Russell Refinery, and the Washington School. Is it possible that those bricks, especially those from the old hospital, could have been holding onto energy that was later released after Annabel’s passing?

If you’d like to experience the hauntings for yourself, staff recommends booking rooms 223, 224, or 226 (which was the room Annabel’s grandson stayed in when he took over hotel operations after her death). But, if you want to visit during the Halloween season, make sure you book early, as these rooms fill up fast!