Double Eagle Restaurant – Haunted Restaurant in Mesilla, New Mexico

The Double Eagle Restaurant stands as one of the most elegant dining establishments in southern New Mexico. It also harbors some of the darkest and most active paranormal activity in the entire state.

Built in the mid-1800s during the height of Mesilla’s prominence, this historic mansion turned restaurant has witnessed love, betrayal, and murder. Diners today share their meals with spirits who refuse to leave the premises where they met their tragic ends.

The building’s ornate Victorian architecture and period furnishings create an atmosphere of old-world charm. But beneath this refined exterior lurks a history of violence that continues to manifest in unexplained phenomena.

Staff members and patrons regularly encounter ghostly apparitions wandering through the dining rooms. The restaurant has embraced its haunted reputation while maintaining its status as a premier dining destination.

Historical Background

The Maese-Barela-Maes Hacienda was constructed around 1849 by the wealthy Maese family. This territorial-style mansion represented the height of luxury in the then-Mexican territory of Mesilla.

The home changed hands several times before becoming the property of the Barela family in the 1850s. The Barelas were prominent citizens who hosted lavish parties and entertained important political figures passing through Mesilla.

During the Civil War years, Mesilla briefly served as the Confederate territorial capital of Arizona. The mansion witnessed countless gatherings of military officers and political leaders during this tumultuous period.

The building’s most tragic chapter occurred in the late 1840s or early 1850s. A wealthy patron of the home discovered his wife and her lover in an illicit affair within the mansion’s walls.

In a rage fueled by jealousy and betrayal, he shot both lovers dead. The young woman and her paramour died in the very rooms where diners now enjoy their meals.

The mansion later housed various businesses before being converted into the Double Eagle Restaurant in 1972. Renovation workers immediately reported strange occurrences that continue to this day.

Paranormal Activity Summary

The Double Eagle experiences consistent paranormal activity across multiple rooms and dining areas. Manifestations occur during both business hours and after closing when the building stands empty.

Cold spots frequently appear without explanation, even during hot New Mexico summers. These temperature drops can be so dramatic that diners request to move to different tables.

Objects move on their own throughout the restaurant with disturbing regularity. Wine glasses slide across tables, silverware repositions itself, and chairs pull away from tables when no one is near.

Phantom footsteps echo through empty hallways and staircases late at night. Security personnel conducting closing procedures hear people walking above them on floors they know to be vacant.

The smell of roses or perfume wafts through rooms without any identifiable source. This particular phenomenon often precedes a full apparition appearance by the resident female ghost.

Disembodied voices and whispers are captured on recordings and heard by staff members. These voices sometimes call out names or make comments that startle employees working alone.

Shadow figures dart through doorways and along corridors in peripheral vision. Multiple witnesses have reported seeing these dark forms moving with apparent purpose through the building.

Ghost Stories & Reports

The primary spirit haunting the Double Eagle is a young woman named Inez. She is believed to be the murdered wife who died in the crime of passion.

Inez appears most frequently in a white flowing gown, typical of mid-nineteenth century fashion. Her apparition has been seen by dozens of credible witnesses over the decades.

Diners report seeing her standing near windows, gazing out with a melancholy expression. She appears solid and lifelike until witnesses realize her period clothing and the fact that she’s semi-transparent.

One waiter reported a full conversation with a woman in white he assumed was a guest. When he turned to retrieve her water, she vanished completely from the enclosed room.

Inez seems to favor certain areas of the restaurant, particularly the upstairs dining rooms. She appears to be searching for something or someone, wandering restlessly through the spaces.

The spirit of her lover also reportedly haunts the building, though his appearances are less frequent. Witnesses describe a man in period clothing who appears distressed and agitated.

Some visitors report seeing the two spirits together, eternally replaying moments from their doomed romance. These dual sightings are particularly emotional for witnesses who sense the tragedy surrounding the couple.

A young boy’s spirit also inhabits the restaurant, though his origin remains mysterious. Children dining with their families often report seeing or playing with a boy no adults can see.

This child ghost has been known to tug on clothing and tap people on the shoulder. Staff members hear childish laughter echoing through empty rooms during closing procedures.

The murderous husband’s spirit may also linger in the building’s darker corners. Some psychics and sensitive individuals report feeling a heavy, angry male presence in certain areas.

Most Haunted Spot

The upstairs Carlotta Salon represents the most actively haunted area of the Double Eagle Restaurant. This elegant dining room witnesses the majority of Inez’s appearances and the most dramatic paranormal events.

Staff members actively avoid working alone in this room due to overwhelming sensations of being watched. Several employees have quit after experiencing phenomena they couldn’t rationally explain.

The staircase leading to the upper dining areas also serves as a hotspot for activity. Visitors and staff frequently see shadow figures ascending or descending these stairs.

One particular table in the main dining room near a large window experiences unusual activity. Diners seated here report sudden cold chills and the sensation of someone standing directly behind them.

Can You Visit?

The Double Eagle Restaurant is open to the public as a functioning fine dining establishment. Reservations are recommended, especially during peak tourist seasons and on weekends.

There is no entry fee beyond the cost of dining at the restaurant. The establishment serves lunch and dinner with an upscale Southwestern and continental menu.

Formal paranormal tours are not regularly scheduled, but the staff welcomes questions about the hauntings. Many servers can share their own experiences or direct guests to the most active areas.

Photography is allowed throughout the restaurant, and guests are encouraged to take pictures. Some visitors have captured mysterious orbs, mists, and even apparitions in their photographs.

The restaurant is open Tuesday through Sunday, closed on Mondays. Lunch service runs from 11 AM to 2 PM, while dinner service extends from 5 PM until closing.

Best Time to Visit

Paranormal activity at the Double Eagle occurs consistently throughout the year with no particular seasonal pattern. However, late evening dinner service tends to produce more frequent supernatural encounters.

The hours just before closing, when the restaurant is less crowded, offer the best opportunity for experiences. The spirits seem more active when fewer people are present to disturb their routines.

Some staff members report increased activity during the anniversary months of the original murders. Though the exact date remains uncertain, late summer and early fall seem particularly active.

First-Hand Accounts & Eyewitness Reports

A couple celebrating their anniversary in 2008 captured what appears to be Inez in a photograph. The image clearly shows a translucent woman in white standing near their table, though no one was visible during the meal.

Restaurant manager Maria Gonzales has worked at the Double Eagle for over fifteen years. She reports multiple encounters with Inez, including one occasion when the ghost walked directly through her in the upstairs hallway.

A former chef refused to work late shifts after experiencing kitchen equipment turning on by itself. He reported feeling hands pushing him away from the stove on multiple occasions.

In 2015, a group of paranormal investigators conducted an overnight investigation with permission from the owners. Their EVP recordings captured clear responses to questions asked about the murders and the spirits’ identities.

Travel writer Susan Martinez documented her experience dining at the Double Eagle in 2012. She described feeling suddenly ice cold and smelling roses just before seeing a woman in white pass by her table.

Local historian Carlos Ramirez has collected dozens of accounts from restaurant employees over the years. He notes that skeptical staff members often become believers after just a few weeks working in the building.

A waiter named Tom Johnson reported serving a full table in the Carlotta Salon one evening. When he returned with their order, the table was empty and his manager confirmed no reservations existed for that time.

Local Legends & Myths

Local legend suggests that Inez’s spirit remains earthbound because her body was never properly blessed or buried. According to folklore, the scandal surrounding her death prevented her from receiving proper Catholic burial rites.

Some versions of the story claim that her lover was a soldier stationed in Mesilla during territorial conflicts. Others suggest he was a local ranch hand employed by a neighboring property.

A persistent legend states that touching a specific mirror in the Carlotta Salon allows visitors to see Inez’s reflection. Multiple guests have reported seeing a woman’s face appear behind them in this antique mirror.

Old-timers in Mesilla whisper that the murderous husband buried something valuable in the walls before fleeing. This supposedly explains why spirits seem to search the building, looking for something lost.

Paranormal Investigations & Findings

The Double Eagle has been featured on numerous regional paranormal television programs and documentaries. Southwest Ghost Hunters Alliance conducted an extensive investigation in 2010 that produced compelling evidence.

Their investigation captured multiple EVP recordings, including a woman’s voice saying “help me” in the upstairs dining area. Temperature fluctuations of up to fifteen degrees were documented with calibrated equipment.

Photographs taken during the investigation revealed numerous orbs and light anomalies throughout the building. One particularly striking image shows what appears to be a full human form near the main staircase.

EMF meters registered unusual spikes in electromagnetic fields in areas associated with the strongest haunting reports. These readings had no conventional explanation given the building’s electrical system configuration.

A psychic medium who participated in one investigation claimed to communicate with Inez directly. The medium relayed details about the woman’s life that were later corroborated through historical research.

Safety Warnings & Legal Restrictions

The Double Eagle operates as a business, so visitors must respect restaurant policies and procedures. Wandering into employee-only areas or attempting unauthorized investigations after hours is strictly prohibited.

The building contains steep staircases and uneven flooring typical of nineteenth-century construction. Guests should exercise caution when moving through dimly lit areas, especially after experiencing startling paranormal encounters.

Management requests that ghost-hunting equipment not disrupt other diners’ experiences during business hours. Respectful inquiry and discreet photography are welcomed, but intrusive investigation techniques are not permitted.

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