A Wild West Stay

Hotel Eklund in Clayton, New Mexico has been on my list of places to stay since my first trip in 2006. On that first visit, we drove past it without realizing it was a hotel. Later that evening, while looking for dinner, we spotted the attached restaurant and bar and discovered the hotel for the first time.

We walked through the main floor and admired the old-world charm. I knew then that I wanted to come back and spend the night someday. Many years later, on two separate trips to Arizona, I finally returned. Staying at Hotel Eklund was worth the wait.

The building has a character that modern hotels cannot copy. The walls are painted a soft yellow-cream with a moss-green chair rail that matches the doors. Thick white trim frames the floors and doorways, while maroon paint below the chair rail adds warmth. The patterned carpet ties everything together. The staircase gleams with polished hardwood, showing craftsmanship that still stands out today.

The dining area where I enjoyed my morning meals feels elegant and historic. Gold wallpaper lines the walls above dark wood paneling, and a large fireplace anchors the room. Antique hardwood furniture with velvet upholstery completes the space. Every detail adds to the experience. On my second stay, I choose a room with a balcony overlooking the street, something I had hoped to do for years.

History of Hotel Eklund

The story of Hotel Eklund begins in 1892, when the first part of the structure opened as a saloon and gambling hall. Carl Eklund purchased the property two years later and expanded it in stages to the size it is today.

More than a century later, Keith and Jeannette Barras, both architects with experience in historic restoration, purchased the hotel in 2011. They remain active in daily operations and continue to preserve its unique history while keeping it comfortable for modern travelers.

Today, Hotel Eklund features twenty-four guest rooms, two dining rooms, and one of New Mexico’s most iconic bars. The rooms were remodeled in 2004, combining comfort and character in every detail. The hotel continues to welcome guests who want an authentic Wild West experience.

Haunted History

Hotel Eklund is known for more than its history. Guests often speak of Irene, a maid whose presence is said to linger in Room 307. Visitors report creaking floorboards and shapes appearing in the wallpaper.

The saloon has seen its share of drama. Built in 1892, it once hosted fistfights and shootouts. Locals say some of those old cowboys still visit, though only in spirit.

Exploring Clayton, New Mexico

The Wild West stories don’t end when you walk outside Hotel Eklund. Clayton is also home to the grave of Thomas “Black Jack” Ketchum, one of New Mexico’s most infamous outlaws.

Ketchum was captured after a failed train robbery and later sentenced to death by hanging. His 1901 execution went terribly wrong when the force of the fall caused him to be decapitated. He became the last person officially hanged in New Mexico before statehood.

Ketchum was first buried in Clayton’s original Boot Hill Cemetery. His remains were later moved to the current Clayton Cemetery. His grave now sits alone between two cemetery roads, separated from the surrounding graves.

Last Words

Spending the night at Hotel Eklund in Clayton, New Mexico feels like traveling back in time. The mix of history, ghost stories, and small-town charm makes it unforgettable. Every creak of the floorboards and whisper of the wind feels like part of the story.

Whether you visit for the haunted history, the architecture, or the quiet beauty of Clayton, Hotel Eklund leaves a lasting impression. Some guests leave with stories of Irene, while others simply remember the warmth of the people and the glow of the saloon lights at night.

If this article interests you, explore my other historic and haunted hotels or read about more places I have visited in New Mexico.