...we had the good fortune to eat in a National Register Motel. That first motel was
The Yodeler Motel, in Red Lodge; this one is the Dude Rancher Lodge, in Billings. Pretty new for a National Register building of any sort, it was built in 1950, making it 67 years old this year, pretty young by comparison with most NRHP sites one finds.
Part of the post-war motel construction boom across the country, the Dude Rancher was just one of 33 motels constructed in Billings between 1940 and 1955. That's quite a BOOM! While many of that 33 have fallen by the wayside, we suppose it is its uniqueness which has allowed the Dude Rancher to continue to flourish. It is "
suggestive of an Old West ranch house during the height of the cattle industry in Montana in the late 19th century, rustic in appearance, while retaining features associated with the late 20th century Ranch movement."
It seems that the Dude Rancher Lodge is haunted, if the experiences of both guests and staff are to be believed. See the story below.
HAUNTED HISTORY
Traveling to Montana might be a lot more spooky than you think! Billings is home to some of the most haunted hotels in all of Montana, including the Dude Rancher Lodge.
Built in 1950 by Annabel and Percival Goan, the Dude Rancher Lodge was originally constructed using salvaged bricks from the old St. Vincent’s hospital, the Russell Refinery, and the Washington School. The couple ran the hotel together until 1962, when Percival passed away after a car accident. Annabel continued to run the hotel on her own, though slowly, her health began to decline. She lived in an apartment at the hotel and was cared for by her dedicated staff, until eventually she was moved to a nursing home. On February 2, 1983, Annabel passed away.
Since Annabel’s passing, strange phenomena has repeatedly been reported at the hotel. To top it off it’s not just hotel guests that have had experiences, even the staff has encountered strange occurrences in various areas of the hotel. There have been reports of lights turning on and off on their own, televisions turning on while housekeepers are cleaning rooms, knocking on the doors with no one on the other side, the sound of children running in the halls with no children being present, and a mysterious female voice was even caught on audio-tape in the basement of the hotel by the Montana Paranormal Research Society! Paranormal activity has been reported in rooms 223, 224, and especially room 226, which used to belong to Annabel’s grandson when he took over the hotel after her death.
In addition to the hotel, guests can visit the Western Heritage Center which is walking distance from the Dude Rancher Lodge and is also known to have haunted occurrences.
From the Dude Rancher Lodge