*Courtesy of Historic Brookdale Lodge via Facebook
The Brookdale Lodge is infamously haunted. What was once a highly visited place by Hollywood royalty, like Marilyn Monroe and James Dean, is now considered home to more than 50 ghosts. That’s according to Brookdale Lodge Guest Services Host Josh Volden, who told ABC7 News that when psychic Sylvia Browne came, “she recognized more than sixty spirits that were here and essentially trapped in this area.”
You’ll find this hotel up in the Santa Cruz Mountains located in Brookdale, California. Enough folks experienced paranormal activity that Travel Channel’s Ghost Adventures filmed an episode at the Brookdale Lodge.
As the lodge’s owner, Pravin Patel, told Lookout Santa Cruz, “The way I see it, the ghosts have been up there for more than 100 years. They’re not hurting anyone and it’s a different dimension, we can coexist here.”
History of the Brookdale Lodge
We won’t dwell on the history too much but let’s get some context. The Brookdale Lodge was the site of the Grover & Company Lumber Mill in the late 1800’s, eventually becoming a campground once Judge J.H. Logan joined the group. In the early 1920’s, the lodge was sold to a Dr. F.K. Camp, and the area quickly expanded with amenities. By the 1950’s, it was a retreat for celebrities looking to escape the hustle of the city. It struggled for a time and was left abandoned by 2011 until reopening in 2017 under the current ownership.
*Courtesy of Lookout Santa Cruz via Kevin Painchaud
How Many Spirits Are at the Haunted Brookdale Lodge?
According to psychic Sylvia Browne, 60 spirits stalk the grounds of the Brookdale Lodge. According to a Travel Channel article, that number is almost 50. Regardless of the exact number, it is absolutely certain that people believe the Brookdale Lodge is haunted. And while multiple spirits roam the lodge’s property, two have gained the most attention. And they both happen to be children.
Remember the judge we mentioned early, J.H. Logan. Well, his niece, Sarah, drowned in the creek that runs through what was once a dining room called the Brook Room. Many people have reported seeing the exact same little girl with blonde hair and a white dress. The second young girl has not been identified, but is evidently the one who appears in the area of the lodge’s pool. Despite the pool being empty, people have reported wet footprints.
The list of reported paranormal incidents goes on and on, including everything from unexplained noises to cold spots to objects moving on their own. Footsteps in empty hallways, disembodied voices, doors slamming, utensils moving, and lights turning on and off with no one around are just a few of the hair-raising reported occurrences.
What’s Up With the Brookdale Lodge Today?
The lodge is fully operational aside from some ongoing restoration efforts in the historic brook and pool room. We won’t stoke any flames, but we can’t help but bring up that those two rooms are mentioned when it comes to paranormal activity. Now under new ownership, the Brookdale Lodge looks to start its next chapter by bringing a whole new generation of guests through its historic grounds.
There could also be the chance that you run into a past guest during your stay.