The Lady in Red at the Mizpah Hotel
Tonopah, Nevada, USA
“Today, most people don’t book a room for the luxury … they come for the Lady in Red.”
By Hallozween founder and Paranormal Investigator Andrea Beattie
A Jewel of the Desert with a Dark Reputation
Rising from the Nevada desert in the tiny mining town of Tonopah, the Mizpah Hotel has stood since 1907.
Built during Nevada’s silver boom, the Mizpah was once the most luxurious hotel between Reno and Las Vegas. Known as “The Jewel of the Desert,” it welcomed wealthy miners, politicians and travellers crossing the harsh desert landscape. Crystal chandeliers, fine dining and elegant décor made it a symbol of prosperity in an otherwise rugged town.
But today, most people don’t book a room for the luxury.
They come for the Lady in Red.
The Legend of the Lady in Red
The Mizpah’s most famous resident is said to be a woman in a red gown who was allegedly murdered on the fifth floor. According to local legend, she was strangled by a jealous lover and left outside Room 502.
Guests have reported:
• The scent of perfume drifting through hallways
• Whispers in empty rooms
• Jewelry left behind
• Shadows moving along the fifth floor
Whether myth or memory, the story has become inseparable from the hotel’s identity.
So naturally, we stayed. We booked just one night.
It didn’t take much convincing to get my sister Samantha to stay — and she was incredible, and even though she is a huge sceptic she is a bit of a magnet for paranormal activity!
The Mirror Room Experience
One of the rooms we visited is known for having a mirror believed by some investigators to act as a “portal.”
While standing near it, I felt a clear tug at the back of my shirt.
Not a brush. Not fabric shifting. A tug. I turned immediately. No one behind me.
Moments later, a cold breeze moved through the room.
There was no air-conditioning running. No visible ventilation. Windows were closed.
It was subtle — but undeniable.
The Lady in Red communicates?
We conducted part of our investigation in the very location where the Lady in Red was reportedly found after her alleged murder.
Standing in that space — knowing the legend tied to it — already carried weight.
Samantha began using dowsing rods during the investigation.
The responses were immediate.
When we asked if someone was present, the rods crossed decisively. When we asked if the Lady in Red was with us, they crossed again — firmly, repeatedly, and in direct response to our questions.
It didn’t feel random.
It felt intelligent.
We were careful to remain respectful, avoiding questions about the manner of death or anything designed to provoke dramatic reactions. Instead, we asked simple, measured questions — and observed.
The responses continued.
In a room tied so closely to the legend, the consistency of the interaction was what unsettled us most.
Activity at the Belvada Hotel Basement
Later that night, we crossed the street to investigate the basement of the Belvada Hotel, now connected to the Mizpah.
The atmosphere there felt heavier. Quieter. Watchful.
As Samantha resumed using the rods, the responses returned almost immediately — similar patterns to what we had experienced earlier.
It felt as though something had followed us across.
Whether it was the Lady in Red, another presence tied to the building’s long mining-era history, or something else entirely — we can’t say.
But the continuity of activity from one location to the next made it one of the most intriguing investigations we’ve conducted.
The Mizpah balances beautifully between restored historic grandeur and lingering legend.
Whether you believe in hauntings or not, there is something undeniably atmospheric about this place.