The building was a private home before becoming an inn, built for julia. American ghost book by greatgreatgranddaughter of julia staab. In american ghost, julias greatgreatgranddaughter, hannah nordhaus, traces her ancestors transfiguration from nineteenthcentury jewish bride to modern phantom. Ghost, a familys haunted past in the desert southwest, a book about julia. The ghost of julia staab the shade that haunts santa fes. The structure was the center of society with julia the hostess of parties that were attended by men like president rutherford hayes, general sherman and governor lew wallace. German immigrant julia schuster staab, in this unique collision of. Hannah nordhauss new book american ghost is an offbeat mishmosh of memoir, cultural history, genealogical detective story and paranormal investigation, but it opens in the classic manner of. Everyone loves a good ghost story, which is why, i suppose, that some readers have been disappointed with american ghost. Visit this page to learn more about the book american ghost written by the great greatgrandaughter of julia staab. Housed in a historic 19thcentury mansion, the staab house serves signature cocktails, created by a team of master mixologists, and standout bar fare. Born in lugde, a small town in northern germany, julia, 21, was brought to santa fe in about 1865 as the bride of abraham staab, 26.
He then moved to santa fe and was a very successful merchant. Julias life and family tidbits that were hidden in family keepsake books or. We hope youll take advantage of this oneofakind opportunity to learn more about our resorts muse and experience the magic of our santa fe luxury accommodations this fall. Nordhauss book, which explores the life of the authors greatgreatgrandmother julia schuster staab, does start with sightings of a ghost, but then moves. Julia staabs bedchamber, where she spent the last days of her life, and where she died, is now suite 100 in the hotel. Oct 30, 20 living in new mexico, i have heard about julia staabs ghost for many years. Legend has it a heartbroken woman haunts the property that was once her home, grieving for the baby she. In part, the book is the authors quest to find out if the rumors about julia s ghost are true. He was one of the few jews who had settled in santa fe a few. In addition, youll receive a copy of american ghost, a familys haunted past in the desert southwest, a book about julia staab written by her greatgreatgranddaughter, hannah nordhaus. The stories im hearing tonight about julia staab, about her ghost, from the people who stayed in the room im starting to believe more, nordhaus said at a book signing friday night. Julia was born in germany, but she married a man from her hometown whod struck it rich supplying settlers and soldiers in the new mexico territory.
A familys haunted past in the desert southwest by hannah nordhaus. I talked to nordhaus about american ghost, the book that resulted. American ghost by hannah nordhaus the boston globe. Born to a welltodo jewish family in germany in the mid1840s, julia eventually married a fellow german jew who went on to become one of santa fes most prominent and scandalridden businessmen. A familys haunted past in the desert southwest, a new book by boulder writer hannah nordhaus, had just arrived. Nordhauss book, which explores the life of the authors greatgreatgrandmother julia schuster staab, does start with sightings of a ghost, but then moves on to become part memoir, part history book, part journalistic endeavor. Kaadt, courtesy palace of the governors photo archives. Late last winter, hannah nordhaus book american ghost, a familys haunted past in the desert southwest, was released by harpercollins. Her new book, american ghost, is mix of memoir, cultural. Denver post journalist hannah nordhaus braids personal memoir with historical research and resolute ghost hunting in a narrative that investigates the restless spirit of her greatgreatgrandmother julia schuster staab. Her new book, american ghost, is mix of memoir, cultural history. American ghost is a multigenre work that succeeds on a number of levels. Distant cousins have sent me family photos of julias siblings and nieces and nephews.
You might after reading this book sante fes most famous ghost is hannah nordhaus greatgreatgrandmother. The mansion was built in 1882 by an old santa fe trail merchant. In part, the book is the authors quest to find out if the rumors about julias ghost are true. Julia staab is someone ive thought about my whole life and known about. The narrative skillfully weaves together julias story, the story of nordhauss search for julia and the ghost story. Ghost stories to scare you into coming to santa fe santa fe. Oct 20, 2015 on the third floor was a beautiful ballroom which soon became one of the social entertainment centers of santa fe society, as julia loved to show off the home that she adored. Her husband abraham staab made his fortune supplying goods to the u. Visit this page to learn more about the book american ghost written by the greatgreatgrandaughter of julia staab. Author hannah nordhaus on chasing her ghostly ancestor julia. Her new book, american ghost, is mix of memoir, cultural history, genealogical detective story and paranormal investigation. In american ghost journalist hannah nordhaus braids personal memoir with historical research and resolute ghost hunting in a narrative that investigates the restless spirit of her. However, the staab familys fairy tale life was to end when julias seventh child, a son, died soon after his birth.
Abraham stabb had the mansion built for his wife, julia schuster, who he brought to santa fe from germany. There are all kinds of legends about julia she went mad, her husband murdered her, she killed herself. A familys haunted past in the desert southwest hannah nordhaus. Abraham staab had earned a great deal of money from his days as a major supply contractor for the union army during the civil war. Julia staab, the central character in american ghost. Miracles, magic, and monsters in the land of enchantment is a 2014 collection of thirteen investigations conducted by author ben radford into cases involving claims of the paranormal occurring in or with significant connections to new mexico. Julia staab s bedchamber, where she spent the last days of her life, and where she died, is now suite 100 in the hotel. The true story of a familys haunted past published by harpercollins, is celebrated with a reading. Its a chronicle of germanjewish immigration to the american southwest, a reckoning of family secrets, and an account of. Spirits and ghosts abound in the downtown area of enchanting santa fe, new mexico.
It belonged to abraham and julia staab, who emigrated from germany in the midnineteenth century. The reader is struck by the bravery and inner fortitude of julia and other mailorder brides who followed similar paths. In this intriguing book, nordhaus shares her journey to discover who her immigrant ancestor. Author hannah nordhaus on chasing her ghostly ancestor. Yes when tripe is served allan will yell out tripe.
These fake journalists, writers, talking heads are clueless and have served the public tripe. In her book american ghost, hannah nordhaus, author of the beekeepers lament, hopes to use any tools at her disposal to discover whether or not her greatgreatgrandmother julia is indeed haunting the santa fe hotel she once called home. Julia staab was a member of the nordhaus family tree and also santa fes most famous ghost. He and his wife julia built the mansion together, decorating it with european materials and furnishings. March 25, 2015 sante fes most famous ghost is hannah nordhaus greatgreatgrandmother. Julia staab, who died in her santa fe home in 1896. And strange noises and unexplained movements stir in the pera building basement. Joanna hersons 2008 novel, the german bride, is based on julias story. Her greatgreatgranddaughter, hannah nordhaus, has just written a fascinating book on julias life. Julia staab died in 1896but her ghost, they say, lives on. Her greatgreatgranddaughter sets out to find truths behind her legend. Distant cousins have sent me family photos of julia s siblings and nieces and nephews. The building was a private home before becoming an inn, built for julia staab.
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