Originally constructed in 1899 by the Alamogordo and Sacramento Mountain Railway as a by-product of the railroad's search for timber and railway ties, the resort of Cloudcroft became an immediately successful mountain retreat ...a cool reprieve to thousands of overheated Texans. (Remember that New Mexico, Oklahoma and Arizona were not states at the time.) Owned and operated by the railroad, the resort's initial building was a pavilion (now the Pavilion, a Bed and Breakfast at The Lodge.)

On June 13, 1909, a disastrous fire destroyed The Lodge. But by 1911 The Lodge had been rebuilt and reopened on its current, more scenic site. Since then it has undergone numerous renovations, but the initial appearance remains almost unchanged. The Lodge has entertained and hosted hundreds of politicians, artists, entertainers and business leaders, including such notables as Poncho Villa, Judy Garland and Clark Gable. Gilbert Roland was known to frequent The Lodge.

Artist's rendition of Rebecca

Rebecca was said to be a gorgeous red-haired chambermaid who worked and lived at the Lodge in the 1920's/30's. Similar to her fellow Lodge employees, she lived in the employee's rooms, which were located in the basement at the time. She was by all means a very friendly and flirtatious young lady, and unforgettably beautiful. According to legend, Rebecca might have moonlighted as a prostitute. Whatever the case, Rebecca's jealous lumberjack boyfriend caught her in the arms of another man at the Lodge.

Shortly after, Rebecca disappeared from the Lodge, never to be seen again. Well, not alive , anyway. Because soon after her disappearance. people began to report having some very strange, even ghostly , experiences..

Many employees and guests have reported seeing the apparition of a beautiful, red-haired woman, with brilliant blue eyes, moving around the halls. Late one evening as a guest was dozing off, he heard a scraping sound in the hallway. Cracking his door open, he saw a woman with long red hair, in a 30's style, floor-length nightgown, who was busy rearranging the flowers that were sitting in a vase, on top of an antique chest, that was in the hallway.

Rebecca's manifestations are many. One of her favorite "hangouts" is the Red Dog Saloon, an old-west style saloon with rough-hewn walls which is located in the basement. This is a very active spot- lights go off and on untouched.. 1930's-era poker chips have been mysteriously found in the middle of a floor which had been clear only minutes before. Lodge patrons have called the front desk to complain about the loud music coming from the saloon at times when the saloon was empty and wasn't even open and. an apparition of a twirling woman has been reportedly seen on the dance floor.