I was really not sure what to expect staying in a schoolhouse in a mining town in the desert, although it definitely intrigued me. Although it has a reputation for some playful spirit activity, I was more intrigued by staying in a classroom for a night (given that as a kid just seven hours of it had me antsy to leave).
My lovable friends and ghost hunters were quite pleasantly shocked when we pulled up to the Noftsger Hill Inn retired schoolhouse on the hill. The winds were blowing, the weather was pleasant (much better than Phoenix!) and the yard was filled with fruit trees, a kitty cat, an old school bus, with a welcoming feel. All of a sudden, I was missing my old Green Acres Elementary School in Fairfax, Virginia.
Rosalie, the charming innkeeper greeted us so friendly and warm. I felt like we were old chums right away. This woman is truly following her purpose in life. Her talents are well used in this endeavor and it shows. The inside of the inn sports a wide open airy hall with lots of authentic period furnishings and decorations with hints of the schoolhouse it once such as old school desks, class photos and chalkboards.
She guided us to our room which was enormous! There were two queen beds and a twin bed, a sofa, fireplace, beautiful furnishings, wood floors that creaked pleasantly underfoot, a row of tall windows and a very high ceiling, table and rocking chairs and a clawfoot tub in the bathroom! We were in happy heaven!
There is a beautiful open group room upstairs and a solarium with sunlight and plants and kitty cats wandering the floors as if they own the place. We even had a wonderful ghost hunt in our room that evening resulting in me waking up twice during the night to a little girl near my bed saying a full sentence both times, although the words were no clear. She was most definitely between my bed and the bathroom. The second time she said it, I just murmured “it’s okay, I’m here.” I was half asleep, but even in that state, my mommy tendencies wanted to comfort her.
All in all, it was a fantastic find, amazingly great prices, and Rosalie also makes you a fantastic breakfast in the morning in her fancy dining room. I felt utterly pampered and one of the family. We were exchanging hugs on the way out. I highly recommend it if you are in Arizona and want to drive through the Globe area where there are tons of antique shops and amazing mining works. The abandoned Gila County Jail there is also the place where I saw my first full-body apparition.
Oh, and you're probably wondering what my findings are of the inn. I would say that, yes, there is a haunting there. It could very well be residual from the school days played out endlessly atop of the rich mineral soils and building's construction all making it a wonderful conduit. The overall feeling is one of playfulness, shyness, and curiosity. It's a wonderful combination for such an enchanting place!