HauntBound archive · catalog record
Reported phenomena, as catalogued
El Paso's oldest continuously operating hotel, open since 1922 — John Dillinger hid in room 221 under an alias in January 1934, and Cormac McCarthy wrote parts of his Border Trilogy from the same halls.
311 E Franklin Ave, El Paso, TX 79901
Research updated September 2026
Age
All Ages
Cost
$
Private rooms from $70/night; hostel dorm beds from $30/night.
Access
Wheelchair OK
Three-story historic brick hotel with original 1922 mosaic tile floors; vintage elevator no longer operational — stairs required for upper floors
Equipment
Photos OK
Est. 1922 · Oldest continuously operating hotel in El Paso (since 1922) · John Dillinger's stay under alias, January 1934 · Cormac McCarthy's residence during Border Trilogy writing period
Preston E. Gardner, an El Paso lawyer, acquired the Franklin Avenue lot in May 1921 and opened the Gardner Hotel in May 1922, spending approximately $130,000 on a steel-framed, three-story brick building with white moldings. The hotel was marketed as practically fireproof and reached 90 percent occupancy within four months, sustained by El Paso's position as a regional border hub. Original guests were offered a distinctive amenity: a live canary in each room, cared for by co-manager Mrs. Lake.
On January 9, 1934, John Dillinger — at that moment the FBI's Public Enemy Number One — checked into the Gardner under the alias John D. Ball and took room 221. He spent several days at the hotel. El Paso Sheriff Chris Fox was informed of his presence but declined to act, stating that Dillinger had broken no laws in the city. Dillinger checked out in mid-January and was captured January 25, 1934, in Tucson, Arizona. The hotel still displays a death mask in its lobby and maintains Dillinger's registration card.
During the 1970s and early 1980s, Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist Cormac McCarthy lived periodically at the Gardner while writing several of his books, including works in the Border Trilogy. McCarthy mentioned the hotel by name in at least one published work. The Gardner was later featured in Craig Johnson's 2018 Longmire novel The Depth of Winter and provided exterior locations for the 2006 film Glory Road.
Sources
The Gardner Hotel's paranormal reputation is tied to its century of continuous operation and the weight of its documented history. Lost El Paso Paranormal, a group that has conducted investigations at the property since 2017, describes encountering numerous ghosts and reports that 'former guests make themselves known' to investigators and overnight visitors.
The named presences identified in investigation accounts include William, described as a former long-term resident of the hotel, and a child apparition that has been reported in the lobby area. The hotel's lobby death mask — a plaster cast believed to be associated with a former occupant — is cited by paranormal investigators as a focal point for activity.
The Dillinger connection is central to the hotel's atmospheric identity: room 221 is requested by guests who know the history, and the original registration card signed J.D. Ball is among items the hotel has displayed. Whether Dillinger's ghost is part of the lore depends on the source; Lost El Paso Paranormal emphasizes the building's broader history of human presence rather than attributing activity to any specific famous occupant.
Notable Entities
Media Appearances
Stay in the same building where John Dillinger registered as John D. Ball and occupied room 221 in January 1934. The hotel's original 1922 mosaic tile floors, common areas, and self-service kitchen are open to all guests. Room 221 can be requested when booking.
Lost El Paso Paranormal has hosted walking ghost tours starting at the Gardner since 2017, incorporating the hotel's history with Dillinger, the death mask on display in the lobby, and accounts of former residents said to remain on the upper floors. Check with the hotel for current tour schedule.
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