The Gooding University Inn in Gooding, Idaho, was originally the men’s dormitory for the former Gooding College and later served as a tuberculosis hospital before becoming an inn.
The College was a Methodist-affiliated institution that operated from 1917 until it closed in 1938. The building that would become the inn was constructed around 1920 to serve as the men’s dormitory and classrooms. The campus also included a girls’ dormitory and a hospital, though only the men’s dormitory still stands today.
After the college closed, the building was converted into a state tuberculosis hospital. During this period, the hospital treated patients suffering from tuberculosis and other illnesses. By 2010, the building was being restored, with a small section operating as a bed and breakfast named “Get In”.
University Inn.
Around 2011, new owners acquired the property and renamed it the “University Inn.” Over the subsequent years, they converted more of the large building into hotel rooms and meeting spaces.
Today, the historic building functions as a lodging and event venue, with features like a ballroom, large dining and meeting rooms, a basement theater, and arcade and game rooms. It is a popular venue for events like large family reunions.
Numerous reports of paranormal activity have been documented at the Gooding University Inn. The building has a dark history that includes serving as a college, a tuberculosis hospital, and a jail, which are believed to be the source of many of the ghostly occurrences. The building’s troubled past has made it a frequent destination for ghost hunters and paranormal investigators.
Reported paranormal phenomena at the include:
Apparitions: Ghost hunters have captured video evidence of shadowy apparitions in the building. Visitors and investigators have also reported seeing full-bodied spirits.
Disembodied voices and footsteps: There have been numerous reports of unexplained voices and footsteps throughout the inn. Recorded electronic voice phenomena (EVP) have captured male, female, and children’s voices in areas like the attic and basement.
Knocking: Some visitors have heard unexplained knocking sounds. In one instance, a paranormal investigator replicated the knock, and more knocking was heard in response.
Feelings of dread: Many visitors and investigators report feeling an overwhelming sense of dread or being watched, particularly in specific areas of the building.
Interacting with devices: Investigators have used flashlights and other devices to attempt communication with the spirits. Guests have reported spirits interacting with their equipment.
Cold spots: Sudden, localized drops in temperature have been reported, another common sign of paranormal activity.
Yes, the Gooding University Inn and Resort is widely considered to be haunted due to its history as a college dormitory and later as the Idaho State Tuberculosis Hospital. Reports of paranormal activity include sightings of a man in a white coat, a woman with a young girl, and unexplained footsteps and whispers.
Check out our evidence locker.