Rancho de Corrales

This gracious old hacienda, built in 1801 by Diego Montoya, is about 15 miles north of Albuquerque, in Corrales, New Mexico. The sprawling adobe home, with its thick walls and heavily timbered ceilings was, at first, a peaceful oasis surrounded by orchards. However, that all changed in 1883, when the Luis and Louisa Emberto purchased the property. Some five years after they moved in, a bloody shootout occurred. It all started when Luis discovered that his wife was having an affair and moved out of the hacienda, promising to return and kill both Louisa and her lover. On April 1898, Luis made good on his promise and shot his wife twice.

An armed posse soon surrounded the hacienda and in the gun battle that ensued, Luis was struck down. Due to the scandalous circumstances of the couple’s death, they were not allowed a proper burial in the church cemetery and their remains were interred across the irrigation ditch to the west of the building. Today, the restless pair continue to make their presence known at the hacienda turned restaurant. Reported activities include items that seemingly move on their own, the sounds of disembodied voices, and the appearance of a woman in 1800s era clothing. Others have heard the sound of midnight parties in the old hacienda.