The Magnolia Hotel is located about an hour from Austin in Seguin. Jim and Erin Ghedi own the nearly 200-year-old building. They bought the place to restore it.
“As a geneologist and historian, it just became fascinating, and then when the weird stuff started happening, it became even more interesting,” said Erin Ghedi.
She said the “weird stuff” is due to the many spirits that haunt the hotel.
“I tell everybody I stopped counting at 13, but there’s one [spirit] in every single room. People ask me if I ever get scared. I get startled if something happens instantly. I do get startled, but I’m not afraid,” said Erin.
She said the spirits showed up when she and her husband started renovations, and they’re even more active now due to work happening on the outside of the hotel. The Ghedis are adding a balcony similar to the one that was torn down in 1930.
“We felt that this was a part of history that was lost, and we really wanted to make the Magnolia whole again. Putting the balcony back was just the right thing to do,” said Erin.
Since construction began, she said spirit activity like doors slamming and cabinets opening has increased. But it doesn’t phase the Ghedis. Erin said she hopes the spirits show up when they finally open the balcony by the Fourth of July.