Historic Llano hospital has presciption for the chills

For today’s “Spooky Place in Texas,” we’re travelling to historic Llano in honor of Llano Heritage Weekend today through Sunday. And, as you gather ’round the campfire at Saturday’s chuck-wagon cook-off, you might be able to get one of the cowboys to tell you a story about the Haynie Hotel Building.

Built in 1882 for one of the city’s matriarchs, Elizabeth Haynie, the building, which I believe now is more commonly known as the Stonewall Pizza building, is among the first of Llano’s multi-level brick structures. Several business have come and gone, including what was once Llano’s hospital in the 1940s. The hospital was on the second floor of this historic structure, which might be one reason the building is considered haunted.

Many have said they have seen an apparition of a little girl in the second-floor window, and some have heard laughter and the sound of little footsteps running overhead. Others have admitted they have felt the presence of a little girl, who might have died in the second-floor hospital, although, I could find no concrete information on who came and went during the hospital’s existance.

But, if you find yourself strolling through Llano’s historic square and happen to glance up at the beautiful brick structure of the Haynie Building, don’t be surprised if you find someone peering down at you. It could be a trick of the light or a curtain blowing in the breeze, but the cowboys around the fire know, it just might be something more.

Note: A big thanks to the Llano Historical Ghost Society for providing us with the great photo above. Be sure to check out its great Historic Ghost Walk every Saturday through Nov. 1.