Viral Photo from South Dakota Hotel Appears to Show Ghostly Girl in Mirror
DEADWOOD, SOUTH DAKOTA — A haunting photo taken inside one of South Dakota’s most storied hotels has the internet buzzing after viewers claimed to spot the reflection of a ghostly little girl in an antique mirror.
The photo, reportedly taken at the Bullock Hotel in historic Deadwood, was first shared online by a user who said their mother received it from a friend visiting the property — a site already famous for its eerie legends and alleged hauntings.
Viral Reflection Stirs Debate
In the image, a man is seen pointing toward the mirror of an ornately carved wooden dresser. Behind him, in the reflection, a faint image resembling a small girl appears to be sitting in a chair — even though no child was visible in the room at the time.
The user who reposted the image wrote that the Bullock Hotel is said to be haunted by the spirit of a young girl, often spotted in the hallways or reflected surfaces of the old building.
“My mother received these photos from a friend who visited this old hotel — it’s said to be haunted by a little girl,” the poster explained, noting that the sighting was unexpected and left them “too excited to wait before sharing it.”
The mysterious figure seems to appear in the middle of the mirror, faint but distinctly child-sized, dressed in light colors.
Bullock Hotel’s Haunted Legacy
The Bullock Hotel, named after Deadwood’s first sheriff, Seth Bullock, dates back to the late 1800s. Over the years, it has become one of the most haunted hotels in the American Midwest, with guests and staff reporting strange noises, cold spots, and shadowy figures roaming the hallways.
According to local lore, several spirits are believed to inhabit the property — including Bullock himself, who reportedly still “keeps watch” over the hotel, and a young girl who is said to appear in mirrors and photographs.
Paranormal investigators have featured the Bullock on multiple television programs, with the hotel earning a reputation as a must-visit destination for ghost hunters.
Online Reactions
The new image has reignited debate among paranormal enthusiasts and skeptics alike. Some social media users are convinced it’s evidence of supernatural activity, while others believe it could be an optical illusion or a lighting trick.
“Whether it’s a trick of the eye or something more mysterious, it definitely gives you chills,” one commenter wrote.
A Haunting Reminder of Deadwood’s Past
Deadwood itself, a former gold rush town, is steeped in stories of tragedy, lawlessness, and loss — from shootouts to deadly fires — all of which have fed its haunted reputation.
For locals and tourists alike, the Bullock Hotel continues to blur the line between history and the supernatural, and this latest photo only deepens its mystique.
Would you dare spend a night at the Bullock Hotel? Share your thoughts and read more fascinating Midwest stories on NapervilleLocal.com.
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