Nestled at the intersection of Fox and Canal in downtown Carlsbad, the Trinity Hotel stands as a captivating emblem of the town’s past, resurrection, and renewed identity.
Its story spans from frontier finance to luxury lodging and fine dining, a journey steeped in local charm and architectural preservation.
A Storied Beginning (1891–1924)
Originally constructed between 1891 and 1892, the building debuted as the First National Bank, serving the burgeoning agricultural and business community of Carlsbad (then known as Eddy) during its early days. Between its brick-laden walls, patrons like Sheriff Pat Garrett—famed for the demise of Billy the Kid—deposited their money, anchoring the building’s place in local lore.
After the bank shuttered in the early 1900s (1907 or 1924, depending on the account), the space transitioned into housing the first newspaper of the region and later became the headquarters for the Carlsbad Irrigation District.
Transformation and Revival (2007–2009)
By the early 2000s, the stately structure had fallen into disrepair: windows shattered, plumbing and utilities gone, and the roof leaking. In 2007, three local partners, including teacher-turned-winemaker Dale Balzano, acquired the derelict building, determined to restore it to its former glory.
Thanks in part to an $80,000 Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) grant and community backing, the hotel reopened as the Trinity Hotel & Restaurant, creating new jobs and revitalizing a downtown landmark. Fittingly, Balzano has since become the sole proprietor, continuing his commitment to local tourism and preservation.
Today: Boutique Hospitality Meets Heritage
Now a boutique hotel and restaurant, the Trinity blends original architectural details with modern interior accents. What once housed a vault now serves as a unique humidor or media room in guest accommodations.
Guests enjoy award-winning New Mexican and Italian-American fare, a charming coffee and wine bar, and morning to evening hospitality that echoes the building’s elegant past. The hotel’s wine offerings continue the Balzano legacy with selections from Spirit of Seven Rivers vineyards.
Transformation and Revival (2007–2009)
By the early 2000s, the stately structure had fallen into disrepair: windows shattered, plumbing and utilities gone, and the roof leaking. In 2007, three local partners, including teacher-turned-winemaker Dale Balzano, acquired the derelict building, determined to restore it to its former glory.
Thanks in part to an $80,000 Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) grant and community backing, the hotel reopened as the Trinity Hotel & Restaurant, creating new jobs and revitalizing a downtown landmark. Fittingly, Balzano has since become the sole proprietor, continuing his commitment to local tourism and preservation.
Today: Boutique Hospitality Meets Heritage
Now a boutique hotel and restaurant, the Trinity blends original architectural details with modern interior accents. What once housed a vault now serves as a unique humidor or media room in guest accommodations.
Guests enjoy award-winning New Mexican and Italian-American fare, a charming coffee and wine bar, and morning to evening hospitality that echoes the building’s elegant past. The hotel’s wine offerings continue the Balzano legacy with selections from Spirit of Seven Rivers vineyards.
A Ghostly Whisper of History
For lovers of folklore, the Trinity hides a playful secret: the ghost of “Miss Ruby,” believed to be a former staff member. According to hotel staff and local lore, Ruby was long ago a shunned mistress of the First National Bank’s president. Though cast aside in life, her fondness for the place endures in spectral form. Guests and employees alike whisper that she occasionally pranks unwitting visitors, especially in Room 206—the “Safe Room” that once housed the bank’s secure vault turned media lounge—and sometimes drifts through other parts of the hotel.
Further accounts position Ruby more as a friendly presence than a fearful one. In Haunted Hotels and Ghostly Getaways of New Mexico, author Donna Blake Birchell describes her as a ghost who “occasionally pranks unwitting guests and still cares for the rooms where she once worked,” suggesting a more mischievous, caretaker role than one of menace. On video-based paranormal explorations, Ruby stands out as a favorite tale: one YouTube clip, for instance, chronicles a night in Room 206, the property’s most “active” space, where playful knocks and breezes are attributed to her presence.
A Continuing Legacy
The Trinity Hotel does not just offer lodging; it preserves Carlsbad’s architectural and cultural heritage. It stands as a testament to thoughtful restoration, sustainable economic development, and storytelling that connects past and present. Support local history; experience the Trinity Hotel, where each brick tells a story.
Article written by Karey Jeffress and originally published in Focus on Carlsbad 2025 Fall edition.
Karey Jeffress
Karey Jeffress, a Carlsbad native, loves helping others live their lives to the fullest. Karey’s passions for teaching and healthcare background have inspired her career in education. She has a Master’s in Public Health Promotion, and is working toward a Doctorate in Health Professions Education. Karey is the Allied Health Teacher at Carlsbad High School, a certified Mental Health First Aid and QPR Gatekeeper instructor, yoga teacher, mental health advocate, and community outreach professional. Her other loves include her husband, Dale, and her dogs, as well as attending concerts and baseball games, playing outdoors, local brews, and good nachos.
