Does the Ghost of Jim Morrison Haunt West Hollywood?

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It has long been a local legend that the spirit of deceased rocker Jim Morrison haunts his favorite room at the Alta Cienega Motel. Since this decidedly downscale establishment has been closed since the pandemic lockdown, the ghost of the Doors’ lead singer may be forced to find a new place to hang out. Fortunately, he can still find several sites around WeHo where his spirit would feel welcome.

If any rock group could be considered West Hollywood’s House Band, it would be the Doors. The band got its start and conducted much of its business in and around the city. The first club where the Doors played was the London Fog, but they soon moved up to the nearby Whiskey-a-Go-Go. While the London Fog is long gone, the Whiskey still stands and Morrison’s ghost could find numerous kindred spirits with whom he could share stories – and other things.

Jim Morrison lived in a variety of places over his short career, preferring hotels to more permanent digs. One hostelry where he did not feel welcome was the Continental Hyatt House which tossed him out for hanging off a balcony. The Alta Cienega became a favorite for its proximity to the Strip and the places where the Doors did their business. Since Morrison was prone to losing his driver’s license due to DUIs, staying here allowed him to walk to most places he needed to go. Morrison’s favorite unit was the infamous #32, where generations of faithful Doors fans have spent a night hoping for a visit from his spirit. The graffiti they left marks every inch of the dingy walls.

The Doors’ management had their office right around the corner on Santa Monica Blvd. and their label, Elektra Records was located a couple of blocks south on La Cienega. Add in the proximity to Monaco Liquor and eateries for everything a hard-drinking frontman needs. Barney’s Beanery was just a few steps away and one of Morrison’s favorite hangouts. His spirit would be welcome here but he might run into that of Janis Joplin, who once broke a bottle of Southern Comfort over his head.

Morrison did try domesticity for a while after he met his girlfriend Pamela Courson and the two shared a cozy crib behind the Canyon Country Store. The view from this home provided the inspiration for the Doors’ song “Love Street,” about “Where the creatures meet.” This property was heavily damaged by fire a few years ago but has been repaired so Morrison’s ghost could still recognize his old pad.

The last stop for Morrison and Courson before they relocated to Paris was one of five apartments in a charming Spanish-style building on Norton Ave. west of Crescent Heights. This property still stands with a sign out front marking it as the last L.A. home of Jim Morrison. The apartment is available for rent so this could be another comfy spot for the singer’s spirit to visit.

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The next owner of the property will probably paint over the graffiti-scarred walls of unit #32 at the Alta Cienega and take Morrison’s photo off the door but they may not be able to exorcise his ghost that easily. 

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About Linda Cauthen
Linda F. Cauthen moved to West Hollywood from Montgomery, Alabama, fifty years ago in search of adventure. What she found was a long career in journalism including gigs with Larry Flynt Publishing, The Hollywood Reporter, and many more. After the bottom fell out of print magazines, she made the move to online media where she produced content on a variety of subjects including beauty, consumer technology, and showbiz gossip. Her interests include Hollywood history, classic country music, and old movies. She is one of WeHo’s top authorities on what used to stand at any given location in the distant past.

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Joe Bologna
Joe Bologna
1 year ago

Jim Morrison’s a bit too cool to haunt West Hollywood nowadays. He’s probably too busy turning over in his grave after seeing what they did to the old Doors office that’s now a hot dog stand. However, I’m sure there’s some old adult video stars and drag queens that still hunt the ol: Holloway.

Ham
Ham
1 year ago

Morrison was a cool dude. WH today is full of weirdos and outcasts…..I doubt he’d hang around here today.

No Weirdos Wanted or Needed
No Weirdos Wanted or Needed
1 year ago
Reply to  Ham

You can be sure about that. I didn’t know him but had a mutual important artist friend.

Kyle
Kyle
1 year ago

I lived on Norton for years across the street where Morrison lived and every July anniversary of his death, people would stop in middle of road blaring the Doors/Morrison tunes.

candypants
candypants
1 year ago

I am going to miss that shady little Alta Cienega. That and the Holloway were the only cheap hotels remaining in West Hollywood.

What’s Next?
What’s Next?
1 year ago

Lordy, concierge homelessness staycations.

Woody McBreairty
Woody McBreairty
1 year ago

The city purchased the Holloway Motel adjacent to IHOP for a homeless shelter. Don’t tell me they bought the Alta Cienega for the homeless too!
Good grief. I feel a move coming on

Katya
Katya
1 year ago

if you’d rather the homeless folks continue harassing everyone on the street than be housed in a dilapidated motel, don’t let the door hit you on the way out 🙂 Santa Monica will be happy to have you