The St. James Hotel in Selma is known for paranormal activity, with reported hauntings including a full apparition of a woman named Lucinda, the ghost of Jesse James, the sounds of phantom dogs barking and running in the halls, and apparitions of people in 19th-century clothing. Built in 1837, the hotel served as Union headquarters during the Battle of Selma and is considered one of the most haunted buildings in Alabama. A full-bodied apparition of a woman, identified as Lucinda, has been seen walking the halls. Guests have also reported seeing a man dressed in late 1800s clothing. Ghostly sounds, such as a dog barking non-stop in the courtyard and running up and down the halls, have been reported by guests. Some reports describe residual activity, such as seeing people in 1800s clothing, suggesting past events are replaying. The hotel retains rooms named for people who stayed there in the late 1800s, including Room 18, which is not booked due to the belief it is still occupied by the spirit of T.J. Wright. During the Civil War, the hotel was occupied by Union troops and served as a headquarters. It survived the burning of Selma after the battle. The building, originally called The Brantley, was constructed in 1837. The hotel's long history, including its use during the Civil War, is seen as a contributing factor to its paranormal activity. The presence of Union troops during the conflict and the hotel's status as one of Alabama's oldest buildings are believed to be linked to the reported ghostly occurrences.