The Hermosa Inn

The Story:

Back in the 1930s, a cowboy/artist named Lon Megargee bought a beautiful patch of land in Paradise Valley. He built a home himself, even making the adobe bricks by hand. To help pay for the house's upkeep, he rented out rooms to travelers. But by 1941, he was forced to sell his "Casa Hermosa" ("Beautiful Home") along with its furniture and most of his artwork. Pictures of Lon, along with much of his original art, still hang in the Inn.

The Haunting:

Lon apparently didn't want to ever leave his home, even after his own death in 1960. The tall, lanky, fun-loving cowboy often appears to guests in his Stetson hat, but never seems to frighten them. Lon is also believed to flush toilets and break bottles and glasses (perhaps during late-night poker games).

By Charlyn Keating Chisholm

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The Hay-Adams Hotel

The Story:

Clover Adams was married to the owner of one of the two side-by-side mansions that make up the Hay-Adams Hotel. Henry Adams was finishing the construction of the mansion in 1885 when Clover reportedly took her own life. Although she was occasionally depressed and had just lost her father, people whispered that it may have been a murder.

The Haunting:

During the two weeks of December before the anniversary of Clover's death, she is very active in the house. The fourth floor of the Hay mansion, where the couple resided at the time of her death and where her death took place, is where she is most likely to be heard from. The staff reports locked doors of empty rooms opening and closing, the sound of a woman crying or asking "what do you want?" in an empty room, or being hugged and called by name by an unseen person.

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Hassayampa Inn in Prescott, Arizona

The Story:

The ghost in the Hassayampa Inn is named Faith. Faith and her husband checked into the inn in 1927 on their honeymoon. They were to stay in the balcony suite. The husband went out to buy a pack of cigarettes and never came back. Faith waited for three days, then, distraught, hung herself in the room.

The Haunting:

Since that tragic event, there have been numerous sightings of Faith throughout the inn. She has been seen crying at the end of a bed, holding flowers, dressed in a pink gown in the hallway, and disappearing into rooms.

In the Kitchen:

The inn's kitchen staff report that when they feel Faith's presence, all the gas burners on the stove go out. Once, a staff member was mentioning she'd like to go to the library to research Faith's story. The cup of coffee she was holding in her hand jumped and spilled coffee all over her.

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Delta Queen Steamboat

The Story:

Mary B. "Ma" Greene was one of the co-founders of the Delta Queen Steamboat Company, and a big supporter of the temperance movement. She was one of the first licensed riverboat pilots, and she forbade the sale of liquor aboard the steamboat.

The Haunting:

After she died in 1949, the crew installed a saloon aboard the Delta Queen. Just after the first drink was sold, a barge crashed into the riverboat and smashed the saloon's bar. The barge was named the "Mary B." after Ma Greene. She apparently wasn't too happy about the new addition and decided to make her feelings crystal clear.

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Crescent Hotel in Eureka Springs, Arkansas

Haunted Rooms at the Crescent Hotel:

A number of rooms are haunted in the historic Crescent Hotel. Room 218 is the spot where Michael, an Irish stonemason, landed when he fell from the hotel's roof during construction. His ghost is said to bang on the walls and turn the lights and television on and off. Rooms 202 and 424 of the Crescent Hotel are also said to be haunted.

The Haunting of the Crescent Hotel:

You don't need to stay in a haunted room to see a ghost at the Crescent Hotel. Outside of the Recreation Room, the ghost of Dr. Norman Baker often appears, looking a bit confused. He ran a controversial hospital and health resort in the building during the 1930s. A nurse, dressed in a white uniform, has been seen on the third floor of the Crescent Hotel. A woman in Room 419 introduces herself as a cancer patient to guests and housekeepers, then vanishes.

In the Lobby:

In the lobby of the Crescent Hotel, look for the ghost of a man who hangs out at the lobby bar or stands at the foot of the staircase.

Recent Developments at the Crescent Hotel:

A group of teens getting ready to take a ghost tour of the Crescent Hotel recently reported seeing a man carrying a tray of butter and dressed in a uniform similar to the waiter's uniforms. He followed them out of an elevator and towards their third floor room, where he seemed to disappear. A third girl at the room opened the door and saw him staring directly at all of them.

The Dining Room:

The Crystal Dining Room of the Crescent Hotel is particularly active, and many spirits in Victorian garb hve been spotted there at the tables or in the mirrors. Once, at Christmastime, the staff reported leaving a Christmas tree and presents at one end of the locked and empty Crystal Dining Room. Upon their return, the staff found the tree and presents moved to the other end of the room, and chairs facing the tree in a semi-circle.

(The town of Eureka Springs is in the extreme northwest corner of Arkansas in Carroll County, near Beaver Lake at the intersection of Hwy 23 and U.S. Hwy 62. The building used to house the Baker Hospital. Crescent Hotel, Eureka Springs, AR 72632. Phone: 501-253-9766.)

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Carolina Inn in Chapel Hill, North Carolina

The Story:

The ghost is believed to be that of Dr. William Jacocks, who lived at the Inn for nearly 20 years.

The Haunting:

Guests who stay in the second-floor room that was once the home of Dr. Jacocks often find themselves locked out. At one time, the room's door had to be removed from its hinges because it wouldn't budge. Paranormal researchers have collected video and audio of ghostly happenings in this hotel, including piano notes, softly spoken words, and an orb-like object floating in the air.

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The Brown Palace Hotel

The Story:

A couple of former employees and at least one guest don't seem to want to leave the hotel.

The Haunting:

Current hotel employees often run into this former uniformed waiter in the service elevator. Luckily, the ghost always leaves the elevator when it stops.

Also, where a United Airlines ticket office now stands, there was once a railroad station ticket office. Once, a man dressed in the style of an old-fashioned train conductor appeared just outside the ticket window and disappeared through the wall.

The Guests Won't Leave Either:

Mrs. Louise Crawford Hill was a socialite who lived in Room 904 for fifteen years. The story of her heartbreaks and lost loves were told in ghost tours conducted by the hotel's historian. Soon after this began, the switchboard began receiving calls from Room 904. Interestingly, the room didn't have a telephone, or even furniture or wallpaper, because it was in the midst of a renovation. The historian stopped talking about Mrs. Hill on the tour, and the phone calls stopped.

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1891 Castle Inn in New Orleans, Louisiana

The Story:

Reports are that a little girl who drowned in the pond behind the house still wanders the grounds. She is often spotted wearing a white dress and is barefoot. She is seen throughout the surrounding neighborhood, presumably in search of her mother. Guests report a feeling of brushing against bare legs (especially women), beds bouncing up and down, and the sound of bare feet running down the hallway.

The Haunting:

Another ghost was a servant who was emplyed as a gentleman's gentleman. He is a light-skinned black man who is known as the "translucent man" because he is often seen out of the corner of an eye or in a glimpse of a mirror. In life, he is known to have been fluent in several languages, loved wine, women and song, and loved pranks. He is curious about technology and will often play with televisions, microwaves, ceiling fans and lights.

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Haunted Skirvin Hotel in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma City - Oklahoma.

The Skirvin Hotel built in 1910 by oilman W.B. Skirvin, who was determined to have the finest hotel in the Southwest. Opening its doors in 1911, the plush hotel had two, 10-story towers containing 224 rooms, was one of the first buildings in Oklahoma City to have air conditioning, then called "iced air,” had running ice water in each room, a ballroom that seated 500, and imported Austrian chandeliers that cost more than $100,000 each.

Skirvin’s daughter, Perl Mesta, brought the hotel a national reputation by being the ambassadress to Luxembourg, and then Washington’s "Hostess with the Mostess," portrayed in the famed Broadway musical, "Call Me Madam."

In 1930, a third wing was added, raising the structure to 14 stories and increasing capacity to 525 rooms.

The Oklahoma showplace became a popular speak-easy during Prohibition. It was during this time that W.B. Skirvin was said to have had an affair with one of the hotel maids. According to legend, the maid soon conceived and in order to prevent a scandal, she was locked in a room on the top floor of the hotel. The desolate girl soon grew depressed and even after the birth of her child; she was still not let out of the room. Half out of her mind, she finally grabbed the infant child and threw herself, along with the baby, out of the window.

The maid’s name remains unknown, but her ghost continues to haunt the Skirvin Hotel and she was nicknamed "Effie” by former employees. Though the old hotel closed in 1988, former guests would often report not being able to obtain a decent nights sleep due to the consistent sounds of a child crying.

Effie was apparently a woman of loose morals and many men who have stayed in the hotel have often reported being propositioned by a female voice while alone in their rooms. Others have seen the figure of a naked woman with them while taking a shower. One man even claimed he was sexually assaulted by an invisible entity during his stay.
Other strange noises and occurrences were reported by staff and guests including things seemingly being moved around by themselves, such as the maid’s cart being pushed down the hall when no one was there.

In October, 1979 the hotel was listed on National Register of Historic Places. When it closed in 1988 the building stood empty for more almost fifteen years. However, the historic hotel has now been fully restored and now open once again for guests.

The $46.4 million project included the original exterior finish, installation of historically accurate windows, reconfigured guest rooms, new guest elevators, an elegant lobby, restaurants, and state-of-the-art meeting rooms. Wherever possible, historical elements such as moldings, tiles and ceiling treatments were incorporated into the design.

Despite the millions of dollars spent to renovate this historic hotel, Effie allegedly continues to reside there.

The Skirvin Hotel is located at 1 Park Avenue in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

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Red Garter Bed & Bakery Haunting ,Williams - Arizona,

While bunking down at the Red Garter Bed & Bakery in Williams, Arizona, you will not only sleep alongside a rich history, but perhaps a ghost. The building that houses the Red Garterhas been standing for more than a century serving as a saloon, a bordello, a rooming house, a general store, and more.

Built in 1897 by August Tetzlaff, a German tailor, Tetzlaff planned to cash in on the expected silver and copper boom anticipated at the Grand Canyon. The building first a housed a saloon on the first floor and a brothel with a parlor and eight cribs upstairs, where the girls were often known to hang out of the windows calling to the working men below. A steep flight of stairs known as the "Cowboy’s Endurance Test” led to the girls upstairs rooms. The second floor also boasted a two-story outhouse off the back of the building, so that brothel "guests” wouldn’t have to navigate the steep stairs once again.

Behind the saloon, two rear rooms of the building once housed Chinese railroad workers, who both lived and operated a chophouse and opium den crowded into the small space. During this time, the local sheriff was often called to the site to investigate a murder, only to arrive to find nothing out of the ordinary.

At one point, the tales became so frequent, that the local garbage collector was lowered into the cesspool below the outhouses to look for bodies, only to be lifted again, having found nothing.

The saloon was operated for years by a man named Longino Mora, who was a notable figure as a U.S. Cavalry Scout and his heroism in the Indian Wars. Born in 1848 in Socorro, New Mexico, Longino also became legendary in Williams for having five wives and twenty-five children over the years. When his youngest child was born, his oldest child was sixty years old.

The saloon and bordello thrived as miners, loggers, cowboys, and railroad workers stopped in for a drink and often to partake of the painted ladies upstairs.

By the turn of the century, Williams had gained a reputation as a rough and rowdy frontier town, filled with saloons, brothels, gambling houses, and opium dens. Soon, the town restricted the houses of vice to an area called "Saloon Row” on Railroad Avenue.

Though Arizona outlawed prostitution in 1907, the law was only loosely enforced. Even during prohibition, the saloon and brothel continued to operate, hiding its bar and poker tables behind a divider. Both businesses continued to operate successfully until the mid 1940s, when a murder was committed on the stairs of the Red Garter, leading to a city-wide crackdown on houses of ill-repute. The crackdown ultimately led to the closure of the saloon and brothel after more than forty years of operation.

Over the next several decades the building would house different types of businesses, including a rooming house and general store. In 1979, a man by the name of John Holst bought the building but continued to lease it out until 1994. At that time, Holst renovated the building converting the eight cribs into four guest rooms, each with its own bathroom, and opened the Red Garter Bed and Bakery.

After opening, guests and staff began to report signs of ghostly activity, including the sound of footsteps when no one is around, doors mysteriously slamming, and strange "clunking” noises heard throughout the building. Though one might think that the spiritual activity could be attributed to the murder that occurred on the stairway or the many missing people during the Chinese opium days, the spirit is said to actually be that of a young girl, for which no one can account for.

Guests have reported seeing the apparition, describing her as a Hispanic girl with long dark hair and dressed in a white nightgown. One guest who claimed to have made contact with the spirit, said her name was Eve or Eva.

While most guests of the historic inn report getting a good night’s sleep, others have said they felt their beds shake or someone touching their arms.

The most unusual phenomena is that the ghost seems to sometimes appear in photographs. One such photograph, that owner John Holst will frequently show his guests, is a 1934 picture of the unsmiling faces of Longino Mora, his fifth wife Clara and his 25th child, Carmina. Oddly, the photograph also portrays a woman behind the counter standing before a mirror who is smiling broadly. The woman is not reflected in the mirror she stands in front of. Might this be the mysterious Eva?

Today, the Red Garter Bed & Bakery is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is famous for its great coffee and mouthwatering treats. The twelve foot high ceilings and antique furnishings capture the atmosphere of the 1890s without giving up any comforts for the guests of the historic inn.

The most popular rooms are the Best Gals’ Room, which was converted from the cribs of the "most popular soiled doves” during the brothel’s heyday. Another well liked guest suite is Big Bertha’s Room that was created from three of the original cribs and accommodates up to four persons.

Contact Information:

The Red Garter Bed & Bakery
137 Railroad Avenue
Williams, Arizona 86046
928-635-1484 or 800-328-1484


Williams, Arizona now offers a popular ghost tour that begins at the Red Garter Bed & Bakery.

Saloon Row Ghost Tour - Walk through William's historic downtown, which is full of paranormal tales from the Banshee of the Mountain, the East End Ghoul and tales of the soiled doves of Whiskey Row. Tours begin at the Red Garter Bed & Baker, 137 W. Railroad Ave, 928-635-4530.

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Ghosts of the Plains Hotel, Cheyenne - WYOMING

In the late 1800’s the City of Cheyenne, Wyoming was called "The Magic City of the Plains,” so it was only appropriate when a luxurious hotel opened in 1911, it called itself the "Plains Hotel.” The concept of the elegant hotel was born at the annual $1 dinner of the Industrial Club (now the Chamber of Commerce) in December, 1909.
In the midst of the meeting, Thomas Heaney, club President, interrupted the other discussions to give his opinion that Cheyenne was badly in need of a new and modern hotel. At the time, the main hotel in town was one called the Inter-Ocean which, over time had become outdated and had taken on the more of a role as the city’s principal watering hole.

Though Heaney had said this in a somewhat joking fashion, the other men agreed and by February of the following year, the Cheyenne Securities Company was organized for the purpose of building a new hotel. Moving quickly, the hotel was designed by architect William Duboise and in March, a contract was awarded to build it. Construction started in June, 1910 and in March, 1911 it was completed at a costs of about $250,000, including furnishings.

On March 9, 1911, the hotel hosted an elaborate grand opening that was attended by men in full evening dress, gallant Army Officers and a host of elegantly gowned ladies. As a band played until the wee hours of the morning, the guests danced and admired the magnificent appointments and furnishings of the new hotel, modern to the smallest detail.

The five story hotel featured three elevators, 100 guest rooms, lush velvet carpets, fine furnishings, private baths, and telephones in the guest rooms, luxuries not seen in most hotels of the time.

The lobby was lighted through a mission art panel skylight, decorated with heavy brass fixtures and leather furniture, and its floor was finished in tile and mahogany. The staircase leading from the lobby was made of solid marble and steel. The lobby bar gleamed with plate glass and mahogany fixtures. On the Mezzanine level, an orchestra entertained guests.

The hotel soon attracted numerous cattle barons, oil tycoons, and the many travelers making their way to Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons. Guests raved about the amenities and service provided at the hotel. But for one couple, their stay would end in tragedy.

According the legend, a bride named Rosie and her new groom checked into the hotel on their honeymoon. One evening the groom went down to the lounge to have a drink and while he was there he met a prostitute. After a prolonged absence, Rosie went in search of her new husband, only to find him and his "lady friend” pleasantly chatting at the bar. Within moments, she watched as the pair left the lounge and headed upstairs together. Rosie silently followed them to the woman’s fourth floor room, where in a jealous rage she shot them both with her husband’s gun. Afterwards, Rosie returned to the honeymoon suite and turned the gun on herself.

Since the tragedy, the spirits of all three have been seen on many occasions by both employees and guests of the historic hotel.
Housekeeping staff often hear the sounds of both laughter and crying coming from the room that Rosie and her husband once occupied. However, when they open the door, no one is in the room. Rosie, herself, is often spotted walking in a long blue gown on the second floor.

Seemingly, the groom is more restless as he is sighted all over the hotel dressed in early 1900’s clothing. Wearing a long tail black dress coat, black boots, and a white shirt with a large silver button at its top, he is most often spotted on the fourth floor and in the basement.

The "other woman” has also been seen, most often on the second floor, wearing a short red dress with white lace. On one occasion, when the hotel was decorated for Halloween, the staff had placed two mannequins dressed in wedding attire in the lobby. Just as an employee spotted the spirit of the "other woman,” the mannequin dressed as a bride toppled over. After looking down at the fallen "bride,” the employee looked up and the spirit had vanished.

Today, the Plains Hotel continues to cater to the many travelers of Cheyenne. Offering 130 fully restored guest rooms and suites, the rooms are furnished in an "Old West” style complete with original artwork and photography by Wyoming artists. Though maintaining its historic heritage, the hotel offers all the modern amenities that are expected of today’s travelers.

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Ivy House Inn - Casper, WY

Casper, Wyoming is home to the Ivy House Inn Bed & Breakfast, a beautiful Cape Cod style inn that also apparently houses not only the ghost of its prior owner, but also her two Siamese cats, as well.

Built where the prairie meets the Rocky Mountains in 1916 by Mr. and Mrs. White, the roomy three story home was finally complete when two grand front porches were added in 1940.

Said to have been controlling in life, Mrs. White apparently continues her manipulating behavior in the after life by ensuring that guests do not drink or smoke in her place. However, Mrs. White doesn’t appear to limit her activities to only undesirable activities, she shows up all the time according to owners and guests of the historic inn.

At the age of 93, Mrs. White passed away in 1995 and the house was purchased by Tom and Kathy Johnson in 1996. Tom Johnson didn’t believe in ghosts when he bought the property, but that all changed as he began the work of renovating the home into a bed and breakfast inn.

Evidently, Mrs. White was not entirely happy with the renovations, as suddenly, when Johnson was using a power drill, it stopped working. As he turned around, the plug was hanging in mid-air for several seconds before it fell to the floor. On another occasion, a hammer simply got up and walked out the room.

To say the least, Tom Johnson is a believer today, so much so that he has since become a paranormal investigator. He also believes that the inn not only houses Mrs. White, but also several other spirits, including two Siamese cats. These two spectral felines have often been seen running throughout the building and one guest reported that a cat slept on the end the bed, purring contentedly.

Another apparition is that of a man that is often seen in the back parking area, where car alarms are set off regularly. Perhaps, this is Mr. White? Another guest reported seeing a male figure standing above her bed and heard a mail voicing saying, "Isn't it funny how people get lost?"

Others, who have stayed in one of the downstairs rooms, have often reporting having had the same dream where a young man wanders back and forth from the sink to the closet.

With all the odd happenings at this historic inn, it is still the controlling Mrs. White whose presence is most often shown. One regular occurrence is when smells of the past suddenly fill a room, such as old menthol cold medications, the aroma of baking chocolate, and the odor of a scouring pad on a skillet. Her face appears in mirrors and in windows and her shadowy body is often seen walking down the hall and through walls. Guests often report someone knocking at the door, but when they answer no one appears. When they take too long to answer, the doorknob will begin to twist. Mrs. White has also been reported to have appeared in many photographs.

Paranormal investigators have researched the house on nine different occasions.

Today, the beautiful Ivy House Inn surrounds its guests with vintage antiques while still providing all the comforts of a modern inn

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Inn at 835 - Springfield, IL

Built in the early 1900s, the Inn at 835 in Springfield, Illinois first housed luxury apartments. The dream of Bell Miller, a turn of the century businesswoman, it was designed during the Arts and Crafts movement by architect, George Helmle.

While still in her 20’s, Bell Miller began a floral business in the early 1890’s, catering to Springfield’s high society. Before long, she expanded her small business into a number of greenhouses, encompassing a city block.

In December, 1909 her dream home was completed, including airy verandahs, massive fireplaces and exquisite oak detailing in a neighborhood once termed “Aristocracy Hill.” In no time, the dignified building attracted an array of aristocratic tenants who graced the luxury apartments over the years..

In 1994, the building was completely renovated and the apartments were converted into seven luxurious guest rooms, each offering private baths and amenities such as double Jacuzzis and airy verandas. In 1995, the building was placed on the National Register of Historic Places.

But according to the legend, Bell Miller became so fond of her dream home, that she refuses to leave. From guests and staff come the stories of a warm friendly voice that seemingly comes out of nowhere. On other occasions, a ghostly figure has been seen drifting through doorways. One report included a book taken from a tightly packed shelf and placed in the middle of the room multiple times. On another occasion, when the wallpaper began to peel away from the wall, it was found to be perfectly repaired the next morning. Apparently, Miss Miller continues to care for her luxurious home.

She also seems to have a penchant for candy as the sound of the lid from a crystal candy dish is often heard being removed and replaced when no one is around. Most often reported are the strange events occurring in the elevator. Guests often report that regardless of the button they push, they wind up on a different floor. Though the elevator and been serviced and inspected on multiple occasion with reports that it is in perfect working order, the events continue to occur.

In any event, Miss Miller is seemingly a benign and friendly spirit at the Inn, which today provides every modern convenience without detracting from the sense of gracious luxury which Bell Miller created almost a century ago.

Today the historic inn provides gourmet breakfasts and evening wine and cheese in its luxurious surroundings. Meeting and banquet facilities are also available for up to 150 guests.

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Hotel St. Nicolas - Cripple Creek, CO

In the high country beyond Pike's Peak is the Cripple Creek Mining District, dotted with historic mine shafts, head frames, and tumbling down miners' cabins. Not only might a visitor find a "taste" of gold fever in this historic district, but may also experience their hair rising on the back of their necks as they "bump" into one of the many ghosts that reportedly roam the area.

Like many other mining towns of the Old West , Cripple Creek is said to be extremely haunted. Given its rich history, complete with mining accidents, floods, fires, lawlessness, and bloody battles between mine owners and labor unions, it comes as no surprise to learn of the many ghosts who continue to linger in this once thriving city. In fact, there are so many tales of spirits wandering this historic town, that at one time boasted one homicide per day, some say it is the one of the most haunted cities in the United States.

Colorado Grande Casino

The Fairley Brothers and Lampman Building at 300 East Bennett Avenue now houses the Colorado Grande Casino and Maggie’s Restaurant. Here, you may not only enjoy a little gaming and some great food, but you might just get a glimpse of a ghost as well.

At the turn of the century the three-story brick commercial building housed a variety of businesses, including a drug store, a millinery, an engineer, a lawyer and more. It’s rock-faced corner stones, recessed center entryway, and decorative molding made it one of the finest places in town for retailers to display their merchandise and offer their services. Over the years, the building also housed medical offices, a Masonic Lodge ballroom, and a mortuary.

In addition to the sounds of slot machines heard throughout the building today, many have also heard the “ghost” of Maggie, who has reportedly been lingering throughout the building for decades.

Usually appearing on the top two floors of the building, the sounds of her high heeled shoes are often heard echoing in the halls.

Described as about 25 years old and dressed in turn-of-the-century clothing, she wears a white shirtwaist, a long cotton skirt and high-heeled boots. The young beauty, with her hair piled atop her head, is known to leave behind the scent of her rose perfume even when she isn’t spotted.

Some have reported that singing and dancing is sometimes heard emanating from the old ballroom, as well as the sounds of Maggie’s lilting soprano voice heard singing an Irish accented concertina.

At the casino, security guards have often reported seeing “Maggie” along with a gentleman friend playing the slot machines after hours. She has also been caught on tape by the security cameras. However, after being viewed and stowed away, the tapes mysteriously vanished.

Hotel St. Nicholas

Perched atop a hill overlooking Cripple Creek is the Hotel St. Nicholas. Originally built as a hospital for the many people flooding the region in the late nineteenth century, the Sisters of Mercy opened the St. Nicholas Hospital in 1898. The building also served as lodging for the Sisters and a school for students in its early days.

In 1901, a second hospital was opened by Teller County, located in what is now another historic inn - the Hospitality House. To compete, the Sisters claimed their facility to be "thoroughly equipped with all modern improvements, beautifully located with the best physicians in the district in attendance."

Over the years, the hospital served the many prospectors and families of the area and expanded to include a ward for the mentally ill. However, when Cripple Creek's mining played out, the hospital closed its doors for the last time in the mid 1970’s.

For the next two decades, the building sat empty until a series of unsuccessful business attempts were made by various owners. However, this historic building, now listed on the National Register of Historic Places, finally found its niche when it was restored and refurbished by innkeepers Noel and Denise Perran and Susan Adelbush.

Today the Hotel St. Nicholas, with its panoramic view of Cripple Creek , contains 15 guest rooms, all pleasantly appointed with antiques, fine linens, and the unsurpassed elegance of yesteryear.

The hotel’s Boiler Room Tavern, popular with both locals and guests, is so named because the barback is the front plate off the inn’s original coal boiler. Here, you cannot only enjoy a beverage, but also a variety Mexican food menu, and live music during some weekends.

In addition to the opulence you will find at the Hotel St. Nicholas, you might also “find” a ghost or two. Said to be haunted by a number of spirits including nuns, children, and former patients of the mental ward, the most often “seen” ghostly resident is one referred to as “Stinky.” Lurking at the back staircase of the old hospital, “Stinky” makes his presence known with a sewage-like smell. The apparition of an old miner with no upper body is also sometimes seen.

Another ghost, that of a little boy affectionately known as “Petey,” has been seen throughout the hotel, but most often is held responsible for stealing cigarettes and moving items about in the tavern.

Quietly located just blocks from the gaming district, The Hotel St. Nicholas is can be found at 303 North Third Street in Cripple Creek.

Buffalo Billy’s Casino

Long before Buffalo Billy’s became the casino that it is today, it was known as the Turf Club. Still, visitors can see at the top of this historic building, the carved letters spelling out "Turf Club Room 1896." During Cripple Creek's mining days, several exclusive “men’s clubs,” including the Turf, lined the streets of the burgeoning city.

If was during this time, for reasons unknown, that the six year old spirit of a young girl took up residence in the building, and has remained there ever since. Known as “Lilly,” the friendly little girl has sometimes been seen sitting on the stairs, cradling a rag doll in her arms. Looking incredibly real, an employee once asked her if she was lost, to which Lilly replied, “No, I’m not lost, I live here.” When the employee left to get a security guard, the pair returned only to find the little girl gone.

On another occasion, when a tourist was playing the slot machines, she lost track of her daughter. When she began to search, she found her perched on the staircase. Asking her daughter what she was doing, the young girl replied that she was playing with Lilly.

Lilly evidently has an artistic side as her drawings, numbers, and letters are often found in the hallway at the top of the staircase. Although the walls are scrubbed down, the drawings always reappear.

According to the tales, Lilly is also said to like balloons, but only in certain colors. For example, if a blue balloon is left for her, it will pop. However, if a purple balloon is left, it will begin to wander around the building on its own.

Others have often seen Lilly peering from an upstairs window down to the street below.

Buffalo Billy’s is located at 239-243 E. Bennett Avenue.

Imperial Hotel

Following the disastrous fire that razed most of the city in 1896, the Imperial Hotel was built to accommodate the many miners and visitors to the area. Located at 3rd Street and Bennett Avenue, the building was opened as the Collins Hotel, luring guests with modern amenities such as electric lights and steam heat.

In the early part of the 20th century the hotel was run by an Englishman by the name of George Long. Having emigrated from Europe as a young man, he made his way to Denver, where he married his first cousin. Before long, the couple was running the hotel, focusing on service, comfort, and fine dining.

The couple also began to have children – two daughters and a son. Perhaps because they were first cousins and too closely related, their oldest daughter, Alice, suffered from a severe mental disorder. As the girl grew older, she became more and more difficult to control, until her parents were finally forced to keep her locked in their apartment next to the lobby. Today, this is the site of the Red Rooster bar.

Some time later, when George was going down the narrow stairs to the basement, he fell to his death. Though it very well could have been an accident, rumors began to abound that Alice had killed her father when he approached the top of the stairs, striking him in the head with a cast iron skillet.

In 1948, the hotel introduced the Gold Bar Theater and the Imperial Players, who entertained guests for nearly five decades. Hosting the longest running melodrama theater in the nation, the historic venue continues to entertain patrons today during its summer theatre season. In 1992 the hotel added limited stakes gaming to its list of attractions and began operating as the Imperial Casino Hotel.

The historic hotel is said to be haunted today by its former owner, George Long, who allegedly likes to flirt with the ladies and play the slot machines.

Several night time security guards tell stories of how the ding-ding-ding of the slot machines and coins hitting the hopper are heard late at night after the casino has closed. However, when they check the casino floor, no one is there. Later, when the machines are checked for malfunctions, none are found.

Guests, especially women, have often felt something or “someone” touching them during the night. Another tale alleges that a chambermaid reported having her bottom pinched by an unseen hand.

In the historic Gold Bar Theatre, evidently some of its melodramatic actors also have chosen to continue their “act,” as today’s actors tell of feeling the presence of someone when in the dressing rooms or a touch upon their back.

Evidently, the “crazed” Alice also leaves her “imprint” on the historic hotel. If staff leaves the door to the Red Rooster Bar closed, they hear the sounds of scratching on the other side of the door.

Today, the Imperial Hotel and Casino continue to welcome guests to its Victorian accommodations that include antique furnishings, French wallpaper, and chandeliers; as well as dining in its two restaurants and enjoying the entertainment of the casino.

The Palace Hotel/Womack's Casino

Cripple Creek's Palace Hotel first began as the Palace Drug Store. However, in 1892, the building was transformed into a hotel. With the influx of the many miners to the region, the hotel also featured one of Cripple Creek's original gambling dens. As one of only two hotels during Cripple Creek's early days, the place was so crowded at times; they even rented chairs to sleep in for $1 per night.

Alas, the building did not survive the 1896 fire that destroyed the entire town. However, the building was rebuilt and opened to guests once again. With its lavish décor, it soon became a major attraction for wealthy gold barons and high-rollers, as well as the many people who stepped off the stage at its front door.

By the turn of the century, the hotel was owned by Dr. Chambers and his wife Kitty. Taking care of his patients, the hotel was run by his wife, affectionately known as Miss Kitty. Priding herself on service, she offered a number of amenities to her guests, including placing lighted candles throughout the hotel and turning down the beds at night.

When Miss Kitty died in 1908 in Room #3 of the hotel, she evidently wasn’t ready to leave, as stories have it that she continues to reside there. Over the years, guests have told stories of how she continued to provide great service by making sure that the candles were lit and sometimes turning down the beds. Others have reported seeing a vision of Miss Kitty dressed in an old-fashioned white night gown with her long hair down over her shoulders. Yet other people have reported seeing the same figure in the window of Room #3.

Miss Kitty is not the only ghost said to lurk within these historic confines as some suggest other spirits continuing to roam the old hotel, including a short fat man, a tall woman, and a blind piano player. Reports include feelings of being watched; people who feel a gentle nudge as the walk up and down the stairs, crashing noises and footsteps in the halls when no one is there, and strange anomalies appearing in photographs.

Today, the hotel is the property of Womack's Casino, as of this writing, no changes have been made to the building, which continues to stand vacant. The Palace Hotel is located at 172 E. Bennett Avenue.

The Victor Hotel

The first Victor Hotel was built in the early 1894 by the Woods Brothers just in time to accommodate travelers arriving on the newly completed Florence & Cripple Creek Railroad. The large two-story wooden frame building was a showplace with its cone-shaped tower and enclosed balconies on its second and third stories. The “modern” hotel even featured electricity.

However, when a devastating fire swept through Victor in August, 1899, the wooden building succumbed to the flames that spread quickly and destroyed the entire town in just five hours.

Not to be deterred, the building was reconstructed to stand the test of time, with brick and stone. Larger than the prior building, the “Bank Block,” as it was called, housed not only the “new” Victor Hotel , but also the Woods Brothers Investment Company and the First National Bank. The four-story building also housed storefronts along the first floor and the upper floors held simple accommodations for businessmen and miners.

One distinctive feature of the hotel was its elevator, which came in handy for yet another function that the building took on. During the winters, when the ground was frozen between October and June, it was impossible to dig graves for those that died in the quickly growing city. As an alternative, the bodies were taken up the elevator and stored on the fourth floor of the building until the ground thawed enough to bury them.

It is apparently many of these long-dead Victor residents that haunt the historic hotel today. Though seemingly harmless, several people have witnessed the site of disembodied apparitions on the fourth floor. Reports include what look like both doctors and patients, sometimes without arms, legs, and even a heads, moving about this place that once acted as “holding cell” for the dead.

There are other haunted areas in the hotel including the basement, the elevator, the third floor, and the kitchen.

Throughout the hotel, guests often tell of seeing misty forms and hearing footsteps, sometimes accompanied by the sudden rush of cold air. In the kitchen, employees tell of utensils that are suddenly thrown about the room.

But the most prevalent ghost is that of a man named “Eddie” who allegedly fell down the elevator shaft years ago. Staying in Room 301 at the time of his death, Eddie has often been seen in the room, in the hallways, and in the elevator. Guests who stay in Room 301 also report hearing footsteps and other strange sounds that cannot be explained. Though the elevator is regularly inspected and maintained, it often tends to activate itself going up and down the shaft when no one is near it. Always stopping on the third floor, the elevator’s ghostly activity usually occurs around 3:00 a.m.

Today, the Victor Hotel , located at 4th Street and Victor Avenue continues to provide accommodations to travelers. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the hotel features 20 “modern” rooms with private baths. Victor is just a ten minute drive from Cripple Creek through the historic mining district on Colorado State Highway 67

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Hotel Weatherford in Flagstaff, AZ

When Arizona was just a territory and vigilantes ruled the dusty streets and trails, in rode John W. Weatherford to Flagstaff. Having a grand vision for Flagstaff, Weatherford soon began to build what would become known as one of the finest hotels in the West. Opening on New Year’s Day, 1900, the luxurious hotel would attract such visitors as newspaper tycoon, William Randolph Hearst, former President Theodore Roosevelt, and Old West author, Zane Grey, and lawman, Wyatt Earp.

After his luxury hotel was complete, John Weatherford built the Majestic Opera House, which opened in 1911. When it burned down in 1915, Weatherford was not to be deterred and rebuilt his theater, this time calling it the Orpheum, which continues to stand today.

In the early part of the 20th century, watercolor artist Thomas Moran spent many nights at the Weatherford hotel while he completed his sketches of western landscapes. These works of art were partially responsible for moving Congress to preserve such places as the Grand Canyon and Yellowstone as National Parks.

Over the years this historic building served a number of purposes, include Flagstaff's first telephone exchange company, a number of restaurants, a theater, a radio station and a billiard hall. Today, it has been fully restored and again caters to Flagstaff travelers

Along with its rich history, the Hotel Weatherford is also said to be called home to a couple of resident ghosts. The Zane Grey Ballroom, complete with its stained glass windows and antique Brunswick bar from Tombstone, is said to be the site where at least one of Weatherford’s ghosts is said to most often appear. In this beautiful ballroom the ghostly woman has often been spied floating across the room. On other occasions, she is said to dart from one side of the room to the other. Other phenomenon in the ballroom includes the light over the pool table that seemingly sways of its own accord and the sounds of whispers and voices coming from an otherwise empty bar.

Apparently, there the ghosts of a long ago bride and groom also haunt the hotel. According to the legend, the honeymoon couple was murdered in Room 54 of the hotel back in the 1930s. On at least one occasion, an employee who was staying in the hotel, awoke in the middle of the night to find a bride and groom sitting on the foot of the bed. Today, the room has been turned into a storage closet, but that hasn’t stopped the ghostly pair, as guests have often reported seeing the couple enter the room. Staff often report hearing their names being called out by an unseen spirit while on the fourth floor as well as feeling a presence standing behind them.

While at the historic Hotel Weatherford, you may very well “see” a ghost, but if not, you are sure to enjoy the authentic Old West Hotel, old fashioned rooms, and delightful lounges.

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Gunter Hotel - San Antonio, TX

Originally dedicated on November 20, 1909, the historic Gunter Hotel's roots date back to the first year of the Republic of Texas. In 1837, at the corner of what was then El Rincon and El Paseo Streets was the Frontier Hotel. By the turn of the century, these streets had been renamed St. Mary’s Street and Houston Avenue and the intersection had become a vital part of San Antonio's business center.

Jot Gunter, along with a group of investors, decided that a palatial new hotel would meet the demands of the state’s most progressive city and with that, the Gunter Hotel was born. Designed by the same architectural firm that did the Hotel Adolphus in Dallas and the Galvez in Galveston, the magnificent hotel was the largest building in San Antonio at the time. The San Antonio landmark quickly established a reputation for excellence and became a favorite for business and leisure travelers from across the country.

Across the street from the Majestic Theater, the hotel has attracted its share of Hollywood celebrities, including Mae West and cowboy film stars Tom Mix, Roy Rogers, John Wayne and Gene Autry. Other notable guests over the years included Presidents Franklin Roosevelt and Harry Truman.

In addition to serving the traveling public in fine style, the Gunter Hotel also has a more infamous past. In 1965, an unidentified woman was murdered at the historic hotel and her restless spirit is said haunt the premises.

It all started on February 2, 1965, when a blonde man in his late 20’s checked into room 636. Though he checked in alone, under the alias Albert Knox, he was soon seen over the next several days accompanied by a tall blonde sophisticated looking woman.

All was seemingly fine until afternoon maid prepared to check the room on February 8th. Believing the "Do Not Disturb" sign on the door was an oversight, she turned the lock with her passkey. However, the maid was shocked as she entered the room to find “Mr. Knox” standing beside a blood-soaked bed. Letting out a scream, the man put his index finger to his lips as if indicating that she should be quiet. He then gathered up a blood soaked bundle and ran right past her and out the door.

Precious time was lost as the frightened maid to another maid, who told a bellhop, who finally told the manager. It was some forty minutes later before the police were finally called. Arriving within ten minutes, the two detectives encountered a grisly scene when they entered the room. The entire room was covered in blood, from the carpet, to the bathroom floor, to the walls, and the bed, the room was pilled with the sticky remains of the woman’s lifeblood. Small pieces of flesh her also found in the bathroom, and the police theorized that the woman’s body had been butchered there, with some parts disposed of down the toilet.

Within days, the police tracked down a suspect checked in at the St. Anthony hotel a few blocks away. As they knocked on his door, they heard a shot from inside the room. The suspect, later identified as a man named Walter Emerick, had taken his own life.

Though a thorough search was made by police, the woman’s body was never found. Police theorized that Emerick may have disposed of the body in still-wet cement at one of the many construction projects that were taking place in San Antonio's downtown area at the time.

Since this terrible incident, staff and guests have reported strange occurrences in the vicinity of room 636. The seemingly restless spirit has often appeared with her arms outstretched. Strange sounds of hammering have also been reported coming from an unoccupied Room 636. Others have reported the image of a blonde woman inexplicably appearing in photographs. Housekeeping staff have reported that new employees often quit after the first time they are assigned to clean the room. Where there is one spirit, others sometimes also linger. Other reports indicate that an elderly woman has also been to known to lurk about the hotel.

Several years ago the Gunter Hotel underwent an 8 million dollar renovation when it became part of the Sheraton Hotel Group. Today, the historic hotel provides 322 guest rooms and suites, furnished in the style of the Texas cattlemen's club rooms of old. Fully updated, the hotel also offers all the amenities of a full-scale modern hotel, including the famous Sheraton Gunter Bakery, a restaurant, lounge, meeting facilities and more.

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Grant Corner Inn - Santa Fe, New Mexico

Santa Fe, New Mexico, established in 1607, is the second oldest city founded by European colonists in the United States. Only St. Augustine, Florida is older. It's long history of Indians, Spanish, Mexicans, and pioneers have led the city to be one of the most haunted in America. Furthermore, the city was built over an abandoned Tanoan Indian village where no doubt, Indian burial grounds might be found beneath the city's depths.

Santa Fe is one of the few cities that offers a full schedule of “ghost tours” and “ghost walks” year around, with as many as five operators conducting tours from Santa Fe's historic plaza. These tours primarily focus on the ten block historic area of Santa Fe, featuring such places as the La Posada and La Fonda Hotels, the Grant Corner Inn, Palace of Governors, the oldest house in the nation, and other historic buildings. Some tours also include area superstitions, as well as Santa Fe's history of vigilantes, gunfights, murders and hangings.

Whether you take a tour or stumble upon its many ghosts on your own, here are are a few of Santa Fe's ghostly legends.

Alto Street – Reportedly a headless horseman haunts this street, riding his horse down to the Santa Fe River. Brandishing a sword, it is said the he lost his head to two Spanish witches, after complaining about a love potion they gave him. Most often this headless cowboy is sighted near the riverbank.

Casa Real Health Care Center - At this senior health-care facility at 501 Galisteo Street, employees, patients and visitors have complained of strange happenings ever since the facility was built in 1985. Constructed over the site of an old penitentiary graveyard next to another haunted building, most people say that an oppressive, uncomfortable feeling emanates from this building. Others have reported strange colds spots moving throughout the rooms and unexplained moaning is often heard in the north and south wings.

Grant Corner Inn - Just a few steps off Santa Fe's historic Plaza sits the historic Grant Corner Inn. The house was originally built in 1905 by a couple new to the Santa Fe area. Unfortunately for the young couple, shortly after they built their new home, a sickly son was born who required constant attention. To make matters worse, the woman’s husband died shortly thereafter. The young mother soon remarried a man who was said to have not been a very nice person. Over the years, child continued to get worse and the mother threw herself into caring for the young boy. During this time, visitors to the home would often report hearing the young boy crying and banging on the walls of his upstairs room while his mother was downstairs visiting.

Confined to a wheel chair, the boy was said to have continually rolled too close to the stairway, tumbling down, wheel chair and all, to the landing below. The child finally died of his ailments and the woman and her husband moved away.

Afterwards, when the house was empty, neighbors would often report seeing lights in the upstairs room that had belonged to the boy. When someone finally purchased the house, the new owners reported hearing noises in the child’s room, as if he was still there. Today the house has been converted into a Bed and Breakfast.

When Art Garcia, a former caretaker for the B&B, was interviewed by Antonio Garcez for his book Adobe Angels: Ghosts of Santa Fe and Taos, the caretaker relayed terrifying happenings within the home. In this account, Garcia tells of deafening noises, blasts of freezing air that would often kill house plants, and the terrible aroma of rotting meat.

However, since the property was purchased by Louise Stewart, the building has been extensively remodeled and the spirit of the boy has quieted down or perhaps left the building entirely.

However, rumors persist that object continue to fall to the floor, while footsteps and slamming doors are often heard within the old house. Others have reported seeing a grayish figure in the hallway. Reportedly, rooms 4 and 8, as well as the hallway upstairs are the areas reported to be haunted.

Today, this lovely Bed and Breakfast, voted the best in Santa Fe by several local periodicals, is a charming 10-room Inn, surrounded by a white picket fence and weeping willows. The Inn provides old-fashioned hospitality, comfortable, well-appointed accommodations and innovative country cuisine. Rooms are decorated with antique quilts, brass and four-poster beds, hand-painted armoires and numerous pieces of antiques and art that combine to make each room a unique experience.

Luguna Pueblo Mission - The coffin of the murdered priest keeps popping up through the church floor here. Father Juan Padilla was murdered by Indians in 1733 and was buried beneath the floor at the Islata Pueblo Church. Before long, his coffin, hollowed out of a cottonwood tree, rose out of the earth in front of the altar. It rose again twenty years later, and again in 1889. Then, on Christmas Even 1914, it poked through the floor again. Two investigations were conducted by the Bishop of Santa Fe, but no conclusion was reached as to the nature of the phenomenon.

La Residencia – Now housing a nursing home, this building at the corner of Palace Avenue and Paseo de Peralia, was once the community hospital. Years ago a little boy died in room 311 from injuries suffered in an automobile accident. Unfortunately, the boy’s father also died in the same car wreck. Today the muffled crying of the little boy is heard so often that administrators try to keep the room unoccupied. Other paranormal occurrences also happen in the basement. This only began to occur when the state museum began to utilize the basement to store Indian artifacts. Reportedly, strange sounds are often heard in the basement rooms, so often that some nurses refuse to enter the area. On one occasion, two nurses reported seeing a wall in the basement oozing fresh blood. La Residencia is located at 820 Paseo De Peralta.

Mission of San Miguel – The oldest church still in use in the United States, this simple earth-hue adobe structure was built around 1610 by the Tlaxcalan Indians of Mexico, who came to New Mexico as servants of the Spanish. Though badly damaged in the 1680 Pueblo Revolt, the sturdy adobe walls remained unharmed. Stone buttresses later were added to strengthen the walls, the tower was remodeled and a modern façade was added. On display in the chapel are priceless statues and paintings and the San José Bell, weighing nearly 800 pounds, which is believed to have been cast in Spain in 1356. The bell was used in churches in Spain and Mexico before being brought to Santa Fe by oxcart in the early 19th century.

This old bell is said to have been the source of a miracle in the mid-1800's when a blind man attended the church at around noon every day. His fervent prayers are said to have cause the bell to ring of its own accord and when it rang, the man regained his sight. Unfortunately, when the ringing stopped, he lost his sight again but was later able to accurately describe statues and icons inside the church.

The gift shop at the church, that once served as a private residence is reportedly haunted by a small child who died there in the 1940s.

Across the narrow street from the church is the oldest house in the United States, which is supposedly haunted by a malevolent presence. In fact the entire block surrounding San Miguel dates back to the 1200s and was once the site of an ancient Indian Pueblo. For centuries, tragic and violent events have occurred within this block including the subjugation of the Pueblo Indians, the Pueblo Revolt against the Spanish in 1680, executions of convicted criminals and much more. Not only is the church and the oldest house said to be home to a ghost or two, but the entire block.

The church is located at 401 Old Santa Fe Trail.

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Georgian Hotel - Santa Monica,California

At the end of your Route 66 travels, be sure to check out The Georgian Hotel in Santa Monica, California. Built in 1933 and originally named The Lady Windemere, it was designed to be an intimate hideaway, catering to Los Angeles’ high society. At the time the hotel was developed, it was nestled in a heavily-wooded shoreline of the little-known seaside community of Santa Monica. The dream of Rosamond Borde, a daring and progressive entrepreneur, she commissioned Eugene Durfee to construct the posh resort in an art deco style opening its doors to the rich and famous in 1933.

During prohibition, the Georgian was home to one of Los Angeles’ first speakeasies and soon became the rendezvous point for many up-and-coming Hollywood studio executives and celebrities including Clark Gable and Carole Lombard, who sought secluded weekends away from the cameras.

The oceanfront veranda provided a stage for martinis, jazz and notorious figures including Bugsy Siegel and Fatty Arbuckle. The hotel was considered to be one of the most modern facilities of the time, featuring a beauty parlor, barber shop, playground and dining room, in addition to its most popular speakeasy. The primary reasons for the hotel’s popularity and success was the exclusive, secluded location and the discriminating manner of Rosamond. Borde.
When prohibition finally ended and expansion dramatically occurred in the 1950's, Los Angeles began to develop into a major metropolitan city. It was during this decade that The Lady Windemere was sold, refurbished and renamed the Georgian

The property remained a favorite vacation residence for the new era of jet setting Americans and Europeans. In the Spring of 2000, a $2 million renovation was completed which included the addition of numerous elegant amenities to the Georgian’s guest rooms, lobby, hallways and meeting facilities.

Today the old hotel is surrounded by modern office buildings rather than pristine forests, but still continues to attract Hollywood celebrities such as Oliver Stone, Robert DeNiro and Arnold Schwarzenegger.

And, according to legend, it continues to play host to a number of other unearthly guests, whether they be famous or infamous. In the hotel’s Speakeasy Restaurant, both staff and guests have reported a number of strange phenomena over the years. At many times when the restaurant is completely empty, employees have heard loud sighs, gasps and have been startled by a disembodied voice who greets them with, “Good Morning.” At other times the sounds of running footsteps are heard throughout the restaurant when no one is there and a number of transparent apparitions have been seen.

So, perhaps if you stop to have a libation at the Speakeasy you’ll bump into none other than Robert DeNiro if you’re lucky, and if you’re not, you might “bump” into an unearthly presence for which you cannot see.

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Elms Hotel - Excelsior Springs ,Missouri

In the summer of 1880, Indians and hunters told a man named Travis Mellion that the natural springs of the area had strong healing powers. Mr. Mellion had a very sickly daughter, ailing from tuberculosis, and decided to give it a try. After just weeks of bathing in the spring and drinking its water, the young girl was cured. Another man named Frederick Kigler tried the springs for a leg affliction and had the same results. In no time at all, the legend of the springs spread and people were arriving from great distances to test the results for themselves. Within a year, 200 houses were built and the town of Excelsior Springs was founded.

In 1888, the Excelsior Springs Company built the first Elms Hotel on a 50 acre site surrounded by rolling acreage and lush trees. Accommodating the many visitors to the spring, the three story hotel had broad, shady verandas on all four sides, where guests were entertained by an orchestra. The luxury hotel also boasted a large heated swimming pool, a four-lane bowling alley, a target range and a billiards room.

Just ten years later, the beautiful hotel was destroyed by fire on May 8, 1898. Luckily, no one was injured, but the building was an entire loss. After the fire, plans were begun to rebuild the hotel, but construction did not begin until 1908. In July, 1909 the new Elms had its second grand opening and its popularity continued to grow.

But, alas, it was almost as if this spot had a curse upon it, because less than two years later, on October 29, 1910, the hotel burned down again. Following a large party in the Grand Ballroom, fire spread throughout the interior walls igniting a boiler and setting the roof ablaze. The structure was a complete loss, but thankfully, no one was hurt.

The owners were determined to rebuild; however, to generate some additional funds for reconstruction, some of the land surrounding the hotel was sold. This time they built the hotel fire-safe, constructed of native Missouri limestone, with steel frames and reinforced concrete. The hotel held its final grand opening on September 7, 1912. Over 3,000 people visited on its grand opening day.

During the prohibition years, the Elms reputation grew as a popular speakeasy. As such, the hotel attracted a number of known gangsters, including Al Capone. Under the watchful eye of his machine gun toting guards, Capone was known to conduct all-night drinking and gambling parties. At one time Al Capone lined up and tipped several staffers each with a one-hundred dollar bill, a tradition which is, no doubt, encouraged yet today.

During the depression, the historic hotel suffered along with everyone else and was temporarily closed for a time.

During the 1948 presidential election, Harry S. Truman sought refuge at the hotel when it appeared that he was losing his re-election bid. However, in the wee hours of the morning, he was awakened by his aides informing him that he had, in fact, won the election and was whisked away to Kansas City, where he was photographed holding a copy of the Chicago Tribune proclaiming Dewey the winner.

In 1966, the hotel suffered another economic downtown following the U.S. Government ruling that mineral water treatments would no longer be covered by insurance. However, the Elms has endured its many challenges and fully restored to its original grandeur it continues to host hundreds of guests every year.

However, the Elms, like many historic hotels, is also said to play host to a couple of unearthly guests. The lap pool in the basement is said to be haunted by a man traced back to the hotel’s “speakeasy” days. During prohibition, the gangsters used to store their liquor and hold their all-night gambling parties in these blocked off rooms. The spirit is said to be that of man killed by the mob during one of these illegal drinking events.

Reportedly, on the third floor the hotel, staff and guests alike, have often seen a maid wearing a 1920s style uniform. Seemingly, she is extremely benevolent and only there to watch today’s housekeeping staff to ensure that they are doing their work correctly.

Another spirit is said to be that of a woman who walks through the hotel looking for her child. Distressed, she has been known to pull people’s hair or throw things across the room.

Both guests and staff report the feeling of an unearthly presence in several areas throughout the old hotel, as well as unexplained noises and the occasional glimpse at one of the three spirits.


Throughout the years, the Elms has hosted a number of famous guests including President Harry Truman and Al Capone, mentioned above, and others such as oil magnate Harry Sinclair, artist Thomas Hart Benton, and TV personality Dave Garroway.

The Elms is a significant landmark in Excelsior Springs, and is currently listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Located south of the intersection of Elms Boulevard and Regent Avenue, the Elms Hotel complex is surrounded by lushly planted acreage, with walking trails shaded by mature trees and flanked by stone walls in some areas. A tennis court and ruins of a stone garage are southwest of the hotel and are reached by a pedestrian bridge. The Fishing River runs along the eastern edge of the property. The old pump house now houses a gift shop.

The Elms features 152 guest rooms and suites, more than 11,000 square feet of meeting space, including the 3,900-square-foot Elms Ballroom, a 42-seat amphitheater, a stone carriage house and a 20-person boardroom. Amenities include two restaurants, two lounges, a 10,000-square-foot spa, an indoor European swim track, an indoor banked jogging track, a fitness room, an outdoor pool, a challenge course, a walking trail, and a professional volleyball court.

The Elms is 30 minutes north of Kansas City in Excelsior Springs' historic business district.

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Eldridge Hotel - Lawrence ,Kansas

Prior to the Civil War, Lawrence lay in the midst of the vicious Missouri/Kansas Border War and this old hotel was burned down twice in the mid 1800s.

The original hotel, called the Free State Hotel, was built in 1855 by settlers from the New England Emigrant Aid Society. It was named the Free State Hotel to make clear the intent of those early settlers -- which was that Kansas should come into the Union as a free state. The Free State Hotel was intended as temporary quarters for those settlers waiting for their homes to be built.

On January 3, 1855, Colonel Shalor Eldridge arrived in Kansas City from New England where he purchased the American House, which General Pomeroy had bought for the Emigrant Aid Society.

This house was the headquarters of the Free-State men. In early 1856, Shalor leased the Free State Hotel at Lawrence, equipping it as a first-class hotel.

But, just months later on May 21, 1856 the hotel was attacked and destroyed by Sheriff Samuel J. Jones and his posse. Jones, leading a group of pro-slavery forces, aimed a cannon at the hotel and burnt it to the ground.

In 1857, Colonel Eldridge, along with his brothers Edsin, Thomas and James re-erected the hotel at a cost of $80,000, vowing that it would be rebuilt again if it was destroyed.

Perhaps his statement was a prediction, as the hotel was again destroyed in 1863 when it was attacked by Quantrill and his raiders.

William Clarke Quantrill, an Ohio native, had joined the Confederate forces several years prior but was unhappy with their reluctance in aggressively prosecuting Union troops. Therefore, the young man took it upon himself to take a more aggressive course with his own-guerilla warfare.

In 1862, Quantrill began his infamous raiding career in western Missouri and then across the border into Kansas by plundering the towns of Olathe, Spring Hill and Shawnee. His raids gained the attention of other desperados.

By 1863, Quantrill recruited others who joined his company including “Bloody” Bill Anderson and the James brothers. In the summer of 1863 they set their sites on Lawrence, Kansas - the site of their most infamous destruction.

Early on the morning of August 21, 1863, Quantrill along with his murderous force of about 400, descended on the still sleeping town of Lawrence. Incensed by the Free-State headquarters town, Quantrill set out on his revenge against the Jayhawker community. In this carefully orchestrated early morning raid he and his band, in four terrible hours, turned the town into a bloody and blazing inferno unparallel in its brutality. Quantrill and his bushwhacker mob of raiders began their reign of terror at 5:00 a.m., looting and burning as they went, bent on total destruction of the town, then less than 3,000 residents. By the time it was over, they had killed approximately 180 men and boys, and left Lawrence nothing more than smoldering ruins.

The proud City of Lawrence was determined to rebuild and quickly adopted the motto “from ashes to immortality.” Using an original cornerstone from the burned hotel, Colonel Eldridge promptly rebuilt the hotel, which opened again in 1865 with a new name -- The Hotel Eldridge.

In 1867, Colonel Eldridge built the Broadway House in Kansas City, now known as the Coates house. In 1877, he built the Eldridge house at Coffeyville and the next year the Otis House in Atchison. Colonel Eldridge died January 16, 1899 in Lawrence at the age of 82.

For the next several decades the Eldridge Hotel stood as one of the finest hotels west of the Mississippi and continued to play an important role in the early development of Lawrence and the State of Kansas. But by 1925, the hotel had begun to deteriorate, when a group of Lawrence business leaders decided that due to the hotel’s importance to the city, that it should be torn down and rebuilt to its former dignity and elegance. The community stepped forth to insure the success of the undertaking and the hotel again displayed its former splendor.

However, by the 1960’s it had again began to deteriorate and trends had changed. Downtown hotels were no longer popular, given over to the many motels springing up on the outskirts of town. Finally, the old hotel closed its doors on July 1, 1970 and was converted into apartments.

However, in 1985, a new group of investors again wanted to restore the old hotel to its former splendor and the City of Lawrence supported the project by committing two million dollars to match the one million raised by private investors. The top four floors of the hotel were completely rebuilt and converted into 48 two room luxury suites and the lobby was restored to its original elegance.

It is no surprise with its rich history that the hotel continues to host some ghostly spirits.

The fifth floor is said to contain a portal to the spirit world – especially room 506. In this room witnesses have reported breath marks on recently cleaned mirrors, doors opening and shutting on their own, and lights turning on and off by themselves.

Others report cold spots throughout the old hotel. Some guests have even encountered apparitions on the fifth floor and an “elevator ghost” likes to open and close the elevator doors on the fifth floor. Several photographers have also mentioned having inexplicable technical difficulties with their cameras when near the elevator.

The hotel is located at the corner of Massachusetts and 7th streets in downtown Lawrence, Kansas.

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