In a cozy inn at the charming Mackinac Island in Michigan, a girl is said to haunt the house. Playing the piano at night, messing with the electronics as well as appearing in front of guests, her ghost is begging to go home.
In the glistening waters of Lake Huron between Michigan’s Upper and Lower Peninsulas, Mackinac Island is a serene retreat known for its picturesque beauty, historic charm, and an eerie reputation for the supernatural. In fact, Mackinac Island was called the most haunted town in America in 2021, with many stories having been covered over the years. And with only a full time population of around 583 people, the ghosts perhaps even outnumber the living.
Read More: Check out all ghost stories from the USA
With no cars allowed and transportation limited to bicycles and horse-drawn carriages, the island offers a unique step back in time. Some come to enjoy the quiet seaside and enjoy the famous fudge. The island has become a perfect summer destination for Americans, but after the tourists leave in the fall, the fog from the Straits comes rolling in, and the leaves turn color, the ghost of the island remains to haunt it.
Bogan Lane Inn: Said to be one of the many haunted places to book a room at Mackinac Island, it is supposedly haunted by a little girl.
A Brief History of Mackinac Island
Mackinac Island’s history stretches back thousands of years, with indigenous peoples such as the Odawa, Ojibwe, and Huron considering it a sacred place long before European settlers arrived. The island’s name itself, derived from the Ojibwe word “Michilimackinac,” means “big turtle,” referring to the island’s shape when viewed from above.
The French established a fur trading post here in the 17th century, and the island later became a strategic military outpost during the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812. In the late 19th century, it became more of a summer colony and a tourist destination that it still is.
Mackinac Island: Cars were banned at the end of the nineteenth century due to health and safety concerns for the island’s residents and horses, as local carriage drivers said it scared their horses. This, together with the old historic houses and lush nature makes you feel like stepping back in time and welcoming old ghosts to linger.
The Haunting Inside of Bogan Lane Inn
The inn on the island was built in the mid-1850s as a private residence on Bogan Lane downtown on Mackinac Island, a quaint inviting house with white painted wood and a cozy porch.
The inn was built when the fishing industry developed by many Irish families coming to the US after the Potato Famine was in large parts. It was left vacant for 40 years before being reinvented as a hotel. First in 1957 a new foundation, heating system and bathrooms were installed.
As with many of the old buildings on Mackinac Island, the Bogan Inn has its haunted legends and has been rumoured to be haunted by the ghost of a little girl.
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The ghost is said to be a little girl with long dark hair, playing the piano and telling people she wants to go home, has also been reported at Bogan Lane inn. No one knows who she is or could be or when the haunting was started. The online postings about it go back to at least 2005.
It is not the only haunted inn in the street either as Pine Cottage Bed & Breakfast across the street has its own ghost stories as well. In this inn, there is a ghost story of a little girl called Lucy said to haunt the whole island. Although similar stories, they are often told separately and Lucy is often described very different, although both are looking for their parents. Check out he Ghost of Lucy of Mackinac Island Looking for her Parents
In addition to seeing the apparition of the little girl, guests and staff also talk about having difficulties with their electronics when staying at the inn. Lights in their room flicker and their television keeps turning on and off by itself. Something paranormal going on or simply old wiring?
There are also those claiming to hear strange voices when no one is there, whispering in the middle of the night, being woken up by something rattling the doorknobs, as if someone is trying to get in.
Who is Behind the Haunting?
When did this haunting start? Who is the ghost of the little girl and where is her home, really? As with most of seasonal open places there is always a reason to make up a ghost story as the summer tourists leaves and the halloween season sets in. But then again, all old houses tend to have their own ghost story, and as the season passes, we all have to acknowledge, Mackinac Island and its white painted houses are starting to get old and haunted.
Back in the day, the Mission Point Resort on Mackinac Island used to be a university. According to legend it is haunted by a former student who ended his life after being heartbroken. Or did he?
In the glistening waters of Lake Huron between Michigan’s Upper and Lower Peninsulas, Mackinac Island is a serene retreat known for its picturesque beauty, historic charm, and an eerie reputation for the supernatural. In fact, Mackinac Island was called the most haunted town in America in 2021, with many stories having been covered over the years. And with only a full time population of around 583 people, the ghosts perhaps even outnumber the living.
Read More: Check out all ghost stories from the USA
With no cars allowed and transportation limited to bicycles and horse-drawn carriages, the island offers a unique step back in time. Some come to enjoy the quiet seaside and enjoy the famous fudge. The island has become a perfect summer destination for Americans, but after the tourists leave in the fall, the fog from the Straits comes rolling in, and the leaves turn color, the ghost of the island remains to haunt it.
Mission Point Resort: This fine resort with an outlook over the blue water has gone through many stages and has been the home of many different organizations and schools. Today it is a hotel, but it is said it is still haunted by the ghost of a former student from when it was Mackinac Island College. //Source: Mary McGuire/Flickr
A Brief History of Mackinac Island
Mackinac Island’s history stretches back thousands of years, with indigenous peoples such as the Odawa, Ojibwe, and Huron considering it a sacred place long before European settlers arrived. The island’s name itself, derived from the Ojibwe word “Michilimackinac,” means “big turtle,” referring to the island’s shape when viewed from above.
The French established a fur trading post here in the 17th century, and the island later became a strategic military outpost during the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812. In the late 19th century, it became more of a summer colony and a tourist destination that it still is.
Mission Point Resort: Tragedy and Restless Spirits
Mission Point Resort can be found on the southeast side of Mackinac Island and is notorious for its paranormal activity as well as its wonderful view of the sunrise. The family owned place has been a hotel and conference center since the late 1970, but by then, it already had a long history.
The southeast end of Mackinac Island thus became known as Mission Point after Reverend William Ferry, a Protestant missionary established Mission Church, which was one of the first protestant churches in the Midwest. You can also find the Mission House, a boarding school built to teach native american children the christian way of life. Like the Mission Point Resort, the Mission House also is believed to be haunted.
In the 1940 and 50s, a lot of Mission Point used to belong to a religious group known as The Moral Re-Armament group. They called themselves a multi-national group promoting love, unselfishness, purity and honesty. Other people have since called the group a cult with a pro fascism and pro Hitler statements professed by some members.
In any case, they invested in the place and built many buildings catering to the community, bot the locals as well as tourists.
Mackinac College and the Student Haunting it
Once, Mission Point Resort was a part of the Mackinac College campus, a private liberal arts college from 1966 to 1970. The college taught courses in biology, chemistry, physics, psychology, modern languages, theater, television, radio, journalism, art, government, and public affairs. The college offered professional degrees.
The student mass consisted of 113 students from 30 states and Canada. It wasn’t a successful one and closed after graduating its first class in 1970. Some tried to revive it as a bible college, but also this failed.
The Mission Point Resort is said to be haunted by the spirit of Harvey. He was a student at Mackinac College who allegedly committed suicide after a heartbreak. According to some sources, this was said to have happened in 1967.
Mackinac Island College: The Clark Center for Arts and Sciences (left) and Peter Howard Memorial Library (right) were constructed for use by Mackinac College. The Library (completed in 1966) was torn down in approx. 1990. // Source: Mackinac Island State Historic Parks
Harvey probably stayed at the West Residence that was used as the male dormitory for Mackinac College. According to Amy Bruni and her paranormal research group, they were able to track down his real identity, but according to her, Harvey’s parents asked for his real name not to be mentioned.
Some say it was simply an unrequited love, some say that he proposed, but turned him down. What really happened is something of a mystery, and we only really know that one winter day he went missing and wasn’t found until spring.
What really happened to Harvey, was it really suicide? Some say that it was actually a rival for his love interest who had something to do with his death. Many stories claim that he jumped from the cliffs behind the college, but this narrative is most likely made up. According to other sources, they said that he shot himself. This is were the story about it perhaps not being a suicide comes on. There were rumors that there were two bullets to the head from a gun that was nowhere near his body.
Visitors have also reported sightings of shadowy figures and phantom lights in the wooded areas surrounding the Mission Point Resort, as well as hearing mysterious voices calling out in the night.
Mission Point Theater: The first modern building at Mission Point, in 1955 the Theater is situated between Mission House (left) and Faren Cottage (right).// Source
Harvey Haunting the Theater and Mission Point Resort
His ghost is known to linger around the theater found at the center of the Mission Point Resort ground. The theater was built by the MRA group in 1955 and given to Mackinac College in 1965. where he is said to be flirtatious, bordering on harassing women and playing pranks on men. He is also said to be pinching and poking visitors, often accompanied by cold drafts and unsettling whispers.
A little girl is said to haunt a summer island. According to legend, the ghost of Lucy of Mackinac Island died of an illness when her parents were out of town. Still to this day she is said to roam the island, looking for where her parents went.
In the glistening waters of Lake Huron between Michigan’s Upper and Lower Peninsulas, Mackinac Island is a serene retreat known for its picturesque beauty, historic charm, and an eerie reputation for the supernatural. In fact, Mackinac Island was called the most haunted town in America in 2021, with many stories having been covered over the years. And with only a full time population of around 583 people, the ghosts perhaps even outnumber the living.
Read More: Check out all ghost stories from the USA
With no cars allowed and transportation limited to bicycles and horse-drawn carriages, the island offers a unique step back in time. Some come to enjoy the quiet seaside and enjoy the famous fudge. The island has become a perfect summer destination for Americans, but after the tourists leave in the fall, the fog from the Straits comes rolling in, and the leaves turn color, the ghost of the island remains to haunt it.
A Brief History of Mackinac Island
Mackinac Island’s history stretches back thousands of years, with indigenous peoples such as the Odawa, Ojibwe, and Huron considering it a sacred place long before European settlers arrived. The island’s name itself, derived from the Ojibwe word “Michilimackinac,” means “big turtle,” referring to the island’s shape when viewed from above.
The French established a fur trading post here in the 17th century, taking advantage of the rich natural resources and the strategic location that provided access to crucial trade routes. As time progressed, the island gained significance and later became a strategic military outpost during the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812, playing a key role in various military operations that shaped the early history of the United States.
With its scenic views and pleasant climate, in the late 19th century, it transformed into more of a summer colony and a tourist destination, attracting visitors from far and wide who sought relaxation and adventure. Today, it retains that charm, offering a blend of historical significance and natural beauty that continues to draw tourists looking to escape the bustle of modern life and immerse themselves in its rich heritage.
Mackinac Island: Cars were banned at the end of the nineteenth century due to health and safety concerns for the island’s residents and horses, as local carriage drivers said it scared their horses. This, together with the old historic houses and lush nature makes you feel like stepping back in time and welcoming old ghosts to linger.
The Ghost story of Lucy of Mackinac Island
Another well known ghost story on Mackinac Island is Lucy of Mackinac Island. She is said to be a 12 year old girl, wandering around the island in her light colored sundress and curly hair. At first glance, she probably looks like any other girl, but those looking twice will notice something strange as she appears and disappears like a ghost.
The ghost of Lucy of Mackinac Island is not confined to a single spot on the island but can be seen peeking out from windows from old Pine Cottage B&B and following people on the staircase at Crow’s Nest Trail up to Anne’s Tablet. Anne’s Tablet is a 1916 Art Nouveau sculptural installation by William Ordway Partridge.
More Than One Ghost Haunting The Pine Cottage
Lucy of Mackinac Island is not the only one said to haunt the Pine Cottage. Although Lucy seems like she can come and go as she likes, there are some ghosts that seem trapped in this place. Spirits simply known as the man, the woman and the creature are also said to haunt this place.
Pine Cottage: Peering out from the windows at the Pine Cottages, it is said that one of the ghost lingering there, is that of Lucy.
Room number 4 is haunted by a woman, often regarded as a helpful ghost according to the accounts of those who have encountered her presence. She is known for assisting guests in finding lost items, tidying up the space, and exuding a gentle aura that brings comfort to those who stay in the room.
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Some believe that she may be the spirit of a woman who was allegedly murdered there in 1942, a tragic event that remains shrouded in mystery, with the details of the crime never fully uncovered. This unresolved history adds to the intrigue surrounding Room 4, drawing visitors who are eager to experience the soothing presence of the ghost and perhaps glean more insight into the tragic story that lingers in the shadows.
The man is thought to be the killer of the woman. There are however no unsolved murders on Mackinac Island except that of Frances Lacey who were murdered in 1960. She didn’t stay at the Pine Cottages though.
Who was Lucy of Mackinac Island?
Back to Lucy, who is said to wander around the entire island, appearing to tourists with a haunting grace. Who was she when alive? Was her name even truly Lucy? Although a well-known ghost, she remains an enigma, not a well-known girl. There are not really many records that fit her descriptions; fragmented tales and local legends fill the gaps.
According to the local lore, Lucy died from a sickness when her family left town for the weekend, some say they went as far as Detroit. Did they leave her alone, were they as some would have it, drunkard parents? No one knows, but it is said that she was found dead when they returned.
Now she is wandering, lost and calling for her parents. As dusk falls, the stories of her life and untimely death linger in the air, raising questions about her true identity and the life she once led before she became part of the island’s haunting allure.
At the old and stately Grand Hotel at Mackinac Island, there are rumors about more than one ghost haunting the place. When building the hotel, they uncovered so many human bones they lost count. Some say that they are still under the luxurious hotel.
In the pristine waters of Lake Huron, between Michigan’s Upper and Lower Peninsulas, Mackinac Island serves as a tranquil retreat celebrated for its picturesque beauty, historic allure, and a notable reputation for the supernatural. In fact, Mackinac Island was called the most haunted town in America in 2021, with many stories having been covered over the years. And with only a full time population of around 583 people, the ghosts perhaps even outnumber the living.
Read More: Check out all ghost stories from the USA
With no cars allowed and transportation limited to bicycles and horse-drawn carriages, the island offers a unique step back in time. Some come to enjoy the quiet seaside and enjoy the famous fudge. The island has become a perfect summer destination for Americans, but after the tourists leave in the fall, the fog from the Straits comes rolling in, and the leaves turn color, the ghost of the island remains to haunt it.
A Brief History of Mackinac Island
Mackinac Island’s history stretches back thousands of years, with indigenous peoples such as the Odawa, Ojibwe, and Huron considering it a sacred place long before European settlers arrived. The island’s name itself, derived from the Ojibwe word “Michilimackinac,” means “big turtle,” referring to the island’s shape when viewed from above.
The French established a fur trading post here in the 17th century, and the island later became a strategic military outpost during the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812. In the late 19th century, it became more of a summer colony and a tourist destination that it still is.
Mackinac Island: Cars were banned at the end of the nineteenth century due to health and safety concerns for the island’s residents and horses, as local carriage drivers said it scared their horses. This, together with the old historic houses and lush nature makes you feel like stepping back in time and welcoming old ghosts to linger.
The Grand Hotel: A Luxurious Haunt
The Grand Hotel at Mackinac Island has become an iconic symbol of the island, is as famous for its opulence as it is for its ghostly residents. Built in 1887, this sprawling hotel has hosted numerous notable guests—and a few uninvited spectral ones.
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The Grand Hotel is located on Grand Avenue is one of the most recognizable buildings with its 660-foot porch said to be the longest in the world. It was built in 1887 for the rich rail and steamship passengers.
Movies have been filmed here and presidents and celebrities have stayed here. And according to some, so does the dead.
Grand Hotel at Mackinac Island
The Mass Graves Found on Mackinac Island
In 2011 developers of a new hotel discovered a mass grave downtown on Mackinac Island. They had a plan of building a three storey hotel at the site. Before the hotel construction started, there was a building known as the MacNally Cottage at the location. Some think that the cottage was built on a Catholic cemetery of the St. Anne’s Catholic Church who closed the cemetery in December in 1851. where there were many native american members as well. The police said that there were some bones belonging to animals, but there were also human bones. The human bones found were likely from the Sault Ste Marie Tribe of the Chippewa natives. Many hundred bones were unearthed.
The tribal members came to reclaim and rebury the remains to give them a traditional ceremony, but the building of the hotel went on ahead as well. The next year a few bones were discovered on the site of a remodel for a Main Street store. So it’s safe to say that most of the construction work on Mackinac Island will dig up some bones. Which begs the question, what did they find when they first built the Grand Hotel in 1887?
According to the lore, they found so many bones and bodies during construction that they were unable to keep track of them. Who were the people buried here? Were they Anishinaabe Chiefs, warring tribes, or the fallen European soldiers from the wars fought on the land? We don’t really know, because they decided to build on top of them without removing the skeletons in the ground or doing further investigations. Some say that this has angered the spirits, and awakened them to haunt the Grand Hotel.
The Ghosts of the Grand Hotel
So what are the ghost stories inside of the Grand Hotel at Mackinac Island? According to the staff, they keep hearing and seeing things they can’t explain, when they clock in for the morning shift, they find furniture has mysteriously moved. There are many different entities that are said to be the ones haunting the Grand Hotel. Here are some of the legends:
The Lady in Black
One of the most well-known spirits is the “Lady in Black,” believed to be a former guest who never checked out. Guests and staff have reported seeing the spirit of a young woman wearing Victorian era clothing, wandering the halls, particularly near the hotel’s grand staircase or walking a large dog on the porch after dark. She has even been said to get into bed with the other living guests.
The Haunting Black Mass
Another peculiar thing that is said to be haunting the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island is a sort of evil entity, appearing for staff and guests as a black mass with glowing red eyes.
A maintenance man was once working at the theater stage at the hotel. According to him, there was suddenly a black mass rushing after him, knocking him off his feet and out. Two days later he woke up from the fall and decided to never go back to the hotel.
Haunted Hotel: There is said to be more than one ghost haunting the hotel. //Source: Photo of the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island during the late 1920’s.
Other Ghost Haunting the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island
Another frequent sighting is that of an elderly man in a top hat lingering around the hotel’s bar and piano room, smoking a cigar. Those who see him claim that he disappears when approached.
Another is the ghost of Little Rebecca, who passed away on the grounds and haunts the fourth floor, being spotted floating or walking through the halls and disappearing to nowhere.
In the middle of the night in the Lower East Side hotel in New York City, the elevators of The Bowery Hotel are said to act in a paranormal manner. Every night at one in the morning, they go up and down of their own will, carrying their ghostly guests.
On Manhattan’s Lower East Side, The Bowery Hotel stands as a beacon of luxury and historical intrigue on 335 Bowery in the East Village. Although the hotel is not really that old, it has already managed to have conjured up a haunted rumour.
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This iconic hotel, steeped in the charm of New York’s Gilded Age inspired decor, offers more than just opulent decor and sumptuous comfort—it harbors a dark, spectral history that has become part of its allure. Beneath the velvet drapes and within the shadows of its oil-painted hallways, legends of hauntings and paranormal activity have taken root, giving the hotel an eerie reputation.
The Bowery Hotel is more than just a boutique retreat; it’s a window into New York City’s storied past. The neighborhood itself, once a hub of the city’s gritty underbelly, has evolved through the centuries from a bustling thoroughfare for immigrants and artists to a chic destination for travelers and residents alike.
The Bowery: Making a throwback to a cozy time, it sticks out from modern New York City. Is the nostalgic interior something that evokes a haunted vibe? Source: Wikimedia
Opening its doors in the early 2000s, The Bowery Hotel was designed to evoke the grandeur of New York’s Gilded Age. Its interiors, adorned with plush velvet, antique furnishings, and oil paintings reminiscent of the late 19th century, create an atmosphere that is both inviting and haunting. The charm of the hotel’s decor is undeniable, yet many visitors have reported an unsettling undercurrent—a sense that they are not alone.
Read More: Check out all ghost stories from haunted hotels.
Since then big celebrities have partied their way into the night. And if we are to believe the legends, some of the guests checked into the hotel rooms, sitting having a sip at the bar and riding the elevators, are not of the living kind.
The Haunting Legends of the Bowery Hotel
Perhaps the most famous legend associated with The Bowery Hotel revolves around its elevators. Guests and staff alike have reported strange occurrences involving the lifts, particularly at the stroke of one in the morning.
According to the tales, the elevators often go haywire—doors opening and closing without cause, buttons lighting up at random, and sometimes even stopping between floors. This phenomenon has been attributed to the hotel’s resident poltergeists, mischievous spirits that seem to revel in the disruption of the hotel’s nightly calm.
One popular theory suggests that these spirits are tied to the hotel’s location, which has a long and storied past. The location wasn’t always so swanky, as the Lower East Side used to be one of the city’s poorest places. The Bowery neighborhood was once home to theaters, flophouses, and speakeasies, places where revelry often ended in tragedy. Even when it was built, it was next to the Salvation Army shelter and methadone clinic. Some believe that the spirits of those who met untimely ends in the area have found a new home in the hotel, bringing with them the chaos and unrest of their former lives.
The hotel is also right next to The New York Marble Cemetery, and many think that the ghostly happenings are from the spirits lingering in the cemetery and having taken a trip into the hotel.
The New York Marble Cemetery: With its entrance at 41 Second Avenue between 2nd and 3rd Streets in the East Village neighborhood of Manhattan, New York City, was founded in 1830 and was the first non-sectarian cemetery in the city and is right by the Bowery Hotel. Could this be the source of the haunted rumors? Source: Wikimedia
Ghostly Encounters at the Bowery
Beyond the mischievous elevators, guests have reported other ghostly encounters throughout the hotel. Shadowy figures have been spotted in the dimly lit hallways, disappearing around corners or vanishing into thin air. The hotel’s oil paintings, some depicting somber and mysterious subjects, seem to watch over visitors, their gazes following passersby in a disconcerting manner.
One story passed around the halls, talks about a guest that got his beer spilled over himself, or knocked out of his hand, although he was sitting by himself. The doing of a malevolent spirit, or one too many beers?
Some visitors have even claimed to hear disembodied whispers in their rooms at night, the faint murmur of voices that cannot be traced to any living source. Cold spots, sudden drops in temperature One story in particular talks about one of the guests who was welcomed by the ghost of a woman wearing white as he was checking into his room.
Room at the Bowery: Some claim to have met the ghost of a woman as they entered the room. Who could this mysterious woman that people claim to have seen, but know nothing of? Source: Wikimedia
This was not the only time the legend of the woman in white at the hotel has been told, and it looks like the legend is spreading. Some sources claim over 700 guests have spotted her, asking for directions before vanishing into thin air.
Perhaps the worst is the talk about the feeling of being strangled in the bed as you are asleep. Would you dare to check in?
The Lady in Red is said to haunt the Mizpah Hotel in Tonopah, Nevada. Murdered in her room, she whispers sweet words and leaves pearls to guests staying the night. But what actually happened to her?
In the former silver mining town of Tonopah in Nevada, the Mizpah Hotel stands as a striking relic of the early 1900s, when Nevada’s mining boom attracted prospectors and travelers from far and wide to the Silver State.
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Between 1901 and 1921, Tonopah drew thousands of people working to get around $121 million worth of mostly silver ore from mines — especially in the hills directly behind the Mizpah Hotel. There were tons of rags to riches stories back then, although it also left a couple of ghost stories.
The History of The Mizpah Hotel
The Mizpah opened in 1907, designed as a luxury escape for weary miners and well-heeled visitors in Queen of the Silver Camps as the town was called. Originally it had been a saloon there and it was the first permanent building in the town. The hotel was named after the biblical term “watchtower,” and was supposed to be a safe haven for travelers.
The Mizpah Hotel: The hotel in the old mining town is said to be haunted by a lady in red. According to the story, a woman was murdered there and has been lingering ever since. JERRYE & ROY KLOTZ MD/Wikimedia
There are many stories about the hotel and how it ties into the wild west. According to legend, Wyatt Earp kept the saloon, Jack Dempsey was a bouncer, and Howard Hughes married Jean Peters at the Mizpah. Although all of these stories are most likely tall tales, the hotel has adapted them and named rooms and the bar after them all.
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Known for its solid granite walls, Victorian furnishings, and Nevada’s first electric elevator, this five-story hotel set the standard for Western opulence. After being restored to the original glory it is called the finest stone hotel in the desert. It is not only known as a historic hotel though, but a haunted one as well.
The Lady In Red Haunting the Mizpah Hotel
However, amid the grandeur lies a darker, blood-stained tale. The most famous legend tied to the Mizpah Hotel is that of the Lady in Red, a ghostly resident who many believe perished on the fifth floor.
According to local lore, she was a woman of beauty and charm, known for entertaining guests in her elegant suite. Because as many hotels used to be, this hotel also operated as a brothel. Or at least, working girls lived there, although the hotel was outside of the city’s red light districts around Main Street. The Mizpah was never a brothel officially, so could the Lady in Red have been a “kept lady” or even a mistress instead of a prostitute? In any case, there she lived and possibly worked. And if we are to believe the legends, this is also where she died.
Tragically, she met a violent end when an ex-lover, or perhaps a jealous patron, strangled her in a moment of rage, shattering her necklace, spilling pearls across the floor—and sealing her spirit to the hotel forever.
The Lady in Red: The Mizpah Hotel has accepted the legend of the lady in red as part of their legacy and you will find portraits of her as well as a room named after her.
In some versions she was a wife who cheated on her husband in the hotel. He found out when he missed his train and went back to her. Finding her in the arms of another, he killed her in rage.
Her name is now lost, if she ever did exist. Some call her Rose and it was most likely her prostitute name. According to some her name was actually Evelyn May Johnston born in Baltimore in 1879 and died on January 2, 1914.
There are no official documents supporting this however, and there isn’t even certain that a murder like hers ever happened at the hotel. Where this name and dates came from is uncertain. Some versions of the story claim she arrived in town in the 1920s so the story varies.
But the stories about her are thriving and growing, and those staying in the hotel, check out claiming that she is still lingering there.
The Haunting of Mizpah Hotel
The Lady in Red is said to make her presence known in eerie yet strangely affectionate ways. Male guests often report hearing a soft whisper in their ear, especially when alone in the hotel’s old-fashioned elevator, as if the Lady in Red is still escorting her guests to her chambers.
Some have even found small pearls under their pillows, believed to be remnants of her broken necklace. While unsettling, her spirit is described as warm, with a kind and welcoming presence that mirrors her rumored generosity in life.
The boudoir belonging to her was eventually split into three rooms. 504 is now called the Lady in Red room, but it is actually in room 502 that most strange things have been reported.
Other Ghosts Haunting the Hotel
The Mizpah Hotel also has reports of other spectral sightings, including apparitions in the hallways and cold spots felt throughout the building.
Some are saying that they can hear the sound of phantom children running around in the hotel hallways, especially on the third floor. When they look into the hall, there is no one there though, and when they call the front desk to complain about the children, the front desk tells them there are no children staying at the hotel for the night.
Staff also passes around stories about two men who linger in the basement. People speculate that they must have died when one of the subterranean tunnels in the mines nearby collapsed. There are said that several miners are haunting the hotel, still looking for silver.
A Haunted Night at Mizpah Hotel
Now fully restored to its former glory, the Mizpah Hotel attracts visitors from around the world who come for both its luxurious ambiance and the thrill of its hauntings. You can today stay at the Lady in Red Suite and there is a portrait of a Lady in Red on the wall as a homage to the in house legend.
And the guest book of the hotel tells it all. Perhaps after a stay here, you too will have something to make an entry on in the book of ghosts.
Hotel Monte Vista is an iconic landmark in Flagstaff, Arizona, housing guests in their afterlife as well. There are many ghost stories coming from the rooms, but just how many of them are actually true?
“Meet me at the Monte V.”
Hotel Monte Vista in Flagstaff, Arizona, has a reputation for housing more than just living guests close to its Route 66. Built in 1927, this historic hotel is a hub of paranormal activity. The Hotel Monte Vista on the corners of Aspen and San Francisco street was built as tourism was on the rise and the locals felt that Flagstaff needed something first class.
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The hotel staff are no strangers to the haunted rumors of the hotel and even encourage curious residents to explore its history, mentioning that it is the housekeeping staff that have the best stories.
Among the most eerie reports are that of Room 210, where a long-term resident used to hang raw meat from the chandelier—a bizarre habit that lingers in the air even now. Two women who were thrown from the third floor are said to haunt the halls, asphyxiating male guests in their sleep. Disturbingly, a phantom infant’s cries echo from the basement, sending chills up the spines of those who hear it.
The Dancing Couple
Hotel Monte Vista Cocktail Lounge
One of the few hidden speakeasies in Flagstaff during prohibition was in Hotel Monte Vista. They had secret tunnels built by the Chinese railroad workers and ran underneath the hotel and it was known as the Cocktail Lounge. Moonshine, opium and other illegal activities could freely move in the underworld of the city. The Lounge was fronted as a newspaper publishing house until the local police shut it down in 1931, although it opened up again when prohibition ended.
In the Cocktail Lounge as it’s still called, the staff and guests claim to have seen a couple dancing in the room in the early hours. Transparent and dressed in formal clothing, they smile and laugh as they dance their way through the afterlife.
When some asked the staff about the dancing couple though, it is said that it was a story made up by a TV show. Who knows by now where the legend originated, but it certainly isn’t the only haunted rumor from the bar.
The Bank Robber in the Bar
According to this urban legend, the Lounge is also the eternal home of a man who bled out having his last drink. Three men robbed a nearby bank in 1970 a couple of towns over and the bank guard managed to shoot one of the men. Although they had one injured man with them, they decided to celebrate the robbery at the local bar and went to the Hotel Monte Vista. They had a drink and the man who got shot bled to death.
Ever since, guests and staff reported that barstools and drinks move on their own. There is also a voice greeting them with a “Good Morning”, they think must be the dead bank robber.
But was it ever a bank robber though? Historical records can’t really support this story as there isn’t really any reports about someone bleeding to death in the Lounge or being shot by a bank guard. Some claim this haunting is rather from one of the many shootings that happened in the Lounge, but this is also without proof.
The Rocking Chair in Room 305
One of the most active haunted rooms in the Hotel Monte Vista according to themselves is the Room 305 and this have even talked about on TV shows, although some of the staff claim that the show exaggerated the haunting experiences people have had. But what does the legend actually say?
People who have stayed here claim to have seen a woman in a rocking chair place close to the window that is said to rock by itself. There are also some reports that they hear a knock from within the closet. Some say that the chair is not rocking, but have simply moved by itself. Some even claim that it was the staff themselves who started the rumor when several people entered the room and moved around the furniture, confusing each other.
But who is rocking the chair from the legend? It is said that the room used to belong to a long time renter, an old lady that would sit by her window on the chairs all day long. What she was looking for no one knows, but legend has it, she is still looking.
The Meat Man in Room 210
One of the most notorious incidents revolves around Room 210, where a long-term resident had a macabre habit of hanging raw meat from the chandelier. No one really knows much about him and why he did this or even existed at all. Sometimes in the 1980’s the man was found dead in his room, three days after he died according to the legend.
Though the tenant is long gone, the unsettling atmosphere of the room remains, with strange noises and inexplicable cold spots sending shivers through guests who dare to stay. Not long after his death, a maintenance worker was called to do some repairs. He left the room to get something and turned off the lights and locked the door. When he returned the TV was on full volume and the linens on the bed were ripped up and thrown around the room.
Even today, the hotel claims that guests complain about the TV that turns off and on on its own. There are also some saying that they can feel the cold touch of a man’s hands when they sleep.
The Murdered Women in 306
Two women who were allegedly thrown from the third floor now haunt the halls, targeting male guests. The Red Light District in Flagstaff used to be just south of the railroad tracks, two blocks from the hotel and one legend claims that two of the sex workers ended their days in the hotel.
In the early 1940s there were two prostitutes that met up with a client in room 306. Inside of the room they were killed and thrown from the window.
Hotel Monte Vista: So many legends are contained within the building. How much of it is really true?
Those who’ve stayed on the upper floors have reported waking in the night to the sensation of being watched Some even speak of invisible hands trying to asphyxiate them, mostly claimed by male guests. These spectral women are said to be vengeful, exacting their wrath on unuspecting male guests, making their presence terrifyingly clear through phantom touches and whispered threats.
Did sex workers really get murdered in the hotel though? There is no corroborating evidence like newspaper articles or police reports that are able to back this story up.
The Wailing Baby in the Basement
Even more unnerving is the ghost of an infant whose cries echo from the depths of the basement. There is no clear history or theories that can explain this, but those working at the hotel claim that they really heard it.
Staff members, mostly maintenance and laundry personnel, have fled the lower floors in panic after hearing the unmistakable wails of a baby. Despite searches, no source of the noise is ever found, leading many to believe the cries belong to a child long gone, yet somehow still present. Other suspects it is simply the echo and how you can hear everything that goes on on the upper floors when being downstairs.
John Wayne’s Paranormal Experience With the Ghostly Bellboy
The Hotel Monte Vista used to be a place where many of Hollywood stars went to in the 40s and 50s, especially those involved in western films that were shot near Sedona and Oak Creek Canyon.
John Wayne
Adding to the hotel’s spooky legend, famed actor John Wayne himself reported a paranormal encounter while staying at Hotel Monte Vista. He claimed to have sensed a ghostly presence in his room. Some even claim that he was the first to ever report the ghosts publicly as well. Many think that he encountered the Phantom Bellboy said to haunt the halls of the hotel.
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They claim to have heard a knock on their door followed by a muffled “Room Service”. But when they go to open the door, there is no one there. Unlike many of the other ghosts, the phantom bellboy is said to be more friendly. It is also said the ghost have been seen as well, some claiming he is standing outside of 210. Housekeepers also claim to have encountered him when they work the halls, seeing a young man in the old fashioned red uniform with brass buttons.
Now, was there ever a young bellboy who died in the hotel? Unclear. It is even unclear if John Wayne really did speak about the ghosts in the late 1950s, and all we have to go on is what is coming from the hotel. It is also worth noting that Wayne was filming in Arizona in the late 30s, not 50’s as the story wants to narrate it as.
A Night at the Haunted Hotel Monte Vista
Although it is without much evidence of it happening as the stories goes, the legends and haunting is said to go on in the Hotel Monte Vista. Staff will often reply with: It’s not exactly like the legend goes, but this one time… and then give a story of something strange that happened to them at work. So what truly happened over the years of the hotel, perhaps only the mountain view will know.
The ghost stories about the cigar smoking cowboy, the two suicide brides as well as the playful ghost of a little girl has haunted the pristine rumor of The Driskill Hotel in Austin, Texas. But how much of the stories are true, and how many ghosts are still checked into the hotel?
Downtown in Austin, Texas, stands a grand hotel with a dark and mysterious past. The Driskill Hotel, built in 1886 by cattle baron Jesse Driskill has been a staple of the city’s skyline for over a century and is the oldest operating hotel in the city. But behind its impressive architecture and luxurious amenities lies a darker side.
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Over the years, the Driskill has gained a reputation as one of the most haunted hotels in the country, with countless ghostly sightings and eerie occurrences reported by guests and staff alike. From the ghost of a young girl who fell to her death down the hotel’s grand staircase to the spirit of a cowboy who met his untimely demise in one of the guest rooms, Driskill’s history is steeped in supernatural lore.
History of The Driskill Hotel
The Driskill Hotel was built in 1886 by Jesse Driskill, a wealthy cattle baron who wanted to create a luxurious hotel that would be the jewel of Austin’s social scene. The hotel was designed by Jasper N. Preston, one of the most prominent architects of the time, and its grand exterior and opulent interior made it an instant icon after its grand opening close to Christmas that year. The Driskill quickly became the center of Austin’s social and political life, hosting events and galas that drew the city’s elite.
But the hotel’s fortunes took a turn when Jesse Driskill lost his fortune in a high-stakes poker game. He was forced to sell the hotel, and it changed hands several times over the years. By the 1920s, the Driskill had fallen into disrepair and was in danger of being demolished. That’s when a group of Austin citizens banded together to save the hotel and restore it to its former glory.
Driskill Hotel: The lobby of the Driskoll Hotel in Austin Texas, a portrait of the founder by the stairs believed to still haunt the hotel. // Source: Kenneth C. Zirkel/Wikimedia
Today, The Driskill Hotel is a beloved landmark in Austin, known for its rich history and luxurious amenities. But the hotel’s past is not all glamour and elegance – it’s also steeped in ghostly legends and spooky stories.
Ghostly legends of The Driskill Hotel
The Driskill Hotel is no stranger to supernatural activity. Over the years, countless guests and staff members have reported eerie encounters and ghostly sightings. Disembodied voices, apparitions, strange noises, mysterious leaks and cold sensations are only some of the rumors people staying and working at the Driskill have experienced.
The Haunted Song: “Ghost of a Texas Ladies’ Man” is a song from rock band Concrete Blonde, from 1992. Napolitano was inspired to write “Ghost of a Texas Ladies’ Man” after a supernatural experience she had during an overnight stay at the Driskill Hotel, in March 1991, on tour as the opening act for Sting: “There’s this horny ghost there that goes for women. ‘I wanna see you naked,’ that was the vibe. The minute I took my clothes off, I felt like there was someone watching me.He kept turning the lights on and off in my room. I finally unplugged all the lamps. Then he turned on the light in the closet and really slowly opened the closet door, just like a hand was opening it. The light in the closet shined out into the room onto the bed. Then I knew for sure he was there. I just said, ‘I know you’re here, but I know that you’re not going to hurt me, so I’m going to go to sleep now.’ I just got this feeling of amusement, like he was playing. He was just like a rascal. It was like a game. I guess I’m lucky he was in a good mood.”
The amount of information that has been passed down through the years have created many different variations and at times conflicting ghost stories. Here are just a few of the most chilling legends associated with the hotel.
The Ghost of Colonel Driskill
Jesse Driskill, the hotel’s founder, is said to haunt the halls of the Driskill to this day. Right after the hotel opened, he fell under financial stress as he had spent it all on alcohol, women and gambling as well as hotels. Besides the harsh winter and drought the following year after opening killed his cattle. Because of this, he had to give the Driskill up almost as soon as it opened and sold it to his brother in law. He had lost his fortune and built it up again many times, but this time, he wouldn’t recover financially. He died in May, 1890 of a stroke.
Legend has it that his restless spirit wanders the hotel, checking on the guests and staff and making sure everything is running smoothly. Some guests have reported hearing footsteps and the sound of a cane tapping on the floor, as if Colonel Driskill himself is still in residence. Driskill’s portrait hangs in the hotel’s grand lobby and some claim that this is the man they interacted with.
It is especially the room that was his favorite, overlooking 6th Street & Brazos that is haunted according to the stories. He has been seen by visitors, smoking a cigar as he looks out the window.
The smell of cigar is most connected with his haunting, the smell lingering in the lobby he used to greet guests. Security guards also claim to have heard his voice, asking for a match behind them, although nothing was there except the smell.
The Suicide Brides of The Driskill
Some of the more well known ghost stories from the Driskill are about the brides supposedly haunting it. The staff have reported about a woman crying on the floor when it is empty. Even the singer Annie Lennox claimed that one of the ghost brides had helped her choose a dress when she put two on the bed before taking a shower. When she came back, one of them was back in the closet.
Some say that perhaps in the 1950s, a bride stayed in room 525 when the fiance called the wedding off the day before. According to the lore, she hanged herself in the room.
The same thing happened several years later in the same room twenty years later on the same day. Or was it really the same room? Was it even a suicide the first time? Some claim that both brides killed themselves in room 525, but one of the stories is also said to have taken part in Room 329, and at least one source claiming it was in room 427 or 29.
One story goes like this: A bride checked into her room in the early 1990s. Or was it in the early 1980s? 1989 as some claim it was? This was by the way during a time when room 525 was shut off before it reopened for guests in 1998.
According to the legend, she was a socialite who had just been left by her fiance. She booked a five day stay at the Driskill. She had one final day where she went shopping for around 10 to 40k the second day she stayed there, all on her fiance’s credit card.
On her third day, she put up a “do not disturb” sign on her door. She lined up all of her new stuff by her bed before shooting herself in the head with a pillow muffling the sound. Some say they found her in the bathtub after they broke into the room after they suspected something was wrong.
The True Story of the Ghost Brides
How true this story is, is uncertain. There are many dates, room numbers and little detailing of the incidents, especially the first. According to the Austin Ghost Tour, this version was written by an employee in India for a company in New York that has never been to Austin. So what is the true story then?
Police reports talk about Tara, and she was not a socialite. She was said to have bought alcohol, cigarettes and a people magazine, instead of shopping goods. It is said that she would have died of alcohol poisoning if she hadn’t shot herself.
According to guests staying there, they claim to sometimes see the ghost of the woman dragging her many bags from her shopping day up and down in the halls of the hotel. There is also said to be a ghostly wailing coming from the rooms the brides died in.
The Child Ghost Playing at the The Driskill Hotel
On the fifth floor of the hotel is a mysterious portrait that is said to have caused supernatural occurrences. The portrait is unnamed, but based on a painting by Charles Trevor Garland (1855-1906) known as “Love Letter” by or for a Richard King.
It depicts a little girl with flowers in one hand and a letter in the other. Some claim it is haunted by the four year old daughter named Samantha Houson, of the US Senator Temple Lea Houston, who died in a horrible accident at the hotel.
The girl often called Samantha was playing in the Grand Staircase of the Mezzanine in 1887. This is before the painting was created though, or perhaps around this time. That May the hotel also closed its doors, so it had to have been before this.
Driskill hosted a function that year for a Legislative Session that year. US Senator Temple Lea Houston had seven children. Only four of their children survived childhood and one of them who didn’t was said to have been Samantha. The Senator had given his daughter a ball to play with. Skipping in the staircase she reached for her ball to bounce, but she fell and died of a broken neck.
People claim to have heard the sound of the ball bouncing from the walls as well as hearing the giggles of a little child. Guests have reported seeing apparitions of children playing in the hallways. When children come back from playing, they often claim to have played with a little girl called Samantha.
It is especially heard around the stairs, but as mentioned, the portrait on the fifth floor is also said to have strange things like dizziness and strange sensations around it that people often claim is connected to the girl. It is said that the painted girl looks eerily similar to Samantha. Perhaps the wildest story is how the girl’s expression in the painting seems to change when looking away.
The Presidential Ghost
One of the more famous ghosts said to haunt the hotel is Lady Bird and Lyndon B. Johnson, often referred to as LBJ. The couple first met in the Driskill Dining room in 1934 and returned every year for special occasions. It is said that the hotel was Lyndon B. Johnson’s favorite place in the city. It was even here he waited for the results of his 1948’s Senate run, his 1960’s Vice President run and in the presidential election in 1964.
According to those visiting the ballroom, they sometimes claim to see the late president with his wife in the mirrors as they pass by.
The Ghost of a Mrs. Bridge Minding the Front Desk
One of the former employees of the hotel said to haunt it, is Mrs. Bridge. She worked at the hotel for many years in the early 1900s and it is said she is sometimes still working. At night, people claim to have seen a woman in a Victorian dress, fussing over flower arrangements in the lobby. It is said that her apparitions are often accompanied by the smell of roses as she loved flowers when she was alive. She has also been seen walking from the vault to the lobby where the old front desk used to be.
The Ghost of Peter Lawless
One of the ghosts haunting the hotel is said to have a more poltergeist presence than the other. Peter Lawless worked as a ticket agent for the Great Northern Railroad in the early 20th century. Peter Lawless was born July 23, 1851 and died in Austin on June 29, 1931. After his wife passed, he moved into the Driskill.
From 1886 to 1916, he lived and worked from the fifth floor where he set up shop. Years it is said he lived there vary. Ever since his death people claim to have seen Lawless coming out from the elevators, looking at the time and his railroad watch and greeting the staff at the front desk before vanishing into thin air.
Housekeeping claims he is watching them as they are cleaning and there have even been those claiming to have seen him stepping in front of a bus outside the hotel. His ghost is said to have dark hair and pants with a white shirt and a pocket watch.
The Royal Haunting in the Mirrors
The Driskill Hotel is also said to be the place of a certain royal haunting.This haunting legend tied to Empress Carlotta of Mexico. She was born Charlotte and was a princess of Belgium. In the 1850s, Carlotta and her husband, Emperor Maximilian, ruled Mexico, seen as a puppet regime, but their reign ended in tragedy when Maximilian was executed, and Carlotta descended into madness. Heartbroken she survived with the support from European courts, suffering paranoid delusions.
The Ghost of an Empress: Empress Charlotte in mourning clothes. Photography by Eugène Disdéri, 1867.
After their fall, eight ornate gold-framed mirrors, originally meant as a belated wedding gift for Carlotta, made their way to the Driskill in 1930. It is not known if Empress Carlotta knew about the wedding gift at all, but some say that she is now haunting the mirrors. Adorned with a color palette of gold and white, the Maximilian Room features unique accents such as eight lavish gold leaf mirrors, originally discovered in the 1930s. This charming space has since been converted into an area for premium dining events, with 1,500 square feet of space and room for 20 to 150 attendees.
Since their installation in the hotel’s “Maximilian Room,” guests and staff have reported eerie experiences, including sightings of Carlotta’s ghost. One photographer claimed to see a woman in a white gown appear in the mirrors but vanish when he turned around, leaving only her reflection. Many believe Carlotta’s spirit haunts the mirrors, watching over the last remnants of her lost empire.
Why did the Hotel Become Haunted?
The Driskill has had many faiths coming through its doors throughout the years, but could it be another reason for it being haunted? Something older perhaps? One of the many reasons the hotel was built on this exact spot was because of the artesian water right by it. Driskoll thought that this would supply the hotel with water for years to come.
This artisan water used to be hollow ground for the native Americans though. Both the Apache, Tonkawas as well as the Comanche used to believe that the water from the spring had the power to hold spirits. Many believe this is the foundation that started the haunting.
Many paranormal investigators have spent numerous nights in the hotel in search of ghosts. Could the hotel really be haunted? Could it be that the ghost of Driskill is still smoking in the lobby, or could it actually be from the tobacco shop that used to be in the lobby still lingering? Could there be something lurking within the mirrors and paintings as well as the rooms not of this world?
Inside the Grand Canyon Caverns you can explore, have dinner in their restaurant or even sleep in their overnight suit. According to the stories, there are also stories about the possibility of encountering ghosts within the deep dark caves.
Venture to the western expanse of the Grand Canyon, and you’ll find yourself within the mystical embrace of the Hualapai Indian Reservation, home to a haunting mystery that unfolds in the depths of the Grand Canyon West Rim near the Peach Springs in Arizona along Route 66.
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Amidst the expansive terrain lies a subterranean wonder known as the Grand Canyon Caverns, discovered by Hualapai woodcutters in the year 1917, revealing itself as the largest dry cavern system in the United States. Some also claim they are some of the most haunted ones.
The Grand Canyon: The National park of the Canyon encompasses over 1.2 million acres of rugged landscape, with the Colorado River carving a mile-deep gorge that stretches 277 miles long and up to 18 miles wide around 5 or 6 million years ago. The park’s striking geological formations, vibrant hues, and dramatic vistas attract millions of visitors each year, offering opportunities for hiking, rafting, and exploring the highs and lows of the Canyon. It is also said to have several haunted places.
The Grand Canyon Caverns History
These dry caverns, situated 220 feet below ground level, were formed 65 million years ago through the action of an ancient inland sea that covered the area. Visitors can explore the extensive underground network of rooms and passageways, which are known for their stunning geological formations, including stalactites and stalagmites.
The cave system is the largest dry caverns in the U.S and visitors can both tour, eat at the restaurant as well as stay the night. The caverns house the unique Grand Canyon Cavern Suite, a luxurious hotel room that provides an extraordinary and eerie overnight experience.
Yet, beneath the surface beauty of these colossal caverns lies a veil of spectral enigma, where shadows dance with the echoes of a bygone era, and the whispers of restless souls seem to linger in the eternal darkness.
Inside the Caves: Grand Canyon Caverns was designated a fallout shelter in 1961 and is believed to be haunted. // Source: Lauri Väin
It is said that the Grand Canyon Caverns are so dry that no bacteria or viruses can survive there for more than 72 hours. But could ghosts still be lingering here? According to the stories they do. The question that perplexes both visitors and locals alike is: Who are the spectral inhabitants of the Grand Canyon Caverns? Some believe that the ethereal presence of Native Americans, who found their final rest within these rocky chambers, continues to wander among the subterranean labyrinths.
It is said that many Hualapai tribe members were buried in the caverns centuries ago as an ancient burial place. It is the spirits of these tribesmen that haunt the caverns today. In the past 50 years, there have also been at least 8 people who have died or at least been buried on the property around the caves. Could some of these also be haunting the caves?
Other chilling accounts tell of a ghostly mine worker, a phantom of the past whose apparition has been glimpsed standing beside the cavern’s eerie elevator. His spectral form, frozen in time, echoes the tales of labor and sacrifice that once resonated within the subterranean depths.
The Haunted Grand Canyon Cavern Suite
For a truly haunted experience, there is also the Grand Canyon Cavern Suite found in the caves where a lot of the haunted rumors come from. This subterranean hotel room, situated within the expansive Grand Canyon Caverns, provides guests with an extraordinary opportunity to sleep in a lavishly appointed space surrounded by ancient rock formations. The room dates back to the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis, when a corner of the caverns was set up as a fallout shelter.
Grand Canyon Caverns Luxury Suite: For around 1000 dollars you can stay underground in the caves. Several of the guests that have stayed the night claim to have experienced what they believe to be paranormal. // Source: Flickr
Haunting of the Cave Hotel
One of the most common reports from the cavern suite involves rocks inexplicably whizzing through the air, especially after the Grand Canyon Caverns appeared on an episode of “Ghost Adventures.”.
Many guests have been disturbed by strange noises emanating from around the bed’s headboard. These sounds range from soft whispers to loud thumps, and often occur in the dead of night when the caverns are at their quietest. Some visitors have even reported feeling an unseen presence moving near the bed, as if someone—or something—is watching them as they sleep.
Dancing Shadow Figures
Shadow figures are another common sight within the cavern suite. Guests have described seeing dark, humanoid shapes dancing along the walls of the room, moving in eerie, fluid motions. These shadowy apparitions often vanish as quickly as they appear, leaving behind an unsettling sense of unease and the feeling of being observed. Could it be the pressing feeling of being placed deep in a dark cave or could it be something else?
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Perhaps the most unnerving reports involve the sounds of chanting that echo through the cavern’s depths. These chants, often described as rhythmic and otherworldly, seem to emanate from deep within the earth, reverberating through the suite’s stone walls. Some believe these chants are connected to ancient rituals or spirits that dwell within the caverns, adding to the suite’s mystique and haunted reputation.
Who are Haunting the Caves?
As mentioned, there are not many names attached to the possible hauntings said to go on inside of the Grand Canyon Caverns.
Some believe one of the ghosts to be that of Walter Peck, the man who turned the cave into a tourist attraction after he stumbled over it in 1927 on his way to a poker game. Perhaps it could be the two brothers of the Hualapai woodcutters who died of the flue when they discovered it in 1917 and were buried there after being trapped in a snow storm in 1917?
Or could it perhaps be something more ancient and unknown, lost in the darkness and deepness of the Grand Canyon Caverns?
The original owner of the Dorrington Hotel in California is said to be haunting it. One Christmas the ghost of the former mistress of the place went knocking down every fake Christmas Tree the current owner had put up.
In the picturesque and mountainous landscape of Calaveras County, California, the Dorrington Hotel is not just a charming relic of the past, but also a hotbed of paranormal activity. Established in the mid-19th century, this historic hotel of the Gold Rush Time in California, is said to be haunted by its former mistress, Rebecca Dorrington Gardner, whose restless spirit roams the halls, particularly during the Christmas season.
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With its storied past and eerie occurrences, like the very name, Calaveras, Spanish for Skulls after the reported remains of natives, the Dorrington Hotel offers a chilling blend of history and hauntings in the sequoia redwoods.
Dorrington Hotel: The place is still in operation even to this day, even years after the Gold Rush died down. It is however said to be haunted by the original owner today.
The Legacy of John Gardner and his Inn
The Dorrington Hotel was built in 1852 by John and Rebecca Gardner, on top of the Big Valley Road as a coach stop were it served as a depot for stockmen as well as a summer resort. John Gardner, a Scottish immigrant, purchased a small sheep ranch and 160 acres of land from Barnabus Smith when it was still just a trail passing by the Miwok and Washoe Native land. Smith, a former Private Captain in the Massachusetts Militia during the War of 1812, had been granted the land for his military service.
“This is the place!” he wrote to his new bride, Rebecca, who had remained at home in Scotland, waiting for his word. Gardner quickly turned the property known for its cold springs, and he called it first, Cold Spring Ranch, into a profitable roadside business, providing refuge for countless emigrants journeying over the Central Sierra Mountains.
The Lady of the Night: Rebecca Dorrington Gardner
Rebecca Dorrington Gardner, the beloved mistress of the hotel, sailed from Scotland to join her husband in the Sierra Gold Country, and the place was soon called Dorrington, her maiden name. She survived her husband by many years, however, legend has it that she met a tragic end that left her spirit bound to the place she once managed.
It is said that Rebecca suffered fatal injuries in 1870 when she fell down the rear staircase of the hotel. Some also claim she went out in a snowstorm and lost her way as she froze to death. Others say she was massacred by the natives. Though historical records indicate she passed away on October 16, 1910, in Altaville, California when she was 83 years old, her ghostly presence remains a fixture at the Dorrington Hotel.
Visitors and staff have frequently reported encountering Rebecca’s spirit, peeking out threw curtains in unopccupied rooms, not really liking how the new owners keeps interfering in her buisness. Her spectral activities include doors mysteriously opening and closing, lights flickering, and furniture inexplicably moving.
The hotel’s dining room is a common spot for sightings, with many claiming to see or feel her presence as she glides through the space. Many guests also claim that they have seen the ghost of her fall down the stairs as a ghostly reenactment of her death.
Rebecca’s ghost also seems to enjoy interacting with modern technology, often triggering the motion detectors installed around the hotel.
One time it was said she warned the owner at the time og a gas leak in the kitchen. According to the stoy, she woke him up in the middle of the night to warn him.
The Christmas Tree Incident
The Christmas season brings an increase in Rebecca’s ghostly activities. One particularly spine-chilling tale involves the annual holiday decorations. One year, the hotel’s owner decided to place an artificial Christmas tree in every room. To everyone’s astonishment, each night Rebecca would go from room to room, knocking the trees down. Every morning, the staff and guests would find the trees toppled over, a clear sign of Rebecca’s nocturnal rounds.
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In another eerie incident, the owner, Marc Lanthier, experienced something that solidified the hotel’s haunted reputation. One Christmas after this event, Marc took two pictures of the hotel adorned with Christmas lights. When he uploaded the photos to his computer, he discovered something unsettling. One photo was bright and clear, while the other showed a vaporous figure floating over the hotel. Could this be Rebecca Dorrington Gardner, still overseeing her beloved establishment?
Christmas Haunting: Christmas seems to be a season where the haunted occurrences get more frequent. The alleged ghost seems to have a period of adjustments to new owners and new traditions and way of operating the hotel. Could the use of plastic Christmas trees be a trigger this one Christmas?
Other Ghostly Residents at Dorrington Hotel
Rebecca is not the only spirit said to haunt the Dorrington Hotel. Guests have reported hearing the laughter and footsteps of children in the dead of night, despite there being no children present. Could this be some of the four children of the original owners that are haunting the hotel together with their mother?
Many guests visiting the Dorrington Hotel specifically seek out the paranormal, hoping for a glimpse of Rebecca or the other spirits said to reside there. Some overnight visitors have reported finding a single footprint by their beds, believed to be left by Rebecca as she patrols the hotel at night.
A Night In the Gold Rush Country
The Dorrington Hotel remains a captivating blend of history and hauntings, with its rich past and active ghostly presence. And during the Christmas season, the chances of encountering Rebecca Dorrington Gardner increases if we are to believe the stories, not pleased at all about the fake and plastic aspect of the modern Christmas traditions.
An online magazine about the paranormal, haunted and macabre. We collect the ghost stories from all around the world as well as review horror and gothic media.
