I am fascinated especially during this time of year by the lore of ghost stories around our nation. I have included pictures and excerpts from a recent article in Forbes Traveler on America’s Haunted Hotels.
Excerpts and Pictures from Forbes Traveler October 21, 2008
The Equinox, Manchester Village, Vt. © The Equinox Resort
“You may never rub elbows with Laura Bush or Nancy Reagan, but up at the Equinox in Vermont you can pass the time with a former First Lady: Mary Todd Lincoln is said to haunt the hotel, a favorite resort destination to escape muggy Washington, along with their youngest son, Tad. According to lore, Tad cries and Mrs. Lincoln comforts him; visitors also report feeling a tap on the back, which could be a trick played by the fun-loving young man, who died at age 18.”
Brown Palace Hotel, Denver, Colo. © The Brown Palace Hotel and Spa
“Not just one ghost will do for Denver’s Brown Palace: The hotel is allegedly haunted by a rather large band of ghosts. Hotel employees report children running in the hallways laughing, musicians in the ballroom and even the hotel’s long-dead founder pacing the halls. Some hotels might deny these perhaps unwelcome visitors, but the Brown Palace Hotel instead hosts private “ghost tours” for curious folks. A portion of each tour goes to the National Trust for Historic Preservation.”
RMS Queen Mary, Port of Long Beach, Calif. © Queen Mary
“Would you like some portholes with your paranormal activity? Permanently docked but still afloat, the ghosts said to be aboard the Art Deco Queen Mary enjoy hanging out by the swimming pool. Wet footprints allegedly appear when the pool is empty and women have been seen in vintage bathing suits. But the Queen Mary embraces her ghostly history and hosts yearly “ghostfests” run by their very own paranormal researchers.”
The Hawthorne Hotel, Salem, Mass.© Hawthorne Hotel
“Guests say a woman roams the sixth floor of the Hawthorne and stops to gaze longingly upon room 612. If she’s got you spooked, explore Salem’s witch-ier history instead. Just to start, there’s the Salem Witch Museum, the Witch History Museum and the Witch Dungeon Museum.”
For more information: The Hawthorne Hotel
Hotel Provincial, New Orleans, La.© Hotel Provincial
“On the site of a former Civil War hospital, this Big Easy hotel is legendarily haunted by soldiers, as well as a ‘ghost lady’ who wears a white dress and paces about the staircase or by the fountain. Here’s hoping your stay allows you to take in views of the nearby river–not centuries-dead Confederate soldiers moaning in pain.”
For more information: Hotel Provincial
The Heathman Hotel, Portland, Ore.© John Valls
“The hotel may (or may not) be haunted by the ghost of a former guest in room 703 that fell to his death from it, However, The Heathman has a lot going for it, like an exclusive deal with the nationwide booksellers, Powell’s Books, who are based locally. The Heathman not only has one of the few hotel libraries in the country, filled with author-autographed books, but offers a ‘Books For Your Bedside’ package which includes overnight lending privileges and a tour of the library.”
For more information: The Heathman Hotel
Homespun Farm, Griswold, Conn. © Kate Bauer
This bed-and-breakfast not only has a blueberry garden haunted by a former owner who died in the ’70s, but it’s also located near many great local attractions. Try the local Mashantucket Pequot Museum, the submarine base in New London, Conn., Mystic Seaport, or the Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun casinos.
For more information: Homespun Farm
The Cashtown Inn, Gettysburg, Penn.© Pat & Chuck Blackley/Alamy
When Confederate soldiers occupied Cashtown during the Civil War, the local inn became a surgery site—and place of death—for many unfortunate souls. Nowadays, though, they’re ready for their close-up: While filming at the inn for an episode of the Sci-Fi Channel show Ghost Hunters, producers asked an empty room, ‘Do you miss your family?’ and shivered when a voice answered what sounded like “yes.”
For more information: The Cashtown Inn
Menger Hotel, San Antonio, Texas© Wesley Hitt/Alamy
Not to be outdone by the Brown Palace Hotel’s ghostly crew, the Menger’s owners brag that 32 different apparitions haunt their premises. Two include a maid who was shot by her husband in 1876 and wanders the halls at night, carrying (presumably fresh) towels, and a rancher who walks through walls. The hotel was built only 23 years after the battle of the Alamo, which took place 100 yards away, so perhaps it’s the land itself that’s haunted.
For more information: Menger Hotel
Lighthouse Inn, New London, Conn.© Chad Ehlers/Alamy
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