Place: 1886 Crescent Hotel & Spa
Location: 75 Prospect Avenue, Eureka Springs, Arkansas, 72632, USA
Phone: +1 855-725-5720
Hours: Open 24 hours
Admission: Room rates vary; Ghost Tour tickets approximately $24 per person
Website: https://www.crescent-hotel.com/
History: Constructed in 1886, the Crescent Hotel was initially designed as a luxurious resort for the affluent, capitalizing on the reputed healing properties of the local springs. However, due to financial difficulties, it transitioned into the Crescent College and Conservatory for Young Women in 1908.
This institution closed in 1924, and after a brief stint as a junior college, the building functioned as a summer hotel. In 1937, Norman G. Baker, a millionaire inventor and radio personality without medical credentials, purchased the property, converting it into a hospital and health resort.
Baker falsely claimed to have developed cures for various ailments, including cancer, leading to numerous patient deaths. He was later convicted of mail fraud in 1940. The hotel underwent various ownership changes and a significant fire in 1967 before Marty and Elise Roenigk acquired and restored it in 1997.
Hauntings: The Crescent Hotel is often dubbed “America’s most haunted hotel,” with numerous reports of paranormal activity:
- Michael: A stonemason from Ireland who purportedly fell to his death during the hotel’s construction. Guests have reported unexplained noises and disturbances in Room 218, believed to be his domain.
- Theodora: A spirit who introduces herself as a cancer patient and is often seen near Room 419.
- Nurse in White: Guests have reported sightings of a nurse pushing a gurney on the third floor, often around 11 p.m., which aligns with the time deceased patients were moved during Baker’s hospital era.
- Morris the Cat: The hotel’s former pet cat, whose spirit is believed to still roam the premises.
Personal Experiences: Guests and staff have reported various paranormal encounters, including:
- Items moving or disappearing.
- Sudden drops in temperature.
- Apparitions appearing in mirrors or hallways.
- Unexplained noises such as footsteps, whispers, or children’s laughter.
Paranormal Activity Rating: High
For a visual exploration of the Crescent Hotel’s haunted history, you might find the following video insightful: