The Stanley Hotel — One of America's Most Haunted Buildings
The Stanley Hotel, located in Estes Park, Colorado, proves a magnificent sight both outside and inside. Built by F.O Stanley to appeal largely to the rich and famous, this massive, Georgian style hotel transformed the economy of the small, mountain town of Estes Park. Made famous by its role in Steven King's novel The Shining, the building has a reputation for being one of the most haunted locations in the country.
F.O Stanley came to Estes Park in 1903 after receiving orders form his doctor to seek out the fresh, mountain air. His doctor instructed Stanley, who suffered from tuberculosis, not to make any plans beyond six months. While staying at a friend's cabin, Stanley and his wife quickly succumbed to the beauty of the majestic mountain landscape and Stanley's health began to improve. They built a home about half a mile from where the Stanley Hotel now stands. Construction began on the Stanley Hotel in 1906 and opened in 1909. Famous guests have included John Philip Sousa, "The Unsinkable" Molly Brown, President Theodore Roosevelt, various Hollywood actors and actresses, as well as an emperor and empress of Japan. Steven King stayed at the hotel while writing The Shining.
Guests and employees (75 percent of them, I might add) frequently experience paranormal activity in this building. The spirits that are said to haunt The Stanley Hotel include F.O. Stanley himself. Reports of Stanley occur mainly in the lobby, Billiard Room and the bar. According to reports, Stanley's wife Flora plays the piano (the same piano that was present when the couple was alive) in the ballroom. Guests and employees claim to have heard faint music coming from the ballroom and have witnessed the piano keys moving. Some witnesses have seen a woman sitting at the piano bench.
Certain guest rooms also have a history of frequent supernatural activity. Room 418, in particular, has been an area frequented by several child ghosts that have been heard laughing and playing, especially just outside the door. Guests have complained of children playing in the hallway late at night while others report impressions on the bed and noises in the room. Steven King had his own run-in with a child ghost — a little boy who was calling for his nanny. Room 407 allegedly holds another spirit who likes to turn the lights on and off, sometimes turning them back on at the request of the person in the room. Noises are also reported within the room and outside the door. A face is sometimes seen in the window of this room, viewable from the outside.
Although the fourth floor seems to be the most active area, footsteps are heard all throughout the building and sightings of various apparitions have been witnessed in many other areas. Despite the presence of harmful spirits in The Shining, there are no known negative energies at the Stanley Hotel.
Ghost tours are offered daily.
