Overview
If you are in the Eureka Springs area in Arkansas, you are probably more than familiar with the Victorian 1886 Crescent Hotel and Spa. The tales of the ghosts here are terrifying, yet it happens to still be one of the most popular hotels in the area for tourists. Is it the ghostly forces that attract visitors or is it the accommodations? Let’s find out more about who is haunting the 1886 Crescent Hotel and Spa and if they are, in fact, friendly.
The Haunted History of the 1886 Crescent Hotel
Known as one of the most Haunted Hotels in America, the 1886 Crescent Hotel and Spa has had several functions since its construction. At one point, it served as a girls’ college and even was a cancer hospital. It was originally built as a retreat for very wealthy travelers. It quickly became a symbol of elegance. It hasn’t always been a hotel, and there have been periods when it was part of the transformations taking place in the area. It all began when news of how magical the town was began to spread all over the country.
Eureka Springs gained a reputation in the 1800s as a beautiful town in the mountains where travelers went for solace and rejuvenation. The town made great progress to accommodate all of the visitors. Soon, it was booming, and more and more people came to see how magical it was.
It didn’t take long for the town to need more lodging for its guests. In 1886, the Crescent Hotel was opened. The designers wanted it to overlook the mountains and showcase the beauty of the area. The hotel’s service was known to be some of the best in the area. It was a great getaway for wealthier travelers. However, it changed hands shortly after it opened.
In 1902, the Frisco Railroad leased the hotel for five years. It was very slow in the winter, so Crescent College opened for women. The building acted as a college until 1934. The college was known for providing women with an exceptional education, and women from around the country attended classes here. Even though it was short-lived as a college, those who attended gained many life experiences during that time.
The hotel was then purchased by Norman Baker. He was ready to share with others that he had found the cure for cancer. He turned the hotel into the Baker Cancer Clinic and claimed to be a healer. It was clear that he was scamming cancer patients out of money because they trusted that he would cure them. Not only did he pretend to heal cancer patients, but he also broadcast very controversial claims over the radio. He told his listeners that he could heal cancer without surgery and pushed for patients from all over the world to come to Eureka Springs.
Room 419 – 1886 Crescent Hotel
Soon, the American Medical Association would begin to investigate his claims. In 1940, he was arrested and thrown in prison for mail fraud, ending his medical practice for good. However, while he was in the hotel, he made a lot of changes to it. He built hidden staircases and even made himself an escape route if he ever needed it.
In 1946, it was purchased again, and the owners began to make major changes to it. Most of these changes still exist today. In 1967, the hotel suffered some devastation after a fire broke out due to faulty wiring. More changes had to take place to make the hotel what it is today.
The Ghosts and Hauntings of 1886 Crescent Hotel and Spa
Theodora – Room 419
Since it reopened, the 1886 Crescent Hotel and Spa has experienced many paranormal events. There are rumors that some of the ghosts are those of the cancer patients who died there. One spirit often seen in the hotel is Theodora. She is a former cancer patient who was in Dr. Baker’s care. Some guests have seen her trying to find her keys right outside of room 419 and trying to clean up that room.
Michael – Room 218
In room 218, there was a man named Michael who apparently fell to his death. There are a lot of rumors as to what really happened to him in this room. No one knows the exact story, but Michael has been seen hanging out in this room, and his presence is also felt in other parts of the hotel.
Breckie and Morris
There are ghosts of children in this hotel as well. One child, Breckie, who was the son of Richard and Mary Breckenridge Thompson, died at the hotel when he had complications from appendicitis. Guests and staff have seen him going around the hotel and bouncing his ball. Not only is Breckie hanging around, but the hotel cat, Morris, also lingers around. He was called the hotel’s General Manager for 21 years. When he died, he was buried on the property, and guests have seen and heard him around the hotel often. Clearly, he is still devoted to the hotel and making sure it is still taken care of.
Dr. Baker
Paranormal experts continue to visit the 1886 Crescent Hotel and Spa. It recently emerged that the hotel is connected to a hospital, which could be one of the main reasons that the ghosts continue to linger. Graves have also been found where Dr. Baker buried some of his cancer patients.
Those who have stayed at the 1886 Crescent Hotel and Spa have seen quite a bit of paranormal activity. The ghosts and hauntings continue as more guests visit the hotel. If you are looking for some haunts during your next hotel stay in Arkansas, be sure to check in at the 1886 Crescent Hotel and Spa.
When I stayed at the Crescent Hotel I heard a ghost story that a lady woke up one night with a young girl standing at her bed. She didn’t have kids with her and noticed that the girl was wearing clothes from another era. She vanished into thin air.
Then, months later they returned and noticed an old photo in the elevator that had the little girl on it. The photos was from many many years past.
My room was 4th floor close to the stairs. Walked thru cold spots in the room that had nothing to do with the heat and air system, at times felt as if someone sits on the bed with me but no one was there. Between 2 and 3 am my daughter said she saw my shoes move, she ran out of the room and would not return. I had to find another hotel to spend the remainder of the night and went back aloe the next am to attend my spa appointment and to pack our things. Restaurant was good and and did the night tour.
I have been visiting the Crescent for years and I am fortunate enough to live within 1.5 hours or so from it. I have had some odd things happen over the years and have captured some interesting pictures as well. One thing that happened in particular was on the Balcony out front where the white chairs are. We had went there to overlook the parking lot and town. Anyways there was no wind, no one sitting in the chairs or even near them and they started rocking on their own. We also went to the Ballroom on the right side of the hotel and captured a photo of a woman in what looked like an older house keeping type outfit, standing behind a chair near where they put the huge tree during Christmas time. It was pretty odd because we were the only ones in that area for a good 10 minutes. No one else in the Hotel had that type of attire on anyways. I highly recommend that you visit Eureka in general it is a really really pretty town with all kinds of nook and crannies to explore. I also recommend checking our the History Museum there!