Real Haunts

The Omni Shoreham Hotel witnessed a number of celebrity guests over the years, including Franklin Delano Roosevelt and all four members of The Beatles. Constructed in 1930 and now listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the hotel is also home to a room so haunted that it now goes by the name of the Ghost Suite.

Also known as Suite 870, this was originally an apartment that one of the hotel’s partners lived in with his family. Not long after Henry L. Doherty and his family moved in, they experienced a run of bad luck. The family’s maid abruptly died months after they arrived, and their only daughter died as well. After the family left, the hotel decided not to use the room for several decades.

Hoping to make more space, later owners renovated the apartment and created a new hotel room. Almost immediately after the first guest checked in, the room developed a haunted reputation. Guests would wake to find the television set turned on and the noise turned up. Others reported seeing the door open and close on its own and finding their belongings rifled through or moved when no one else was in the room. Guests staying in neighboring rooms often complained about the loud noises and parties taking place in the room, which was empty for the night. Sightings of a young woman in an old-fashioned dress led some to believe that the ghost of the Omni Shoreham Hotel is that of Doherty’s daughter or former maid.

Is the Renaissance Mayflower Hotel Haunted?

Anyone who wants to stay in a haunted hotel with a touch of history and class may want to try the Renaissance Mayflower Hotel in Washington, DC. When the hotel opened its doors in 1925, it was called the Grande Dame of Washington. It had almost as much gold in its decor as the Library of Congress. Many U. S. Presidents have called the Mayflower home. Harry Truman stayed in the hotel during his first 90 days of presidency.

The haunting that most people talk about at the Renaissance Mayflower Hotel is the incident that happens January 20th each year. Calvin Coolidge was due to hold his inaugural ball at the hotel when his son died due to blood poisoning from an infection. The president, mourning the loss of his son, didn’t attend his inaugural ball.

Traditionally, at 10:00 p. m., honored guests are announced during the ball. At 10:15 p. m., the president is announced. Each year at the Mayflower, the lights in the ballroom flicker then dim. The elevator stops running at 10:00 on the upper floors. When the time hits exactly 10:15 p. m., the elevator descends to the bottom floor. This occurs as it would have had Coolidge attended his inaugural ball. Some years, hors d’oeuvres and wine can be found on the balcony.

Haunted Captain Faifield Inn in Kennebunkport, Maine

Overlooking the banks of the Green River in Kennebunkport is the Captain Fairfield Inn. Captain James Fairfield and his wife lived in the house for five years until James died of pneumonia. The mansion was a private home until 1991. When renovations started, an apparition identified as Captain Fairfield was seen floating in an area of the basement.

Some spirits get angry or distressed when changes are made to the home they lived in, but Captain Fairfield seems to be pleased with the changes. James Fairfield is a benevolent spirit who enjoys welcoming guests into his home. If you want to meet the captain, the best place to encounter his spirit is in the basement.

Haunted Captain Lord Mansion B&B in Kennebunkport, Maine

Kennebunkport is known as a quaint coastal town, with a rich history dating back to the 1600s. Many ship captains settled here and built their homes ages ago. In 1812, Captain Nathaniel Lord built his mansion with his wife, who many suggest still lives there. Captain Lord himself, did not live long enough to enjoy his mansion with his wife. Guests who stay in the “Lincoln Room” often tell of their encounters with a woman dressed in 1800’s clothing watching them. The Lincoln Room was original called “The Wisteria Room” which means “Remembrance of the Dead.” That has since been changed. Guests have encountered the Captain Lord’s wife’s spirit in the room and on the spiral staircase of the mansion. She must really enjoy the view!

The haunted mansion stayed in Captain Lord’s family until 1972, when it became a boarding house for elderly ladies. In 1978, it was remodeled and became the Captain Lord Mansion Bed and Breakfast that we know today.

Mineral Point, Wisconsin is one of the smaller towns in southern Wisconsin. With a population barely over two thousand people, this charming little township is one of the most unassuming places to be harboring any paranormal activity. Even with the Mineral Point Graceland Cemetery Vampire within close distance, overall the appearance here is friendly, rustic, and delightful. However, within this town is the locally famous Walker House. But did a tragic start to this 160-year-old inn, carry over enough paranormal energy to where the haunting is still be discussed to this very day?

Is the Walker House Haunted?

Lying fifty miles west of the bustling Wisconsin city of Madison, the Walker House in Mineral Point was first constructed in the year 1860. An Irish-born proprietor named William Walker eventually migrated to this area of Wisconsin and felt that a suitable inn was needed. Walker built the future inn that bore his namesake on a piece of land that unbeknownst to him, held a very dark past. Eighteen years before the inn’s construction, a man named William Caffee was said to be hanged in the area. His offense of the day was killing another man after engaging in a fight at a local dance. Sentenced to hang, Caffee was marched out to the gallows on November 1, 1842 and with a thrust of the gallows lever, was executed by none other than the Iowa County Sheriff himself. Yet despite being executed so long ago, people are beginning to believe that Caffee’s ghost haunts the Walker House.

The inn closed in 1957, and reopened decades later after vandalism had its turn at the inn and renovations were needed. Fast forward to the present day, and there’s a contingent of visitors who have walked away from a short or lengthy stay to the Walker House absolutely convinced that it is indeed haunted by a ghost. The scariest and most frightening reports are from individuals who see a headless ghost! At different times guests have seen this chilling apparition on the second floor.

Also with most sightings on the second floor, there are bursts of vicious cold spots without any explanation, even in the middle of a heated summer. Some people have claimed to see Caffee’s spirit linger long enough that they’re instantly prompted to take a photograph. However, for unexplained reasons when trying to capture his spirit on film, the cameras either take a negative shot or they simply don’t work at all, but work just fine any other time in the hotel.

Paranormal groups have been in and out of the Walker House over the years and many believe that Caffee’s spirit, while altogether chilling and eerie to encounter, is genial as no malevolence has occurred. Today, the Walker House is enjoying a historical resurgence in Mineral Point and remains one of the most highly booked inns in the surrounding area.