TNSpirits Brian
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Joined: 11 Dec 2007
Posts: 207
Location: Spring Hill TN
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 Posted: Thu Jan 03, 2008 5:50 am Post subject: Stanley Hotel |
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Located in beautiful Estes Park, Colorado, the spooky Stanley Hotel is considered one of the most haunted hotels in America.
Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, Colorado is possibly known best today for its role in inspiring the Stephen King novel "The Shining". There are numerous reports of haunting in this beautiful turn of the century hotel, which is described by many as one of America's most haunted.
Stanley Hotel in the majestic Rocky Mountains enjoys breathtaking scenery provided by the natural mountain scape. The Stanley Hotel is said to be the inspiration for the Overlook Hotel in Steven King's horror movie, "The Shining."
Stanley Hotel was built by Freeland Oscar Stanley, who moved to Colorado for health reasons. Stanley had been diagnosed with tuberculosis and was told he didn't have long to live. Stanley and his wife, Flora, settled in Estes Park, where his health began to improve.
F.O. Stanley was an inventor with an engineering background. He put his abilities to use in building the Stanley Hotel and putting a new face on tourism in the mountain town. He invented the Stanley Steam Engine, a steam powered horseless carriage to transport guests from the train station to the mountain hotel.. This invention marked the first time in history that automobile transportation, was used to transport people to a resort area. instead of railroad train transportation,
Stanley did much more for Estes Park, CO then build a grand hotel. He helped to change the face of tourism. The innovative hotel owner built a road which the Stanley Steamer traversed to deliver guests to the the hotel. Stanley built a power and water company and the first bank in Estes Park. He is instrumental in helping to restore wildlife to their habitat, by promoting the establishment of Rocky Mountain National Park.
Ghost Sightings
Stanley celebrated the grand opening of his hotel in 1901 by presenting his wife, Flora, with a Steinway Grand Piano. Flora and her piano enjoyed a long tradition of bringing music to the great Rockies.
It is believed that Flora continues to play the Steinway piano, which is still in thehotel ballroom. People have reported hearing piano music, and seeing the piano keys move. If someone crosses the threshold of the ballroom, the music stops.
F.O. Stanley is also believed to haunt the hotel. The original owner, lived until 1940, many years past the doctor's grim prediction that caused him to move to Colorado. He has been seen in the Billiard Room and Lobby.
The landowner who sold the 35 acre property that Stanley built the hotel on is also reported to be haunting the hotel. Lord Dunraven seems to be particularly fond of room 407, where he turns the lights off and on and makes strange noises.
There are also other reported ghosts at the Stanley Hotel. The best way to learn about the haunted hotel is to visit the hotel and take a ghost tour.The Stanley Hotel conducts ghost and history tours daily.
The historic Stanley Hotel will soon celebrate its 100th birthday. Stanley Hotel is a member of Historic Hotels of America and is listed on the national Register of Historic Places. Estes Park, CO is about an hour's drive from Denver, making it a convenient Rocky Mountain getaway.
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