Haunted Hotels and Inns: New York

 

21. 1867 Parkview Inn, Owego, New York

The building was built in 1867 by Robert Cameron as the Exchange Hotel. It has gone through various renovations and transformations that led it to become the Dugan House in 1876. It later became the Page Hotel in 1910. It wasn't until 1946 that Alice Shcauffller took over the hotel, and named it Park Hotel. It didn't become the Parkview Inn until 1991 when it was owned by Joseph and Louise McTamney. In 2018, it belonged to Mark and Beth Johnson, who may very well still own it today.

Beth felt like she has always belonged there, almost as if she has always been there. According to her, the inn is most visited by the spirit of a 2-year-old girl named, Marguerite. It is said that on December 30th, 1909, the child was sitting near the fire rocking in her little rocking chair. Every time she rocked the chair got a little closer to the fire. The Owego Gazette reported “the quilt was ignited. The fire soon spread until the child and chair were enveloped into a huge blaze.” It was rumored that the child for several hours until she eventually died. The paper went on to say, “the body was literally cooked. The child lingered until about 9:30 o'clock when she died.”

According to Beth, the child makes herself known. The kitchen bell frequently goes off, and it's a bell that they found in one of the rooms when they purchased the property. They also found a room with evidence of fire damage uncovered by renovations. John Clark who worked on the restoration project swears he had paranormal experiences while working on the project. He experienced a constant tapping on his shoulder, and a voice asking him: Do you work here?

There is also the story of the crying room. Apparently, a previous guest who stayed in this room lost a child while staying at the hotel. Many women have entered this room only to come out being overcome with emotion. There have also been Paranormal investigators and ghost hunting groups that have gathered evidence that the spirit's in this Inn walk among the living.

20. Allegiance Bed&Breakfast, Mount Morris, New York

The building was built in 1838. However, it was in later years when the ownership transferred to The Prophets that the front balcony and pillars were added that give the place a mini White House feeling.

One spirit that lurks on the property is named, Karen. She is allegedly the granddaughter of the original owner of the house, Reuben Wisner. She likes to sit at the top of the stairs, and can also be seen going up the stairs in a long dress and straight gray hair. There was also a report that Karen was seen sitting on a guest's bed while they were in it.

There is another quite chatty spirit named Ray. He will have a conversation with you if you engage with him. Or you can sit back and watch the fun, as Karen and Ray are known to be seen and heard throwing objects back and forth to one another.

There is a young girl that is often seen throughout the mansion, but no one seems to know who she is. Alice Montclair has also been seen a handful of times, and even spoke to a witness by revealing her name. There is even a phantom dog and cat, nicknamed Sammy that could snuggle in bed with you. They make themselves at home in guest bedrooms and often are seen on the beds.

The second floor seems to be a hot spot for the paranormal activity in this house. The owners even recommend the Dansville Room as this seems to be the favorite lurking spot for the spirits. The house was featured on Paranormal State.

19. Batcheller Mansion Inn, Saratoga Springs, New York

The house was built in 1873 by George Sherman Batcheller. It wasn't made into an Inn until 1994 by Bruce J. Levinsky.

It is said that George Batcheller and his family are still residing within the mansion walls. These spirits sometimes make an appearance for guests and staff at the Inn. It is possible to book the entire mansion for Paranormal investigations. Albany Paranormal Research Society (APRS) and a TAPS family member have actually investigated the mansion twice and found evidence of paranormal activity both times during their investigations.

18. Belhurst Castle, Geneva, New York

In 1885, Carrie Harron started to build the castle. It is actually 3 buildings, and the locals refer to them as the “Haunted Houses”. Mrs. Harron lived in the castle until she died in 1926. However, the underground tunnels were built by the previous owner, William Henry Bucke. Legend has it that he ran away from Covent Garden Theatre with an actress and embezzled money. He built these tunnels to connect to the shores of Seneca Lake, for a quick escape should he be traced to Geneva, New York.

It had taken a team of 50 men, over 4 years. One man fell to his death from the tower, and another went insane while assembling the roof. When it was finished there was a beautiful Italian opera singer named, Isabella. She fled Spain and her husband with her lover and came to stay at the castle as a guest of Mrs. Harron. Her husband found out where she was and made the journey to retrieve her. Once the lovers heard of his arrival they tried to flee the castle through the wine cellar tunnel that connected to the carriage house. However, the tunnel collapsed on Isabella. She is said to still haunt the building. She has been seen walking the shores of Seneca Lake grieving. She has also been seen standing in the middle of the front lawn or as an apparition that is said to fly through windows. Isabella is the most famous spirit that is on the property. William Henry Bucke fell over an obstruction and broke his leg in the spring of 1836. He did not seek medical attention, and so he died of blood poisoning a short time later.

The staff has experienced paranormal activity from showers turning on and off in guest bedrooms to bottles and glasses flying around the bar. There have also been strange reports of table clothes being tied to the chandeliers. Guests have also reported hearing a soft lullaby in the middle of the night, sounds of children playing and screaming in the room next to them. These things are mainly reported by pregnant women.

Other guests have heard the sounds of furniture moving above them. Or coming from the room that once housed the roulette wheel and gambling tables because Belhurst was once a speakeasy and gambling casino.

17. Big Tree Inn, Geneseo, New York

It was built in 1833 by Allan and Bethia Ayrault. It was built over the site of Chief Goondahgowah’s (big tree) log cabin. The original cabin had burned down about 40 years before. Originally they named it Big Tree Lodge but following Berthia's death, it was renamed the Big Tree Inn, in 1886.

Some of the spirits that live here include a groundskeeper. He is said to roam the grounds to this day with his lantern. There is also the spirit of a young girl. She is said to be seen roaming the property in her Victorian dress. Then there is a young man who roams the property. If you are lucky you might see him roaming around in his dark suit and top hat. Not to mention that Bethia has also been seen in her old room, sitting in a chair.

16. Burn Brae Mansion, Glen Spey, New York

The place was built in 1908 by Margaret MacKenzie Elkin. It was built as part of the estate for George Ross MacKenzie. The Mansion is a hot spot for paranormal activity. There have been several reports of doors opening and slamming, and balls bouncing. There have been apparitions seen such as a lady in white, a man in turn of the century clothing, and another man dressed in overalls. There is also the sound of animals, and the sound of an organ playing when there is neither in the house.

In the 90s there was an elderly couple called the Hapjis'. They both died in the house. There have been reports from guests who say that they still see the couple in the front yard playing chess by the big window, hear his classical music, and smell her daily baking.

The most curious thing about the Burn Brae Mansion is that ghost hunters from SJGR have found 186 pictures, 2 videos, 5 motion sensor readings, 47 EVPs, and 32 EMF readings. All of these were accompanied by cold patches, pressure, and emotional swings.

15. Fainting Goat Island Inn, Nichols, New York

The building was built in the 1800s as a railroad hotel. The hotel actually came in 2nd in 2019 USA Today’s 10 Best Readers Choice Travel Awards for the Best Haunted Hotel.

There have been reports of guests being woken in the middle of the night from disembodied voices. There have also been reports of people seeing two women having tea in the Fainting Room. There is a child's chair in the Nubian Room that reportedly moves to beside the bed. And gumballs are known to spill onto the floor in the empty hallway. Footsteps can be heard on a staircase that no longer exists, and eyes have looked back from mirrors.

The most active spirit in the Fainting Goat Island Inn is that of a little boy. There is also a fascinating story about a doll and a knife that was found in the ceiling and clothes found in the floorboards among other chilling experiences that the owners reveal on their haunted tour.

One guest claimed that a ghost traveled through her room, and it wasn't as bad as what she witnessed in the hall. They heard two women's voices around 2 in the morning, but when they went to investigate nothing was there.

Another guest reported hearing footsteps back and forth on the wooden floorboards. The room had been very active at the time. Another guest claimed to have heard footsteps above them, and that her husband was hearing voices and the sound of a chain dragging on the deck.

The Alpine Room guests have the most experience. The ghost of a little boy can be heard laughing in this room, furniture has been known to move, and one lady woke to find quarters lined all heads up.

14. Genesee Falls Inn, Portageville, New York

It was built in 1870 as an Inn with a restaurant. It was a place people could go to have fun, and on the 3rd floor, men came to bare-knuckle fight. However, the Inn is a hot spot for paranormal activity.

Guests have reported people walking up and down the hallways, and doors shutting all on their own.

The current owners have even seen a young child walking through the kitchen in a period dress, and a man sitting in a chair of one of the bedrooms. It is not uncommon for items to go missing, only to return after a request to the spirits.

The current Inn actually sits in the same spot as two buildings that had burned down. There was also a family who lived in the area with a history of suicide. None of the members actually died in the house, they died at nearby waterfalls. The Inn's caretaker also died in the house, he remains protective of his room. He will close the door and lock it.

The Inn sits close to a colonial graveyard. Which is the final resting grounds of several civil war soldiers, and a 7-year-old boy who drowned. The graveyard was disturbed once by a flood but was re-erected by a neighbor.

13. Glen Sanders Mansion, Scotia, New York

The building was built in 1658 as a trading port but served as a family home until 1961 when it was turned into an Inn. The Mansion is a hot spot for paranormal experiences.

For instance, it is said that the spirit of Deborah Glen, the matriarch of the mansion, has been seen inside the mansion. It is said that she oversees all the events that take place at the mansion. The staff has seen her on the staircase wearing a red dress. She simply smiles at them and then floats away into the wall. David J. Pitkin a famous paranormal writer has featured the Inn in his book, “New York State Ghosts, Volume Two”. There was at least one report about scratching on the door at night, and at least three people swear they had communication with pre-abolition era slaves in the restaurant and kitchen area.

12. Graestone Manor Bed and Breakfast, Gasport, New York

The building was built in 1865 by the Root family and is said to be another hot spot for paranormal activity. The main parlor for instance is a spot for activities that goes back to several of the Inns' previous owners. Firstly, this was Mina's (a previous owner's) favorite room in the house. She has been caught on a security camera as grey streaks, orbs, and balls of light. She has been known to talk and has been captured on several EVP recordings, answering questions during sessions with ghost hunters. In this room, you can get an extreme feeling of being watched, and sometimes you can even get the feeling of being touched. You might also have your energy drained, have feelings of tiredness, and extreme cold. There have been strong smells of tobacco and whiskey. The ghosts love to mimic your voice, and doors are known to open on their own.

The basement goes back to at least 2 previous owners. There was a chest freezer in the basement, and as they approached the freezer they could hear footsteps coming up behind them. While another owner-reported canning jars zooming off the shelves and breaking. Pets and children both refuse to go into the basement, and allegedly there is a portal under the stairs. Before the risers were added there were reports of ankle grabbing and tripping. There is also a male presence who is said to guard the dark back corner. It has often been seen as a shadow mass that slowly moves from the corner to the stairs. There have been reports of whistling, talking, and calling people's names from this corner. There have been knocks on the ceiling, and things have been reported to be knocked over. It is said that the presence loves women, and many have been touched, have had their hair stroked, or a feeling of an icy chill in areas of their bodies. The presence has also been caught on security footage, as a man and a woman arguing, it has asked for help during EVP sessions, and a soccer ball-sized orb has been seen going across the floor. There are rumors that the house was once connected to the underground railroad, and that it was used as a speakeasy.

The Red Room was once the original upstairs parlor when the Root family lived in the house. It is believed that the youngest Root daughter resides in this room. She never married and inherited the house after her parents passed away. She lived in the house for 24 years. She is known for walking around the bed and watching you while you sleep. Guests have reported seeing the shadow of a woman in the windows and standing next to the bed. They have felt her sit on the bed, and have even reported the feeling of sadness and choking. This is accompanied by scratches and red marks on your neck. At times you can hear a woman's voice, but mostly the spirit in here mimics other voices.

The Gold Room was the master bedroom of former owners Mina and Dorsan Roszmans. They were the second family to live in the home and they lived there between 1923 and 1999. Dorsan suffered from mesothelioma and died in the room from the illness. Because he had been sickly and bedridden for years, there have been reports of breathing and wheezing that have been caught on paranormal investigation equipment. Sometimes these sounds can be heard with the naked ears. The closet door is known to open on its own. You can physically hear the closet click open and push across the carpet. There have been several reports of the apparition of a woman, she has been captured on film peeking out of the closet and into the mirrors. There are also reports of loud bangs and knocks coming from inside the walls.

The Green Room is also known as the Curtis Root Room. In March of 1889, Curtis Root was injured by his racehorse, Playboy. The horse crushed him when a passing train startled it. He didn't believe his injuries were bad, but he was suffering from internal bleeding. After weeks, Curtis died in this room. He has been seen in the windows and been heard walking around. He watches people as they sleep and people have reported a strong presence of a male in the room. He'll even follow guests around the house if they've slept in his former bedroom. He's been heard whistling and even talking. He has even made the temperature drop in the room, causing cold spots. He absolutely loves it when women stay in his room, and there have been reports of cigar smoke lingering in the room.

Then there is the Kids Room which is located in the servants' part of the house. Which was used from 1860 to the 1900s. Even though it was unheard of there was once a slide lock on this door. Which was uncommon for servants but there are rumors that Curtis was a womanizer. The previous owner's children have slept in this room and they often complained of a ghost boy. According to the children the boy was looking to play. But they also said that the “crazy laughing lady” would come out of the room and chase them down the hall trying to make them fall down the stairs.

The estate grounds, are a fun area for you to relax by nothing but woods and farmland. However, large white mists have been filmed here. They are said to encircle you, dancing, and moving rapidly when you are at the fire pit. Chanting, drumming, and people speaking in a foreign language have been caught on EVPs in the area. Inside the old remains of a blacksmith shop, people have seen black shadows. The ghost of a young boy can be seen and heard running through the fields. There have been reports of loud bangs, and what sounds like someone striking trees with branches has been heard on several occasions.

11. Hart House Hotel, Medina, New York

The Hart House Hotel first welcomed the first travelers to Medina in 1876. It was noted as the finest Inn. However, after 40 years the demand for Inns and Hotels was low, and as a result, Hart House went dark in 1918. For the next 85 years, it would be run as a shirt factory by Robert H. Newell. He had converted it to a factory, using its 3 floors to house 100 employees. In 2005 a 10-year restoration project converted Hart House back to an Inn.

However, the building is a hot spot for paranormal activity. Shirt workers recall seeing the apparition of a woman in white. Others recall footsteps bounding down the stairs. Guests who have stayed at the Hart House Hotel, have heard their name called when no one is around. There has also been plenty of reports of a woman in a long gown and shoulder-length brown hair standing on the staircase and greeting guests as they enter the hotel.

10. Heaven Sent B&B, Portageville, New York

The building was originally constructed as a church and rectory in 1848. It is now converted into a bed and breakfast. The harmless paranormal activity started during the renovations. The owners suspect that Father Maurice, who was the first priest to live in the rectory and had come down with pneumonia and died there, is haunting the bed and breakfast.

Several guests have reported being touched on the back, and even shaken awake. The owners have witnessed lights switching on and off, and feeling like someone is walking behind them. It is not uncommon to hear footsteps coming toward you in the hallway, to hear ghostly children running around, or hearing hushed conversations outside your door.

Orbs have been captured in photos, in different locations. Flashlights have turned off and on for yes or no questions, and one even spun around and pointed to a picture of the owner's grandma, when asked to.

9. Hotel Broadalbin, Broadalbin, New York

Formally known as Kennyetto Inn, the building started out as a glove factory in 1854. By 1895 it had transformed into Keeley Cure inebriate hospital that offered treatment to alcoholics. In the summer of 1898, a sanatorium was conducted by a man by the name of Dr. H.C. Finch. This “gold cure” would turn out to be a scam. There were more than 200 of these operations performed, which were said to be a more humane way to treat alcoholism as a disease. These operations included injections of poisonous ingredients such as strychnine, alcohol, apomorphine, willow bark ammonia, and atropine. These injections were dissolved in red, white, or blue liquids, and the doses of these injections varied. Patients would also be given tonics every 2 hours. These treatments lasted four weeks, and patients suffered from blindness, pain, and even death.

The Hotel Broadalbin is a hot spot for paranormal activity. There have been reports of soldiers standing at the top of the staircase, and figures in the windows. Some guests have felt a poke in the middle of the night, and a lamp which stood in the same spot for five years just fell over. Lights flicker, electronic devices turn on and off by themselves, and they say that many suicides have happened in the hotel.
There was also a report from someone who lives there at the hotel. On the first night, they didn't have a blanket so they used a bathrobe, but their feet kept being uncovered. In fact, they even felt something grab the bottom of the bathrobe and pull it off their feet. Also, every day while they are in the bathroom it sounds like someone is pacing the hall as if waiting for them to come out of the bathroom. But, when they opened the door there was no one there. They also constantly hear sounds coming from the closet and the 3rd floor, even when no one is on the 3rd floor.

8. King House Mansion at the Tarrytown House Estate, Tarrytown, New York

The house was built in 1840 by J.S. Cronise. The house had several owners until it was purchased by Thomas M. King. King was the vice president of the Baltimore and Ohio railroad. (B&O is on the Monopoly game). Eventually, William R. Harris founder of the American Tobacco Company purchased the house, and ironically Thomas King's son Fredrick married Harris's daughter Sybil. They lived in the house up until Sybil died in 1955.

She is said to be the one haunting the second floor. Appearing to the guests of the hotel as an apparition dressed all in white. Sybil loves to haunt near room 293. This is the room that is rumored to be where she died. Sybil has shown herself in many ways, this includes sounds, orbs, and shadows.

7. Miles Wine Cellars, Himrod, New York

There isn't really too much information on the Miles Wine Cellars. The property was built in 1802 by the Miles family.

Although the place is haunted there really isn't much known about that either. There have been reports of strange happenings. This includes the slamming of doors, footsteps, and strange sounds. These things have manifested on the property for years.

6. Red Coach Inn, Niagara Falls, New York

William Schoellkopf and Charles Peabody opened the doors on August 30th, 1923. It is said that a newlywed couple had checked into the Inn around midnight and stayed in the Victoria suite located on the 3rd floor. By morning the bride was dead. She was bludgeoned to death, on the bed. Her face had been crushed on one side. She was beaten with a candlestick that her husband had grabbed off the mantel. At one point there were stables at the home, there was a massive fire there, and a 4-year-old girl was found burned to a crisp in one of the stables.

Guests have reported strange paranormal activity in the area. Things tend to be thrown around, they have feelings of being rubbed, eyes in pictures follow you around, and the alarm's motion detectors have gone off even when it's only been the general manager in the building.

One worker said her two nephews came to visit, when one of her nephews asked her who the man in the fire was, and why he was in the fire. The ship bell is also known to ring without anyone ringing it. Jewelry also moves across the dressers, music can be heard in the dead of the night, and on the top floor, there are sounds of people walking and dancing from above them.

5. Brae Loch Inn, Cazenovia, New York

When it was built in 1805, the William Burr Estate became the place to be when it came to things like beautiful weddings, fine dining, and overnight accommodations. It also seems to be the place to be when it comes to paranormal activity as well. There have been reports of a girl in a long blue dress who offers to show guests to their rooms. It is also the place to see the apparitions of a man and a woman who walk through closets. There are also several orbs of light that surround the canopy beds. Room 12 has had several reports of a spirit haunting it.

4. Knox Mansion, Johnstown, New York

The house was built in 1889 by Charles Knox and is a hot spot for paranormal activity. Guests have reported, lights flickering, lamps dropping, footsteps, voices, apparitions, and cold spots. Sheets have been pulled from beds, and the piano plays by itself.

Children have reported seeing a gardener who worked at the mansion between 1905 and 1934. This gardener loved the company of children. There is also a rumor that a still-born baby was buried beneath the house. There is also another rumor that in 1950 a doctor who once owned the house had committed suicide there.

Vases have been known to tip over when no one is around. You can hear the front door creak open, and the sound of footsteps in the foyer, when no one is around. One guest had reported waking up to find a doctor holding a doctor's bag standing over him, and a plumber claims to have been burned by mints.

One honeymoon couple who wanted their breakfast between 9 and 9:30am, were simply gone the next day. The owner claims it happens all the time. People get scared and immediately leave. The owner has invited psychics to the house, and they all see blood in the basement.

3. The Naples Hotel, Naples, New York

The building was originally built as Lyon Tavern in 1818. It's a hot spot for paranormal activity. One of the most famous ghosts in the hotel is a man nicknamed Topper. Topper hung himself on the 3rd floor. He is often seen wandering the Hotel. There are also reports of a female ghost. Her name is Alice and it is believed that she and her two children lost their lives at the hotel in the 1900s.

Televisions are known to turn on by themselves, coat hangers dangle from the bathroom ceiling, lights turn off and on by themselves, and the ghosts even seem to lock doors. Guests in the hotel have reported seeing as many as 6 ghosts. These ghosts have been known to make hanging pictures crooked. There are reports of voices when no one is around, and there have been sightings of a shadowy figure that is dressed in 1920s clothing.

There is a woman who often peeks out of windows, and another apparition that appears in the restaurant's front room. Alice is always seen in the front dining room, and her children have been seen peering out the upstairs windows. Two gentlemen haunt a hotel room called “sake”. They have frequently flickered flashlights for eager ghost tour guests. There is a woman ghost in a front-facing room, that leaves the smell of lilacs whenever she is near. And there is an apparition of a civil war soldier who is seen descending the steps of the basement once a year.

2. The Sagamore Resort, Bolton Landing, New York

The hotel opened its doors in 1883 by hotel operator Myron O. Brown who had help from, E. Burgess Warren, William B. Bement, Robert Glendenning, George Burnham, and John Boulton Simpson. In both 1893 and 1914, the hotel was damaged by fire and was fully reconstructed in 1930 by Dr. William G Beckers and William H. Bixby. The hotel is a hot spot for paranormal activity.

There is an apparition of a woman just off the main lobby. She is in her 20s and is named Lilian. She had stayed at the hotel during the first-era. She is often standing on an open porch (which is currently the front office) looking down at the lake. Lilian wears a pinkish-brown dress, with points of lace at the waist and leg-of-mutton sleeves. This was very high-fashion in her period. She is here with her friends from Philadelphia and is waiting for them so that they can go off boating for the afternoon.

There is an apparition in the elevator nearest the Concierge, named Walter. Walter is dressed in a three-piece brown suit, and Walter has a well-tanned walrus mustache. They say that Walter is either heading to or returning from the card room. The card room was located where the first-floor rooms are today. Guests of the hotel would go there after dinner, where they could play cards, smoke, and drink. One of the hotel employees had gotten onto the elevator and bumped into someone who was not there, but a few seconds later, Walter materialized.

In Mr. Brown's kitchen, there is the apparition of a woman who is about 30-years-old. She is dressed in a gown from the 1930s. She has also been seen in the 2nd and 3rd-floor hallways. There is also the apparition of a man in a black cloak. His black pants can be seen beneath the cloak as are his black patent leather shoes. He is usually spotted in the 2nd and 3rd-floor hallways but has also been spotted in the hallway by the spa.

There is also a room on the second floor that seems to be occupied by the ghost of a hotel maid from around the 1930s-1940s. She was having an affair with a guest, got caught and fired. She returned to the room to tell the man she had been fired when his wife returned. He confessed what he had done and his wife fought the maid to the floor and smothered her with a pillow. Shocked at what his wife had done, the couple left immediately, but the maid wasn't found until the next morning. They assumed she had a heart attack or some sort of spell, but her spirit has remained in the room. It has said that her anger has trapped her, she is unable to leave the second floor, but is said to go up and down the hallway.

Two female guests even called the resort after their stay to see if the hotel was haunted. One of the women had witnessed a man in her room who was standing against the wall and watching her. She reported that she felt very comfortable in his presence. The other guest saw a child run through the end of her bed into the bathroom.

There have also been sensitives who have seen the flow of several ghosts coming and going through the main doors. Most of the ghosts at the hotel are transients. They have vacationed here in life, and continue to do so after death. On the golf course, there is also the ghost of a little boy who died in the 1950s. He was killed by a car while chasing golf balls, but it is said that he likes to play pranks on the golfers.

1. The Shanley Hotel, Napanoch, New York

The hotel was first built by Thomas Ritch in 1845. Back then it was called Ritch's Hotel. The hotel changed hands a few times, before a fire on March 18th, 1895 which burned down the hotel. In 1906, James Louis Shanley purchased the hotel. He is the most famous owner and is who the hotel is named after. By 1910, James married Beatrice Rowley, and the couple wanted a big family. On January 6th, 1912, Kathleen was born to the couple, but she only lived for about 6 months. She gave birth to two more children, but James Shanley Jr only lived about 4 and a half months, and William Shanley died after 9 months. The hotel is known for popular guests such as Thomas Edison and Eleanor Roosevelt.

It is also a hot spot for paranormal activity. As several guests have reported seeing a woman in period dress wandering through the hallways. She is known for the smell of her perfume, and many people believe that she is Mrs. Shanley. She may be still looking for her children or perhaps mourning the loss of her sister.

Esther and John Faughman had lived in the adjoining apartment of Beatrice and James. Beatrice was very close to her sister, Esther loved her sister very much but was sad because she missed her friends and family that she had left back in NYC. Every day she would wait beside the mahogany telephone booth so that her friends could call from back home. Esther died in 1918 of influenza, leaving her sister to care for her two children.

Pete Greger was the barber that James had hired to live on the property. His youngest daughter Rosie was only 3-years-old when she met her demise. Rosie had wandered across the road to Hoornbeek Farm. She lifted a wooden slab to peer into the well. When the little girl slipped and fell into the well. As she was falling she struck her head on the rocks, her body was found two hours later. The family moved to Brooklyn being no longer able to stay there. Several people have seen the apparition of Rosie and have heard her speaking to them from the shadows of the hallways. People often wonder if she is confused or just wants to play a nice game of hiding and seek?

It was in September 1915, when Dr. Walter Nelson Thayer Jr. was backing his car out of an alley between his house and the hotel. When Walter Nelson III who was 5-year-old had jumped onto the running board but fell off it. The car backed over him and he suffered some pretty severe head injuries. Several people believe that this boy is none other than Jonathan, a spirited boy that likes to play in the attic.

James was known to be actively involved with a known bootlegger, John Powers. James kept illegal sweet nectar hidden beneath the bar through a trap door for him. A raid of the property happened on February 26th, 1932, leading to the arrest of both James and John. Neither of them did time for the crime, but several people believe that John never left the hotel. In fact, they believe that he lurks in dark corners.

James had passed away of a heart attack, in 1937. Beatrice then sold the hotel to Allen H. Hazen. He had run the place as a hotel up until he died in 1971. It would be under his management that the Silent Room gained its fame. The story as it goes is that if Allen had encountered too many apparitions, he would sleep it off in this room. Staff and guests would tiptoe around the room not wanting to wake him too early.

Visitors to the hotel have experienced numerous paranormal activities. This would include rocking chairs rocking on their own, mysterious clock chimes, hot and cold spots, whistling, footsteps, piano music, voices, laughing children, aroma's in the kitchen, shadows, apparitions, and the feeling of being watched.