OUR OWNER SPEAKS OF THE GHOSTS

The Four Ghosts of the Crescent Hotel

A ghost story was recently submitted about the Crescent Hotel in Eureka Springs, Arkansas. I read this story with interest because my wife and I (Elise & Marty Roenigk) purchased the legendary Crescent Hotel, along with the other large National Register hotel in Eureka Springs, the Basin Park Hotel, early last year. Since the purchase we have learned a lot about the ghosts at the Crescent, an in fact we have made the hotel more "ghost friendly" in terms of being more than willing to talk about our long time ethereal guests.

I was very surprised by the story on the web site because it suggested ghost that were not friendly - pushing someone down the stairs. We have talked with many people about the ghosts at the Crescent, we have read several books that cover them (one of which is available from the hotel), and even viewed a couple of videotapes that cover "our" ghosts. We have never, once, heard any report that suggested anything worse than a little mischief on the part of the ghosts.

There are four ghosts that have been well "documented", or at least well reported on over an extended period of time, at the Crescent Hotel: Michael is a workman who died during the construction of the hotel in 1886. His room is number 218, and a lot has gone on there over the years. I'm not sure why that is his room, although one report says that he fell from the roof to that room during construction. He is often seen walking the grounds also.

There is a nurse who is seen pushing a gurney down the hallways of the second floor. The hotel was a hospital for about four years around 1940. No one knows her story.

There is a young woman who reportedly jumped to her death from the roof or upper balcony of the hotel. She was a student. For quite a few years during the 1910-1930 period the hotel was a school for women during the off-season.

Other stories, including the detail of a later sighting, suggest that this young student was actually pushed rather than jumped. There is a man, in very formal dress and tophat, circa 1890's, who is seen in the lobby from time to time. In addition to these four, there are reports of a group of people seen dining in a corner of the Crystal Dining Room (and being served) at a time when the dining room was closed.

I repeat though that all of the reports have been at best friendly, at worst mischievous. Readers can see the Crescent Hotel at our web site: www.crescent-hotel.com.

Thanks,
Marty Roenigk