Author Topic: Hotel that Inspired The Shining  (Read 1087 times)

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Offline BlackHeart

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Hotel that Inspired The Shining
« on: Oct 06 2009 - 10:25PM »
By Kathy Weiser

ESTES PARK, Colo. – This old hotel was built in the early 1900s by F.O. Stanley, who created the Stanley Steam Engine--a steam powered horseless carriage. The majestic Georgian style hotel opened in 1909, catering to the rich and famous.
     Arriving in Colorado in 1903, Freelan Oscar Stanley (F.O.) and his wife Flora had been sent west by F.O.'s doctor to partake of the fresh mountain air.
     Stanley, who suffered from tuberculosis, had been advised not to make plans beyond six months. The doctor arranged for the couple to stay in a friend's cabin in Estes Park for the summer. Immediately, they fell in love with the area and F.O.'s health began took a dramatic turn for the better.
     After spending the summer in the cabin, Flora wanted a home like the one she had left in Maine. Their home was built about a half-mile west of where the Stanley Hotel would later be built. Today the house is a private residence.
     F.O. Stanley built the hotel on land he purchased from the Irish Earl Lord Dunraven. Dunraven came to the area in 1872 while on a hunting trip. He built a hunting lodge, cabin and hotel for his guests and illegally homesteaded up to 6,000 acres in an unsuccessful attempt to create a private hunting preserve. Dunraven was finally run out of the area after he tried to swindle folks out of their land and money.
     In 1906, construction began on the Stanley Hotel. Wood and rock were obtained from the nearby mountains and the hotel was built in the Georgian style, which experienced a revival in the early twentieth century. In 1909, the luxury hotel was complete, with no expense spared. Equipped with running water, electricity and telephones, the only amenity the hotel lacked was heat, as it was designed as a summer resort.
     The Stanley Hotel has hosted many "famous" guests including "The Unsinkable Molly Brown," John Philip Sousa, Theodore Roosevelt, the Emperor and Empress of Japan, and a variety of Hollywood personalities. And, of course, the Stanley Hotel hosted Stephen King, who based his "Overlook Hotel" in The Shining on the Stanley.
     In addition to its regular guests, the hotel is also said to play host to a number of otherworldly visitors. The most notable is F.O. Stanley himself who is most often seen in the lobby and Billiard Room, which was his favorite room when alive. On one occasion, he is said to have appeared during a tour group's visit to the Billiard Room, materializing behind a member of the tour.
     Bartenders at the old hotel also report having seen F.O. stroll through the bar, disappearing into thin air when they attempt to cut him off at the kitchen door.
     Not to be left out, Flora Stanley also haunts the hotel, continuing to entertain guests with her piano concertos in the ballroom. Employees and guests alike have reported hearing music coming from the room, yet, when they take a peek, no one is there.
     Several rooms in the hotel seem to particularly haunted. One is Room 407, which is said to sometimes be occupied by Lord Dunraven, who owned the land prior to F.O. Stanley. Supposedly, he likes to stand in the corner of the room near the bathroom door. On one occasion, witnesses reported that a light in one corner kept turning on and off. While the light was off, they told the ghost they knew he was there, they would only be staying two nights, and would he please turn the light back on–the light turned back on. However, later when the lights were turned off and they were attempting to sleep, noises came from the nearby elevator even though it was not in use.

At other times, a ghostly face has been seen at the window of Room 407 when the room is not booked.
     Room 418 has the most reports of haunting activity apparently from the spirits of children. Cleaning crews report strange noises from the room, as well as impressions on the bed when there have been no guests.
     When guests stay in the room, they often report hearing children running and playing in the corridor at night. One couple checked out of the hotel very early in the morning after complaining that the children in the hallway kept them up all night. However, there were no children staying in the hotel at the time.
     There have also been many reports of hauntings in Rooms 217 and 401.
     Tour guides tell a story of the ghost of a small child who has been seen by members of staff in various parts of the old hotel. Reportedly, Stephen King himself saw the child, on the second floor.
     There have been reports by others of phantom footsteps and apparitions throughout the building–especially when it snows.
     The Stanley Hotel is open year-round.

Offline Aten

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Re: Hotel that Inspired The Shining
« Reply #1 on: Oct 07 2009 - 01:12PM »
Blackheart, Rachael was there earlier this year and see it live and in color. It is a beautiful building and hopw to visit it one day..      :Y:

Offline cubcadet128

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Re: Hotel that Inspired The Shining
« Reply #2 on: Oct 08 2009 - 03:07PM »
My folks are staying here on the 18th of October for a couple of days. They also have a scheduled paranormal tour through the building during their stay.
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Offline BlackHeart

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Re: Hotel that Inspired The Shining
« Reply #3 on: Oct 08 2009 - 07:12PM »
David, I hope they stay in one of the haunted rooms I gave you. That would be so cool.  :camera:

Offline Aten

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Re: Hotel that Inspired The Shining
« Reply #4 on: Oct 11 2009 - 09:05AM »
David that sounds so cool hope they enjoy their stay there.   :Y: