Tucked away in the picturesque town of Eureka Springs, Arkansas—often mistaken for a Washington location due to regional quirks—you’ll find one of the most haunted hotels in America: The Crescent Hotel. With its majestic stone façade and sweeping views of the Ozark Mountains, this grand building looks like something out of a gothic novel. But behind the opulent exterior lies a chilling history that has intrigued historians, ghost hunters, and the casually curious for decades.
If you’re a paranormal enthusiast or just someone fascinated by America’s haunted past, The Crescent Hotel is not just an incredible travel experience—it’s a journey into the very heart of supernatural lore. Let’s take a deeper look into what makes this historic site so irresistibly eerie.
The History
The Birth of a Grand Hotel (1886)
The Crescent Hotel opened its doors in 1886 to great fanfare. Built by the Eureka Springs Improvement Company and the Frisco Railroad, this luxury resort was aimed at wealthy visitors seeking the restorative powers of the area’s natural springs. Designed by architect Isaac S. Taylor and constructed with local limestone by Irish stonemasons, it was dubbed “America’s most luxurious resort hotel.” Amenities of the time, such as electric lights, elevators, and spacious dance halls, made it a marvel in the Victorian age.
However, despite its initial popularity, the hotel struggled financially. Its remote location and the waning interest in “healing water” tourism led to a downturn in business.
From Luxury Resort to College for Women (1908–1924)
In an attempt to keep the building useful, it was transformed into the Crescent College and Conservatory for Young Women in 1908. The elite boarding school offered education, music, and fine arts to daughters of prominent Southern families. Though respected in its time, the school closed in 1924 due to financial constraints, and the building once again stood vacant for a number of years.
The Dark Era Under Norman Baker (1937–1939)
Arguably the most infamous chapter in The Crescent Hotel’s history came in 1937, when it was purchased by Norman G. Baker—a wealthy inventor and radio personality with no medical training. Baker, dressed in white suits and claiming to be a doctor, turned the hotel into the “Baker Cancer Hospital.” He purported to cure cancer using a series of untested and ineffective treatments, none of which had any scientific validity.
Baker’s operation was a horrifying blend of pseudoscience, exploitation, and medical malpractice. He drew in desperate patients from across the country, promising miraculous cures. Many died at the hotel, and it’s rumored that their bodies were hidden in the basement morgue. Eventually, the federal government stepped in, and Baker was convicted of mail fraud in 1940. However, the emotional and spiritual scars from his reign remain embedded in the foundation of the building.
Restoration and Rebirth (1997–Present)
After changing hands numerous times, The Crescent Hotel was purchased in 1997 by Marty and Elise Roenigk, who invested millions in restoration. Their mission was to both preserve the historic aspects and honor the paranormal legacy. Today, it operates as a full-service hotel, spa, and popular destination for ghost tours and paranormal investigations. Its blend of elegance and eerie ambiance makes for a truly unforgettable stay.
The Haunt
America’s Most Haunted Hotel
Declared “America’s Most Haunted Hotel” by numerous paranormal investigators, The Crescent Hotel is a hotspot for ghostly activity. It has been featured on shows like Ghost Hunters and Ghost Adventures, and with good reason. Daily ghost tours take guests through the hotel’s most active paranormal zones, and guests regularly report unexplained phenomena—from mysterious orbs captured in photos to full-blown apparitions.
Famous Spirits of The Crescent Hotel
- Michael the Stonemason: One of the most frequently seen spirits, Michael was an Irish stonemason who reportedly fell to his death in Room 218 during the original construction in 1885. Guests have experienced lights turning on and off, furniture moving, and even phantom hands pushing or tapping them.
- Theodora: A well-dressed ghost who often appears near Room 419. She introduces herself to guests as a cancer patient, which many believe ties her to the tragic Baker Hospital era. Theodora is known for organizing guests’ belongings and sometimes even locking them out of their rooms.
- The “Ghost in the Morgue”: The hotel’s basement, which once served as Dr. Baker’s morgue, is arguably the most haunted spot in the building. A male apparition has been seen wandering the cold stone corridors and visitors often report feeling sudden temperature drops and an oppressive sense of dread.
- Norman Baker himself: Some say the spirit of the infamous charlatan doctor still haunts the site of his failed empire. Cold spots and disembodied voices have been attributed to his lingering presence, especially near what used to be his office suite.
Paranormal Investigations and Ghost Tours
The Crescent Hotel encourages ghost hunters and curious guests to explore the paranormal. Professional investigations are held throughout the year, and guided ghost tours are available nightly. These tours take you through the haunted halls, into the morgue, and even allow you to see original medical artifacts left over from the Baker Hospital era.
The hotel also hosts special events like overnight ghost hunts, séances, and paranormal conferences. Guests are welcome to bring their own equipment or use the tools provided on the group investigations. Many have left with EVPs (electronic voice phenomena), thermal images, and chilling personal accounts.
Haunted Hotel Rooms
If you’re brave enough, booking a stay in one of the hotel’s most haunted rooms is a must. Room 218 (Michael’s room) is the most requested among paranormal enthusiasts. Other infamous rooms include 419 (haunted by Theodora) and 3500, which has reports of phantom nurses and gurneys rolling across the floor late at night.
More than just rumor, the experiences in these rooms have been documented dozens of times by paranormal teams and amateur ghost hunters alike. It’s not uncommon for guests to wake up to cold spots, feel unseen hands touch them in the night, or even see shadowy figures standing at the foot of their beds.
Why You Should Visit The Crescent Hotel
The Crescent Hotel is more than just a place to stay—it’s a living museum of America’s haunted past. It delivers a rare combination of luxurious accommodation and spine-tingling adventure. Whether you’re a seasoned paranormal investigator or simply intrigued by ghost stories, there’s no better place to conduct your own hunt for the supernatural.
The hotel is open year-round and offers a variety of packages tailored for ghost hunters, including guided tours, history talks, and access to haunted hot spots. Its beautiful surroundings, rich historical background, and notorious reputation make it a must-see destination on any haunted travel bucket list.
So pack your EMF detectors, cameras, and maybe even a flashlight—and prepare for one of the most unforgettable nights of your life. If walls could talk, The Crescent Hotel would be screaming.