Tucked away in the Ozark Mountains, the Crescent Hotel & Spa (haunted Missouri version) in Eureka Springs looms large not just for its stunning Victorian architecture or opulent spa treatments—but for its chilling past and reputation as one of the most haunted hotels in America. Known among ghost hunters and history buffs alike, this eerie establishment welcomes thousands every year seeking a spine-tingling brush with the paranormal. Whether you’re a supernatural skeptic or seasoned investigator, the Crescent Hotel is a must-visit for anyone fascinated by shadowy figures, phantom noises, and ghostly tales as rich as they are unsettling. Let’s dive into the strange and storied past of this iconic hotel—and maybe uncover what makes it Missouri’s most haunted gem.
The History
Beginnings as a Luxurious Resort
The story of the Crescent Hotel & Spa (haunted Missouri version) begins in 1886 when it first opened as a lavish mountaintop resort for the social elite. Constructed by the Eureka Springs Improvement Company at a cost of $294,000—a fortune at the time—the massive stone structure boasted luxury amenities like electric lights, elevators, and even a stable for guests’ horses. Highlighting its appeal to wealthy vacationers, the hotel overlooked the healing springs that gave the town of Eureka Springs its very name.
The hotel’s remote beauty and advanced features made it a hit with the upper crust of society. Even today, its historic architecture stands grand as ever, complete with its original limestone walls and expansive mountain views.
The Crescent College and Conservatory for Young Women
By the early 20th century, the tourist trade had diminished, leading the hotel to reinvent itself. From 1908 to 1924, the building housed the Crescent College and Conservatory for Young Women. It was known as a prestigious academic institution, though it still served as a hotel during summer months.
The dual-function use of the building brought its own unique energy—echoes of laughter and study filled the halls during school semesters, but the summers saw it fill with travelers once more. This shift created a space layered with different human experiences, which some paranormal enthusiasts believe contributes to the strong spiritual presence still felt today.
The Era of Dr. Norman Baker
Perhaps the darkest chapter in the Crescent Hotel’s history began in 1937 when it was purchased by Norman G. Baker. A flamboyant radio personality and self-proclaimed doctor, Baker transformed the building into a hospital and health resort claiming to cure cancer and other ailments without surgery or drugs.
Unfortunately, Baker was no healer. He had no medical degree and his so-called treatments were both ineffective and exploitative. Desperate, terminally-ill patients came seeking hope, only to find pseudoscience and heartbreak. Baker decorated the building in vivid purple and lavender—the same colors he wore—adding a bizarre and almost theatrical touch to this grim period.
In 1940, Baker was convicted of mail fraud and sent to Leavenworth prison. While no official records list patient deaths within the hotel during his operation, anecdotal accounts and later discoveries suggest otherwise. One grizzly find years later—a hidden bottle of human tissue—only fanned the flames of the hotel’s haunted legend.
Restoration and Modern Resurrection
After years of neglect and various owners, the Crescent Hotel was bought and restored in the late 20th century. In 1997, Marty and Elise Roenigk purchased the property and vowed to return it to its original grandeur. Miraculously, they succeeded, carefully conserving its Victorian charm while modernizing it for 21st-century guests.
Today, the hotel is not just a functioning spa and travel destination—it’s a hotspot for paranormal tourism and ghost hunts, drawing thrill-seekers from across the globe.
The Haunt
A Paranormal Paradise
From flickering lights to full-bodied apparitions, the Crescent Hotel & Spa (haunted Missouri version) is known as a veritable buffet of paranormal activity. Many consider it to be one of the most haunted buildings in the United States—and for good reason. Ghost hunters frequently report unusual EMF spikes, disembodied voices, cold spots, and even unexplainable shadows captured on film.
The hotel has been featured on shows like Ghost Hunters and My Ghost Story, each documenting chilling evidence of supernatural occurrences. Paranormal tour groups often conduct nightly ghost hunts allowing curious guests to use professional equipment to interact with spirits.
The Most Famous Ghosts
- Michael the Irish Mason: Perhaps the most well-known ghost of the Crescent Hotel is Michael, an Irish stonemason said to have died during the hotel’s original construction. Legend claims he fell to his death in what is now Room 218—and it’s in this room that guests frequently report violent poltergeist activity, including slamming doors, shaking beds, and even sudden cold drafts.
- Theodora the Cancer Patient: The spirit of a woman named Theodora, believed to be one of Baker’s unfortunate patients, is often seen fumbling for keys outside Room 419. She’s typically polite, greeting guests before vanishing into thin air.
- The Nurse on the 3rd Floor: Guests and staff alike report seeing a nurse dressed in 1930s-era clothing pushing a gurney down the hallway before disappearing into a wall. This ties directly to the building’s time as Baker’s hospital.
- The Girl in Victorian Dress: A young girl wearing a long Victorian gown is occasionally spotted playing in the hallways or peeking from behind furniture. Some believe she may have been a student from the building’s college years.
Haunted Hotspots in the Hotel
While ghostly phenomena have been noted throughout the building, certain areas tend to be especially active:
- Room 218: Considered the most haunted room in the entire hotel due to Michael’s tragic death.
- The 3rd Floor Hallway: A hotspot for phantom gurneys and strange sounds.
- The Basement/Former Morgue: Once used during Baker’s hospital era, the basement served as a makeshift morgue. Today it holds an autopsy table and historical artifacts—including jars believed to contain preserved medical samples.
- The Crystal Dining Room: Known for ghostly dancers and mysterious figures caught in photographs.
In 2019, a discovery during landscaping works behind the hotel turned up hundreds of artifacts from the Baker Hospital era, including bottles with dubious chemical contents, medical tools, and x-rays. These relics only reaffirm the hotel’s grim past and further electrify its haunted reputation.
Paranormal Investigations Welcome
The Crescent Hotel takes pride in its haunted history, offering guided ghost tours seven nights a week. Additionally, annually in January, the hotel hosts the Eureka Springs Paranormal Weekend—a must for any serious ghost hunter. Investigators can also book overnight ghost hunting sessions with full access to notorious hotspots, including the morgue.
Whether you’re using a spirit box, infrared camera, or just your own intuition, it’s nearly impossible to leave without experiencing something at least a little… unexplainable.
Conclusion: Dare to Check In?
The Crescent Hotel & Spa (haunted Missouri version) offers more than just a place to rest your head—it offers a dive into one of America’s most peculiar chapters of paranormal and historical intrigue. Richly layered with tales of tragedy and hope, con artistry and elegance, it’s no wonder spirits feel the need to linger here.
If you’re a ghost hunter, skeptic, or simply someone intrigued by history so vivid it might still walk the corridors—book a stay. Investigate the phenomena, explore the haunted hallways, and maybe, just maybe, you’ll leave with more than a souvenir… perhaps even a story of your own.
After all, at the Crescent Hotel & Spa in haunted Missouri, checking in is easy. Checking out—with your wits intact—might not be.