Welcome to one of America’s most charming – and most haunted – hotels: the Hotel Alex Johnson. Nestled in the heart of downtown Rapid City, South Dakota, this historic gem is more than just a place to lay your head. It’s a time capsule of 20th-century opulence wrapped in South Dakota’s rich cultural tapestry – and a hotspot for unexplained paranormal activity. Whether you’re here for history, haunted happenings, or a little of both, Hotel Alex Johnson is a must-visit destination for ghost hunters and history buffs alike.
The hotel’s elegant Germanic Tudor architecture, historic charm, and fascinating past make it a unique experience that captures the essence of both old-world Europe and Wild West America. But behind its ornate doors and plush furnishings, lingering spirits roam – at least, according to those who’ve spent a night or two within its storied walls.
The History
A Vision Brought to Life in 1928
The story of the Hotel Alex Johnson began in the roaring twenties, a time of grand dreams and economic optimism. Alex Carlton Johnson, a vice president of the Chicago and North Western Railroad, envisioned a world-class hotel that would serve business leaders, tourists, and even dignitaries traveling through South Dakota. His goal was to create a property in Rapid City that blended Germanic Tudor architecture with the unique cultural flavor of the Lakota Sioux – whose presence in the Black Hills region dates back generations.
Hotel Alex Johnson officially opened its doors in 1928 and quickly became a centerpiece of downtown Rapid City. The building combined imported chandeliers, hand-carved woodwork, and native stone – providing a luxurious but distinctly regional feel. It wasn’t just a lavish hotel; it was a monument to the melting pot of cultures that defined South Dakota at the time.
A Presidential Favorite
Over the decades, the hotel has hosted a number of prominent figures. Perhaps most famously, it served as the preferred lodging for U.S. presidents visiting the Black Hills – including Dwight D. Eisenhower and Ronald Reagan. In fact, the President’s Suite is one of the most requested rooms in the hotel, often sought after by travelers curious to sleep where history was made – or whispered from the shadows.
The Hitchcock Connection
Another intriguing piece of lore tied to Hotel Alex Johnson is its connection to the 1959 Alfred Hitchcock classic, North by Northwest. It’s said that the master of suspense himself stayed at the hotel while scouting nearby Mount Rushmore as a film location. Though the hotel doesn’t appear on screen, its mystique and ambiance fit perfectly into the eerie suspense and elegant chaos of Hitchcock’s world. Coincidence? Or is there a deeper connection between the hotel’s haunting atmosphere and its brief brush with Hollywood?
The Great Renovations
Despite the shifting tides of time, Hotel Alex Johnson has remained a central figure in Rapid City’s downtown. It underwent multiple renovations to modernize accommodations while carefully preserving its historic charm. In 2012, it joined the Curio Collection by Hilton, ensuring high standards of comfort without losing the architectural and thematic elements that make it unique. The renovations didn’t drive away the spirits, though. In fact, some say the stirring up of the walls brought even more paranormal sightings to light…
The Haunt
Room 812 – The Spirit’s Suite
Paranormal enthusiasts, take note: Room 812 is widely regarded as the most haunted room in the entire hotel. According to local legend, a young bride tragically fell – or possibly jumped – from the window of this very room in the 1970s. While her death was ruled a suicide, whispers of foul play have persisted through the decades. Guests who stay in Room 812 often report eerie phenomena such as:
- Drawers opening and closing on their own
- Flickering lights with no electrical issue detected
- Unexplained cold spots, even in the heat of summer
- Mirror fogging up with the shape of a handprint
Some guests report hearing the soft sounds of sobbing at night or the fleeting aroma of perfume with no identifiable source. Anecdotes from overnight guests describe an overwhelming feeling of being watched – especially late at night. Paranormal investigators have captured EVPs (Electronic Voice Phenomena) and strange electromagnetic fluctuations within the walls of Room 812, reinforcing the belief that it is the spiritual epicenter of the hotel.
The Lady in White
As with many old hotels, a ghostly lady in white is said to glide through hallways in the middle of the night. Described as wearing a vintage gown – possibly from the 1920s or ’30s – she’s been spotted by guests, staff, and even security cameras. Some believe she’s the spectral bride of Room 812, while others claim she’s an entirely different spirit: perhaps a former guest who never checked out.
Common places she appears include the eighth floor hallway, the lobby near the grand staircase, and the ballroom. Luckily, she’s considered to be a gentle presence, her apparitions often accompanied by the aroma of lilacs or roses. Like an echo from the past, she roams the hotel quietly but unmistakably.
Playful Spirits and Mischievous Guests
The hotel’s paranormal activity isn’t limited to Room 812 or the woman in white. Reports from other areas of the hotel speak of shadowy figures darting around corners, items being moved or misplaced, and even disembodied laughter in empty corridors. Elevators have been known to travel between floors seemingly on their own, and lights occasionally dim or brighten without cause. Even the hotel’s friendly staff have shared stories of inexplicable occurrences during late-night shifts.
Perhaps most curiously, ghostly children are occasionally heard running through the halls at night, giggling and thumping — despite no young guests being booked during those times. These otherworldly pranksters seem to enjoy interacting with technology, often playing with TVs, phones, and alarm clocks in the dead of night.
Paranormal Investigations Welcome
Unlike many historic properties, Hotel Alex Johnson embraces its haunted reputation. The staff are open about the stories and sightings, and are known to offer ghost-hunters subtle clues on where they might focus their overnight investigations.
Over the years, multiple paranormal groups have filmed footage at the hotel, and it’s routinely featured in documentaries and online ghost-hunting forums. If you’re lucky (or unlucky, depending on your perspective), your visit might include a conversation with a spirit guest who never quite left the room where their story ended.
Your Next Haunted Destination
If you’re a fan of the paranormal – or even a full-fledged investigator – you owe it to yourself to spend a night at the Hotel Alex Johnson. With a history spanning nearly a century and a reputation for ghostly goings-on, this hotel offers a rare blend of luxury and the unexplained. It’s not only one of the most striking historic lodgings in the Midwest, but one of the most paranormally active.
Whether you come for the historic architecture, the presidential connections, or the ghosts that roam its hallowed halls, you’ll find no shortage of stories inside these walls. Book Room 812 if you dare — or simply enjoy a drink in Paddy O’Neill’s Irish Pub located downstairs, where even your pint might come with a side of the supernatural.
So pack your EMF detector, charge your infrared camera, and bring a healthy respect for the unknown. When you stay at the Hotel Alex Johnson, you’re not just checking into a hotel – you’re stepping into history, and possibly into the afterlife as well.
Planning your haunted journey through the Black Hills? Make Hotel Alex Johnson your paranormal basecamp. Who knows? You just might meet one of its long-term (and otherworldly) residents.