Categories: History

Haunted Congress Plaza Hotel in Chicago, IL

Chicago, Illinois is an exciting city with a diverse population. The city by the lake front of Lake Michigan has a past that includes fires, violence, famous gangsters and crooked politician, so it comes as no surprise that Chicago is consider a haunted city.

Congress Plaza Hotel is considered by ghost hunters to be the most haunted locale in “The Windy City”. There are companies who conduct ghost tours and explain the legends of Chicago’s haunted history.

Ghost Stories

Congress Plaza Hotel was built specifically to accommodate travelers to the World’s Columbian Exposition in 1893. The hotel was built over the site of a skating rink. There have been reports of noises coming from the hotel ballroom at night. When security guards open the ballroom doors to see what is going on the ballroom is empty and quiet.

There have been reports of haunting and ghosts in the hallways. Classic poltergeist activity at the hotel, such as appliances turning themselves off and on, has been reported.

As a hotel that has entertained a number of famous guests, there are legends about different well-known personalities who may haunt the hotel. One of the more notorious ghosts may be that of gangster Al Capone, who owned the hotel for a while and used it for his headquarters.

History of the Congress Plaza Hotel

Congress Plaza Hotel was built during an era when Chicago featured cobblestone streets, gaslights and horse drawn carriages. Originally the hotel was called the Auditorium Annex, across the street from Louis Sullivan’s auditorium building.

The south tower was constructed in 1902 and 1907. The south Tower included a banquet hall, which is now known as the Gold Room. In 1909 a ballroom was added to the North Tower.

In 1908 the name of the hotel was changed from the Auditorium Hotel to the Congress Hotel. Over the years the hotel has had various owners, who updated the property.

In the early 1930’s the Elizabethan Room was converted to a stylish nightclub. The Joseph Urban Room, with its revolving bandstand, became the headquarters for an NBC radio program featuring Benny Goodman. Goodman, “The King of Swing” performed at The Congress Hotel from 1935-1936.

Notorious gangster, Al Capone, reportedly owned the hotel for a time. Secret escape routes still exist, decades after Capone’s death.

During World War II the U.S. Government purchased the hotel and used it as a U.S. Army officers headquarters.

In 1945 the hotel was purchased by a group of Chicagoans, who once again opened it to the public. In the 1950’s the Pick Hotel Corporation purchased the hotel which spent millions of dollars remodeling the hotel.

The 14 story building has provided lodging for Presidents, dignitaries, opera performers, celebrities, business travelers and vacationers over the years. Congress Plaza enjoys a location that is convenient to Michigan Avenue, famous for great shopping. Several of the hotel suites overlook the Lake Michigan lake front, with a view of Grant Park and beautiful Buckingham Fountain.

Congress Hotel has an eerie reputation for being haunted . The first annual Chicago Ghost Conference is being held at this haunted hotel at the end of October, 2007.