Categories: History

Haunted Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, CO

The Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, Colorado is in the Rocky Mountains and enjoys breathtaking scenery. The hotel is situated on 35 acres of majestic natural beauty. The Stanley Hotel is said to be the inspiration for the spooky Overlook Hotel in the Steven King movie “The Shining.”

Ghost Stories

The Stanley Hotel is said to host a number of otherworldly visitors. The original owner, F.W. Stanley is the most notable hotel ghost. The spirit is often seen in the Billiard Room and the Lobby.

When F.O. Stanley opened the Stanley Hotel in 1901 he marked the occasion by presenting his wive, Flora, with a Steinway Grand Piano. The hotel had a long tradition of bringing great music to the Rockies. It is said that Flora continues to entertain guests by playing the piano in the ballroom. People say they have seen the keys moving on the piano as music plays, but as soon as someone crosses the threshold the music and movement stops.

Lord Dunraven, who owned the land the hotel was built on before Stanley purchased it form his, also haunts the hotel. Lord Dunraven seems to visit room 407, where he turns lights on and off and makes noises.

People who want to know more about the haunted hotel are encouraged by the hotel to attend one of their ghost tours.

History of The Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, CO

The Stanley Hotel was the setting for the movie based on Stephen King’s novel “The Shining”. The Stanley hotel is known for its grand architecture, magnificent setting and for famous guests.

The Stanley is considered on of the most haunted hotels in America.

The original owner of the hotel was f.O. Stanley. F.O. Stanley was forced by ill health to move west in 1903. Freeland Oscar Stanley and his wife, Flora Stanley moved to Colorado for the fresh air. F.O. Stanley suffered from tuberculosis and had been told by his doctors that he didn’t have long to live.

When he arrived in Estes Park, Colorado, he found that the western town lacked comfortable amenities. Hist health began to improve, and he began to make plans for the future. F.O. Stanley set out to change the economy and built 160 acres that he purchased from Lord Dunraven. Stanley built the first of what would become eleven buildings. Many of the eleven original buildings are still used today.

The construction on the Main building started in 1907 and took two years to finish. Stanley helped to shad the face of tourism in Estes Park by building a road from Lyons which he used to bring guests to the hotel with his Stanley Steam Engine, a steam powered horseless carriage. This is significant because is the the first time in history that automobile transportation, instead of railroad train transportation, was used to transport people to a resort area.

F.O. Stanley used his engineering background to invent the Stanley Mountain Wagon. This first motor bus was constructed by revamping a truck into a motor bus.

The hotel was not Stanley’s only business. He also developed a sewer, a power and water company and the first bank in Estes Park. Stanley also helped to restore wildlife to the area, by establishing the Rocky Mountain National Park and Estes Park Fairgrounds, called Stanley Park.

F.O. Stanley passed away in 1940. The Stanley Hotel continues to flourish and will soon to celebrate its 100th birthday. ‘The Stanley Hotel is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is a member of Historic Hotels of America.

The Rocky Mountain provides the opportunity for a wealth of healthy outdoor activities and sports, including fishing, boating, hiking, biking, mountain climbing, snowshoeing, golf and horseback riding. The Stanley Hotel offers amenities including a full service spa, heated outdoor swimming pool and more.

The Stanley Hotel conducts ghost tours, so those curious about the Stanley Hotel ghosts can learn more about them by visiting the Estes Park hotel..