The (Mis)adventures of Jyl: The Crescent Hotel

Come join Jyl as she tells you about her stay in one of the most haunted hotels in the deep south! THE CRESCENT HOTEL in Eureka Springs, Arkansas!

Hey there, friends! It’s Jyl again and I’m here today in my Cave of Chaos with a mug of “special” tea in hand and ready to tell you about one of my favorite haunted hotels. Grab a blanket, get cozy, and come learn about this spooky destination with me!

The Crescent Hotel in Eureka Springs, Arkansas, is one of the most famous haunted hotels in the US. Built in 1886, it was originally designed as a fancy resort for rich folks who came to the area to relax and enjoy the alleged healing powers of the natural springs. The hotel’s gorgeous Victorian-style architecture, with its turrets and wraparound porches, made it the place to stay.

But the hotel didn’t have a smooth ride. In 1888, just two years after it opened, it ran into financial trouble and had to close its doors. It was then turned into the Crescent College and Conservatory for Young Women, a private girls’ school. Unfortunately, that didn’t last either. The school shut down in 1899 because it wasn’t financially viable, and the building returned to being a hotel. It would go through a few more changes over the years, but the big, dark chapter of the hotel’s story didn’t come until the 1930s.

Fell on Black Days

(Bonus free earworm for you. You’re singing it aren’t you?) In 1937, the Crescent was sold to a guy named Norman G. Baker, who claimed to have a cure for cancer. The problem? He wasn’t actually a doctor, just a con artist. If he were alive today, he would 100% have a 4pm talk show.  He turned the hotel into a cancer hospital, and people desperate for treatment came from all over. Baker’s “cures” were nothing more than strange concoctions, electric shock treatments, horrific experiments, and other unproven therapies. Sadly, many patients died during his time running the place—some say over 200. After a few years, Baker was exposed as a fraud, arrested, and convicted for fraud in 1940, but the damage was done. This hotel had seen a lot of suffering and death.

The Hauntings

With so much tragic history, it’s no wonder the Crescent Hotel is known for being haunted. Over the years, guests and staff have reported all kinds of strange and eerie experiences. If you visit today, you’ll hear stories of paranormal encounters, and even the hotel’s ghost tours (yes, those are a thing) draw plenty of ghost hunters every year. Here are a few of the well-known ghosts.

One of the most famous spirits is Michael, a stonemason who fell to his death while working on the hotel’s construction. His ghost is often spotted, and people report hearing footsteps, feeling cold spots, or even seeing a figure dressed like a worker. He resides in room 218, the most haunted guest room in the entire hotel. He loves the ladies but dislikes the men folk and is a real prankster. I am determined someday I will be able to snag this room, but it is always booked. 

Another famous ghost is the Lady in White, though who she is exactly depends on which version of the story you hear. (I know, such a trope). One legend says she was a young woman who jumped to her death from the hotel’s top floor, possibly because of a broken heart. Other versions claim she was a patient who died while Baker was running the so-called hospital. Either way, she’s often seen gliding through the halls in her white dress, especially near the third floor or the ballroom. People say you’ll feel a sudden chill or even spot her walking silently down the hall, but she never seems to interact much.

Given his shady past, it’s no surprise that some people believe the ghost of “Doctor” Baker still haunts the basement. This is where the old hospital rooms used to be, and now, many people report feeling an eerie presence when they’re down there. Some claim to hear strange noises like footsteps or murmurs, while others say they just get a weird, oppressive feeling, like they’re being watched. It’s not uncommon to feel uncomfortable or even like something just isn’t right when you’re near the old treatment areas.

There’s also the ghost of a child, who’s said to be playful and mischievous. This young spirit is often spotted running around on the second floor, or sometimes, you might hear them laughing or running down the hall, but when you turn around, they’re nowhere to be found. Some think she may have been a former student from the time when the hotel was a girls’ school. She’s described as wearing an old-fashioned dress, and some people have even had her tug on their clothes or feel her presence around them.

Aside from these main spirits, there are plenty of other strange things happening at the Crescent Hotel. Guests often report flickering lights, doors opening and closing on their own, or feeling like they’re not alone. The grand staircase is another hotspot, where people have seen shadowy figures standing at the top or heard footsteps coming from empty hallways. The air also seems to get especially cold in certain rooms, and some people even say they’ve smelled perfume or strange scents in the hotel’s hallways or ballroom areas.

Several years ago, they excavated the property and found all kinds of gross and unusual things in glass jars buried on the property. They sent some of them off to universities for analysis, but many of these jars are now on display in the basement as part of the tour! Super creepy and fun!

The Crescent Hotel Today

The Crescent Hotel is still a popular spot for tourists and paranormal enthusiasts. It’s been beautifully restored over the years, and people come to stay, take tours, or even hold weddings and events there. It’s not uncommon for guests to report strange experiences during their stay, whether it’s hearing things, feeling an odd chill, or just sensing that something is off.

During my stay, I obviously went on the ghost tour, and it is worth every penny. You get a knowledgeable docent and all the history and spooky stories you could ever want. When we got to the basement where “Doctor” Baker conducted experiments, I felt someone grope me and I whirled around to destroy them, but there was no one behind me. Eek!! It is almost impossible to get any indoor photos without strange orbs showing up in your pictures. Unfortunately, my room did not provide me with any scary experiences, but that won’t stop me from going back! Who is down for a weekend horror writers’ retreat!? I mean, look at this lobby!

What dark, mysterious or haunted places fascinate you? Drop your suggestions in the comments! I am always ready for my next (mis)adventure!

Jyl Glenn is a writer, editor, formatter, anthologist, and legal nurse consultant. Her lifelong love affair with horror began at a very early age when she was left unattended on the weekend Poltergeist debuted on HBO. And then she figured out she could read any book she liked as long as she hung out at the public library, even if the librarian deemed it not to be age-appropriate. Jyl was born and raised in New York and now lives in Tulsa with her dog. When she isn’t dabbling in the macabre—she’s most likely asleep.