The Haunted Hotels Crescent & Basin Park in Eureka Springs
The north entrance of the Crescent Hotel, high atop West Mountain overlooking Eureka Springs, is ablaze with lights on an unseasonably warm spring evening. Called the “most haunted hotel in America,” the beautiful structure was built in 1886. Stories of strange happenings abound, some of which are attributed to “Michael” the Irish stonemason who fell to his death during the hotel’s construction in 1885.
A dizzying view into the main stairwell of the Crescent Hotel. A young girl fell to her death here many years ago. Photo by Ryan Hafling of Ozark, Missouri.
On the west side of the hotel, the original servants’ quarters rise. After the hotel was converted into a sham hospital by charlatan “Dr.” Norman Baker, the basement below the quarters became a makeshift morgue for cancer patients who died after receiving supposed cures.
Looking up the main stairwell of the Crescent Hotel, multiple odd — and perhaps paranormal — artifacts may seen. Photo by Ryan Hafling.
The strange “bat owl” graces the massive fireplace in the Crescent Hotel lobby. Is there a secret message of sorts with the addition of the strange creatures? The hotel was built by late-19th century Irish stonemasons.
A room with a view? The 1905 Basin Park Hotel was, in some ways, the rowdy downtown cousin of the graceful Crescent Hotel built 19 years earlier. Like the Crescent, the Basin Park is reportedly haunted. This nine-story hotel overlooks now-picturesque Eureka Springs and the less-well-to-do East Mountain.
The Barefoot Ballroom on the top floor of the Basin Park Hotel is well-known for events. Guests also make their way to the top for the Lucky 7 Rooftop Billiards Bar as well the regular history tours which includes a trip out onto the roof. Photo by Ryan Hafling.
Although the Basin Park Hotel’s history is less haunted than the Crescent, the location is not. Prior to 1905, the location was home to the Perry House, an 1881 hotel which burned to the ground. Is it just coincidence that many ghostly incidences involve the appearance of fire? Photo by Ryan Hafling.
A room with a view? The 1905 Basin Park Hotel was, in some ways, the rowdy downtown cousin of the graceful Crescent Hotel built 19 years earlier. Like the Crescent, the Basin Park is reportedly haunted. This nine-story hotel overlooks now-picturesque Eureka Springs and the less-well-to-do East Mountain.
