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Arkansas is famous for its hot springs, a prominent tourist attraction in the region, with hotels and agencies promoting their healing properties. Located on the top of the Ozark Mountains overlooking Eureka Springs, the Crescent Hotel and Spa was announced as a secluded place where wealthy people could enjoy Arkansas' healing springs back in 1886.

Yet, due to financial problems, it didn't take long for the Crescent Hotel and Spa to close its doors. Later, the building was home to different endeavors, and several witnesses endorsed the rumors the place is haunted. For travelers looking to explore some of the most haunted places on earth, the Eureka Springs Crescent Hotel is open for reservations and promises a unique paranormal experience.

The History Behind The Building

The first tragedy at the building happened during its construction when a stonemason, identified only as Michael, had a fatal accident. Many years later, people still claim to see his ghost hanging around in the same room where he fell. The accident didn't outshine the Crescent Hotel and Spa's inauguration, celebrated with a gala ball for VIP guests, including the region's most influential and wealthy people. Shortly after the inauguration, the hotel had financial problems and closed its doors to guests.

Between 1903 and 1924, the building was the address for the Crescent College and Conservatory for Young Women. This period was marked by another accident: one of the students fell from one of the windows and died. After Crescent College was closed, other people tried using the building for new business, but all failed.

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The Crescent Hotel And Spa Was A Hospital

Despite the accidents, Crescent Hotel in Eureka Springs became known as one of the most haunted places in the United States, thanks to Norman Baker. The man purchased the building in 1937 and decided to open a hospital and health spa for cancer patients. He was a charlatan and had no medical education but managed to attract dozens of patients by advertising miraculous treatments on the radio.

Barker's elixir consisted of a combination of ingredients that included watermelon seeds, corn silk, and clover. He would only accept patients with no close relatives and promised that if they were cured within six weeks, they wouldn't have to pay. However, Baker's exams consisted of pitching and looking at the patients.

His treatments were far away from harmless. Baker would torture the patients, injecting his elixir through a hole in their skull. He would isolate the patients suffering in a wing known as the psychiatric ward.

Many authorities and doctors tried to stop Baker, but he always managed to find a way to get away with it. He was finally arrested for mail fraud and imprisoned for four years. Yet, the hotel's history still impacts people visiting the building today.

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The Hotel Is Open For Guests

After the hospital was closed, the building remained abandoned for many years, and A fire almost burned the place down in the 1950s. In 1997, it was purchased by Marty and Elise Roenigk, who spent six years renovating it and were determined to reopen the hotel. Since then, the hotel has received many recognitions, including by the National Trust for Historic Preservation as one of America's Dozen Distinctive Destinations.

The hotel has embraced its reputation as a haunted place and used it to attract more tourists. Guests can join their year-round haunted tours, chilling shows, ghost stories, and thrilling events, especially during Halloween. The ghost tours included visiting the room Barker used as a morgue and autopsy room. Every year, they receive over 3,000 guests trying to discover the hotel's mysteries.

Ghost Packages

They have different deals for guests, such as the Midweek Ghost Package, which includes one night at the hotel, two tickets for the ghost tour, and some souvenirs. Another option is the Spirits of the Crescent, which offers a night at the hotel, a ghost tour, souvenirs, dining credit, and a resort pass. It's also possible to book only the tour.

Although paranormal activities are the main attraction at the hotel, they also host weddings and other events. The place also has many trails and spa activities for guests who prefer to stay away from ghosts.

  • Prices: $275 (Midweek Ghost Package) and $450 (Spirits of the Crescent)
  • Price for the ghost tour: $29.95

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Paranormal Activities

More than 40 people died in the building when it was a hospital retreat, and it's hardly something that will be forgotten. In 2019, over 400 glass bottles with human tissues and tumors were unearthed in the hotel's backyard, bringing the hospital's story to the headlines again.

The Crescent Hotel is known as the most haunted hotel in the United States, and there're several reports of paranormal activities on the building. People often say they see ghosts of doctors, nurses, patients, and even pets. The most haunted spot is Room 218, the same place the stonemason building the hotel fell to death.

The place became a popular destination among paranormal investigators who study the area. They believe the secret behind its paranormal activity is in its foundation. The hotel was built on an eighteen-inch-thick limestone, and it's believed this stone releases electromagnetic and psychic energies.