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The Historic Crescent Hotel - Eureka Springs
ExploreSouthernHistory.com
America's Most Haunted Hotel!
| The Crescent Hotel - Eureka Springs Built in 1886, the Crescent Hotel is a National Historic Landmark and one of America's most beautiful historic hotels. |
If you want to experience the best of times gone by, in more ways
than one, the beautiful Crescent Hotel in Eureka Springs, Arkansas
makes for an unforgettable destination.
Located atop a mountain in Eureka Springs, the Crescent Hotel is
an architectural landmark and beautifully restored historic hotel. It
also claims to be America's "most haunted" hotel!
The story of the Crescent and its ghosts is a major part of the history
and folklore of Eureka Springs and all of Arkansas. A National
Historic Landmark, the hotel also offers some of the finest historic
accommodations in the South.
Constructed in 1886 and operated for its first 15 years by the Eureka
Springs Improvement Association, the Crescent Hotel was a
destination for the wealthy and elite of the late 19th century. Guests
could stroll the beautifully landscaped grounds, dine in elegant
splendor and enjoy activities ranging from carriage rides to "tea
dances."
Hard times came, though, and the beautiful hotel fell into a state of
disrepair. Following the Great Depression, the old structure came
into the hands of Norman Baker, or - as he liked to call himself -
"Dr." Norman Baker.
A former manager of a "mind reading" show, radio station owner,
and alleged possessor of a "cancer cure," "Dr." Baker came to
Eureka Springs from his home in Iowa to open what he called his
"Castle in the Air." Converting the Crescent into a dubious medical
facility, he brought in patients and practiced a variety of strange
procedures on them. Desperate patients flocked to the facility and
Federal investigators later determined that Baker made more than
$4,000,000 before he was shut down for good. He was indicted for
mail fraud in 1939, convicted at trial in Little Rock and sentenced to
Leavenworth.
Although "Dr." Baker served four years in prison and lived out the
rest of his life in comfort in Florida, many of the people who came to
Eureka Springs to try his cancer "cure" did not survive. Stories that
their ghosts still walked the halls of the Crescent Hotel rapidly
became part of the folklore of Eureka Springs.
The Crescent Hotel today is a beautifully restored historic hotel, filled
with charm, grace and outstanding service. It provides spectacular
views of the Ozark valleys and its spa and dining facilities are
among the best in Eureka Springs. Whether you believe in ghosts or
not, it is a wonderful place to step into the past and experience the
life and luxury of the late 19th century.
And if you enjoy a good ghost story, this is the place for you! The
hotel has been investigated by numerous paranormal researchers,
including the crew of the popular SciFi Channel television program
"Ghost Hunters." The "Ghost Hunters" team actually got video of a
strange apparition in the old morgue area, that you can see by
Clicking Here.
You can also read more about the Crescent Hotel ghost stories by
visiting the hotel's official Ghosts and Hauntings Site.
than one, the beautiful Crescent Hotel in Eureka Springs, Arkansas
makes for an unforgettable destination.
Located atop a mountain in Eureka Springs, the Crescent Hotel is
an architectural landmark and beautifully restored historic hotel. It
also claims to be America's "most haunted" hotel!
The story of the Crescent and its ghosts is a major part of the history
and folklore of Eureka Springs and all of Arkansas. A National
Historic Landmark, the hotel also offers some of the finest historic
accommodations in the South.
Constructed in 1886 and operated for its first 15 years by the Eureka
Springs Improvement Association, the Crescent Hotel was a
destination for the wealthy and elite of the late 19th century. Guests
could stroll the beautifully landscaped grounds, dine in elegant
splendor and enjoy activities ranging from carriage rides to "tea
dances."
Hard times came, though, and the beautiful hotel fell into a state of
disrepair. Following the Great Depression, the old structure came
into the hands of Norman Baker, or - as he liked to call himself -
"Dr." Norman Baker.
A former manager of a "mind reading" show, radio station owner,
and alleged possessor of a "cancer cure," "Dr." Baker came to
Eureka Springs from his home in Iowa to open what he called his
"Castle in the Air." Converting the Crescent into a dubious medical
facility, he brought in patients and practiced a variety of strange
procedures on them. Desperate patients flocked to the facility and
Federal investigators later determined that Baker made more than
$4,000,000 before he was shut down for good. He was indicted for
mail fraud in 1939, convicted at trial in Little Rock and sentenced to
Leavenworth.
Although "Dr." Baker served four years in prison and lived out the
rest of his life in comfort in Florida, many of the people who came to
Eureka Springs to try his cancer "cure" did not survive. Stories that
their ghosts still walked the halls of the Crescent Hotel rapidly
became part of the folklore of Eureka Springs.
The Crescent Hotel today is a beautifully restored historic hotel, filled
with charm, grace and outstanding service. It provides spectacular
views of the Ozark valleys and its spa and dining facilities are
among the best in Eureka Springs. Whether you believe in ghosts or
not, it is a wonderful place to step into the past and experience the
life and luxury of the late 19th century.
And if you enjoy a good ghost story, this is the place for you! The
hotel has been investigated by numerous paranormal researchers,
including the crew of the popular SciFi Channel television program
"Ghost Hunters." The "Ghost Hunters" team actually got video of a
strange apparition in the old morgue area, that you can see by
Clicking Here.
You can also read more about the Crescent Hotel ghost stories by
visiting the hotel's official Ghosts and Hauntings Site.
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| America's Most Haunted Hotel The Crescent Hotel is the centerpiece of some of the most interesting ghost stories to be found in Arkansas and the South. |
| A Mountain Top Landmark The Crescent Hotel, seen here from the Christ of the Ozarks, is a mountain top landmark that can be seen from spots all around Eureka Springs. |
I will say that in my visits to the hotel, I've never seen any ghosts, but
other people say they have and who knows? Either way, I highly
recommend the Crescent Hotel for its outstanding service, beautiful
architecture, spectacular views and historic setting.
If you would like to learn more, please visit their website by following
this link.
other people say they have and who knows? Either way, I highly
recommend the Crescent Hotel for its outstanding service, beautiful
architecture, spectacular views and historic setting.
If you would like to learn more, please visit their website by following
this link.
| Beautiful Setting of the Crescent Hotel In addition to its historic charm, the Crescent Hotel offers guests and visitors beautiful landscaping and spectacular views of the Ozarks. |