In a recent episode of his show Backstory on WGN, Larry Potash delved into the fascinating and haunting story of the Crescent Hotel and Norman Baker. The hotel has a dark past, having once been operated as a cancer hospital by the notorious charlatan Norman Baker. Baker’s fraudulent medical treatments claimed the lives of many innocent people, and their spirits are said to still haunt the hotel to this day. Through his expert storytelling, Potash shed light on the disturbing history of the Crescent Hotel and the man who caused so much harm there.
The infamous Crescent Hotel, known for its ghostly inhabitants and eerie events, will be opening its doors to a select group of paranormal investigators on the night of January 10, 2023. This exclusive event will allow 50 brave individuals to explore the hotel’s active spaces and guest rooms, equipped with state-of-the-art paranormal sensors.
The Crescent Hotel will be on full lockdown, therefore investigators will stay overnight at the Basin Park Hotel.
The night will begin with a welcome reception in Basin Park Hotel’s Jack Rabbett Whisky Bar, where investigators will have the opportunity to meet each other and discuss their plans for the evening. At 8:30 PM, they will be shuttled to the Crescent and go into lockdown. From that point on, investigators will have unrestricted access to the hotel and can explore as they please, with the help of experienced guides. The investigation will continue until 2 AM when guests will return to the Basin Park with many stories to tell.
Participants are encouraged to document their experiences and share them on social media, but no outside light sources will be permitted on the property.
This one-of-a-kind event is not for the faint of heart, and spots are limited to 50 participants.
An Overnight Guest Room is required, and rates start at $149.
1 Night Stay on Jan 10th at the Basin Park Hotel
Your reservationist will reserve your place in the lockdown
The cost of the lockdown is $250 per person and includes:
Welcome reception
Transportation between hotels
Paranormal investigation at the Crescent Hotel
You must Call To Book your space. Please mention this promo code: Lockdown.
The 1886 Crescent Hotel & Spa is the perfect setting for a weekend of paranormal excitement. Each year, we host the Eureka Springs Paranormal Weekend, attracting ghost hunters and paranormal enthusiasts from all over the country. The dates for the 2023 ESP Weekends have been set for January 27th-29th and February 3rd-5th.
The weekend is filled with thrilling events and investigations, giving attendees the opportunity to explore some of the most haunted locations in the area. Attendees will receive a guided investigation and behind-the-scenes access to the most haunted spaces of the property, enlightening seminars on the storied history of the hotel, and training to be an effective investigator
Check-in for the weekend begins at 4:30 with a welcome to the entire group at 5 presentations by Dave Harkins and Larry Flaxman will follow. Guests who have not been on a ghost tour will get a mini-tour. At 10:00 pm there will be a toast to the ghosts. Followed by investigations at 10:30 p.m. and 12:45 a.m.
Spend Saturday exploring Eureka Springs, visiting shops, restaurants, and galleries, and enjoying the beautiful scenery of the Ozark Mountains. Then return back to the hotel at 6 p.m. with a special presentation at 6:30 by Larry Flaxman. Break at 8 p.m. and then it’s on to investigating!
So why not plan your next paranormal adventure in Eureka Springs? Book your tickets now and experience the thrill of the Eureka Springs Paranormal Weekend. You never know what ghosts or spirits you might encounter along the way.
What really happened from 1937 to 1939 at the Baker Hospital in Eureka Springs, Arkansas? It’s a mystery that sparked the paranormal and has been the subject of numerous books and thousands of reports.
The Discovery Re-Sparks Interest in Baker
In February 2019, a landscaper at the 1886 Crescent Hotel made an amazing discovery when she unearthed a dump site filled with hundreds of bottles. A new clue to a long mystery had been discovered.
What followed was a formal archeological dig with archeologists that discovered bottles containing mysterious chemical concoctions and “medical specimens” believed to be a product of the years when the hotel was transformed into a “cancer curable” hospital by charlatan Norman Baker.
When the unearthing was first released to the press, there was international news coverage. For years, there had been rumors of unfathomable bottles once being displayed in the hotel in an area that Baker used as a morgue, but never any proof, short of a poster that Baker used to promote his hospital’s alleged amazing cures.
Those grisly bottles were moved to be included as part of the nightly ghost tours when you visit the morgue, but their contents remained unanswered….until now.
Mystery Solved
Larry Flaxman, best-selling author, speaker, and paranormal researcher, has been involved with the Crescent Hotel’s paranormal conferences since 2012. When the bottles were discovered, Flaxman was called and immediately drove to the hotel. Numerous samples were handed over to the Arkansas Archeological Survey at the University of Arkansas to be recorded, but after 3 years, no progress had been made in identifying their contents. Growing frustrated with no answers, Flaxman gained permission to take several bottles in early 2022 with the hope of finding someone to medically identify what was actually in the bottles. After dozens of attempts and rejections, Flaxman had all but given up when he was contacted by Dr. Matt Quick, a surgical pathologist at the University of Arkansas Medical Center who specializes in tissue analysis.
Dr. Quick volunteered his assistance, fueled by his own curiosity. Dr. Quick had previously had an encounter with the paranormal at the same Crescent Hotel years before.
To Whom it May Haunt:
My name is Jinx and I am a tour guide at the 1886 Crescent Hotel. Saturday, June 25th, I was giving the 10 o’clock expanded tour which arrived on the third floor around 10:30, where I had an experience I will not soon forget.
If you have not taken a ghost tour, we encourage guests to “ghost hunt“ by taking pictures and such throughout the tour in the spaces where we tell stories. Often, guests assume other patrons walking the halls are spirits which is usually easily debunked.
I finished telling my large tour group about our “Lady in the Mist“ on the north side of the hotel when I noticed one of our brass luggage carts at the back of the hallway. Hanging on the cart was a young girl. Her hair was a little longer than her shoulders and very dark. She wore a black dress with what looked like tiny pink flowers. I thought she looked pretty creepy and the guests would get a kick out of that as they took their pictures. I did not want to point her out to the guests and embarrass her, but I stared hard at her trying to see her face and make eye contact which proved to be very difficult like it was blurry or kept changing. To be honest, though, I’m getting older and chalked this up to poor sight and lighting. Several guests looked back in the direction I was staring and they all stayed in the area to snap their photos after I had made my way downstairs to the second floor.
When the group had congregated, I said sarcastically, “Did anyone see that creepy little girl up there on the luggage cart ?“ as I assumed someone had at least seen her if not taken pictures with her in them.
There was silence from the group… 18 other people standing in that hallway had not seen this little girl! Not one person had a photo of her.
I had to continue my tour so I wasn’t able to go back to investigate. I followed up with several employees and the front desk to see if anyone had seen the girl in question. In hindsight, she was swinging her hips hanging there and the cart was not moving. Looking at the height of the space in the cart she must have been about 6. Also weird that a girl that young would be hanging around in the hallway alone at that time of night. If it was a spirit and she revealed herself to me, I hope I can discover why. I’m honored that she would try to connect and I hope she liked my stories.
YouTube stars Sam and Colby recently spent the night in America’s Most Haunted Hotel for an episode on the second season of their series, Empath. They brought along TikTok stars Celina Myers (CelinaSpookyBoo) and Kris Collins (KallMeKris). Check out their video!
Investigations with Dave Harkins and Larry Flaxman Guided Investigations or investigating on your own.
10:30 pm-12:30 am
Group A
12:45 am-2:45 am
Group B
3:00 am
Sharing our findings and goodnight
SATURDAY
6:00 pm
Welcome and History of Norman Baker
6:30 pm
Larry Flaxman “Enhancing Spirit Communication: Combining Quantum Physics and Technology”
8:00 pm
Break
8:30 pm
Larry Flaxman And the voice box communicator
9:45 pm
Break
Investigations with Dave Harkins and Larry Flaxman Guided Investigations or investigating on your own
10:30pm-12:30am
Group A
12:45am-2:45am
Group B
3:00 am
Sharing our findings and goodnight
SUNDAY
10:30 AM Recap and goodbye
DAVE HARKINS
A published author, accomplished researcher, and investigator of the occult and paranormal realms for over 40 years, Dave Harkins brings his love of lost legends, history, and the supernatural to almost every aspect of his life. Dave’s journey with the paranormal started in childhood, as his family has always embraced the supernatural. His lineage stems from American Indian Ancestry, and Dave is a tribal member of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma. In 1980, Dave’s fascination with the occult led him and some friends to start-up an occult bookstore in Fresno, California, that is still in operation today.
After moving from Fresno in 1985 to the Ozark Mountains of Missouri, Dave created several small informal paranormal groups, and in 2007 Dave founded The Ozarks Paranormal Society, which is still very active today. Dave is also a Team Manager for the world-renowned TAPS Family based out of Rhode Island, investigating the paranormal for many years before starting the popular SyFy network “Ghost Hunters” television show as well as their new hit show “Ghost Nation” on Travel Channel.
Dave has researched and investigated hundreds of locations in the United States, Europe, and the Indian Subcontinent. He has also been featured in print, on radio and has appeared on several network television shows based on the paranormal. The quest never stops for Dave, at least as long as there are answers to be had.
LARRY FLAXMAN
Best selling author and researcher, Larry Flaxman, is on a mission to inform, empower, and entertain those fascinated by the paranormal and “fringe” science!
For nearly two decades, Flaxman has been actively involved in paranormal research and hands-on field investigation with a strong emphasis on attempting to apply the scientific method to unexplained phenomena. Flaxman is redefining the field of paranormal research with his focus on connecting quantum physics (specifically entanglement and the observer effect) to human consciousness via the use of “real-time” EEG analysis of the experiencer. He is the President and Senior Researcher of the Arkansas Paranormal and Anomalous Studies Team (ARPAST) which has become one of the nation’s most respected paranormal research organizations.
Widely respected for his advances in the field, Flaxman has appeared on the Discovery Channel’s “Ghost Lab” as well as the History Channel’s popular show “Ancient Aliens”, and the History Channel special expose “Time Beings: Extreme Time Travel Conspiracies.”
Flaxman has appeared on hundreds of radio shows worldwide include Coast to Coast AM, The Shirley MacLaine Show, The Jeff Rense Show, X-Zone Radio, TAPS Family Radio, and Paranormal Podcast.
As a staff writer for Intrepid Magazine, Flaxman’s work appears regularly in TAPS ParaMagazine, Fate Magazine, New Dawn Magazine, and Phenomena Magazine. Flaxman is often called on to provide expertise for dozens of other publications including “The Times Herald News,” and the “Villager Online.”
Flaxman is the founder of The Bridge of Compassion Foundation, a nonprofit 501c(3) charity dedicated to bridging the gap between those in need and those with a compassionate heart willing to make a difference. Positively impacting and improving the quality of life for the homeless and indigent by providing basic human necessities. Delivered with compassion, dignity, and respect.
Flaxman is an avid collector of all things unusual – whether it be historic antiquities, medical collectibles, funerary items, or even the completely bizarre, he likely has it in his collection! In fact, he maintains one of the largest collections of Pre-Columbian artifacts in the United States! Oftentimes you can find some really cool items for sale in his online shop as he clears space to make room for more!
In his spare time, Flaxman dabbles in a diverse range of hobbies. While some people like to fish or collect stamps, he has always had a deep-seated passion for motorsports – specifically, anything that is FAST AND LOUD! He has been fascinated with cars and motorcycle since a young age and is addicted to the visceral sound and feel of a motor at redline! Larry maintains an impressive collection of vehicles and can often be found at charity events and car shows with some of his toys!
Built in 1886, there have been hundreds of tales of paranormal experiences at the Crescent Hotel & Spa. Given its history, it’s not surprising. Besides being a popular mountaintop resort, the hotel has served as both a girls’ college and a cancer hospital–where “Doctor” Norman Baker claimed to have the cure for cancer. Announced as America’s Most Haunted Hotel by the likes of Ghost Hunters and Ghost Adventures, an abundance of extraordinary experiences have always attracted the attention of paranormal investigators who have traveled to the property to study and research the hotel’s supernatural activity.
Famed tales include:
• Room 218, where Michael, an Irish stonemason who fell to his death when building the hotel is known to hang out.
• Theodora, a cancer patient is known to be seen fumbling for her keys outside Room 419 as well as tidying up for guests when they leave the room.
• Breckie, a 4-year-old child of Richard & Mary Breckenridge Thompson who died in the hotel due to complications from appendicitis. He has been seen throughout the hotel often bouncing a ball.
• Dr. John Freemont Ellis, the hotel’s in-house doctor circa the late nineteenth century is most often seen–or his cherry pipe tobacco is smelled–near his office which is now room 212.
• Morris, the famed hotel cat, was known as the Hotel General Manager for 21 years, and later buried on the hotel property is regularly seen and heard.
While the Crescent Hotel in Eureka Springs has many ghost stories of the past, what makes it America’s Most Haunted Hotel is the activity of today and the throngs of paranormal investigators who study throughout the year and who travel to the property each year in January to share findings.
Many paranormal investigators have come to believe that limestone has a special ability to absorb and release electromagnetic and psychic energies. Crescent Mountain, the hilltop the hotel sits on, is predominantly limestone. The massive eighteen-inch-thick stones used for the body of the hotel were made of limestone as well. These factors may very well contribute to the abundant paranormal activity the hotel guests’ experience.
Part of the Mystery Unsolved
A recurring phenomenon happens in a spot on the 3rd floor where the hotel connects to an “annex” built onto the hotel when it was a hospital. The area has been said to be a portal to the other side. Multiple guests have grown faint, with a few passing out briefly, at the same stop on the nightly ghost tour with no reasonable explanation. The occurrences go in spurts, many happening over several weeks or months, and then none for some time. Guests suddenly turn pale, falling against and then sliding down the wall in a faint. Although the loss of consciousness does not last very long and complete recovery is immediate, it tends to further substantiate the hotel’s legendary supernatural connection to the paranormal.
Reports Continue from the Days of Being a Hospital
“There has been quite an uptick in activity in the morgue. I think we have stirred things up a bit with the discovery of the remains” says Debra “The Duchess”, manager of the nightly ghost tours referring to the 2019 uncovering of a secret bottle grave of the Crescent’s most infamous resident owner, Norman Baker. A certified archeological dig found hundreds of bottles of Baker’s “secret formula” as well as jars containing “medical specimens” that had been surgically removed from patients.
A dark figure has been seen recently in the morgue and there has been an increase in cold spots and reports of people being touched.
Throngs of Amateur Investigators
Year-round, the hotel hosts paranormal thrill-seekers. Over 35,000 of these ghost hunters will take the tour annually. This interest has spurred an entire community of paranormal enthusiasts who participate in a Facebook group called The Crescent Hotel Ghost Tours. Over 5000 members from across the country have shared thousands of their photos and paranormal experiences while visiting the hotel.
Researchers Meet Every Year to Study Findings
Annually, the hotel hosts a conclave (Eureka Springs Paranormal Weekend), to bring together interested investigators of all experience levels with nationally known paranormal investigators for overnight ghost hunts and to seek answers. One weekend became two weekends as headliners for the weekends’ best-selling author Larry Flaxman and founder of the Ozarks Paranormal Society, Dave Harkins found both the evidence of the paranormal and the interest level of amateur investigators more than could be served in one weekend.
Flaxman noted what draws so many ghost hunters back to the hotel, “The rich history of the Crescent Hotel, including the unscrupulous acts of Norman Baker and the physical, emotional, and mental pain of his cancer patients who occupied the Crescent during its time as a hospital, has left an indelible mark. Hauntings are common in locations where there has been extreme trauma and tragedy and the long history of tragedies at this property has lent itself to producing an environment highly conducive for paranormal activity and making the Crescent Hotel America’s Most Haunted Hotel.”
Evidence of the haunting came to the forefront at the 2021 Paranormal Weekend, as a full-body apparition was captured on camera with the help of a ghost hunting tool called a laser grid that creates pinpoints of lights. If a light or group of lights are missing it’s because they are being blocked by something. The picture was taken during an investigation by an amateur investigator in the Crystal Dining Room. A figure had often been reported in this location sitting on the window sill waiting for someone and now that has been backed by evidence.
Is the hotel really haunted? Numerous people believe it is. According to many, it is considered the most haunted hotel in America. There’s only one way to find out for sure. Book a stay at the Crescent Hotel and join the community of paranormal investigators.
