A Haunted Hotel with Many Lives
Historic Resort in the Ozarks
Opened in 1886 as a grand limestone resort built by the Eureka Springs Improvement Company and the Frisco Railroad, the Crescent Hotel quickly became a landmark of wealth and healing, attracting travelers seeking mountain air and the town’s famous springs.
From College to Decay
Over the years, the building changed hands and purposes. From 1908 to 1924, it operated as the Crescent College and Conservatory for Young Women before transitioning into a junior college. Though prestigious, enrollment declined, and by the 1920s the building was left behind, a fading but mysterious presence.
Norman Baker’s “Cancer Hospital”
In 1937, showman and con artist Norman Baker bought the Crescent Hotel and turned it into a fraudulent cancer hospital. Posing as a doctor, he claimed his injectable “cure” of alcohol, carbolic acid, and watermelon seeds could heal desperate patients from across the country. No real treatments were ever given, and many died inside the hotel, their bodies quietly moved to a basement morgue that remains one of its most haunted areas. Baker’s scheme collapsed in 1940 when he was convicted of mail fraud and sent to prison, leaving the Crescent tainted by his deception.
Bottles Buried Behind the Hotel
Ghost Stories & Paranormal Encounters
The Crescent Hotel’s haunted reputation comes alive through chilling reports of spirits that linger within its walls. Guests and investigators alike have shared stories of strange sights, sounds, and even ghostly figures throughout the hotel.
PARANORMAL ACTIVITY REPORTED:
• Room 218 – Michael: A stonemason who died on site, known for loud, unexplained noises.
• Room 419 – Theodora: A patient spirit who tidies belongings and appears outside the door.
• Basement Morgue: A nurse pushing a gurney around 11 p.m.
• Second Floor – Breckie: A young boy seen bouncing a red ball.
• Room 212 – Dr. Ellis: The scent of cherry pipe tobacco in a non-smoking hotel.
• Balcony: A shadowy woman’s figure falling.
• Lobby & Morgue – Norman Baker: Spotted in his trademark white linen suit.
The Crescent Hotel Beyond the Hauntings
Explore the complete story of the Crescent Hotel, from its grand beginnings to its place as an Ozark landmark.
A Destination for Investigators
The Crescent Hotel has become a destination for paranormal investigators from around the world. It has been featured on television shows including Ghost Hunters, Ghost Adventures, My Ghost Story, and Paranormal Witness. Ghost tours are offered nightly and explore the hotel’s most active areas. Guests can choose from family-friendly tours or more immersive late-night investigations.
