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West Virginia has a long history of hauntings and haunted places. As a paranormal fiction writer places like these 6 haunted hotels really interest me. I have actually visited the Blennerhassett Hotel, which is stunning. Though I did not see a ghost, I did have a feeling of being watched when I was in the library and it did have a faint odor of a cigar.
Let’s take a look at West Virginia’s 6 most haunted hotels.
1. Blennerhassett hotel, Parkersburg
Legend has it that the Blennerhassett hotel is haunted by some friendly spirits. The beautiful building is more than a century old and has reportedly picked up some ghosts throughout the years. It is believed that one of the ghosts lingering is William Chancellor, who built the hotel. His cigar smoking spirit has been seen by visitors mainly in the library.
On the second floor visitors have reported seeing and hearing ghost children playing. These are not the only children said to be haunting the hotel. A turn-of-the-century newspaper boy is said to be haunting the hotel’s kitchen.
A mischievous spirit nicknamed the "4 O’clock Knocker" is said to knock loudly on the door to the coffee bar at 4 a.m. Even the hotel's elevators are said to be haunted.
2. Frederick Hotel, Huntington
The Frederick Hotel opened its doors on November 12, 1905. It housed many famous people before it closed in 1973. Bob Hope, Liberace, and Richard Nixon all stayed at the hotel. It has been rumored for years that the hotel was connected to a underground tunnel system. Many believe that these tunnels were used by traveling criminals who went undetected as they bootlegged liquor.
The hotel is said to be haunted by the spirits of two children. Visitors have reported hearing the sounds of keys jingling, laughter, voices and blood curdling screams.The 6th floor is said to be heavily haunted. It is reported that most people who visited the 6th floor left quickly because they felt extremely uncomfortable and unwanted.
3. Wells Inn, Sistersville
The Wells Inn opened its doors in 1895. In 1894 it was discovered that Sistersville was rich in oil. The Inn was built to give oil barons a place to stay. It has changed hands several times and has closed and reopened repeatedly.
The Inn is said to be haunted by its creator, Ephraim Wells. Wells' portrait still hangs in the Inn’s entrance area. The ghost of Wells is said to move objects around when no one is in the room.
Visitors have reported hearing strange noises at night. Doors have slammed when no one is there and the elevator is known to stop at the third floor empty. Sounds of someone writing and loud footsteps have been heard in Mr. Wells' old office.
4. Hotel Morgan, Morgantown
The Hotel Morgan is supposed to be West Virginia’s premier haunted hotel. It opened its doors in 1925.
Room 314 is said to be haunted by a young girl who drowned in the room’s bathtub. Anyone who has entered the room says that they felt a strong presence especially in the room’s bathroom where one person reported being overwhelmed with a great sadness.
Other paranormal activity has been reported throughout the years.
5. General Lewis Inn, Lewisburg
The General Lewis Inn opened its doors in 1929. It is said that three ghosts haunt this historic and beautiful Inn.
One of the ghosts is a slave named Rueben. Legend has it that Rueben was hung in what is now the dining room. Visitors have seen him sitting at a corner table and a paranormal investigator reported seeing a napkin float in the air, then fall onto the table.
Guests and staff have reported hearing a little girl crying in room 206, but when they enter the room is empty. Room 208 houses the Inn’s most famous ghost "The Lady in White." The lady’s portrait actually hangs in the room and no one knows how it got there, who painted it or who the woman is.
6. The Lowe Hotel, Point Pleasant
The Lowe Hotel opened its doors in 1901 and back then it was known as the Spencer Hotel. The hotel was built to help take care of the heavy river traffic in that region. In 1929 it was purchased by Homer D. Lowe and renamed The Lowe Hotel.
The hotel's most famous ghost haunts the mezzanine between the first and second floors. A beautiful and barefoot woman has been seen by staff and guests dancing to music only she can hear.
On the second floor the ghost of a three-year-old child has been seen riding a tricycle. When seen, the little girl appears as clearly as a real person. The hotel's third ghost is the most active and said to be a former maid. A boat captain and a bearded man are also said to haunt this old hotel.
Did I miss your favorite haunted hotel? If so share your story with me in the comment section.
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