Do you believe in ghosts? It seems like there are plenty of people who do, and some of them have even been brave enough to track down and try to communicate with those spectral beings. It should come as no surprise that our little corner of the country has its share of reportedly haunted places. These hotels are said to be full of restless spirits that will send shivers down your spine; here are some of the spookiest haunted hotels in Nebraska. Visit if you dare!
1. Olde Main Street Inn, Chadron
Formerly called the Chadron House, this lovely hotel was built in the late 1800s and (about a century later) once served as General Nelson Miles' headquarters during the Wounded Knee Incident. Oddly enough, the spirits said to haunt this hotel are not those involved in Wounded Knee; rather, they are two friendly ghosts called Anna and Jack. Guests report hearing footsteps when there is no one there, and one couple said that a glass of water on their bedside table was mysteriously moved to the other side of the room during the night. Even the hotel's owner has reported a strange incident or two that appear to be the work of harmless spirits. Anna is said to roam the halls in a red satin dress. Whether or not it is truly haunted, Chadron’s Olde Main Street Inn is worth a trip!
2. Arrow Hotel, Broken Bow
This historic hotel, built in 1928, was celebrated as a modern stop for railroad travelers. It has changed hands many times over the years but continues to serve as a hotel and restaurant today. One of the former owners is said to have died in the hotel, and some individuals have seen his apparition traveling the stairs to the kitchen. Unexplained noises have been reported by staff and guests. Apparitions of a grey-haired man, a red-haired woman, and a mysterious man who stays in the cigar room have all been reported by numerous guests and staff members. Like the Olde Main Street Inn, this gorgeous building is a must-visit Broken Bow attraction, whether or not you're a paranormal enthusiast.
3. Argo Hotel, Crofton
When the Argo Hotel was built in 1912, it was a major stopover for passengers on the many trains that rolled into town. Eventually the hotel closed and the building housed a doctor's office and medical clinic for many years. Over the decades, the building seems to have acquired some persistent spirits. One of the most memorable stories comes from the hotel's 1990s renovation. At that time, the owner found a baby's skeleton in a burlap sack buried within the hotel's walls - a possible explanation for the ghostly sound of a crying baby she had been hearing. The spirit of the baby's mother is said to roam the hotel, looking for her lost baby to this day.
4. The Old Harder Hotel, Scribner
Constructed in 1901, the Harder Hotel was instrumental in developing the the town's commercial center. The three-story brick building is no longer used as a hotel; the first floor is a restaurant and bar while the second and third floors are permanently vacant. Still, reports of paranormal occurrences here are common. Restaurant patrons have heard piano music when there is no piano nearby. At night, shadowy figures are spotted on the second and third floors, unexplained voices have been heard, and the sounds of children playing are often reported. Several murders and suicides allegedly took place at the hotel when it was in operation, so believers say there are good reasons for those tortured souls to remain in the building.
5. McCabe Hotel, North Platte
When the McCabe Hotel was built in 1916, it offered some of the finest accommodations in the area. A third floor was added in 1917, bringing the guest room count up from 50 to 100. Over the years, the first floor has been home to many businesses, and the second floor was eventually converted into apartments which are still occupied today (along with apartments in the connected McCabe building next door). It is the abandoned third floor which is said to be haunted. This area has no modern plumbing or electricity and has been vacant for many years. Apartment residents report strange sounds from above and objects moving on their own. A paranormal investigation team visited the hotel, but was unable to find conclusive evidence of paranormal beings in the building. Interestingly, a 1950s bomb shelter occupies the entire basement of the building, complete with provisions stored there in case of a nuclear attack...though the shelter hasn't been reported as being haunted.
Although two of these haunted hotels are no longer technically open for business, the stories they tell are compelling. Are you a believer? Would you ever spend a night in these hotels which are said to be home to ghosts? Tell us your thoughts in the comments!
For more haunted Nebraska, be sure to do this spooky haunted places in Nebraska road trip!
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