Detroit, Michigan is a city filled with all kinds of fascinating legends. And one of the most famous stories in Detroit is actually a ghost story.
Originally built in 1916, the Fort Shelby Hotel is over a century old and rumored to be haunted by a man who died on the premises. The hotel itself has died and been brought back to life as well: The Fort Shelby Hotel steadily increased in size and scope under various owners until 1974, when it closed its doors. Then, in 2007, the Fort Shelby Hotel was reborn in a $90 million project and opened under the DoubleTree Suites family. It's now known as the DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Hotel Detroit Downtown: Fort Shelby. But despite the familiar, corporate sounding-name, the Fort Shelby Hotel is still a spooky place and host to a restless spirit, people say...
The Fort Shelby Hotel in Detroit may be under the DoubleTree hotel family, but it's still rumored to be haunted.
The ghost is apparently a homeless man named Al who found the hotel to be a safe spot to sleep while it was unoccupied.
Unfortunately, Al met his tragic demise at the seemingly safe shelter.
Rumor has it a pipe burst, drowning him in sewage. His bones were allegedly found in the muck later on.
Now, people say Al has made his former rest stop a permanent residence. His spirit has been spotted wandering the alley next to the hotel and hanging around in the lobby.
So, Fort Shelby Hotel can offer all sorts of amenities: comfy beds, television with plenty of channels, speedy WiFi... and maybe the chance to spot a spirit from the other side.
Fort Shelby Hotel is one of the most notably haunted places in Detroit, but Al has apparently never caused any real harm.
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