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I Ain’t Afraid of No Ghost

Lady In Dark

Halloween, Heeeeeeere’s Johnny!Wilson died in 1911

I love scary books, I love scary movies and I love a good ghost story or unexplained phenomenon. For me, it wouldn’t be Halloween without a screening of The Shining, and this year will be no different. It’s our permanent date for Halloween. I know the book and the movie inside out, but I didn’t know how room 217, the topiary animal garden and the creepy twins roaming the halls came to be.

It all began right here in Colorado….

What Colorado has to do with
Stephen King’s “The Shining”

The Stanley Hotel in Este Park, Colorado is famous for its paranormal activities. After staying in room 217, and strolling the topiary gardens, Stephen King and his wife became witnesses to strange phenomenons and activity that inspired The Shining. I love a good ghost story, and the Stanley Hotel has some good ones, and those are not just stories… There’s history behind Room 217.

The Stanley Hotel’s Haunted History

In 1911, Ms. Elizabeth Wilson, chief housekeeper at Stanley Hotel, was going from room to room lighting the acetylene lanterns when an explosion occurred while she was in room 217. She was shot through the floor, breaking her ankles and landing on the floor of the room below. Since her passing in the 1950’s,  it has been reported by guests of room 217 that Ms. Wilson may still be hovering about the room, taking extra special care of the guests, even going so far as to unpack and put their things away for them. She doesn’t appear naked from the bathtub, so that part Mr. King has thought up all on his own, but no doubt that creepy lady from King’s room 217 was inspired by Ms. Wilson in the real room 217, right here in Colorado.

The Stanley Hotel
The Stanley Hotel, Este Park, Colorado. Stephen King was inspired to write The Shining while staying in room 217. By Renoman58 [CC-BY-SA-3.0], via Wikimedia Commons
But just like the book, the paranormal is not confined to just one room, but throughout the whole hotel. Every room has had reportings of items being moved from place to place and lights going on and off. And then there is the fourth floor. Which is said to be entirely haunted by the spirits of children running up and down the halls. Is there anything scarier than hearing the pitter patter of tiny feet, accompanied by the giggles and laughter of children who passed a long time ago? Guests of the fourth floor often report getting “tucked in at night” by the children’s nannies.

And no haunted hotel would be complete without the original owners. Yup, F.O. and Flora Stanley still “spend time” at the hotel. F.O. will wander about in the lobby, while Flora heads straight for the Musik Room to play her piano, just like she used to do when she was still alive. Unlike the Overlook Hotel in The Shining, these ghosts are friendly ghosts. They loved the hotel and still “take care” of the guests

Antique Chickering Piano, Stanley Hotel
Flora Stanley’s piano in the music room of the Stanley Hotel in Colorado. Guest have heard music playing and seen the keys moving by themselves. By ajmexico [CC-BY-2.0], via Wikimedia Commons

My Impressions of Ghosts

Now I know there are skeptics who will have a logical explanation for all the unexplained activities reported at the Stanley Hotel. Or are quick to throw the idea of ghosts out the window. But when it comes to ghosts and the paranormal, I’m the type of person who “wants to believe”. And until we can explain these unexplained phenomenons, I will keep an open mind to the existence of ghosts, spirits and maybe even an alien or two. And even if you don’t want to believe, you can still let your imagination go for just one night a year: October 31st. Happy Halloween!

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