Located in the city of Napanoch in the great State of New York, the haunted Shanley Hotel has been the topic of interest among paranormal investigators for quite some time. Consisting of an amazing thirty five rooms, and a mysteriously hidden basement area, the quote “The Spirits are Inn” is often associated with this particular structure. There are many cases regarding witnesses to what is believed to be paranormal activity at the haunted Shanley Hotel. It is believed that the spirits that reside in the structure are attempting to communicate secrets to the living that they want to be brought into light. Rumors have it that deaths have been covered up in the history of the establishment, murders have been committed in and around the hotel, and other secrets plague this building. In this haunted travel guide, you will be introduced to some of the mysteries surrounding the haunted Shanley Hotel.
In the year of 1845, the Shanley Hotel was constructed by a man named “Thomas Rich”. He put quite a bit of effort in ensuring that the building would accommodate locals and travelers, and placed special emphasis on the amenities offered. The best in food and lodging was offered at the time, and exquisite furnishings were placed in the structure. In the year of 1851, the structure was named “Hungerford’s Hotel”. The hotel continued to experience success, while passing hands in ownership numerous times over a period of nearly three decades. In the year of 1887, a man by the name of “Adolgh Wagner” purchased the structure. He had a good run of success until the year 1895. On March 18th, a house located near the building caught on fire and it rapidly spread to the structure and destroyed all but most of the foundation.
The hotel was rebuilt and reopened for business in November of that same year. Immediately thereafter, the hotel continued to change hands in ownership. In the month of October in the year of 1906, a man by the name of James Louis Shanley purchased the establishment. He was a successful entrepreneur when it came to business and real estate endeavors, but moved to the Napanoch Hotel in order to contend with health challenges that he faced. It was then that he saw the opportunity to make the investment into the business. The community loved this owner. He created several ways to attract the public such as card tournaments, social gatherings, and even constructed an entertaining bowling alley and a room for billiards to the building. He also integrated a barber shop for the men of the area. Many hardships and tragedies occurred to the Shanley family, as well as individuals that worked at the hotel throughout the years. Examples include:
• Beatrice Shanley, James’ wife, gave birth to three children. Unfortunately, all of them passed away prior to the arrival of the ninth month of life. A well-loved lady who adored the children, Beatrice suffered immense heartache from her losses. James also took the deaths extremely hard.
• Beatrice’s sister, Esther, experienced much loneliness while living in an apartment that was attached to the hotel. Upon giving birth to her third child, she passed away. Beatrice and James were given custody of her kids to raise after her death.
• The barber of the building, who was well loved among the locals and travelers alike, suffered an immense loss. His daughter, who was merely four years old, drowned in the old fashioned well that was located at the establishment.
Throughout the years, the haunted Shanley Hotel faced many tragedies. Individuals came up missing, and it was said that various murders even occurred at the location. Unfortunately, many of these events were not appropriately documented and remain to be a matter of assumption. In the year of 1937, on the 26th day of August, James Shanley experienced a heart attack that resulted in his death. Beatrice Shanley elected to sell the hotel to a man by the name of Al Hazen. Interestingly, this man had been born on the same day but a different year as James Shanley. He also died on the 26th day of August, but several years later.
The Hauntings of the Shanley Hotel
There are many hauntings that are said to occur at the haunted Shanley Hotel. Many of the hauntings seem to be associated with James Shanley and the family that resided with him at the hotel while it was under his operation. It is said that a man that fits his description wanders around the establishment in the form of a misty apparition. A woman can be heard mourning and it is likely that this is Beatrice crying over the loss of her three children and sister. A woman in a beautiful Victorian style dress can be observed on occasion. Various scents can be experienced in and around the Shanley Hotel for which no explanation can be uncovered. These scents include perfume, the smell of burning pipe tobacco, and even food! If you want to experience the haunted Shanley Hotel for yourself, make your reservations today! You can experience all this and more! Get directions, view photos and read the visitor reviews and traveler tips for the Shanley Hotel!
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