Author Stephen King, known as the king of horror, would appreciate this synchro. It involves two of his novels – the bong chilling Pet Cemetery, in which a haunted burial ground has the power to bring dead animals and children back to life, and The Shining, about a haunted hotel. In the novel, the hotel was called The Overlook, but in real life it’s called The Stanley Hotel.
The 140-room hotel in Estes, Colorado was the inspiration for the novel after King stayed in room 217. First, a bit of history about the hotel.
In 1903, Freelan Oscar Stanley, co-inventor of the Stanley Steamer automobile, moved west at the suggestion of his doctor, who believed the move might help Stanley’s tuberculosis. He and his wife Flora stayed in a cabin in Estes Park and as his health began to improve, Stanley decided to stay. He bought 160 acres and in 1909, opened the Stanley Hotel.
It’s uncertain when the hauntings began, but strange incidents have been reported in all of the hotel’s rooms. Since the 1950s, for instance, guests in room 217 (where King stayed) are sometimes treated to extra housekeeping services like having their belongings put away or unpacked. It’s believed that the ghost of Elizabeth Wilson, the chief housekeeper in the hotel’s early years, is responsible. In 1911, she was injured in an explosion as she was lighting the acetylene lanterns that served as the hotel’s backup system for electricity. Her ankles were broken.
On the fourth floor of the hotel, guests sometimes hear the ghosts of children laughing and running around. Some guests have reported being tucked in at night. F.O. and Flora apparently hang around as well. He is sometimes seen walking through the lobby and guests often hear Flora playing the piano in ballroom, which featured prominently in King’s book and in the movie. In one guest room, people have seen a man standing over the bed before running into the closet. This particular spook is supposedly responsible for stealing guests’ jewelry and luggage.
The hotel’s website identifies the rooms with the most paranormal activity and says availability is limited because these rooms are among the most popular. They include: “the famous Stephen King Suite 217, the Ghost Hunters’ (from the TV show) favorite room 401; as well as 407, 428 and 1302.”
King’s rendition of the hotel was radically different from what it written on the hotel’s website: “While enjoying the elegant hotel, keep in mind that you may possibly have an ‘extra’ experience here. However, there are never any reports of sinister or evil events happening here, because there are only happy ghosts at the Stanley Hotel!”
On Halloween night in 2013, there was an event called The Shining.
The synchro? There’s a pet cemetery adjacent to the Stanley Hotel that the hotel now wants to dig it up to make room for – a wedding pavilion!
The administration may want to reconsider that one.
When I lived in Boulder, I visited Estes Park quite often, and the Stanley Hotel as well. I never stayed there, but we all knew about the paranormal events. It’s a beautiful place. I wondered about your statement that Halloween night 2013 had an event. Is this from the book? I’ve read it but it was a long time ago.
I’ve been to Boulder, but never to Estes park. Would love to see it and the hotel. That Halloween event was listed on the hotel website – their tribute to King’s novel, I guess.
Looks a great place for a peaceful night! And a wedding pavilion over a pet cemetery: that could bring some interesting experiences.
I sure would love to try that room 217!
Have you read King’s new sequel to “The Shining” (Doctor Sleep) yet ?
I just downloaded it