Monday, October 31, 2011

Halloween 2011: American's Most Haunted Hotel?

Crescent Hotel in Eureka Springs
The historic Crescent Hotel in Eureka Springs is one of the most cherished structures in Arkansas. It also may be the most haunted.
Built in 1886, just 21 years after the guns of the Civil War finally fell silent in the Ozarks, the Crescent was one of the grandest hotels in America. Visitors came to Eureka Spring by rail to "take the waters" of the community's numerous mineral springs in the hopes that the clear mountain waters held a medicinal secret that would cure their various ailments. The Crescent Hotel was built to provide the wealthiest of these guests with accommodations up to the standards of the most discriminating Americans of the day.

The Civil War had left tens of thousands of Americans sick with lingering illnesses and/or disabled by a variety of horrible battlefield wounds. Human suffering among the soldiers and their families lingered for many years after the end of the conflict. Many of these individuals sought out places like Eureka Springs, hoping that the mineral waters could ease their pain and suffering.

The popularity of mineral baths faded as the Civil War generation passed into history and by the 1930s, the Crescent had fallen on hard times. It was revived, however, as the "Castle in the Sky" of "Dr." Norman Baker, a radio pitchman who claimed to have discovered a way to cure cancer.

Desperate women came from all over the country to try the fake doctor's cancer cure. Many of them died at the Crescent. 

Baker eventually went to prison for mail fraud, but legend holds that his victims still roam the rooms and halls of the beautifull restored old hotel!  In fact, it is said to be the most haunted hotel in America.

To read the full story, please visit www.exploresouthernhistory.com/crescenthotel.

Friday, October 7, 2011

Haunted Battlefield Tour planned for Prairie Grove Battlefield

Historic Borden House at Prairie Grove Battlefield
I received the following from the outstanding staff at Prairie Grove Battlefield State Park announcing plans for this years Haunted Battlefield Tour. This is an extremely popular event, so be sure to check it out!

Prairie Grove Battlefield announces plans for Haunted Battlefield Tour

Prairie Grove Battlefield State Park would like to invite everyone to the Haunted Battlefield Tour on Saturday October 22nd, starting at 7 p.m. meeting at the park Amphitheatre.  The Haunted Battlefield Tour is in reminiscence of what happened at Battle of Prairie Grove.  The Union Army of the Frontier and the Confederate Army of the Trans-Mississippi fought one of the most intense and bloody battles west of the Mississippi River on December 7, 1862.  The tour begins with a half-mile walk from the Amphitheatre to the front of the historic Borden House along part of the park's walking trail and into the valley where the heaviest fighting occurred during the Battle of Prairie Grove.  Chances are good that there will be a few surprises along the way.  Guides will then escort visitors in groups of 30 along the park's walking trail for a 30-minute eerie tour of the grounds.  Tour groups will hear from guides and walk by the areas of the gruesome battle during the Civil War.  When the walk is finished you may continue on a hayride or walk back up the hillside on your own. 
Battlefield Trail at Prairie Grove
Parking will be available at the east entrance of Battlefield Park at the Borden House parking lot.  Tours depart every 20 to 30 minutes.  The last tour will conclude around 10:00 p.m.  Admission: $2 Adults, $1 Child (3-12).  Tickets are required for tour departures.  Tickets are available on arrival at the park Amphitheatre in front of the camp fire the night of this event.  All events are subject to changes because of weather.
We welcome and encourage everyone who has not had a chance to see the remodeled Hindman Hall Museum & Visitor Center with interactive exhibits and park videos.  The VIC is open daily from 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.  For more information or in case of bad weather contact the park: Prairie Grove Battlefield State Park, 506 E. Douglas Street, Prairie Grove, AR 72753; or call (479) 846-2990; e-mail prairiegrove@arkansas.com.
You can learn more about Prairie Grove Battlefield and related sites by visiting www.exploresouthernhistory.com/ArkansasPG1.