Shanley Hotel - Napanoch, New York
Shanley Hotel
The Shanley Hotel is a gracious 35 room old-style inn nestled in the Shawangunk Mountains of Ulster County, New York.
From the late 1800's to the early 1900's the Shanley Hotel was a summer vacation destination and had been the resting stop on the railroad for many a weary traveler. It was the towns favorite watering hole and home for the hard workers during the D&H Canal to the Industrial age.
The original hotel was first built by Thomas Ritch in 1845. In 1851 it became Hungerford's Hotel. Several owners later, Adolph Wagner, a popular landlord, bought the hotel in January of 1887. On March 18, 1895 trouble came when a nearby house caught fire. It spread to the hotel, burning it down to the foundation. By September, the new frame was up and in November it was open to the public once again.
There have been many owners since then but the one who seemed to have placed The Napanoch Hotel on the map was James Louis Shanley. He was born in Ireland on October 31, 1874 and moved with his family to New York City. James and his brothers were successful business men, opening many elegant restaurants and hotels across the country. He moved upstate and purchased the hotel on October 1, 1906. In 1908 he added a bowling alley, billiard room and barber shop to the building.
James Shanley was a gallant man and well loved in the community. He married Beatrice Rowley on April 26,1910. The town turned out for an 'good old time skimmerton, with a grand parade welcoming back the honeymooners from Washington D.C..
The Shanleys welcomed everyone, with entertainment, card and domino torments, as well as glorious parties and holding special events. The rich and famous were also fans of the Shanleys. Thomas Edison and Eleanor Roosevelt were frequent guests and close friends. The Shanleys attended the Inaugural Ball in Washington for President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Eleanor Roosevelt took particular care on making the arrangements. In 1933, Eleanor and her friend motored from Rosco to Hyde Park, stopping at the Shanley's for a social visit.
Cheerful times were without hardships and the hotel had their share. Mrs. Beatrice Shanley had three children, all of which died within nine months of birth. Beatrice was known for her high teas and social card parties. Extravagant perfumes, priceless jewelry, and fancy clothing adorned her petite figure. Garnished on her Victorian bed were sheets made of satin and silk. Apparently, she adored children, allowing them to take their afternoon naps on her bed.
Mrs. Shanley's sister, Esther Faughman, and brother in-law, John Faughman, lived in an adjoining apartment. Esther was a beautiful woman with a big heart. She yearned for her friends and family back home in New York City, and patiently waited by the mahogany telephone booth each day for the phone to ring. Sadly, she died, leaving her precious little girls for Beatrice and James to raise.
The hotel's barber suffered tragedy likewise, when his 4 year old daughter drowned in the well. There were several other accidental deaths, missing persons and rumors of murder through out the years.
In 1937 the community suffered a great loss when James endured a heart attack and died August 26th. Several priests attended to his funeral services. Among the many expressions of sorrow and sympathy sent from far and near to Mrs. Shanley, was one from Mrs. Franklin D. Roosevelt, wife of the President of the United States. Mrs.
Roosevelt sent flowers to Mrs. Shanley and in a accompanying letter expressed regret that she had not known of Mr. Shanley's death in time so that she might have attended the funeral.
In 1944, Beatrice sold the hotel to Allen Hazen and moved back to NYC. Interestingly, Al Hazen was born and had died the same days (different years) as James Shanley. The owners of the hotel over the years were mostly family oriented yet welcome travelers far and near. If the hotel wasn't your home, it was definitely your second lodging.
Ownership changed hands repeatedly soon after Mr. Hazen's death, eventually leaving the hotel vacant and in distress. Under the current dedicated ownership of Salvatore Nicosia the hotel is being lovingly restored to his former glory, salvaging its memories and atoning its noble history. After a one night stay, visitors feel the same, it is their home too.Welcome to the Shanley Hotel, a gracious old-style inn nestled in the Shawangunk Mountains of Ulster County, New York. It consists of 35 rooms, a hidden basement room, and a former bordello.
CLAIMS of ACTIVITY: Paranormal activity can be experienced here at any hour of the day or night. Reputable paranormal investigators have documented activity with EVPs and photos, and countless guests have told of their
experiences. Ongoing research has uncovered news articles and other documentation about past inhabitants and events at the hotel.
Rocking chairs have been seen rocking on their own, mysterious clocks chime, cold and hot spots felt, along with aromas such as home style cooking. Many report hearing sounds such as James Shanley's (deceased former owner) whistling, footsteps in the halls and on the stairs, opening and closing of doors, piano music, voices, or laughter of children. Some have seen mysterious shadows and apparitions, report feelings of being watched and followed, and objects moving or being relocated.
Upon entering the Bordello, people have reported feeling lightheaded, shortness of breath, heaviness and feelings of joy/sadness. The 'Bordello' is considered the most active place in the Hotel.
Murdock - Whitney House - Winchendon, MA
Murdock Whitney House
This house was built in 1820-1830 by Elisha Murdock, son of Ephraim Murdock and founder in 1834 of E. Murdock and Company on River Street, Waterville. E. Murdock and Company was the second oldest industry in Winchendon and became the oldest and largest wooden ware manufacturing establishment in the country. Elisha Murdock was the first president of Winchendon Savings Bank, chartered on March 31, 1854. It is now the home of the Winchendon Historical Society.
The Murdock-Whitney House is the most sought-after places to investigate in all of New England. Footsteps are heard throughout the house including the mysterious 3rd floor. The staff refuses to enter the 3rd floor by themselves. An old woman that haunts the Murdock-Whitney House is very protective of her home. She wonders the hallways and is especially adverse to allowing people in her bedroom.
WARNING: Don't go alone!
The Murdock-Whitney House is the most sought-after places to investigate in all of New England. Footsteps are heard throughout the house including the mysterious 3rd floor. The staff refuses to enter the 3rd floor by themselves. An old woman that haunts the Murdock-Whitney House is very protective of her home. She wonders the hallways and is especially adverse to allowing people in her bedroom.
WARNING: Don't go alone!
Colonial Inn - Concord, MA
The Colonial Inn
In its earlier incarnation as three separate private homes, the oldest dating back to 1716, the Colonial Inn was witness to the American Revolution. One of the original buildings was used to store munitions prior to the Revolution, and it was there that the British were heading when they marched towards Concord.
The Colonial Inn is one of the oldest inns in America. As a result, it has its share of resident spirits including a celebrity, Ralph Waldo Emerson. Emerson's ghost is said to walk the upstairs hallways.
When a team of paranormal experts investigated the inn, they noted several phantom presences, especially around Room 24. The room was the operating room of Dr. James Minot who had a medical practice in the inn. The presence of a Native American woman with braids has been detected in this room. It is believed she was employed by Dr. Minot to comfort and care for his surgical patients.
Staff members have also reported paranormal experiences, including the feeling of being touched. One of the Inn's restaurant servers told paranormal experts he was once trying to swipe a guest's credit card when it flew out of his hand as though someone behind him had grabbed it. The card was later found in a closed cabinet.
The Colonial Inn is one of the oldest inns in America. As a result, it has its share of resident spirits including a celebrity, Ralph Waldo Emerson. Emerson's ghost is said to walk the upstairs hallways.
When a team of paranormal experts investigated the inn, they noted several phantom presences, especially around Room 24. The room was the operating room of Dr. James Minot who had a medical practice in the inn. The presence of a Native American woman with braids has been detected in this room. It is believed she was employed by Dr. Minot to comfort and care for his surgical patients.
Staff members have also reported paranormal experiences, including the feeling of being touched. One of the Inn's restaurant servers told paranormal experts he was once trying to swipe a guest's credit card when it flew out of his hand as though someone behind him had grabbed it. The card was later found in a closed cabinet.
The Bridgewater Triangle - Massachusetts' paranormal "hot spot"
A wooded area of the swamp
The "Bridgewater Triangle" is an area in southeastern Massachusetts where a wide range of paranormal activity has been reported. This area is centered around the Hockomock Swamp in Bridgewater and includes the Freetown/Fall River State Forest and Dighton Rock State Park, along with other places associated with many local stories and legends. The Hockomock Swamp itself seems to be a focus of paranormal activity. Many people report a feeling of being watched as they fish or hunt in this dense wilderness. UFOs are frequently seen in the Triangle area, often by people driving along Route 44. Reported UFO sightings go back to the 1700's, and there have been many sightings in recent decades. Bigfoot creatures have also been seen there repeatedly for years, usually entering or exiting the swamp, or creeping along its borders. Giant birds, lake monsters, panthers, and other mysterious or out-of-place animals have also been reported. According to legend, local Native Americans have considered the area haunted or sacred since prehistoric times. They are said to tell many legends about the swamp, which they call "evil spirit place." Paranormal events have been associated with their sacred sites, such as an ancient burial ground in the swamp, and Indian Rock. There are a great number of places in the "Triangle" that are said to be haunted, and ghost encounters are common. People have said that a strange presence seems to have taken up permanent residence in the Triangle- a mysterious "something" that continues to defy explanation.
It cannot be a coincidence that all these different paranormal phenomena occur with such regularity in such a small geographical area. There must be a connection. For some reason, a small part of Massachusetts seems to be a sort of "window", a gateway for the bizarre and inexplicable.
It cannot be a coincidence that all these different paranormal phenomena occur with such regularity in such a small geographical area. There must be a connection. For some reason, a small part of Massachusetts seems to be a sort of "window", a gateway for the bizarre and inexplicable.