The Crescent Hotel
A Eureka Springs landmark
since 1886, the Crescent is
reputedly the most haunted
hotel in the United States.
A Eureka Springs landmark
since 1886, the Crescent is
reputedly the most haunted
hotel in the United States.
An Elegant and Sinister Past
The Crescent Hotel began its
history as an elegant resort,
but later became the scene of
bizarre "medical" experiments.
The Crescent Hotel began its
history as an elegant resort,
but later became the scene of
bizarre "medical" experiments.
The Crescent Hotel - Eureka Springs, Arkansas
ExploreSouthernHistory.com - The Crescent Hotel in Eureka Springs, Arkansas
ExploreSouthernHistory.com - The Crescent Hotel in Eureka Springs, Arkansas
| The Crescent Hotel in Eureka Springs The magnificent Crescent Hotel was build during the 19th century and towers above the historic city of Eureka Springs, Arkansas. |
America's Most Haunted Hotel
Set on beautifully landscaped grounds atop a
mountain in Eureka Springs, the historic
Crescent Hotel is an inspiring sight.
Reputedly American's "Most Haunted Hotel,"
this Arkansas landmark has been a focal
point of the community since it opened its
doors to the wealthy and elite in more than
120 years ago. Now a National Historic
Landmark, the Crescent is also one of the
most romantic destinations in the South.
Constructed in 1886 and operated for its first
15 years by the Eureka Springs Improvement
Association, the Crescent Hotel was popular
with the wealthy during the late 19th century.
Guests could stroll the beautifully land-
scaped grounds, dine in elegant splendor
and enjoy activities ranging from carriage
rides to "tea dances."
When the popularity of bathing in mineral
springs faded, however, hard times came to
the beautiful hotel. It fell into disrepair during
the years of the Great Depression and
ultimately fell into the hands of an eccentric
character named Norman Baker. Or, as he
liked to call himself, "Dr." Norman Baker.
A radio station owner and former manager of
a "mind reading" show, "Dr." Baker came to
Eureka Springs from his home in Iowa to
promote his secret "cancer cure." Converting
the Crescent Hotel, which he called his
"Castle in the Air" into a dubious medical
facility, he brought in patients and, for the
right price, subjected them to a variety of
strange procedures.
Attracted by Baker's claims of a "cancer cure,"
desperate patients flocked to the facility. In
fact, Federal investigators later determined
that he made more than $4 million peddling
his fake cure during the darkest days of the
Great Depression.
"Dr." Baker was indicted for mail fraud in
1939 and placed on trial in Little Rock.
Convicted in one of the most sensational
trials of the day, he was sent to prison at
Leavenworth, but was released after only four
mountain in Eureka Springs, the historic
Crescent Hotel is an inspiring sight.
Reputedly American's "Most Haunted Hotel,"
this Arkansas landmark has been a focal
point of the community since it opened its
doors to the wealthy and elite in more than
120 years ago. Now a National Historic
Landmark, the Crescent is also one of the
most romantic destinations in the South.
Constructed in 1886 and operated for its first
15 years by the Eureka Springs Improvement
Association, the Crescent Hotel was popular
with the wealthy during the late 19th century.
Guests could stroll the beautifully land-
scaped grounds, dine in elegant splendor
and enjoy activities ranging from carriage
rides to "tea dances."
When the popularity of bathing in mineral
springs faded, however, hard times came to
the beautiful hotel. It fell into disrepair during
the years of the Great Depression and
ultimately fell into the hands of an eccentric
character named Norman Baker. Or, as he
liked to call himself, "Dr." Norman Baker.
A radio station owner and former manager of
a "mind reading" show, "Dr." Baker came to
Eureka Springs from his home in Iowa to
promote his secret "cancer cure." Converting
the Crescent Hotel, which he called his
"Castle in the Air" into a dubious medical
facility, he brought in patients and, for the
right price, subjected them to a variety of
strange procedures.
Attracted by Baker's claims of a "cancer cure,"
desperate patients flocked to the facility. In
fact, Federal investigators later determined
that he made more than $4 million peddling
his fake cure during the darkest days of the
Great Depression.
"Dr." Baker was indicted for mail fraud in
1939 and placed on trial in Little Rock.
Convicted in one of the most sensational
trials of the day, he was sent to prison at
Leavenworth, but was released after only four
 | |  | |  | |  | |  |
years. He then retired to Florida and lived out
the rest of his life in comfort.
Many of those he "treated" were not so
fortunate and, if the stories surrounding the
old hotel are to believe, some still walk the
halls of the Crescent to this day.
Staff members and guests have reports
seeing strange things in the historic hotel for
years. Numerous teams of paranormal
researchers have studied the Crescent, with
varying results. The popular SciFi Channel
television program Ghost Hunters actually
recorded video of a strange apparition in
Baker's old basement morgue. (You can see
the video by clicking here.)
The hotel offers ghost tours for the brave and
also maintains a web page detailing some of
the alleged sightings that have taken place
there. Please click here to take a look.
Ghost stories aside, the Crescent Hotel is a
splendid and romantic historic hotel that is a
Southern favorite. Click here to visit their
website for reservations or more information.
the rest of his life in comfort.
Many of those he "treated" were not so
fortunate and, if the stories surrounding the
old hotel are to believe, some still walk the
halls of the Crescent to this day.
Staff members and guests have reports
seeing strange things in the historic hotel for
years. Numerous teams of paranormal
researchers have studied the Crescent, with
varying results. The popular SciFi Channel
television program Ghost Hunters actually
recorded video of a strange apparition in
Baker's old basement morgue. (You can see
the video by clicking here.)
The hotel offers ghost tours for the brave and
also maintains a web page detailing some of
the alleged sightings that have taken place
there. Please click here to take a look.
Ghost stories aside, the Crescent Hotel is a
splendid and romantic historic hotel that is a
Southern favorite. Click here to visit their
website for reservations or more information.
Romance on the Mountain
The historic Crescent Hotel is
now one of the most romantic
spots in Eureka Spring,
famed for its unique rooms
and outstanding service.
The historic Crescent Hotel is
now one of the most romantic
spots in Eureka Spring,
famed for its unique rooms
and outstanding service.
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