Haunted Crockett Hotel in San Antonio
The Haunted Crockett Hotel in San Antonio is popular with thrill-seekers and paranormal enthusiasts. This historic hotel has a dark past. It was the site of some of the bloodiest battles during the fight for Texas independence in the mid-19th century. The hotel is situated near Alamo Plaza, where many of the battles were fought, and it is believed that the ghosts of those who lost their lives still roam the halls. Many businesses in San Antonio claim to be haunted by Texian revolutionaries, but the Crockett Hotel has a unique claim to ownership of these restless spirits.
Despite its haunted reputation, the Crockett Hotel offers some of the most luxurious amenities in the city. Guests can enjoy spacious rooms, elegant décor, and top-notch service. However, over a hundred years ago, the land where the hotel now stands was a place of pain, tragedy, and death. The battles fought on this land were instrumental in securing Texas’ independence from Mexico but came at a significant cost. The ghostly presence that lingers in the hotel is a reminder of this turbulent past.
The stories of ghostly encounters at the Haunted Crockett Hotel vary. Some guests have reported seeing apparitions or hearing strange noises in their rooms. Others have felt an eerie presence or experienced unexplained phenomena. Many believe that the spirits of the fallen Texian revolutionaries are still seeking justice for their cause and are unwilling to rest until their voices are heard.
Whether you believe in the paranormal or not, there’s no denying the haunted history of the Crockett Hotel. This iconic landmark is a testament to San Antonio’s rich cultural heritage and its role in shaping Texas’ identity as an independent state. For those brave enough to explore its haunted halls, the Crockett Hotel offers an unforgettable experience that will leave a lasting impression.
The Ghosts of the Crockett
The workers and guests of the Haunted Crockett Hotel are greeted by whispers, which they believe come from the dead. Many say that the spirits of the Alamo defenders, including Davy Crockett, still haunt the hotel which bears his name.
It is said that the chanting of the Texian revolutionaries and the sound of horses’ hooves can be heard in the hallways.
Some have witnessed the entrance’s sensor-operated doors open, and orbs have been caught on camera. Cold spots are often reported, and the bar, lobby, guest rooms, and executive offices are believed to be the most haunted sections of the hotel.
The Ghosts of the Executive Office
The energy in the Crockett’s executive offices might be a remnant of the past. This very spot used to be where General Santa Ana’s troops were located before they attacked the Alamo.
According to some staff, the most haunted places in the Crockett are the offices. They have seen the apparition of a man wearing a dark blue coat wandering around the patio, which was once a tavern.
It is believed that this spirit is the result of residual energy, which means that the ghost is not intelligent and keeps repeating the same action forever. Paranormal investigators uncovered another soul in the inner offices of the hotel that was shy and quiet.
Voices were heard in the office even when nobody was present, and at one point, the front desk manager saw the curtains of one of the vacant rooms opening and shutting, although the windows were closed.
The spirits in the Crockett are fond of playing tricks, or they may be unsure if they want privacy in the afterlife.
Haunted Crockett Hotel Reports By Guest and Staff
Based on guest feedback and staff observations, it appears that the lobby, bar, and select guest rooms are the most popular areas within the establishment. It has been noted that the front door leading to the lobby occasionally opens and closes on its own.
Additionally, there have been multiple sightings of a male figure wearing a dark blue jacket resembling those worn by soldiers at the Alamo, reported by both guests and staff.
If you’re visiting San Antonio and looking to see some paranormal activity, the Crockett Hotel could be the perfect place. The average enthusiast can experience Plenty of phenomena in the hotel.
The bar area is a great spot to start since objects have been known to fly off the bar top and onto the floor due to unseen forces.
Also, the staff has nicknamed the elevators the haunted elevators since they tend to open and close without rhyme or reason and sometimes even skip over the floors that guests have requested to go to.
This was the case for one of the hotel’s housekeepers in 2011 when she stepped into an empty elevator shaft and died. The staff has since then refused to ride the elevator, and guests are not allowed.
Tests have shown that the elevators are in perfect working order, so it can be uncertain which spirits are making themselves known.
You might have the luck of encountering the ghost of Davy Crockett, or who knows, you might be on the receiving end of items being thrown around in the bar area by an invisible spirit.
Regardless, you will surely experience some form of paranormal activity when you stay at the Crockett Hotel.
The History of the Haunted Crockett Hotel
For centuries, the area where the Crockett Hotel stands today has seen a range of uses, from farmland and pasture to a settlement of Franciscan monks from Spain, who sought to spread Roman Catholicism among the local Native Americans.
However, in 1836, the plot of land had a much more tragic purpose. On March 6, the Battle of the Alamo occurred between Texian revolutionaries and Mexican forces led by dictator General Santa Ana.
It is believed the Mexican troops assembled across from the mission, where the Alamo defenders were held up. After thirteen days, all 189 Texian fighters were killed, with a hefty loss of Mexican troops.
The Crockett Hotel’s swimming pool and surrounding area are considered the final place Davy Crockett and his fellow Texians breathed their last breath, as it was the southeast palisade of the Alamo compound.
The Era of the Odd Fellows
In 1907, the San Antonio branch of the International Order of Odd Fellows made a significant purchase, buying the land of a general store. This fraternity, rooted in seventeenth-century England, was dedicated to helping less fortunate people.
They planned to tear down the existing building to its foundation and hire an architect and builder to construct something new: a hotel with a different purpose.
In 1909, the Crockett Hotel opened its doors to the public. It was named in honor of the Alamo-defending Davy Crockett and did well initially. The first four floors were for guests, and the fifth and sixth were for the Order.
Over the years, the hotel’s success cycled, with additional renovations in 1927 and 1968. By 1978, it was no longer as popular, so the International Order of Odd Fellows sold the property and sought a more suitable location.
Renovation and Awards At The Crockett
The Odd Fellows sold the hotel to a British Columbia investor but only kept the property for a short time. After four years, the hotel returned to the possession of a San Antonio local, John Blocker, and his wife, Jenne.
To restore the old Crockett Hotel, the Blockers drew on the expertise of Jenne’s sister, who was involved with the Historical Preservation Society. By consulting vintage photographs, the investigators revealed the store’s underlying brickwork, windows, and exterior.
The cornices were polished, and even the lobby was brought back to a shine. The Blockers also added an atrium and guest rooms. In 1982, the Crockett Hotel was added to the National Register of Historic Places and later recognized by the National Trust for Historic Preservation as one of the Historic Hotels of America.
2007 the pool area was renovated, the same site as the Alamo battle. Today, the hotel offers a mix of modern and ancient. It is also said to be haunted.
When Was The Hotel A General Store?
It was not until 1874 that the Crockett Hotel’s land, previously used for grazing cattle and farming, was put to a different purpose. Augustus Honore Grenet, a French immigrant who had recently moved to San Antonio, had bought the land and set up a general merchandise store.
This store flourished, mainly due to the thriving economy in the city center that by then, the Menger Hotel had been built-in (1859), the St. Joseph’s Church, and the old Federal Post Office had been built by 1877.
Grenet had made an excellent decision in choosing the location for his store. In 1877, he purchased the Convento building and the courtyard from the Catholic Church and used it to build a two-story museum, a store, and three towers with false wooden cannons.
When the property was sold in 1887, it became a general store. Under the ownership of G.B. Davis until the start of the twentieth century, subsequently, under its three new owners, it served either as a store or as a tavern.