The three ofusJoanne, Sue, and Ihad spent most of the previous dayand evening exploring the Biltmore and talking to people there. 525 East Atlantic Avenue The spirits of Jestinas grandfather and father stick around to help her manage the hotel they both loved, still disagreeing on finances. Charles is bolder about appearing in front of the living, especially in the managers office. When most of us hear the name Colony Hotel, we may think of former President George Bush Sr. and Kennebunkport Maine. The police were called on many occasions. Coffee shops are housed in buildings built in the 1800s, bridges have been helping people cross rivers since before the state was a state and hotels have been welcoming guests since before Maine was a real vacation destination. A Haunted story from Ghosthunting Florida The Colony Hotel is within walking distance to many unique restaurants as well, from Japanese sushi, the Blue Anchor British Pub, and several bistros, dinning beyond that of the Colony is made especially easy in Delray Beach. One officer was standing in the lobby when suddenly the elevatorstarted rumbling as if it were moving. In your case, it was a same-day approval. Throughout the years when the Colony Hotel was closed during the summer season, people saw from the street odd activity happening inside the dark, empty hotel, especially after 12 midnight. Because lunch is offered daily right on the beach, spending a whole day here is an option. In any case, the Colony developed a reputation forbeing haunted. Particularly up in Maine, unless it was built as such, theyre typically old mansions or old colonial homes, said Thomas Verde, author of the book Maine Ghosts and Legends, first released in 1989 and updated for rerelease in 2013. As they strained to look through the foggy windows into the darkness, they all agreed that kids must have broken in and were looting the place. When she was a child during the off-season,she would often accompany her father into the closed hotel andrun through the halls and empty rooms. So any kind of change in the atmosphere there would begin to stir up ghosts.. But in summer, even with a caretaker around, the Colonylooked mostly abandoned, forlorn, and even ghostly. Broadway Theater, IL (Apparently, the friendly helpful party animals of the past still enjoy good times!). You can learn more about it by visiting their website and you can book a room here. For reservations and Information about the Colony Hotel and Cabana Club, call, Floridas Ghostly Legends and Haunted Folklore: Volume One: South and Central, Florida (2005). What he found was a kitchen in perfectorder, pots hanging and dishes stacked where they should be. According to de Seversky, she was hired to work at the inn 11 years ago, and 2 months into her tenure, she was staying late to work on some paperwork after the restaurant closed one February night when something strange happened. It is also a popular place for club members and hotel guests to hold social events. The hotels guest rooms are beautifully decorated with Dade Pine hardwood floors; wood blinds, and art by local Florida artists. They like things to stay the same, so maybe that was their way of saying, Hey, were here.. Their website states, The Club offers a beautiful setting with spectacular ocean views for a variety of events, sunset cocktail parties, dinners, beach weddings and receptions. It seemed a wonderful, romantic place for agetaway. In addition to the smell of ocean water in the air on rainy days in Portland, she loves puppies, photography, funny people, the Maine Red Claws, traveling, fresh tomatoes, Cambodia and filling out forms. The loan for Jennifer was set up on May 25, 2022 and approved today. These orbs became quite common for several months,and many people reported seeing them. The best hidden gems and little known destinations - straight to your inbox. Acaretaker was left behind to perform minimal maintenance onthe grounds, cutting grass, watering plants, and providing somesecurity. The living have heard the sound of pots and pans being thrown around the hotels kitchen, or the dining room. Thats a one-day approval! Other amenities were also popular as well! Inside, a quickcheck revealed that all the doors were locked and the alarm systemwas functioning properly. Consequently, the officers received the proper permission to enter and investigate the premises. There were no guests at the inn and the restaurants alarm was set. At one police visit, the elevator did come to the first floor all by itself, and opened the door. But although Perkins last room is considered the hottest cold spot in the inn, OHea said the poet isnt alone among the 215-year-old buildings apparitions. But in a state as old as this one, its not surprising that a lot of our history can be found in every day spots as well. And so, guests came to Florida during the winter season to take advantage of the sun, the beaches, and the slow-paced atmosphere they longed for, and the Colony Hotel offered such things and much more. And that moan didnt sound like a little girl, so de Seversky assumed the scare came courtesy of her front-desk predecessor Cyrus, maybe trying to get his workspace back. The Colony Hotel and Cabaa Club is notthe Biltmore, but it is a really spectacular hotel. Living people are not the only ones who love the Colony Hotel. Other people have seen weird lights floating inside the hotel, especially in the lobby, the stairways and the second floor. Texas Consumber Complaint And Recovery Fund Notice, Web Content Accessibility Disclosure Statement. This is the famous Porch Bar that overlooks Atlantic Avenue. Of the many reports of the strange and eerie events that go on in the Colony Hotel, the most popular reports are of odd, dimly pulsating lights bobbing up and down throughout the second floor windows, and dark shadowy figures moving about within. Cyrus? And it was at least 50-50 or maybe 60-40 in terms of [witnesses] who really never believed in any of this stuff. The ghost activity seems to spike after a big change at the properties, and frankly, the ghosts are pretty tame. I can remember enjoying the Colonys brunches well, where the atmosphere was one of pure class, giving an air of a 1920s dinner reception or a fish and goose swaray. Guests have reportedstrange lights and dark figures moving through the hotel, and some have heard music coming from the darkened and emptydining room. At first, the only thing they found was a cobweb or two and dust. She didnt findanything peculiar about the elevator but did sense activity onthe second floor. Because these figures were moving quite fast, almost erratically in the darkness, they felt their assumption seemed logical. According to several people that I have interviewed over the years, there was one particular night in 1989 during the off season, when two people were walking up the sidewalk on Atlantic Avenue and Federal Highway that they noticed something moving inside the darkened windows of the closed Colony Hotel. There were none, so theycontacted the caretaker to get permission to enter. This one gentleman came running in from the patio and said, I know what I saw, de Seversky recalled. The floors have been maintained with love since the hotels beginning. Weve had some broken glasses since Ive been here, but were not blaming the ghosts., Seth has nearly a decade of professional journalism experience and writes about the greater Portland region. As we walked around, Joanne was able to confirm many ofthe stories we had heard from others or read about. Until 1999, the Colony Hotel would be closed a little more than four months out of the year, moving its staff and accommodations back up to Kennebunkport Maine during the summer months. Shadow people had been seen walking/running through the dining room, hotel hallways. Congratulations Malina Rojas and US MORTGAGE LENDERS LLC! Then, just as the officer was about to reply, the elevator that sits across from the reception desk in the lobby made a rumbling noise. Some have heard womens disembodied voices engaged in conversation in the dining room when it is empty, at various times throughout the day, and at night. All but a few lights andall other nonessential electricity were turned off. As they looked around, they checked the alarm system, the windows throughout the dining room area, and the French doors on the front side of the building. Other events, like the running figures throughout the main dining room have been frequent enough to have the Delray Beach Police investigate on more than one occasion in the past. It was as far removed from Friday the 13th as you could get. Hesaid that, each time, he has gonein to see what was going on, halfexpecting to find a mess. Maine is full of history. The Colony Hotel and Cabana Club can be found right in the middle of the fun part of town; the restaurant/boutique/music and art galleries section in Delray Beach, on East Atlantic Avenue. In fact, the essential ghostly figures said to roam the hallways of the Colony are none other than Charles and George Bowden, the original builders and founders of the Colony Hotel. In 1999, the Colony Hotel began to stay open to guests all year long as a greater number of tourists had discovered how wonderful this location was in the summer as well as the winter. A wonderful amenity offered to their guests is the Colony Cabaa Club. These infamous guests behaved themselves in Delray and didnt leave any bodies of enemies on the beach, or conduct mob business on the hotel property. Hes not a bad guy, the inns employees say, but is perhaps the most ornery of the ghosts. through April/May, becoming a great winter retreat area for those wishing to escape the cold, snowy winters of the North and Mid-west. Together theyfinished their investigation and left, the caretaker locking upand resetting the alarm behind them. Congratulations Edward Rogero and US MORTGAGE LENDERS LLC A! The Crystal Ballroom, OR (Spirits still enjoy themselves in this special place which includes watching the living). Sometimes entities who so enjoyed the good times at a favorite place while alive, may decide to stay or visit in order to continue their party, or crash a living persons event. It could be that ghosts stayed at the hotel [while alive], enjoyed it and had a good time there, he said. Or, sometimes they choose to just visit their former business and home to keep an eye on the living, and supervise the staff and current owners, to be sure things are run properly! Verde wrote that accomplished 20th century poet Silas Perkins whose poem The Common Road was broadcast from a national radio hookup from the funeral train of President Franklin Roosevelt spent his twilight years working as the night watchman at the inn. Walking into the front patio and lobby is like stepping back to the 1920s. Get more stories delivered right to your email. Besides tired-of-cold, wealthy people and artists, the Colony Hotel had other sorts of guests as well. Hamptons upscale hotel attracted many out-of-towners, bringing in needed funds to pay for his creation. Shadow people have been spotted standing behind the check-in desk. The two officers finally returned after a few minutes and proceeded to lock up the doors behind them. As the owner of The Colony Hotel, she continues to experience paranormal events. Moreover, these dark figures have been observed by several of the local people in the nearby neighborhood while going for walks at sunset. Because Atlantic Avenue is a historically quaint and beautifully landscaped street, it is perfect for a stroll after diner, close to shops and the beach for the patrons pleasure. Colony Hotel, FL (Early morning spectral parties are seen by witnesses). It never slipped into disrepair, but has always been kept in tip-top shape, making it very appealing to those who seek a high class hotel. Built in 1926, Martin Luther Hampton used the Florida Mediterranean architecture style in his plans for this labor of love. In 1949, the Colony Hotel purchased some beachfront and built irresistible amenities that were available in their new private club for members and for their hotel guests to enjoy during their winter holiday.
The initial investigation turned up nothing, and there was no evidence of people being inside the building. Although many have attributed the strange lights to that of a passing janitor or others walking through the dark hallways and rooms with flashlights during the less active season, many paranormal researchers feel otherwise. It was somebody who was menacing. Why be open during the off-season? This Halloween, Enjoy Spine-chilling Reading from the Comfort of Your Armchair, Spotlight on: Charlemont Inn Charlemont, Massachusetts, A Visit to the Exchange Hotel Civil War Hospital Museum in Gordonsville, The Ghosts Are Very Comfortable at the Inn at Duck Creeke, Gadsbys Tavern and MuseumA Quintessential Alexandria Watering Hole. Though no one did, the two police officers shut the doors leading to the street and continued to investigate inside. Most of the time, she would catch a glance of a nicely dressed gentleman walking past her, or as a reflection in the glass of a portrait or painting hanging on the wall. My understanding is that theyre here to do their old jobs, OHea said. Texas Consumber Complaint And Recovery Fund Notice Web Content Accessibility Disclosure StatementUS Mortgage Lenders LLC 2011 All rights reserved. Spooky stories! During the same period, passersby began reporting orbs,or balls of light, flying erratically in front of second-story windows. He was quickly helped back to his beloved inn, where he ultimately died from the ordeal in Room 17. Moreover, although the hotel stays relatively busy, now that its open twelve months out of the year, one might think that the ghosts have moved out and such hauntings have ceased, though all those involved with the hotel, including family members of the owners believe differently, as they know all too well that the Colony is still quite haunted. Eldridge Hotel, KS (Spirit of Col. Shalor Eldridge keeps a friendly eye on the living, and tries to be a helpful manager. They thoughtperhaps kids had broken into the place and were robbing orransacking it. Whoever did it was obviously trying to test me to see whether Id run or stay. Hours 8AM 6PM Mon FriLicensed in FL, GA, AL, TX, SC, NC. The Colony Hotel has had a long haunted history according to many of the staff members, and past guests here. On the hotels website, they stated: Our goal is to provide an authentic, historic, casual, eco-friendly beach club experience. She recalls that sheoften caught fleeting glimpses of something or someone out ofthe corner of her eye and thought nothing of it at the time. Another thing that comes with hotels and history? The full paranormal sports package happens within the walls of the Colony Hotel, making it one of the most haunted places in Delray, Florida. Such relics as the original wicker furniture, the original elevator, iron chandeliers and candelabras, as well as the arched french doors, the fireplaces and the beautiful skylight in the lobby sure reminds the visitor of the 1920s and 30s. (LogOut/ Maine news, sports, politics, election results, and obituaries. Jestina Boughton began to see out of the corner of her eye her grandfather Charles, dressed in a suit walking past her, or in a reflection of a picture frame or glass. Bullock Hotel, SD (Spirit of Seth Bullock maintains what control he can have as a spirit). Some unnamed staff members of the Colony Hotel have talked to persuasive writers, and told their spooky, yet benign experiences. Thats a one-day approval! All seventy guest rooms have wooden shutters, Dade County pine floors, and their original furniture; decorated with tropical fabrics and colors and original artwork from Florida artists. An elevator that was run by staff is one of many conveniences provided. As this was a favorite work or vacation place for so many people since it was built so long ago, many spirits of former guests, as well as the two original Bowden family owners and some staff still love being here as spirits. He was obviously not from this era, de Seversky said of the man in the window. The figures they saw seemed to berunning back and forth in the darkened building. The father and son team is said to still watch over the many guests here, and have been seen roaming around the hotel for many years in a most shadowy manner. During the 1920s, magnificent hotels like the Colony were built in warm locations like Florida because the wealthy and powerful, and other world travelers desired to get away from theyre frigid homes in the north and enjoy what Floridians are entitled to year-round. Thats the room Shanna Horner OHea called our most haunted, with visitors reporting unnaturally cold brushes of air, rattling doorknobs and opening doors. Very large, elegant captains houses get turned over, bought and turned into inns, so they have a lot of history, she said. The local psychic has told the OHeas that Perkins is a peaceful and polite soul who still invisibly accompanies women to their cars when they leave the place. Mostly, she confirmed what we already knew. They keep an eye on the hotel records kept in the office. Theyre just a series of quiet, little, unsettling things, said Verde, whose book also chronicled the supposed haunting of the Capt. With art festivals and outdoor concerts scheduled throughout the year, as well as the fine restaurants, cafs and coffee houses, its no wonder that so many are coming to this part of south Florida for their vacations or to make their homes here. This art district is still thriving today! Delray Beach, Florida 33483 Even then she remembered how spooky it was, feeling that the first floor, including the lounge and kitchen area were the most haunted places in the old hotel. More by Seth Koenig, Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window), One month later, Maines two-headed snapping turtle still thriving, Great white shark sighting closes popular Maine beach, An Aroostook community will be the only small town in Maine with an inclusive playground, 2 Massachusetts men charged after nearly 1.5 pounds of fentanyl recovered from Bangor casino, I encountered a birding mystery in the Bangor City Forest, UMaine womens ice hockey head coach and assistant coach resign, Crews still fighting wildfire near Greenville, Proudly powered by Newspack by Automattic. In any case, herexperiences were always benign, even pleasant. A prominent example of Florida Mediterranean architecture, it is a three storied, bright yellow building with two domed towers, that match the hotels striped yellow and red awnings on the windows. Artistic decor, the fine food served in the main dining room, events hosted in the dining room turned ballroom, lovely rooms with beautiful views, and the friendly, personal service offered by the family members and trusted staff are some of the amenities that were long established at the Colony Hotel. We were tired, but the following morning we got an early startand drove the 50miles north to Delray Beach, just above BocaRaton. Maybe they weretrue or maybe they were just the imaginings of strollers passing by in the dark. If you have questions you can reach them on 207-967-3331. With the belief that the hotel was being robbed, the couple stopped at a gas station across the street and had the attendant call the police. The Colony Hotel of Delray Beach, Florida is one of my all time favorite lodgings when we visit the south. Too many cooks in the kitchen, whether living or in spirit form, can cause strife. As a child, she would visit the Hotel when it was closed during the off season, where she would play with family members, running through the halls and in the old, deserted rooms. Through the windows, dark figures had been seen moving around the rooms, especially on the second floor. Here are 10 haunted hotels in Maine that just might make your stay a nightmare! Its a close knit family of employees that work for the Colony Hotel, so dedicated, that for years they would live in both states in order to create the best atmosphere a hotel could offer. We were welcomed by a friendly staff. Today, the hotel is open year round, offing the same charm and amenities it has been offering since 1926. The Kennebunk Inn was built in 1799 and spent decades as a doctors home office before it was converted into an inn about a century later. Rushing to see what was occurring, expecting a huge mess, these witnesses were surprised to see everything in its place! Since then, the acclaimed chef has risen in profile on the national scene, appearing on popular Food Network shows Chopped and Rewrapped.. It felt like someone came right up next to me, and I heard a voice say, Muuuah, she recalled. His likeness has been clearly seen by staff and guests alike, showing his personal brand of hospitality). Hardwood floors are found throughout the hotel. Hampton ran his hotel until 1935, when he sold it to the father, son and daughter-in-law team, Charles and George and Agnes Bowden, who changed its name to Colony Hotel. Several squad cars arrived, and officers walked around theexterior to check for signs of a break-in. The ghostly presence is believed to be the gentle spirit of her grandfather just checking up on the family business. Although the rooms have a Great Gatsby charm to them, they have been updated for the modern vacationer or businessperson, as each room have phones with voice mail, a data-port for personal computers and cable television. The Colony Hotel of Delray Beach really stands out on East Atlantic Avenue as a Delray historic landmark, a beautiful structure to behold. It was historically renovated in 2001, giving this old gal of a hotel a fresh look with all its 1920s charm and original architecture left intact! Although this particular variety of haunting is indeed pleasant, there seems to be other odd occurrences that are not attributed to the kindly grandfather. I tend to think that was a case of the waitstaff trying to cover up some mistakes, she said with a laugh. (LogOut/ Some thought it came from the dining room, but others couldnt tell where it was coming from inside the hotel. Located at 525 East Atlantic Avenue, the Colony is one of south Floridas most beautiful hotels. It was definitely a loud moan. Then it stopped andchimed, the usual signal indicating that it had arrived at thedesired floor. One day in June 1952, Perkins, then 72, left the inn to buy a newspaper across the street. The lobby has a terrazzo floor, the porch has a Cuban tile floor and the music and former dining rooms have a lovely red oak flooring. Floridas warm, mild weather, the hotels private beach, and saltwater pool, must have been a huge draw for the folks who could afford a winter holiday away from the unpleasantness of living in the snow and cold temperatures. They told the small, but interested crowd that there was no one inside and that there may have been an electrical surge that tripped the elevator. Constructed in 1926 by Charles and George Bowden, it is one of the last remaining historic landmarks in Delray Beach today, and is listed on The National Trust for Historic Preservation. Through the dark, foggy windows, the hotel looked as if it came from a Stephan King novel, complete with sheets draped over the tables and cobwebs in the corners. Gangsters like Al Capone and their friends stayed at the Colony Hotel as well as other popular resort hotels, like the Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables. Although most of thepeople we talked to were a bit reluctant to discuss the paranormalactivity there, they allowed us to roam around and take alook for ourselves. Spirits with a positive attachment to this glorious hotel reside peacefully with the living for a variety of reasons listed below. Verde said the case of the Kennebunk Inn, which he featured in his book, shares similarities with many other stories of inn hauntings he has researched or written about. We couldnt stay very late, so we were not able to experience anythingthat might be taking place in the wee hours, but I have nodoubt of their veracity. The doors opened, but no one came out. The established business plan was to close the Colony Hotel in Delray during the summer months, with the Bowden family and staff moving up to the Maine Colony Hotel and spending the summer there. The bathrooms all have pedestal sinks and fancy marble fixtures, even equipped with hairdryers and telephones. This influx of art-oriented folks inspired entrepreneur Martin Luther Hampton to create a hotel that embodies Florida architecture. Sometimes I find that ghosts are in places that they enjoyed and didnt want to leave. Many believed the old Colony Hotel is haunted by the many colorful guests who had stayed in there so many years ago. Most people who would walk by it while on a nightly stroll might have thought the hotel had been closed many years, waiting to be bought or scheduled for demolition, believing the mannerly old hotel was empty and as lifeless as the cobwebs hanging from the dark hallwaysOnly the locals knew different.
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