Golden North Hotel – Haunted Hotel in Skagway, Alaska

The Golden North Hotel stands as Alaska’s oldest operating hotel and perhaps its most haunted landmark. This distinctive yellow building with its iconic golden dome has welcomed travelers since 1898 during the frenzied Klondike Gold Rush era.

Guests come seeking historic charm but often leave with tales of ghostly encounters. The spirit of a young woman named Mary haunts the third floor corridors and specific rooms.

For over a century, employees and visitors have reported unexplained phenomena throughout this beloved establishment. Cold spots materialize without warning, and footsteps echo through empty hallways at midnight.

The hotel’s Victorian elegance masks a tragic love story that ended in death. Room 23 remains the epicenter of paranormal activity tied to this heartbroken spirit.

Historical Background

The Golden North Hotel opened its doors in 1898 at the height of gold rush fever. Thousands of prospectors poured into Skagway seeking fortune in the Yukon Territory.

Originally constructed as a private residence, the building was converted into a hotel to accommodate the massive influx. The distinctive golden dome was added in 1908 to make the structure more recognizable.

During its early years, the hotel served as a social hub for miners and businessmen. The establishment witnessed countless stories of triumph, despair, and unfulfilled dreams during the gold rush.

The building underwent several renovations throughout the 20th century while maintaining its Victorian character. Original furnishings and period pieces still decorate many guest rooms today.

The hotel closed briefly in the 2000s but reopened as a historical attraction. It remains one of Skagway’s most photographed and visited landmarks.

Paranormal Activity Summary

The Golden North Hotel experiences consistent paranormal activity concentrated on the third floor. Guests report sudden temperature drops that can reach 20 degrees below surrounding areas.

Phantom footsteps are the most commonly reported phenomenon throughout the building. These sounds typically occur during late evening hours when fewer guests occupy the premises.

Objects frequently move on their own, particularly in Room 23 and adjacent hallways. Housekeeping staff have discovered items relocated overnight despite locked doors.

Apparitions of a woman in period clothing appear primarily in third-floor windows. Passersby on the street below have photographed this figure staring down at them.

The scent of vintage perfume manifests without explanation in certain areas. This floral fragrance matches descriptions of perfumes popular during the early 1900s.

Electronic devices malfunction regularly on the third floor, including cameras and cell phones. Fully charged batteries drain within minutes when guests attempt to photograph specific rooms.

Ghost Stories & Reports

The primary spirit haunting the Golden North Hotel is identified as Mary. She was a young woman who arrived in Skagway with her fiancé during the 1898 gold rush.

According to local legend, Mary’s beloved left for the Klondike goldfields that winter. She waited faithfully at the hotel, watching from her third-floor window for his return.

Winter turned to spring, and Mary refused to leave her post at the window. She spent months scanning every face on the street below, hoping to spot her fiancé.

Her intended never returned from the harsh Yukon wilderness, likely perishing from exposure or starvation. Mary reportedly died of pneumonia while still waiting, her heart broken beyond repair.

Hotel staff claim Mary’s spirit continues her eternal vigil from Room 23’s window. Guests staying in this room report seeing a woman’s silhouette reflected in the glass.

Some visitors have felt an overwhelming sadness wash over them upon entering the room. This unexplained melancholy often brings sensitive individuals to tears without understanding why.

Mary allegedly interacts with female guests more frequently than male visitors. Women report feeling a gentle presence sitting on the edge of their beds.

One famous account involves a bride staying at the hotel on her wedding night. The woman awoke to see Mary’s apparition standing beside her bed, smiling wistfully.

The ghostly figure reportedly touched the bride’s wedding dress before fading into darkness. The experience left the newlywed shaken but strangely moved by the encounter.

Another recurring manifestation involves the sound of sobbing echoing through third-floor corridors. This crying typically occurs during winter months, matching the season Mary lost her love.

Guests have also reported their belongings arranged in unusual patterns during the night. Personal items are sometimes found placed near the window, as if someone was watching.

Most Haunted Spot

Room 23 on the third floor stands as the Golden North Hotel’s most active paranormal location. This chamber served as Mary’s room during her months-long vigil for her lost fiancé.

The room features period furnishings including an antique bed and vintage writing desk. A large window overlooks Broadway Street, providing the view Mary reportedly watched obsessively.

Guests who stay in Room 23 frequently report waking at 3 AM to unexplained sounds. The rocking chair near the window often moves on its own, creaking rhythmically.

The window itself seems to be a focal point for paranormal energy. Condensation sometimes forms on the glass in the shape of a handprint.

Many visitors refuse to sleep in this room after learning its history. Those brave enough to stay often request room changes before morning arrives.

Can You Visit?

The Golden North Hotel operates as a museum and historical site open to public tours. Admission fees apply, with rates varying by season and tour type.

Standard guided tours run daily during summer months from May through September. These tours provide historical context and share paranormal stories associated with the building.

Photography is permitted and encouraged throughout the hotel, including in Room 23. Many visitors attempt to capture evidence of Mary’s presence on camera.

The building opens at 9 AM and closes at 6 PM during peak tourist season. Off-season hours may vary, so calling ahead is recommended.

Special overnight paranormal investigation packages are sometimes available by reservation. These events allow ghost hunters to spend entire nights exploring the property.

Best Time to Visit

Paranormal activity at the Golden North Hotel intensifies during winter months, particularly January through March. This timeframe coincides with when Mary’s fiancé disappeared and she eventually died.

Late evening hours between 10 PM and 3 AM produce the most frequent supernatural encounters. The 3 AM hour seems especially active, with multiple witnesses reporting simultaneous experiences.

Summer tourist season offers easier access but potentially fewer paranormal encounters due to crowds. The spirits seem to prefer quieter periods with minimal human presence.

Anniversary dates related to the gold rush era sometimes trigger increased activity. Local paranormal enthusiasts track these patterns and plan investigations accordingly.

First-Hand Accounts & Eyewitness Reports

A hotel manager named Susan documented her experiences in a 1992 interview with local newspapers. She described hearing footsteps above her office when the third floor was completely vacant.

Susan climbed the stairs to investigate and witnessed a door closing by itself. She entered Room 23 to find the rocking chair still moving despite no occupants.

In 2005, a tourist from Seattle photographed the hotel’s exterior and captured something unexpected. The developed image showed a woman’s figure clearly visible in the third-floor window.

The photographer insisted no one was standing at that window when he took the picture. The image has been analyzed by paranormal researchers and deemed authentic.

A cleaning attendant named Margaret worked at the hotel for 15 years until retirement. She refused to clean Room 23 alone after experiencing repeated unexplained phenomena.

Margaret reported feeling watched constantly while working in that particular room. She also witnessed the bedcovers being pulled down as if someone was preparing for sleep.

In 2010, a couple celebrating their anniversary requested Room 23 specifically because of its reputation. They checked out after only two hours, visibly shaken and unwilling to discuss details.

The husband later shared their experience with the front desk manager privately. He claimed his wife’s hair was stroked by invisible hands while she slept.

Local Legends & Myths

Skagway residents share additional legends beyond Mary’s well-documented story about the Golden North Hotel. Some locals claim multiple spirits inhabit the building, including deceased gold rush prospectors.

One persistent tale involves a miner who died in the hotel’s lobby after being shot. Witnesses report seeing a male apparition near the original front desk area late at night.

Another legend suggests that Mary’s fiancé actually returned to Skagway months after her death. He supposedly discovered her fate and died of grief in the same room.

This version of the story claims two spirits haunt Room 23 together. Some guests report sensing both male and female presences simultaneously in the chamber.

Old-timers in Skagway warn against mocking Mary’s spirit or showing disrespect in her room. Those who do allegedly experience bad luck or frightening encounters during their Alaska visit.

Paranormal Investigations & Findings

The Golden North Hotel has attracted numerous paranormal investigation teams since the 1980s. These groups have documented compelling evidence including EVP recordings and temperature anomalies.

A 2003 investigation captured audio of a woman’s voice saying “Still waiting” in Room 23. No living person was present when the recording was made using specialized equipment.

Thermal imaging cameras have recorded cold spots appearing and moving through third-floor hallways. These temperature variations occur without any natural explanation like drafts or air conditioning.

EMF detectors consistently register electromagnetic field spikes near Room 23’s window area. These readings suggest energy manifestations that cannot be attributed to electrical sources.

Several investigative teams have reported full-body apparitions captured on night vision equipment. These videos show humanoid figures moving through walls and disappearing into thin air.

Safety Warnings & Legal Restrictions

Visitors must respect the Golden North Hotel’s operating hours and posted rules. Unauthorized entry outside tour times is considered trespassing and prosecuted by local authorities.

The building’s age means some areas have uneven flooring and steep staircases. Guests should exercise caution when moving through dimly lit corridors, especially at night.

Those with heart conditions or severe anxiety should consider avoiding Room 23 overnight stays. The intense paranormal activity can trigger panic attacks in sensitive individuals.

Photography is permitted but tripods and bulky equipment require prior approval from management. Damage to historic furnishings results in significant fines and potential legal action.

Cursed or Haunted Objects

The rocking chair in Room 23 is considered particularly active and possibly haunted itself. This antique piece allegedly belonged to Mary during her time at the hotel.

Staff members have witnessed the chair rocking without any physical contact or air movement. It sometimes rocks for extended periods, continuing for 10 to 15 minutes straight.

An antique mirror in the third-floor hallway reportedly shows reflections that don’t match reality. Guests claim to see Victorian-era clothing reflected when wearing modern attire.

A photograph hanging in the lobby shows Skagway during its gold rush heyday. Some visitors report seeing faces in this image that weren’t visible upon first viewing.

The original hotel register from 1898 remains on display in a protective case. Psychics who have touched this ledger report overwhelming impressions of sadness and longing.

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