Fairmont Hotel – Haunted Hotel in Deadwood, South Dakota

The Fairmont Hotel stands as one of Deadwood’s most elegant Victorian treasures. But beneath its refined exterior lies a darker history filled with unexplained phenomena.

Since opening in 1898, the Fairmont has been a magnet for paranormal activity. Guests and staff report everything from phantom footsteps to full-bodied apparitions.

This historic hotel has witnessed Deadwood’s transformation from wild frontier town to tourist destination. The spirits who remain seem unwilling to check out.

Located on Main Street in the heart of historic Deadwood, the Fairmont maintains its original charm. The building’s Victorian architecture creates an atmosphere perfect for ghostly encounters.

Historical Background

The Fairmont Hotel opened its doors in 1898 during Deadwood’s gold rush era. Wealthy miners and businessmen frequented the establishment seeking luxury in the rugged Black Hills.

The hotel was constructed by entrepreneur Harris Franklin as Deadwood’s premier lodging destination. Franklin spared no expense on imported fixtures and lavish furnishings.

A devastating fire swept through portions of the hotel in 1899. Three guests perished in the blaze that started in the second-floor hallway.

The hotel underwent extensive renovations after the fire but retained its original foundation. Workers reported strange occurrences during the reconstruction including tools disappearing and unexplained cold spots.

In 1903, a gambling dispute ended in violence in the hotel’s second-floor card room. Local businessman Walter Crenshaw was shot and died in Room 14.

The Prohibition era brought illegal activities to the Fairmont’s basement speakeasy. Several deaths occurred during raids and fights between rival bootleggers.

Throughout the 1920s and 1930s, the hotel served as a brothel. Madame Lola DuBois ran operations from the third floor until her mysterious death in 1934.

Paranormal Activity Summary

Guests consistently report hearing phantom footsteps in the second and third-floor hallways. The footsteps sound like heavy boots on wooden floors even on carpeted areas.

Doors throughout the hotel open and close on their own without explanation. Room 14 is particularly active with its door operating independently multiple times nightly.

Cold spots appear throughout the building with no logical source. These temperature drops can be as much as twenty degrees in concentrated areas.

The scent of perfume and cigar smoke manifests in various locations throughout the property. Staff members report these smells appearing suddenly then vanishing within seconds.

Electronic devices malfunction frequently on the second and third floors. Cell phones drain completely and cameras stop working without cause.

Shadow figures have been observed moving through hallways and ducking into rooms. These dark shapes appear solid yet pass through walls and closed doors.

Disembodied voices echo through empty corridors during late night hours. Conversations in multiple languages have been captured on recording devices.

Ghost Stories & Reports

The most frequently encountered spirit is known simply as the Lady in Purple. She appears in a Victorian-era purple dress walking the third-floor hallway.

Witnesses describe her as a woman in her thirties with dark hair. She never acknowledges living people and disappears when approached.

Many believe this apparition is Madame Lola DuBois herself. She was found dead in Room 22 under mysterious circumstances in 1934.

Lola’s death was ruled a suicide but locals suspected foul play. She had threatened to expose prominent townsmen who frequented her establishment.

Room 14 is home to the spirit identified as Walter Crenshaw. Guests report seeing a man in early 1900s attire sitting in the room’s chair.

Crenshaw appears solid until witnesses realize he’s semi-transparent and floating slightly above the seat. He vanishes when guests turn on lights or speak to him.

A tragic spirit known as the Burning Man haunts the second-floor hallway. Guests report seeing a figure engulfed in flames running toward the stairs.

This apparition is believed to be one of the 1899 fire victims. The smell of smoke accompanies his appearances even though no actual fire exists.

The basement speakeasy area hosts the spirit of a young woman named Catherine. She died during a 1927 police raid when trampled by fleeing patrons.

Catherine’s ghost appears as a translucent figure in a flapper dress. She’s been seen dancing alone to music only she can hear.

Staff members report interactions with a mischievous entity they’ve nicknamed Charlie. This spirit moves objects and hides personal belongings throughout the hotel.

Charlie particularly enjoys rearranging items in the kitchen and front desk area. Workers find keys, pens, and supplies relocated to impossible locations.

A child’s spirit has been observed on the main staircase multiple times. The young boy appears to be around eight years old wearing knickers and a cap.

Guests hear him laughing and running up and down the stairs. No historical records confirm a child’s death at the property.

Most Haunted Spot

Room 14 generates the most paranormal reports and documented activity. This second-floor room was the site of Walter Crenshaw’s violent death in 1903.

Guests who stay in Room 14 report being touched by invisible hands. Many wake up to see Crenshaw’s apparition standing at the foot of the bed.

The room’s temperature fluctuates wildly regardless of thermostat settings. Objects move on their own including chairs sliding across the floor.

One guest photographed an indentation on the bed as if someone sat down. No one was visible in the room at the time.

The third-floor hallway ranks as the second most active location. Madame Lola’s spirit walks this corridor nightly according to staff accounts.

Security cameras have captured unexplained light anomalies and shadow movements in this area. The footage shows doors opening with no one present.

Can You Visit?

Yes, the Fairmont Hotel operates as a functioning boutique hotel. Guests can book overnight stays in the historic building year-round.

Room rates vary by season and availability starting around one hundred fifty dollars. The hotel does not charge extra fees for paranormal enthusiasts.

Guided ghost tours are available through Deadwood’s Historic Preservation Office every Saturday evening. Tours begin at eight PM and last approximately ninety minutes.

Photography is permitted throughout the hotel for personal use. Flash photography is discouraged in guest room areas out of respect for other visitors.

The hotel lobby and restaurant are open to the public during business hours. Visiting hours for non-guests are from eight AM to ten PM daily.

Paranormal investigation groups can arrange special access with advance permission from management. These sessions typically occur between midnight and four AM.

Best Time to Visit

Paranormal activity increases significantly during October and November according to staff logs. The anniversary of the 1899 fire in late October brings heightened supernatural events.

Late night hours between two AM and four AM produce the most encounters. This timeframe coincides with when most historical deaths occurred at the property.

Full moon periods generate increased reports of apparitions and unexplained phenomena. Staff members note these lunar cycles correlate with more frequent ghostly manifestations.

Winter months see more activity in the basement speakeasy area. Cold weather seems to energize spirits in the lower levels of the building.

First-Hand Accounts & Eyewitness Reports

Guest Jennifer Martinez from Denver documented her 2019 experience in Room 14. She photographed a full-bodied apparition standing near the window at three AM.

Martinez reported feeling an overwhelming sense of sadness before seeing the figure. Her camera malfunctioned immediately after capturing the image.

Hotel manager Robert Tillman has worked at the Fairmont for twenty-three years. He personally witnessed the Lady in Purple on seventeen separate occasions.

Tillman describes her as detailed and realistic until she vanishes mid-stride. He no longer feels frightened by her presence after so many encounters.

Paranormal investigator Sarah Chen conducted three investigations at the Fairmont between 2020 and 2022. Her team captured electronic voice phenomena in seven different locations.

Chen’s most compelling evidence includes a voice saying “Get out” in Room 14. Multiple team members heard disembodied footsteps following them through hallways.

Night auditor Michael Torres documented strange occurrences in his work journal over five years. He recorded over one hundred unexplained incidents during overnight shifts.

Torres witnessed doors slamming shut with tremendous force on calm nights. He heard his name called by an unknown female voice on numerous occasions.

Local Legends & Myths

Deadwood locals tell stories of Madame Lola’s hidden fortune never recovered after her death. Some believe her spirit guards the treasure’s location within the hotel walls.

Legend claims Lola encrypted the hiding place in a letter to her sister. The letter disappeared from the hotel safe shortly after Lola’s funeral.

Another myth suggests Walter Crenshaw’s killer buried evidence in the hotel basement. Witnesses report seeing a shadowy figure digging in the basement’s dirt floor.

The story of the Burning Man has evolved into a cautionary tale. Old-timers warn that seeing him predicts a coming disaster in one’s life.

Local folklore describes a secret tunnel system connecting the Fairmont to other Main Street buildings. These passages allegedly housed illegal gambling operations and provided escape routes during raids.

Some claim spirits use these tunnels to move between buildings even today. Unexplained sounds beneath the basement floor support this theory according to believers.

Paranormal Investigations & Findings

The Black Hills Paranormal Society conducted their first investigation at the Fairmont in 2015. They documented significant electromagnetic field fluctuations in Room 14 and the third-floor hallway.

Their equipment captured temperature drops of eighteen degrees in under thirty seconds. Digital recorders picked up whispered conversations in areas confirmed empty.

A 2018 investigation by Rocky Mountain Ghost Hunters yielded remarkable photographic evidence. Their infrared cameras captured unexplained heat signatures moving through solid walls.

Team member David Richardson reported being pushed by an unseen force on the staircase. Three other investigators witnessed his sudden stumble with no apparent cause.

The hotel was featured on the Travel Channel’s “Haunted Hotels” series in 2021. Investigators documented shadow figures and captured compelling audio evidence during filming.

Host and paranormal researcher Amanda Berry experienced a powerful encounter in Room 22. She reported feeling hands on her shoulders while alone in the sealed room.

Multiple investigations have recorded the same female voice saying “Leave here” in the basement. The voice appears on recordings from different teams using various equipment types.

Thermal imaging consistently shows cold spots forming in the shapes of human figures. These cold masses move independently through rooms and hallways.

Safety Warnings & Legal Restrictions

The Fairmont operates as a functioning hotel so guests must respect other visitors’ privacy. Paranormal investigations require advance permission from hotel management.

Unauthorized access to staff-only areas including the basement is strictly prohibited. Violators face trespassing charges and immediate removal from the property.

The original staircase shows signs of age and requires careful navigation. Handrails must be used especially during low-light paranormal investigation hours.

Visitors should avoid provoking spirits or using aggressive investigation techniques. Management reserves the right to end investigations that disturb other guests.

The basement area has low ceilings and uneven flooring that presents trip hazards. Hard hats are recommended for extended basement investigation sessions.