The Roosevelt – Haunted Hotel in Cedar Rapids, Iowa

The Roosevelt Hotel stands as a testament to Cedar Rapids’ golden age of elegance and prosperity. This historic downtown landmark has welcomed guests since the early 20th century, offering luxury accommodations and sophisticated charm.

But beneath its refined exterior lies a darker history filled with unexplained phenomena and restless spirits. Guests and staff have reported strange encounters for decades, making The Roosevelt one of Iowa’s most actively haunted locations.

The hotel’s reputation for paranormal activity has grown steadily over the years. Visitors often check in expecting a peaceful stay, only to experience things they cannot rationally explain.

From phantom footsteps echoing through empty hallways to ghostly figures materializing in guest rooms, The Roosevelt maintains its supernatural reputation. The building’s long history has apparently left behind more than just memories.

Historical Background

The Roosevelt Hotel opened its doors in 1927 during the height of America’s Roaring Twenties. Cedar Rapids was thriving as a commercial hub, and the city needed an upscale establishment to accommodate business travelers.

The nine-story building was constructed at a cost of approximately one million dollars, a staggering sum at the time. Its art deco architecture and modern amenities made it the most luxurious hotel in eastern Iowa.

The hotel was named after President Theodore Roosevelt, reflecting the era’s patriotic spirit and admiration for strong leadership. Its grand opening attracted Cedar Rapids’ elite society and established The Roosevelt as the city’s premier destination.

Throughout the Great Depression, The Roosevelt managed to remain operational despite economic hardships affecting similar establishments nationwide. The hotel served as a social center for Cedar Rapids, hosting weddings, business conferences, and political gatherings.

During World War II, The Roosevelt became a temporary home for military personnel and their families. Many servicemen spent their final nights stateside within these walls before deploying overseas, never to return.

The hotel witnessed numerous tragedies over its nearly century-long operation. Several guests died within its rooms from natural causes, accidents, and at least two confirmed suicides.

In 1953, a traveling salesman named Howard Mitchell died of a heart attack in room 428. His body wasn’t discovered for three days, as he had placed a “Do Not Disturb” sign on his door.

A devastating fire in 1961 claimed the life of a housekeeper named Margaret Dubois on the seventh floor. She became trapped while attempting to evacuate guests and succumbed to smoke inhalation before firefighters could reach her.

Paranormal Activity Summary

The Roosevelt experiences a wide range of supernatural phenomena that defy logical explanation. Cold spots manifest suddenly in specific locations, dropping temperatures by twenty degrees or more within seconds.

Guests frequently report their belongings being mysteriously moved or rearranged while they’re away from their rooms. Personal items appear in different locations than where they were left, despite locked doors and no evidence of entry.

Unexplained sounds are perhaps the most common occurrence throughout The Roosevelt’s nine floors. Phantom footsteps pace hallways during the quiet hours of early morning, stopping abruptly when investigated.

Elevator malfunctions plague the hotel, with cars stopping on floors where no one pressed the button. The doors open to reveal empty hallways, though witnesses sometimes report sensing an unseen presence entering or exiting.

Shadow figures are regularly observed darting across corridors and disappearing through solid walls. These dark silhouettes appear human in shape but lack any distinguishable features or details.

Electronic devices behave erratically within certain rooms, with phones ringing when no one is calling. Televisions turn on and off independently, often switching to channels displaying only static.

Several notable spectral figures have been identified through repeated sightings over the years. A woman in a 1920s flapper dress appears in the main lobby, particularly near the original check-in desk.

A male figure wearing military uniform from the World War II era has been spotted on multiple floors. Witnesses describe him as appearing solid and real before suddenly vanishing into thin air.

Ghost Stories & Reports

The most frequently encountered spirit is affectionately known as “The Flapper Lady” by hotel staff. She appears as a young woman in her twenties wearing a beaded evening gown typical of the 1920s.

According to local legend, she was a guest named Vivian Rosewood who stayed at The Roosevelt during its opening year. She was allegedly waiting for her fiancé to arrive for their wedding when she received news of his death.

Heartbroken, Vivian reportedly threw herself from a seventh-floor window in room 712. However, historical records from the period don’t confirm this suicide, leading some to question the story’s authenticity.

Despite the uncertain origins, dozens of witnesses have described encountering this elegant apparition in the lobby. She’s often seen standing near the windows, gazing out onto Linn Street as if watching for someone.

The spirit vanishes when approached directly but has been photographed multiple times by guests. These images typically show an translucent figure or an unexplained misty form in vintage clothing.

Howard Mitchell, the traveling salesman who died in room 428, apparently never checked out. Guests staying in this room report the overwhelming smell of cigar smoke, though The Roosevelt has been non-smoking for decades.

The room’s telephone rings at exactly 3:47 AM multiple times per month. When answered, guests hear only heavy breathing followed by a dial tone, leaving them unsettled and confused.

Personal belongings in room 428 are frequently disturbed, particularly men’s accessories like ties, watches, and wallets. Male guests report finding their items neatly arranged on the dresser in a way they didn’t leave them.

Margaret Dubois, the housekeeper who perished in the 1961 fire, remains dedicated to her duties even in death. Staff members working late shifts on the seventh floor report seeing a woman in a vintage housekeeping uniform.

She appears solid and real, pushing a cleaning cart down the hallway before disappearing near room 734. The scent of smoke often accompanies these sightings, though no source can be identified.

Several housekeeping staff members have quit after encountering Margaret’s spirit during overnight shifts. They describe an overwhelming sense of sadness and urgency emanating from the apparition.

The World War II serviceman seen throughout the hotel is believed to be Captain James Whitmore. He stayed at The Roosevelt in 1944 before shipping out to the Pacific Theater.

Captain Whitmore survived the war but returned to Cedar Rapids a changed man suffering from what we now recognize as PTSD. He took his own life in room 305 in 1947, unable to escape his wartime memories.

Guests in room 305 report hearing a man crying late at night. Some have witnessed a figure sitting on the edge of the bed, head in hands, before fading away.

The captain’s spirit is also encountered in the hotel bar, where he apparently spent many hours before his death. Bartenders have reported bottles moving on their own and glasses sliding across the bar without explanation.

Most Haunted Spot

Room 712 on the seventh floor holds the distinction as The Roosevelt’s most intensely haunted location. This is allegedly where Vivian Rosewood met her tragic end in 1927, though historical verification remains elusive.

Guests who stay in room 712 consistently report experiencing severe paranormal activity throughout their visits. The temperature drops dramatically without warning, even when the heating system functions perfectly.

A sense of overwhelming sadness permeates the room, causing some guests to experience unexplained crying fits. Many visitors request room changes within hours of checking in, unable to tolerate the oppressive atmosphere.

The room’s window reportedly opens on its own, even when locked securely. Hotel maintenance has replaced the locking mechanism multiple times, but the phenomenon continues without explanation.

Mirrors in room 712 have captured numerous anomalies in photographs taken by curious guests. Shadowy figures appear in reflections that aren’t visible to the naked eye at the time.

The seventh-floor hallway outside room 712 is equally active with paranormal phenomena. Motion-sensor lights activate when no one is present, and security cameras capture unexplained orbs and light anomalies.

Can You Visit?

The Roosevelt Hotel is open to the public as a functioning hotel welcoming overnight guests. You can book a room through standard reservation services or by calling the front desk directly.

Room rates vary depending on season and room type, typically ranging from ninety to two hundred dollars per night. No additional fee is charged for staying in reportedly haunted rooms like 712 or 428.

The hotel does not offer official ghost tours or paranormal investigation packages at this time. However, management acknowledges the building’s haunted reputation and doesn’t discourage guests from exploring the history.

Photography is allowed throughout the hotel’s public spaces and within your own guest room. Flash photography is requested to be minimized in common areas to avoid disturbing other guests.

The lobby and public areas are accessible twenty-four hours a day for registered guests. Non-guests are welcome in the lobby, restaurant, and bar during normal business hours.

Best Time to Visit

Paranormal activity at The Roosevelt appears most intense during the overnight hours between 2 AM and 5 AM. This timeframe aligns with traditional “witching hour” beliefs and when the hotel is quietest.

October and November see increased supernatural occurrences according to long-term staff members and frequent visitors. The cooler autumn months seem to amplify the spiritual energy within the building.

Weeknights offer better opportunities for paranormal experiences than busy weekends when guest activity is higher. The spirits apparently prefer quieter periods with fewer living people disrupting the atmosphere.

Anniversary dates connected to documented tragedies show heightened activity in specific locations. June 14th, the anniversary of the 1961 fire, brings increased phenomena on the seventh floor.

First-Hand Accounts & Eyewitness Reports

In 2018, a guest named Patricia Kendall posted a detailed account on social media about her experience in room 428. She described waking at 3:47 AM to find a man in a 1950s suit standing at the foot of her bed.

Patricia stated the figure appeared completely solid and real until she screamed, causing it to vanish instantly. Her photographs of the room showed unexplained orbs and a misty presence near the window.

A Cedar Rapids police officer investigating a noise complaint in 2015 witnessed the seventh-floor phenomena firsthand. Officer Dennis Martinez reported in his official statement seeing a woman in vintage clothing pushing a cleaning cart.

When he approached to question her, the woman and cart disappeared before his eyes. Martinez later identified the uniform as matching housekeeping attire from the 1960s after viewing historical photographs.

In 2020, travel blogger Sarah Mitchell spent three nights documenting her experiences at The Roosevelt. Her audio recordings captured unexplained voices responding to questions posed during an amateur EVP session.

One recording clearly contains a woman’s voice saying “still waiting” when Sarah asked if anyone was present. She had been alone in room 712 at the time of the recording.

Hotel night manager Carlos Ramirez has worked at The Roosevelt for fifteen years and shares stories freely. He reports that elevator number three frequently stops at the seventh floor around 2:30 AM with no passengers.

Carlos has reviewed security footage showing the elevator doors opening to empty hallways multiple times per week. Temperature sensors near the elevator consistently register ten-degree drops during these unexplained stops.

Paranormal Investigations & Findings

The Eastern Iowa Paranormal Society conducted a comprehensive investigation at The Roosevelt in October 2017. Their team of six investigators spent three nights examining the hotel’s most active locations.

They documented multiple EVP recordings containing intelligent responses to questions posed during their sessions. Electromagnetic field detectors showed significant fluctuations in rooms 712, 428, and throughout the seventh-floor hallway.

Temperature anomalies were recorded using thermal imaging cameras, showing distinct cold spots moving through hallways. These cold zones measured fifteen to twenty degrees cooler than surrounding areas and appeared to move with purpose.

The team captured several photographs containing unexplained light anomalies and what appears to be a translucent figure. Their final report concluded that The Roosevelt exhibits genuine paranormal activity worthy of further investigation.

A regional paranormal television program featured The Roosevelt in a 2019 episode. The investigation team recorded compelling evidence including disembodied voices and objects moving without physical contact.

Their most dramatic footage showed a glass sliding across the bar counter in the hotel lounge. Multiple cameras captured the incident from different angles, ruling out tricks or manipulation.

Safety Warnings & Legal Restrictions

The Roosevelt is private property operating as a commercial hotel, so trespassing is strictly prohibited. Access is limited to registered guests and patrons of the restaurant and bar facilities.

Unauthorized exploration of staff-only areas or closed floors will result in immediate removal from the premises. Hotel management takes security seriously and employs overnight security personnel and surveillance systems.

Some guests experience anxiety, panic attacks, or emotional distress while staying in particularly active rooms. Anyone with serious heart conditions or psychological sensitivities should consider requesting rooms on lower floors.

The hotel is an older structure with some areas showing their age despite ongoing maintenance and renovations. Exercise caution when walking in dimly lit hallways, and report any structural concerns to the front desk.

Nearby Haunted Places

Oakland Cemetery – Haunted Cemetery in Iowa City, Iowa

📍 22.7 miles

Edinburgh Manor – Haunted Poor Farm in Scotch Grove, Iowa

📍 29.4 miles

Independence State Hospital – Haunted Asylum in Independence, Iowa

📍 35.6 miles

Farrar Schoolhouse – Haunted School in Farrar, Iowa

📍 88.5 miles

Ridgeway Ghost / Stagecoach Road – Haunted Road in Ridgeway, Wisconsin

📍 109.3 miles

Tinker Swiss Cottage – Haunted Victorian Museum in Rockford, Illinois

📍 133 miles