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The Algonquin Hotel:
New York, New York
 In
the heart of Mid-town Manhattan is a marvelous (and legendary) hotel,
The Algonquin.
Designated as a
Historic Hotel of America by the National Trust of Historic
Preservation, the Algonquin has attracted prominent writers, artists,
musicians and literary personalities from its very beginning in 1902.
The Algonquin is best known for the daily meetings (starting in 1919) of
the legendary “Round Table.” This august group of literary luminaries
included the likes of
Dorothy Parker, Robert Benchley, Franklin Pierce, Robert Sherwood, Harpo
Marx, Alexander Woollcott, Harold Ross, George S. Kaufman, Heywood
Broun, Marc Connelly and Edna Ferber.
Members of the Round Table referred to themselves as the “vicious
circle” and spent their days exchanging witticisms, critical insights,
and opinions, sometimes so profound that it influenced the works of
others, such as Ernest Hemingway and F. Scott Fitzgerald. The Round
Table literally influenced the literary style for decades.
Today, many guests report encounters with the spirits of these long
departed luminaries, as do members of the hotel staff. Generally the
sightings occur in the cozy restaurant area in the wee hours, but they
also occur periodically throughout the hotel.
On
one of my occasions to stay at the Algonquin, I experienced two separate
unexplained incidents. Staying on the ninth floor I was awakened from a
sound sleep to a tapping sound coming from the bathroom. The sound was
like a razor or metal comb being tapped on the side of the porcelain
sink. Turning on the bedside light I could easily see there was no one
in the bath room.
The
second incident occurred the next night as I returned from a river
cruise on the Highlander. It was about 1:45 AM when I took the elevator
to the ninth floor. Walking to my room I heard footsteps coming up the
narrow stair well. I hesitated as the sound got closer and closer I
looked down the stairwell and saw no one. The foot steps stopped at
what I estimated to be halfway up the stairwell where I could have
easily seen someone. The footsteps did not continue and I heard no
other sound.
I
was told (confidentially) by a staff member that from time to time
others have commented on foot steps.
by: Dr. Von Zuko 2007©
The White Eagle Tavern: Portland
Oregon
 One
of Portland's most notorious haunted locations, The White Eagle Tavern
has been a topic of interest for ghost hunters for many years.
Built around 1905 near the Willamette River, The White Eagle has served
as both tavern and house of ill repute in its sordid past.
The White Eagle was a rough and tumble place in its day and had a
reputation for sporadic violence. Several people have met with an
untimely demise within its walls. It
is reasonable to expect that its frequent paranormal occurrences are a
reflection of its shady past.
While
paranormal incidents occur throughout the building, much of the
paranormal activity centers on the second floor above the bar,
this is alleged to have been the "whites only" brothel.
In the basement there was an alleged opium den, where prostitutes from
the "Far East" were also offered.
There are
a dozen or so rooms upstairs which remain locked at all times, yet the
doors are frequently found open or locked at random. The current owner of
the tavern has never had any keys to these rooms, and the second floor is always
closed off to patrons and the staff. Frequently the sounds of moving
furniture or footsteps filter down through the ceiling. When
someone does go to investigate no one is ever found.
There
have been many reported incidents of objects being moved, such as bar
ware and utensils. Even full mugs of beer are sometimes
mysteriously drained, seemingly on their own and many times in full view
of witnesses. Frequently visitors catch the sent of cheap rose
scented perfume and strange unexpected breezes in areas of the bar where
there should be none.
Ghostly
apparitions have been seen on occasion, but mostly these paranormal
incidents occur in the basement. I have been to the White Eagle
and there is definitely an ominous feeling to the basement.
by: Dr. Von Zuko 2007©
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