You Might Be Rooming With A Ghost At This Haunted Hotel In Illinois
What is it about the world of the paranormal that is so intriguing to us humans? Are we titillated by the thought that we cannot truly know if spirits or an afterlife exists, or are we so moved by the plight of our fellow humans that we forget that ghosts are dead people? Whatever the reason, we can’t help but be fascinated by the paranormal, and there’s one town in Illinois known for its spooky activity. In addition to hosting what just may be the most haunted hotel in Illinois, Galena features a few other haunted landmarks. The DeSoto Hotel, however, is arguably its most famous landmark. Check it out:
The DeSoto House Hotel is located in Galena, a little town with a big story to tell.
Galena is a fairly small town of just a few thousand residents, but paranormal experts assert that there could be just as many ghostly residents hanging around this community. Locals and paranormal enthusiasts assert that many landmarks in this town are haunted, including the DeSoto House Hotel. The town's first sightings date back to the 1800s, establishing a long history of hauntings.
This cozy destination offers 55 unique Victorian-style rooms named for historic figures of Galena past.
As the oldest operating hotel in Illinois, this unique destination has a story to tell. It was founded in 1855 and has hosted some famous guests over the years.
It's the coziest place to plan a business meeting or banquet, as their entertainment space is chic and welcoming.
This historic hotel has a past full of surprises. It caught fire on June 2, 1859, leaving the entire hotel damaged. In 1869, a steam boiler in its basement exploded. However, the identity of "The Lady In Black" is something of a mystery. Nonetheless, employees and visitors alike report seeing her walk down the stairs and disappear into a wall.
If the Lady in Black seems like a tall tale, you may be surprised to learn that there is evidence to allude to her existence.
As mentioned before, the ghostly woman would descend the staircase and disappear into a wall. A flood in 2011 forced the hotel to make repairs, and when they removed the drywall near where the Lady in Black was spotted... well, they found out that the wall she disappears into used to be a doorway. Today, it is left open for visitors to admire.
If the spooks and thrills of this pretty hotel leave you working up an appetite, you'll want to swing by Generals' for dinner.
Nikki is a lifelong Ohioan with a love for literature. She holds a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Akron and has enjoyed publishing her written work since 2007. She has a love of travel and does so frequently, though she believes that home is where the heart is - she continues to work in and around Cleveland as a digital content specialist to this day, working on everything from commercial scripts and social media posts to grassroots marketing initiatives.
