This 124-Year-Old Hotel Is One Of The Most Haunted Places In Minnesota… And You Can Spend The Night
As a Midwestern state, Minnesota has a reputation for being friendly. But few people know that the Land of 10,000 Lakes has a dark side. It comes in the form of haunted places, which are scattered in every corner of the state. You may run into a wandering spirit at a concert at First Avenue, an otherwise peaceful cemetery, or even a restaurant.
But there’s another possibility that might be the most frightening of all. You can spend the night in a 124-year-old haunted hotel that might just be the most haunted place in Minnesota. Read on to learn about the hair-raising history of this haunted place.
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The Thayer Hotel is located in Annandale, Minnesota. This small town is about 50 miles northwest of Minneapolis. Address: 60 Elm Street West, Annandale, MN 55302.
The hotel started out as the Charles Hotel way back in 1888. The hotel sadly burnt down in 1894. But the following year, the hotel was rebuilt with funding from Albert Augustus Thayer. This 1895 version of the hotel still stands today, 124 years later.
As you might imagine, the Thayer Hotel has seen a thing or two in its long history. The nearby railroad line brought in guests of all stripes. But as the railroad declined, so did guests. The hotel closed in the 1970s.
With restorations and updates, the old hotel was brought back to life. There is even a restaurant on the premises that serves up delicious, fresh food.
Two rooms, in particular, are said to host restless spirits. The first is room 305, or Gus's Room, named after Augustus Thayer. This room has hosted the most encounters.
Room 306, or Miss Lily's Room, is also thought to be haunted. In fact, it is named for the ghost said to be haunting the Thayer. Staff members have complained that this purple-themed room is especially eerie after dark.
The Thayer Hotel in Annandale, Minnesota, might just be one of the most haunted places in Minnesota. This 124-year-old hotel is certainly full of history, but is it also full of ghostly spirits? You will have to be the judge.
For more information on the Thayer Hotel and its long history, take a look at their website and Facebook page. And if you love reading about haunted hotels in Minnesota, don’t forget to read our list of the 8 most haunted hotels in Minnesota.
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Betsy is a Minneapolis-based writer who's lived in Minnesota for 20 years. If you know of any amazing Minnesota restaurants, nature areas, or other attractions, feel free to let her know about them at brathburn@onlyinyourstate.com or on Twitter @betsyrathburn.
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