Spirits of Guests from both classes still love to stay, causing some paranormal activity.

Past Owners like to try to help.

Spirits who suffered emotional trauma here find themselves stuck.

DESCRIPTION

The Shanley Hotel is a three story Dutch Colonial hotel that looks big on the Main Street of Napanoch. It has a marvelous front porch and historic curb appeal. It is obvious that they promote their ghost hunting business plans because of the cute ghost figure seen on the porch and the fact that it hasn’t been painted recently making it look old and haunted for the benefit of the public.

The 35 room hotel has 10 rooms for their guests, mostly on the second and third floors. It has been beautifully restored, with antiques, painted floors, and lovely decor throughout the building that rings true with the James Shanley years.

Off the first floor is a creaky, funky set of stairs that lead to the Shanley Bordello, with spaces for three or four women of yesteryear to meet the sexual needs of the wealthy men who came to stay at the Shanley Hotel. This amenity was appreciated at least until the Federal raid of 1932, which may have put a dent in not only their speakeasy business conducted in the secret room down in the basement, but in the Shanley Bordello as well.

HISTORY

The original hotel establishment that appealed to a wide range of people, with special privileges to their wealthy gentlemen guests, was first built in 1845 by Thomas Ritch. Ritch promoted his hotel, The Thomas Ritch Hotel, as being “one of the area’s best with fine food and new furnishing.” Its location was near the railroad and provided rooms for travelers all year long, for vacationers, and area workers who were employed locally.

Only six years later, The Shanley Hotel was bought by a Mr. Hungerford and became Hungerford’s Hotel. Hungerford carried on the tradition of providing guest rooms in a high class place, and continued to offer the Gentlemen’s Club that had its own private bordello.

Several owners followed. Adolph Wagner, who bought the hotel in January of 1887, suffered a financial loss when the hotel caught fire from the sparks coming from a neighboring house, on March 18th, 1895. As the hotel had burned to its foundation, Wagner raised funds and rebuilt it, opening once again in September of 1895.

On October 1st, 1906, Wagner sold the hotel to Irishman James Shanley, a successful entrepreneur with an outgoing personality. James renamed the hotel after himself and added more wholesome activities for his guests, including a barber shop, a bowling alley and a billiard room.

James married the love of his life, Beatrice Rowly, and the couple enjoyed running the hotel together. They loved their community, welcoming everyone and made the hotel the social event place for the town and outsiders as well. They in turn were well-loved by all. They sponsored all sorts of social occasions to entertain the town and guests alike, such as card and domino tournaments, glorious parties, high teas and other fun events.

During Prohibition, The Shanley Hotel had a speakeasy for the benefit of their guests and the town’s citizens, like many hotels and inns. The Shanley Hotel Speakeasy was located in a secret room in the basement. It was raided only once by police in 1932, resulting in the confiscation of alcohol and some arrests, including James Shanley and his associate, John Powers. They were arraigned in Federal Court, but served no time. They probably paid a fine.

Seven years after James Shanley died of a heart attack, Beatrice Shanley sold their beloved Shanley Hotel to Allen Hazen in 1944. Running a hotel had lost its appeal to her, and she wanted to be with the rest of her family in New York City.

After Alan Hazen died, many owners took the reigns of this beloved hotel but didn’t invest in it. When it became a rather expensive fixer upper opportunity, the hotel was abandoned and left vacant, except for the spirit residents, in 1991.

Fortunately for us all, Salvatore Nicosia and his wife, who were real estate flippers, bought the then crumbling hotel in 2005 as a flip opportunity, but they wound up falling in love with it, as they spent time, energy and funds to fully restore it to its former self.

Salvatore found out that there were many unseen, friendly residents cheering him on. On July 7th 2005 when escrow closed, the fact that they inherited the spirit company became real after hearing footsteps coming up the staircase, while they sat around on the second floor discussing what the restoration plans for the hotel would be.

The next day, he and a friend went out and purchased some basic ghost hunting tools and the spirits enthusiastically responded. Due to the amount of spirit activity in The Shanley Hotel, a big part of the business plan is to cater to paranormal investigation groups and paranormal classes. The spirits are willing participants, wanting to help the owners and have fun at the same time.

This business plan began from the grand opening of The Shanley Hotel in 2008. The public was invited in a big way; “The Spirits are in!” Hard evidence and personal experiences with the spirits was posted on the website and offered “paranormal workshops, in-house psychics, and ghost tours.”

People in search of a haunted hotel to stay can do so as well; just not when a private group investigation is taking place, as they take over the whole hotel.

HISTORY OF MANIFESTATIONS

Restoration of a fixer upper opportunity structure can act like an environmental trigger, and draw spirits who love the building.

The Baker Hotel, TX (Many people throughout the years had wonderful memories of The Baker Hotel, and when they passed on, some have decided to spend their afterlives here).

The Menger Hotel, TX (The spirits of past guests still enjoy staying in their favorite rooms).

Crescent Hotel, AR (Spirits who have found favorite places to be in the hotel, all like to congregate at times in the dining room, according to several psychics).

The Shanley Hotel, NY (Guests from the working class to the wealthy loved staying at the Shanley Hotel. Apparently, some still check in and have even chosen to spend their afterlives here).

Owners who really loved their hotels and inns often like to visit or stay there in their afterlives, sometimes helping the living when they can.

Eldridge Hotel, KS (The spirit of Col. Shalor Eldridge has been clearly seen by staff and guests alike, keeping a friendly eye on the living. He shows hospitality, gives encouragement to the staff and tries to help them).

Stanley Hotel, CO (The spirit of Freelan Stanley keeps a close eye on the work ethics of staff).

Thayers’ Historic Hotel, MN (The spirits of Gus and Caroline Thayer still love to be the hosts, and do their best to welcome the living).

The Shanley Hotel, NY (The spirits of several owners from The Shanley Hotel’s past still visit or stay, trying to be helpful to the living or remembering their memories).

People who have really enjoyed their employment while alive, often like to continue to do so.

Little White House, FL (Apparently, a strong-willed spectral house manager hasn’t retired just yet).

Brumder Mansion, WI (The spirits of two house managers, and employees of the speakeasy, have given themselves new assignments to do for the current owners).

Boca Raton Resort & Club, FL (The spirit of a dedicated employee still serves the resort’s guests).

The Shanley Hotel, NY (Some former employees of the Shanley Hotel building are still around enjoying the memories of their service, and want to be part of it even in spirit form, including a former cook, bartender and barber.

People who suffer a devastating loss while alive, sometimes can’t let go of their grief for a variety of reasons when they pass into spirit form, and are unable to let go.

Infirmary for Women, KY (While three spirits of women died in childbirth, their children lived. They were unable to rest until they knew how their children were doing).

Pittsburgh Playhouse, PA (In the row house fire, everyone escaped except a woman named Eleanor and her daughter. She mourns the loss of her daughter, and perhaps her own life. As she haunts the land, whatever building is constructed there will probably experience her continued mourning).

The Carleton House Fort Huachuca, AZ (A young woman, perhaps a teenager, died in childbirth in this building when it was still a hospital. Her newborn son died a few days afterward, perhaps too premature to make it. Her spirit is still looking for her baby, who was probably buried in an unmarked grave because he was illegitimate).

The Shanley Hotel, NY (Mrs. Beatrice Shanley lost three children in their infancy and suffered her sister’s premature death because of childbirth. While she was able to raise her sister’s children, she dearly missed her sister and couldn’t stop mourning for her own dead children).

Children who die near or in a favorite place sometimes choose to stay in this structure.

Las Cruces Railroad Museum, NM (The spirit of a young boy who may have been hit by a car in front or by a train, has moved into the museum because of his love for trains).

Bennett Bee House, CA (Several children met their death at this mansion, and are active as spirit).

Orpheum Theatre, TN (A twelve-year-old girl was hit by a car on the street just outside this theatre. Her spirit now resides inside).

The Shanley Hotel, NY (Three-year-old Rosie Grager, the daughter of the Shanley Hotel barber, fell down a well on the property and drowned. She probably played in The Shanley Hotel at times when her father was cutting hair. A six-year-old boy, Johnathon was hit by a car being backed out of the driveway of the house next door to the hotel).

When spirit children stay in a favorite place, sometimes their parents or parent will stay with them.

McRaven House, MS (With the spirits of five of the Murray children staying, the spirits of Mr. and Mrs. Murray also want to stay in a home near their children: two little sons, one grown son and their daughters Ella and Annie. The spirits of the two young boys like to play with the toys left for them by the staff. They also try to play with the children who are taking the tour with their parents).

Saint James Hotel, NM (The spirit of Mary Lambert, the innkeeper’s wife, has chosen to stay to try to get the spirit of her two-year old son, Johnnie, to leave with her. Johnnie died from a hot water accident, and so far is still a handful).

Levy Mansion, NV (A tragic accident resulted in two restless spirits. One spirit is an active youngster who suffered a fatal fall. The second is the guilt-ridden uncle or father, who was supposed to have been keeping the child safe).

The Shanley Hotel, NY (The father of Rosie, Peter Grager, who worked as a barber at The Shanley, was devastated at the accidental death of his daughter. As Rosie has chosen to stay at the hotel, her dad stays as well to look after her.

Experiencing a death by murder or suicide can leave restless spirits.

Suicide has proven not to be a quick path to inner-peace for some, who only find this out after killing themselves. They still have the pain and distress they were suffering while alive, and find themselves tied to the place of their death, sometimes regretting their hasty choice.

Hotel Adolphus, TX (Heartbreak caused a tragic act and the haunting of a forlorn, lonely spirit).

The Rothschild House, WA (When Rothschild shot himself, he did it on the beach south of town, so his family wouldn’t be the first to find his body. He might have had regrets, and decided to spend his afterlife in his dream home, remembering the good times, as well as keeping an eye on the surviving family members).

The Comedy Store, CA (Comedian Steve Lubetkin killed himself because he had hoped to resurrect his comedic career here, and couldn’t face not having this chance to do so. He regrets his action and hangs around).

The Shanley Hotel, NY (A distraught man committed suicide in the Blue Room Bathroom after he lost everything in the 1929 market crash. His name may be Vincent).

Prostitution has long been a risky business for women’s mental and physical well-being, sometimes ending in their death. When prostitutes feel hopeless about finding a man who would marry them and take them out of this destructive lifestyle, they often choose to kill themselves. Prostitutes sometimes were killed by their customers as well. Sometimes they caught terminal diseases from so much close contact.

The Palace Hotel, WA (The lady in blue fell in love with one of her clients who loved her too, offering to elope with her. When he got cold feet, and never showed up, she killed herself. She haunts the hotel, still waiting for him to rescue her and fulfill his promise).

The Dumas Brothel, MT A prostitute was murdered in her crib located in the basement. Her spirit still mourns her death, leaving a bloody handprint for the living to see).

Miss Molly’s B & B, TX (One prostitute died from lung disease, probably TB. Her spirit still is active in her room, being very friendly to any man who stays there).

The Shanley Hotel, NY (The Shanley Bordello is quite haunted by former prostitutes who may have killed themselves, were murdered by clients, or developed fatal diseases).

Murders of people that happened near or in a structure can result in the spirits of these violently deceased moving into it. Sometimes their killers also are stuck in the same place.

Bobby MacKay’s, KY (Two dental students, Scott Jackson and Alonzo Wallin were members of a Satanic cult, meeting in the old slaughterhouse building which later became Bobby Mackay’s. Scott Jackson got his girlfriend Pearl pregnant. She refused to have an abortion, which would have gotten them a fetus for the cult. Just outside the building, Scott drugged her soda and tried to perform the abortion himself. When this failed, they started to cut off her head as she was becoming conscious. Though she fought back, they finally succeeded. The spirit of Pearl wanders around inside, holding her head, and her killers are stuck there because of their evil deed).

Shanghai Tunnels, OR (Many captives died in the Portland Tunnels’ underground cells because of harsh treatment, lack of food and water, and overdoses of knock-out drugs. Their kidnappers, known as the Crimps, are also stuck here. They had no conscience, acted despicably, and hurt others for personal gain. They are grounded there by a higher power).

Joshua Ward House (Merchant Inn), MA (The evil spirit of Sheriff George Corwin is stuck in the basement where he sadistically tortured and killed suspected witches. Two spirits of his victims are still in the house, angry that he is there too).

The Shanley Hotel, NY (The nine year old daughter of a Napanoch minister was kidnapped and brutally stabbed to death by Alfred E. Volckmann near the hotel. Both the spirits of the girl and her killer are in the hotel).

Having a life taken at the hands of another is upsetting enough (Lumber Baron Mansion, CO), but it adds insult to injury when people in this world believe the killer’s ploy or the establishment’s cover-up story to protect the killer and/or more likely protect the reputation of the business where it took place to make the murder look like a suicide.

The King’s Tavern, MS (The owner, Mr. King, started to have an affair with a pretty young server, Madelene. Mrs. King had her murdered, and her body was bricked up in the chimney along with two other men that Mrs. King didn’t like either. The one nasty spirit who was a highwayman while alive makes it hard to run a business here. He has gotten powerful, and bullies the living with the aim of having the tavern for himself. This spirit possessed two of the Ghost Adventures crew when they investigated this old building (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2845924/) (discovery plus Ghost Adventures, Season 8, Ep 17).

Stone’s Public House, MA (A card shark was accused of cheating and was murdered inadvertently in a fight with a relative of the owner. His body was buried in an unmarked grave in the dirt basement. His spirit wants the truth to be known).

Bissman Building, OH (Bissman Building, OH (Ruthie was murdered probably by one of the employees, or perhaps by a family friend. To protect whoever killed her, or to avoid the publicity, Ruthie’s death was hidden as it wasn’t reported to the authorities, and she wasn’t buried in the family plot. Her spirit loves to stay on the third floor, with the spirit of her aunt. She will communicate with the living, but won’t tell anyone who murdered her).

The Shanley Hotel, NY (Though the official story explaining the death of Claire is that she supposedly hung herself from the third floor, it is now thought she may have been killed, because of what her spirit has shared through EVP’s. This could’ve been a cover-up story for her murderer, someone whom she crossed. Or, the cover-up protected the hotel’s reputation).

The mobsters had the bad habit of killing people who said the wrong thing, knew too much, or had the potential to be trouble. A lot of speakeasies had a mob-connection, a business relationship with strings that were attached, meaning their involvement.

The Rex, MT (The Rex Hotel offered a floating speakeasy that set up in a different room each night. Their finger prints are on the murdered bartender who was skimming money. His spirit still tries to do his job, and has told investigators what he had done to get murdered).

Brumder Mansion, IN (Part of the speakeasy in the basement set up by the mob, was the gambling tables. One gambler was caught cheating and severely dealt with by the mob enforcer). (See hauntedhouses.com story Brumder Mansion Bed and Breakfast, WI).

The Shanley Hotel, NY (It is probable though not proven that the Mafia had some fingers in the Shanley Hotel Speakeasy and perhaps The Shanley Bordello. They may have been responsible for some of the murderers that happened here).

This opens up the possibility of death and pain as this was the answer to issues with people who were a liability to them. Hard evidence gathered by paranormal investigators and also personal experiences suggest that people could’ve been murdered. The remains of people that the mob may have killed could have been buried in the former dirt basement. Hiding bodies was in the playbook of mob culture. (see related post: KY Liberty Hall, murdered opera singer) What is known as silent screaming apparitions, with mouths wide open have been photographed in the basement).

O’Henry’s Roadhouse Building, IL (People who were fired or displeased by the mob, were killed and buried in the basement). (See hauntedhouses.com story: O’Henry’s Roadhouse Building in IL).

Wabasha Street Caves, MN (Three card-playing gangsters were gunned down by a hitman. Their bodies were quickly buried in one of the unused caves. Their spirits make themselves feel better by hanging around and enjoying all the social occasions booked here).

The Bar Next Door, WI (It is said that a human body was buried behind the fireplace in the upstairs banquet room, a casualty of a shootout. It is thought that Eddie Touhy’s remains are laid to rest here. In the FBI report, Eddie Touhy wasn’t mentioned at all, because he was probably already dead; disappearing behind the fireplace, to hide his demise from enemies).

The Shanley Hotel, NY (In the secret room where the speakeasy was up and running, people feel the sensation of being handcuffed or tied up, which may reflect the Federal raid of the Shanley Speakeasy in 1932, and/or the restraining of people out of favor with the Mob enforcer).

What is known as silent screaming apparitions, with mouths wide open (see related post: KY Liberty Hall – murdered opera singer) have been photographed.

MANIFESTATIONS

It is reported in some sources that as many as 30 to 40 spirits either visit or stick around for the reasons stated above.

Listed below are just a few of the spirits known to have a connection to this hotel. For complete stories of their spirits, visit the Shanley Hotel and go on one of their ghost tours, or participate in one of their ghost investigations. You can also check into one of their haunted rooms, bring your EVP recorder and catch your own evidence.

PARANORMAL FINDINGS

Many EVP’s have been recorded, including: “I said answer me kid!” * “Murdered” * “No!!!!”

“I said Nothing!” * “Take Care” * “Betty”? These and more are linked on the official website.

Personal experiences never seem to stop.

The late owner, Sal Nicosia, reported seeing “a full-bodied apparition of a woman going from one room to another on the third floor eight months after he bought the house.”

“Sometimes, when I’m alone in the building, I hear my name being called out and people talking, and there’s nobody there,” he said. The children’s spirits liked to call his name and followed him around.

Thanks to many paranormal investigations, both scientific and psychic in nature, a lot of information about The Shanley Hotel’s spirits has been gathered. Personal experiences have been firmly backed up with hard evidence. The spirits find it entertaining and cooperate. They love having the living come and play with them, and get their chuckles and perhaps some peace in telling what happened to them, and /or why they choose to visit or stay.

STILL HAUNTED?

A huge “Yes Indeed” is in order. There have been numerous personal experiences and because the spirits are a cooperative group, a lot of convincing pictures have been caught in photos and film, along with numerous EVP’s. It is definitely an enormous paranormal hot spot waiting to be experienced.

LOCATION

Shanley Hotel
56 Main Street,
Napanoch, New York 12458

The Shanley Hotel is located in the Hudson Valley, off the 55 Hwy in the small town of Napanoch. It sits on the corner of Main Street and Clinton St.

SOURCES INCLUDE

• The Big Book of New York Ghost Stories,
  by Cheri Revai, Stockpole Books, 2009.
• paranormalstories.blogspot.com, Posted by Andrea Allison, on Friday, October 07, 2011
• dailyfreeman.com
• shanleyhotel.com

Our Haunted Paranormal Stories are Written by Julie Carr

Our Photos are copyrighted by Tom Carr

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