Morbid Podcast Summary: Episode 689 – The Crescent Hotel

Release Date: July 14, 2025

In Episode 689 of Morbid, titled "The Crescent Hotel," hosts Elena and Ash delve into the eerie history and haunting tales of one of America’s most infamous hotels. Nestled in Eureka Springs, Arkansas, the Crescent Hotel stands as a monument to opulence, tragedy, and supernatural phenomena. This detailed exploration uncovers the hotel's transformation over the decades, the dark chapter involving Norman Baker, and the lingering spirits that continue to draw curious visitors from around the world.

1. Introduction to the Crescent Hotel

Elena and Ash kick off the episode with their enthusiasm for the Crescent Hotel, highlighting its reputation as a hotspot for ghost enthusiasts. Elena shares her personal connection through TikTok interactions with the hotel's staff, expressing excitement about visiting the famed establishment:
"I have been following the Crescent Hotel on TikTok forever. Like, since I got on TikTok, and they followed me back..." [03:34]

2. Historical Background

The hosts provide a comprehensive background of the Crescent Hotel's origins. Constructed in 1884 under the vision of Governor Powell Clayton, the hotel was designed to serve as a wellness retreat, capitalizing on the healing properties attributed to the natural springs of Eureka Springs. Architect Isaac S. Taylor crafted the building in a Romanesque Revival style, characterized by round arches, brick and stone towers, and asymmetrical designs that contribute to its majestic appearance:
"Architect Isaac S. Taylor built the hotel in a Romanesque revival style... It sits on top of Crescent Mountain, and it's really, like, towers over the area..." [11:00]

3. Conversion to a Women’s College and the Onset of Hauntings

By 1908, financial strains led to the hotel's transformation into the Crescent College and Conservatory for Young Ladies, a pioneering women's college offering courses still relevant today. This period also marks the beginning of reported supernatural activities. Tragedies during construction, including the death of Mason Michael—a worker believed to haunt room 218—set the stage for the hotel's ghostly legends:
"Legend has it he specifically haunts room 218. And he really favors the ladies." [19:16]

4. Norman Baker and the Dark Chapter

A significant portion of the episode focuses on Norman Baker, a charismatic but deceitful figure who seized the Crescent Hotel in 1938. Promising a revolutionary cancer cure through his concoction "Formula 5," Baker turned the hotel into a makeshift hospital. His fraudulent practices led to numerous deaths, hidden in the hotel's basement morgue:
"He claimed he could cure cancer with the power of a determined mind and something called Formula 5." [28:30]
"A lot of people died under his quote-unquote care. At least 42 people were picked up by the mortuary..." [43:58]

Baker's unscrupulous methods and eventual arrest for mail fraud add a deeply unsettling layer to the hotel's history:
"So he ended up being sentenced to four years in jail and got a four thousand dollar fine this time." [47:07]

5. Recent Discoveries and Intensified Hauntings

In 2019, grounds manager Susan Benson unearthed over 500 jars containing human tissue and alcohol in the hotel's grounds, corroborating the grim history of Baker’s operations:
"So pulling out that jar loosened up the earth around it, and within an hour, she had pulled out a hundred more jars filled with weird ass just like that." [50:37]

These findings have intensified paranormal activities within the hotel, particularly in areas formerly used as the hospital:
"After the jars were found, they got buried in the back. Sharon told a reporter in 2024 there’s a woman seen at the end of the bed wearing a white nightgown, probably from the 30s..." [55:07]

6. Ghost Stories and Apparitions

The Crescent Hotel is rife with ghostly apparitions, each with their own haunting tale:

• Norman Baker's Ghost: Described as an unfriendly presence, Baker's spirit is often seen in purple attire, reminiscent of his obsession with the color purple during his life:
  "People have seen him dressed in one of either his purple suits or a purple tie." [56:20]

• Theodora: A benevolent spirit residing in room 419, known for tidying up guests' belongings:
  "She usually stays in room 419... If you leave anything scattered around your room, you're gonna come back to have everything neatly folded in one spot." [57:05]

• Morris the Cat: A beloved feline spirit who roamed the hotel for 21 years, affectionately known as the general manager until his death in 1994:
  "Morris the cat... was referred to as the general manager and lived in luxury within the hotel." [58:23]

Guests report a variety of paranormal experiences, from tapping on doors and sudden temperature drops to sightings of apparitions and mysterious sounds:
"People waking up in the night and hearing wheels squeaking past their room... They see a nurse wheeling a gurney down a hall." [45:07]
"Dana felt the bed shift and saw a shadow person at the foot of her bed while her daughter was still sleeping beside her." [61:12]

7. The Hotel Today and Its Popularity

Today, the Crescent Hotel is not only a place of luxury accommodation but also a premier destination for ghost tours, attracting over 35,000 visitors annually. Its storied past and haunted reputation make it a magnet for both history enthusiasts and paranormal investigators:
"In 2005, Ghost Hunters called the Crescent Hotel the holy grail of ghost hunting." [63:30]

The hotel maintains its legacy with ongoing ghost tours, preserving the eerie allure that has captivated generations:
"If you want to book a stay, you can head over to crescent-hotel.com/stay or give a call to 855-725-5720 and tell them Morbid sent you." [63:44]

8. Conclusion: Legacy of the Crescent Hotel

Elena and Ash conclude the episode by reflecting on the deep scars left by Norman Baker's fraudulent practices and the enduring spirits that inhabit the Crescent Hotel. The blend of historical grandeur, tragic history, and supernatural lore cements the hotel’s place in true crime and paranormal narratives:
"Norman was wrong, and with that, we leave you... We hope you keep listening and keep it weird." [64:23]

Notable Quotes:

• Elena: "I have been following the Crescent Hotel on TikTok forever..." [03:34]

• Ash: "It is said to be one of America's most haunted hotels." [09:05]

• Ash: "He claimed he could cure cancer with the power of a determined mind and something called Formula 5." [28:30]

• Elena: "That is the most ominous shit I've ever heard." [56:17]

This episode of Morbid masterfully intertwines historical facts with spine-chilling anecdotes, offering listeners a comprehensive and engaging exploration of the Crescent Hotel’s haunted legacy. Whether you're a seasoned ghost hunter or a true crime aficionado, Episode 689 provides a captivating journey into one of America's most storied and spectral locales.