Podcast Summary: Sightings – "Check In To The Stanley Hotel: Colorado, 1952"
Introduction
In the June 9, 2025 episode of Sightings, hosted by McLeod Andrews and Brian Sigley, the hosts delve into the enigmatic history of the Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, Colorado—a location immortalized by Stephen King as the inspiration for his novel, The Shining. This episode intertwines a dramatized ghost story with historical facts and insightful discussions, offering listeners a comprehensive exploration of the hotel's supernatural reputation.
Main Story Recap: A Haunting Stay in 1952
The episode opens with a fictional account narrated by Clive Williamson, a retired investment banker, who recounts his and his wife Eleanor's experiences during their 1952 stay at the Stanley Hotel. Seeking a cure for Eleanor's deteriorating respiratory condition, they check into the prestigious Room 217, unaware of the hotel's haunted legacy.
As Eleanor's health improves dramatically—she gains color and vitality—Clive notices inexplicable occurrences: objects moving autonomously, eerie sounds of footsteps, and unsettling apparitions. Despite initial rationalizations attributing these events to altitude-induced paranoia, the experiences intensify, revealing the hotel's ghostly inhabitants.
A pivotal moment occurs when Clive encounters the reflection of FO Stanley, the hotel's founder, in a mirror—a presence long deceased but bound to the hotel. This confrontation leads to a supernatural agreement allowing Clive and Eleanor to continue their stays, balancing the hotel's ethereal influences with their desire to leave.
Notable Quote:
Clive Williamson (Narration): "The Stanley Hotel was haunted, and its spirits seemed to have become very aware of me." ([14:45])
Historical Background of the Stanley Hotel
Transitioning from the dramatized narrative, McLeod and Genevieve provide a rich history of the Stanley Hotel. FO Stanley, an inventor and automobile magnate, built the hotel in 1909 after recovering from tuberculosis, much like Eleanor in the story. The hotel was a marvel of its time, featuring modern amenities such as electricity and hydraulic elevators but ironically lacked heating, limiting it to summer operations.
The hosts recount the 1911 gas explosion in Room 217, where chambermaid Elizabeth Wilson survived an accident only to remain as one of the hotel's first ghosts. Stanley himself passed away in 1940, followed by his wife Flora in 1939, both believed to be eternally tied to the hotel.
Notable Quote:
McLeod Andrews: "He built basically the most modern hotel west of the Mississippi... it catered to the wealthy, much like the character in our story." ([29:11])
Paranormal Theories and Explanations
Delving into the paranormal aspects, the hosts discuss various theories explaining the Stanley Hotel's haunted reputation:
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Electronic Voice Phenomena (EVP): Many guests have recorded unexplained voices, attributed by some to residual energies or spirits.
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Electromagnetic Field (EMF) Interference: The hotel's old electrical systems, including one of the oldest Otis elevators, may cause interference leading to ghostly apparitions in photos and auditory hallucinations.
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Quartz Concentration: The hotel's construction includes high quartz content, which some believe can capture and retain paranormal energy.
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Environmental Factors: Elements like mold or carbon monoxide from the old building's infrastructure might induce hallucinations or sensory distortions among guests.
Notable Quote:
Genevieve: "So my countertops are just like a magnet for possession?" ([37:25])
Discussion and Insights
The hosts juxtapose the Stanley Hotel's ghost stories with Stephen King's experiences during his stay in the 1970s. King, seeking solitude to overcome writer's block, found the hotel's eerie atmosphere inspiring, leading to the creation of The Shining. Although King did not personally witness ghosts, his vivid dream about his son running through the corridors cemented the hotel's influence on his work.
They explore the nature of the hotel's apparitions, noting that many are perceived as benevolent or tied to the hotel's history rather than purely malevolent entities. This distinction sets the Stanley Hotel apart from other haunted locations, emphasizing a sense of lingering devotion rather than random supernatural aggression.
Notable Quote:
Genevieve: "The haunting coming out of, like, an intense love for a place." ([39:53])
Conclusion
The episode concludes with McLeod and Genevieve reflecting on the unique atmosphere of the Stanley Hotel, where ghostly presences seem more like devoted caretakers than vengeful spirits. They invite listeners to share their own experiences and tease upcoming episodes, including a collaboration with My Victorian Nightmare to explore haunted houses in England.
Notable Quote:
McLeod Andrews: "If there are actually ghosts at the Stanley Hotel, that's where I would like to imagine that they are filling that space of kind of wistful remembrance." ([39:37])
Final Thoughts
"Check In To The Stanley Hotel: Colorado, 1952" masterfully blends a compelling narrative with historical facts and paranormal theories, providing a multifaceted view of one of America's most famous haunted hotels. Whether you're a fan of ghost stories, history, or Stephen King, this episode offers an engaging exploration that leaves listeners pondering the thin veil between the living and the supernatural.
References: For more information and additional sources, visit the Sightings Podcast website.