The Basin Park Hotel

To understand the significance of the Basin Park Hotel, we first have to go back to the very beginning—before the hotel, before the tourism, even before the founding of Eureka Springs. The area around what is now Basin Spring was once considered sacred by Native American tribes. They believed the waters had healing properties, and the spring was a place of both physical and spiritual renewal.

Fast forward to the late 19th century, when word began to spread that these "miracle waters" were curing everything from arthritis to blindness. By the 1880s, Eureka Springs was exploding with visitors and new residents hoping to be healed. It was one of the fastest-growing cities in Arkansas, and the need for accommodations skyrocketed. Hotels, boarding houses, and bathhouses sprang up all over town.

One of those early establishments was the Perry House, a luxury hotel built on the very spot where the Basin Park Hotel now stands. Unfortunately, the Perry House burned down in 1890, leaving behind a prime piece of real estate just waiting for a second chance.

In 1905, a man named Elijah White—who also helped construct the Crescent Hotel—stepped in to build what would become the Basin Park Hotel. Taking advantage of the natural limestone bluff behind the lot, the hotel was built vertically, creating a unique structure with seven levels connected by stairs, narrow hallways, and even hidden doors. From the outside, it looks like a modest four-story building. But take one step inside, and you quickly realize this hotel has layers.

The building's architecture was part necessity, part eccentricity. Its quirky layout includes floors that don't line up, oddly shaped rooms, and staircases that seem to appear out of nowhere. It's the kind of place where you can lose your sense of direction quickly—a perfect setting for a ghost story or two.

From the moment it opened its doors, the Basin Park Hotel attracted the elite of society. Visitors would check in to take the waters, attend grand balls in the Barefoot Ballroom, and enjoy the cool mountain air. But even in its early days, there were whispers about things that went bump in the night.

Like much of Eureka Springs, the Basin Park Hotel has seen its share of hard times. Fires, financial hardship, and a changing tourism economy all left their mark. During the Prohibition era, rumors swirled that parts of the hotel were used for illegal gambling and booze—hidden away in secret rooms behind bookcases or false walls.

But not all the hotel's darker stories are rooted in rumor. Over the years, guests and staff have reported a number of accidents, medical emergencies, and even deaths on the property. One particularly tragic tale involves a young woman who is said to have jumped—or been pushed—from a balcony to her death. Others speak of construction workers who were killed during the hotel's early years, their ghosts now trapped in the limestone walls.

And then there's the energy of the bluff itself. Some paranormal investigators believe that the limestone acts as a natural battery, storing the emotional energy of those who passed through. Given the number of people who came to Eureka Springs in search of healing—and the many who never left—it's not surprising that the hotel feels so charged.

So, who—or what—is haunting the Basin Park Hotel? Ask ten different people, and you might get ten different answers. But there are a few ghostly residents who seem to make regular appearances.

One of the most commonly reported spirits is that of a cowboy. Guests on the third and fourth floors have described seeing a tall man in cowboy boots and a wide-brimmed hat, often standing silently in hallways or disappearing around corners. He never speaks but seems to be watching something or someone.

Then there's the Little Girl. Staff members have heard the giggling of a child echoing through empty stairwells, only to find no one there. Some say they've seen her darting through the hallways, always just out of reach. She's playful, not threatening—but her presence is unsettling, especially late at night.

The most haunted spot in the entire hotel, however, might be the Barefoot Ballroom. This top-floor event space has hosted everything from parties to séances, and many guests have reported experiencing cold spots, flickering lights, and even phantom music. Staff setting up for weddings have turned off the lights, only to return minutes later and find them blazing again. One bride claimed she saw a woman in Victorian dress watching her from the edge of the dance floor, then vanish before her eyes.

Paranormal investigators are especially fascinated by the lower levels of the hotel. Built directly into the bluff, these areas were once used for storage and staff quarters. Today, they house shops, a spa, and access to the ghost tour. But strange things still happen down there—whispers in empty rooms, shadow figures crossing walkways, and sudden bursts of cold air.

Some believe these ghostly manifestations are tied to the bluff itself. As mentioned earlier, limestone is said to have properties that make it an excellent conductor of spiritual energy. Combine that with the emotional weight of the thousands who sought healing here, and you've got a recipe for residual hauntings.

The Basin Park Hotel is now one of the most popular stops on Eureka Springs' many ghost tours, and it's not just for show. The stories told by guides are often corroborated by guests who had no idea the place was haunted. Some wake in the middle of the night to find their belongings moved. Others report sleep paralysis, hearing voices, or even feeling a hand on their shoulder, only to turn and find no one there.

One guest wrote in a review, "I laughed at the ghost stories until I stayed there. The lights in our bathroom kept flickering, and the mirror fogged up with handprints—when no one had taken a shower."

Another recalled, "It was 2 a.m. and I was walking back to my room when I saw a man in a black suit standing by the window. He looked like he belonged in the 1920s. When I blinked, he was gone."

Despite—or maybe because of—the hauntings, the Basin Park Hotel is very much alive. Today, it hosts weddings, festivals, concerts, and paranormal investigations. Its rooftop deck offers stunning views of the Ozarks, while its location makes it the perfect home base for exploring downtown Eureka Springs.

It's also a symbol of resilience. This is a building that has survived fire, war, economic collapse, and changing times. And through it all, it has remained one of the most beloved places in town.

Whether you're a diehard ghost hunter or a curious traveler, the Basin Park Hotel offers something special. Maybe it's the way the hallways seem to whisper stories of the past. Perhaps it's the sensation of standing in a place where history and legend merge.

Or maybe it's just that this old hotel, perched between stone and sky, still has a few secrets it's not ready to give up.

One thing's for sure—if walls could talk, the ones at the Basin Park Hotel would have a lot to say. And some of those stories might just come with a chill down your spine.