The Story of the Haunted Elms Hotel

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The Elms Hotel in Excelsior Springs, Missouri, has been a landmark of the town’s history for more than a century. Its origins trace back to the late 1880s, when Excelsior Springs became famous for its mineral waters that were believed to have healing properties.

The first Elms Hotel opened in 1888 to serve the growing number of visitors who came to “take the waters.” The three-story wooden structure featured broad verandas, a swimming pool, bowling alley, billiard room, and orchestra performances. It was one of the finest resorts in the region until it was destroyed by fire in 1898. A second hotel was built and opened in 1909 but burned again just two years later. Determined to rebuild, the owners constructed a third version in 1912, using limestone and concrete to make it fireproof.

The new Elms quickly became a gathering place for the wealthy and well-known. During Prohibition, it operated as a speakeasy, drawing guests such as Al Capone, who was known to host all-night gambling and drinking parties in the basement. The hotel also gained fame as the place where Harry S. Truman awaited the results of the 1948 presidential election before learning of his unexpected victory. Despite economic challenges during the Great Depression and later declines in mineral spa tourism, the Elms survived and continues to operate today as a restored historic hotel and spa.

Alongside its history, the Elms has become equally well known for its ghost stories. The basement lap pool, once used during the hotel’s speakeasy years, is said to be haunted by a man who was killed during an altercation tied to Prohibition-era crime. Guests and staff have reported cold spots, sudden noises, and the sensation of being watched in the dimly lit space.

On the third floor, many have claimed to see the figure of a maid wearing a 1920s-style uniform who quietly appears and disappears, seemingly supervising the cleaning staff. Another spirit, described as a distraught woman searching for her lost child, has been seen wandering the halls and is sometimes blamed for moving or throwing small objects.

Paranormal investigators and television crews have explored the site, documenting unexplained sounds, flickering lights, and temperature drops. Some guests even report hearing loud clanging noises around 1:30 in the morning, the same time one of the hotel’s early fires broke out. Today, visitors can join guided haunted tours or simply enjoy the restored architecture of the historic destination.

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This Week's Featured Home

1220 W 64th St, Kansas City, MO 64113​
Built in 1931 · $2,950,000
Listing/Photos Courtesy - Erin Falley, Compass Realty Group

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ps: then vs. now of Town Topic on Broadway, originally opening in 1937 with 5-cent burgers 🍔🍟🥤