Background: The Crescent Hotel has seen many tennants over the years. It originally opened in 1886 as a resort for the rich and famous. In 1908, it was reopened as the Crescent College, which closed down in 1924, and then opened again in 1930 as a junior college. After the college closed in 1934, the Crescent was leased as a summer hotel.
In 1937, the dark history of the Crescent begins. Norman G. Baker turned the place into a hospital and health resort. Baker styled himself as a doctor, despite having had no medical training. He claimed to have discovered a number of 'cures' for various ailments, including cancer.
Having been run out of Iowa for practicing medicine without a license, Baker moved his cancer patients to Arkansas and advertised his new health resort at the Crescent. His 'cure' consisted primarily of drinking the area's natural spring water. In 1940, federal charges were filed against Baker for mail fraud and he spent four years in prison. Many people were promised false hope and died here.
The Crescent Hotel was left ownerless until 1946. On March 15, 1967, the hotel was nearly burned to the ground.
In 1997, new owners purchased the hotel and oversaw a six-year restoration and renovation of the hotel rooms.
Claims: There are far too many to list. There are multiple spirits here, consisting of former patients, staff, and guests. Virtually every type phenomena can be attached to the Crescent.
...the Crescent Hotel is world-renowned as a haunted destination and billed 'America's most haunted hotel'.
UPROAR Investigated: No
Our take: It didn't acquire the label as 'America's most haunted hotel' for nothing. There is no more haunted location in the state of Arkansas.
Is it haunted: It's as haunted as haunted gets.
