Ghostly Inhabitants of the Magnolia Hotel

You know if anyone remembers the horror movie “Hush, Hush, Sweet Charlotte” with Bette Davis and Joan Crawford then I believe that an anxiety-ridden lady like Miss Charlotte would stay at a place called The Magnolia Hotel. Perhaps you might like to join her since 13 ghosts wait for your visit.

You could say this hotel is like the Overlook Hotel in the Stephen King novel “The Shining” in reality It is located in Seguin, Texas and its history goes back to 1840 when a log cabin was built on this property by Texas Ranger James Campbell. The cabin became a hotel during the mid-1800s and early 1900s. Finally, the hotel was abandoned and in an effort to save it placed on the Most Endangered Historic Places list. The Magnolia Hotel was bought in March 2013.

While the hotel was undergoing renovation the couple who had bought it started experiencing things of the supernatural variety. There would be strange figures climbing out of mirrors, door were being slammed when no one was around, and shadow figure gazed from doorways. These were the restless spirits left behind from the hotel’s rather disturbing history.

After Texas Ranger Campbell had built the log cabin he was killed by Native Americans on a trip to San Antonio. Fast forward to three decades later, Wilhelm “William” Faust a notorious serial killer from Texas was heading for the nearby town of New Braunfels to murder his wife. Instead, he killed a 12-year-old girl named Emma who was sharing a room with his wife. He ran to the Magnolia Hotel hoping to escape being arrested and it is at the hotel where Emma’s spirit is still searching for her killer.

Twelve other ghosts have joined Emma at this spooky hotel. The hotel works on a first-come, first-serve basis. It sort of gives me a feeling that this might be kind of like checking into the Hotel California from where you can never leave. There are suites available for the brave-hearted with 2 bedrooms, a full bath, and a non-cooking kitchen. The Magnolia Hotel offers guided ghost tours.