Introduction
The Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, Colorado is a historic and luxurious hotel that is famous for being the inspiration for Stephen King’s horror novel “The Shining.” Over the years, there has been a rumor that the hotel was built on a burial ground, which has only added to its reputation as a haunted and eerie location. So, was the Stanley Hotel built on a burial ground?
In this article, we will explore the history of the Stanley Hotel, examine the origins of the rumor that it was built on a burial ground, discuss the paranormal significance of the hotel as depicted in “The Shining,” and delve into the experiences of the Brooklyn Paranormal Society at the Stanley Hotel.
History of the Stanley Hotel
The Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, Colorado is a historic and luxurious hotel that has a rich history dating back to 1909. It was built by Freelan Oscar Stanley, the co-founder of the Stanley Motor Carriage Company, which was a manufacturer of steam-powered cars.
The hotel was designed in the Georgian Revival style and was intended to be a luxurious summer resort for the wealthy. It was equipped with modern amenities such as electricity and indoor plumbing, which were not common at the time. The hotel’s elegant architecture and opulent furnishings have contributed to its reputation as a premier destination for the wealthy and famous.




The Stanley Hotel is located on a hill overlooking the town of Estes Park and the Rocky Mountains, and it has panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. Its location, combined with its luxurious amenities and stunning views, have made it a popular tourist destination in Colorado.
Over the years, the Stanley Hotel has played host to a number of famous guests, including presidents and celebrities. It has also gained a reputation for being haunted, which has only added to its appeal as a tourist destination. Despite this reputation, the Stanley Hotel remains a beloved and iconic landmark in Estes Park, Colorado, and it continues to attract visitors from around the world.
Origins of the Stanley Hotel Burial Ground Rumor
The myth of the Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, Colorado being built on an Indian burial ground has persisted for years, with many people believing that the hotel is haunted because of its alleged location on sacred land. However, this myth is not based in fact and appears to have originated from a line in the movie “The Shining.”
In the movie, the character Stuart Ullman (played by Barry Nelson) tells Jack Torrance (played by Jack Nicholson) the following:
Ah… construction started in 1907. It was finished in 1909. The site is supposed to be located on an Indian burial ground, and I believe they actually had to repel a few Indian attacks as they were building it.
This line has contributed to the persistent myth that the Stanley Hotel was built on an Indian burial ground, but there is no evidence to support this claim. In reality, the Stanley Hotel was built in 1909 by Freelan Oscar Stanley, who was the co-founder of the Stanley Motor Carriage Company, a manufacturer of steam-powered cars. It was designed in the Georgian Revival style and was intended to be a luxurious summer resort for the wealthy.
While the Stanley Hotel is known for its reputation as a haunted location, and it has been the subject of numerous paranormal investigations over the years, the myth that it was built on an Indian burial ground is not supported by any factual evidence. It is important to remember that myths and legends, while often intriguing, should not be taken as fact without further investigation.
The Paranormal Significance of “The Shining”

“The Shining” is a horror novel written by Stephen King and adapted into a movie directed by Stanley Kubrick. Both the novel and movie tell the story of the Overlook Hotel, which is depicted as a haunted location where strange and supernatural events occur.
The Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, Colorado served as the inspiration for the Overlook Hotel in “The Shining,” and the portrayal of the Overlook Hotel as a haunted location has contributed to the reputation of the Stanley Hotel as a real-life haunted location.
Over the years, the Stanley Hotel has been the subject of numerous paranormal investigations, and many people believe that it is haunted by the spirits of former guests and employees. Some people claim to have had paranormal experiences at the hotel, while others believe that the hotel’s reputation as a haunted location is simply a myth or a marketing gimmick.
Regardless of whether or not the Stanley Hotel is truly haunted, “The Shining” has played a significant role in shaping the public perception of the hotel as a paranormal destination. The novel and movie have made the Stanley Hotel a popular location for ghost hunters and paranormal enthusiasts, and they have contributed to the hotel’s enduring reputation as a haunted and eerie place. So, the Stanley Hotel and “The Shining” are closely linked due to their shared connection to the concept of the paranormal.
Paranormal Investigations at the Stanley Hotel
The Brooklyn Paranormal Society is a group of ghost hunters and paranormal enthusiasts who have conducted investigations at the Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, Colorado. Andrew Arnett, an expert on the Stanley Hotel, is a member of the society and has personally experienced paranormal activity at the hotel during their investigations.
The Brooklyn Paranormal Society’s findings from their investigations at the Stanley Hotel have added to the hotel’s reputation as a haunted location. Andrew Arnett and other members of the society have reported experiencing a range of paranormal phenomena at the hotel, including strange noises, unexplained movements, and encounters with what they believe to be ghosts.
While some people are skeptical of the existence of ghosts and the paranormal, the Brooklyn Paranormal Society’s experiences at the Stanley Hotel suggest that there may be more to the hotel’s reputation as a haunted location than meets the eye. Whether or not one believes in the existence of ghosts, the Stanley Hotel remains a fascinating and enigmatic place, and the Brooklyn Paranormal Society’s investigations have added to our understanding of the hotel’s history and its alleged paranormal activity.
Ghost Sightings at the Stanley Hotel Burial Ground
The Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, Colorado is a historic and luxurious hotel that is known for its reputation as a haunted location. Over the years, numerous people have reported experiencing ghostly encounters at the hotel, and the Stanley Hotel has been the subject of numerous paranormal investigations.
One of the most well-known ghost sightings at the Stanley Hotel is that of a man named Freelan Oscar Stanley, the hotel’s founder, who is said to haunt the lobby and ballroom of the hotel. Other reported ghost sightings at the Stanley Hotel include a ghostly bellhop and a woman in a green dress who has been seen in the hotel’s corridors.
Many people who have stayed at the Stanley Hotel have reported strange noises, unexplained movements, and other paranormal activity in their rooms. Some have even claimed to have had encounters with ghosts while staying at the hotel.
Despite its reputation as a haunted location, the Stanley Hotel remains a popular tourist destination, and many people visit the hotel specifically to try to experience its alleged paranormal activity. Whether or not one believes in the existence of ghosts, the Stanley Hotel’s history and its reputation as a haunted location make it a fascinating and enigmatic place.
So, Is The Stanley Hotel Haunted?
In conclusion, the Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, Colorado is a historic and luxurious hotel that has gained a reputation as a haunted location over the years. While there have been rumors that the hotel was built on a burial ground, there is no evidence to support this claim. The hotel’s reputation as a haunted location has been shaped in part by its depiction as the Overlook Hotel in Stephen King’s “The Shining,” and it has been the subject of numerous paranormal investigations over the years.
The Brooklyn Paranormal Society, a group of ghost hunters and paranormal enthusiasts, has conducted investigations at the Stanley Hotel and has reported experiencing paranormal activity at the hotel. Their findings have added to the hotel’s reputation as a haunted location.
Ghost Hunt the Stanley Hotel Burial Ground with BKPS
If you are interested in discussing the haunted Stanley Hotel Burial Ground and the Brooklyn Paranormal Society’s investigations, you can contact BKPS directly. Whether or not you believe in the existence of ghosts and the paranormal, the Stanley Hotel remains a fascinating and enigmatic place, and it continues to attract visitors from around the world.
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