Come one, come all, we have some haunted history to tell.
Whether you’re superstitious or just a little stitious, we thought it would be fun to gather around the imaginary campfire, roast some marshmallows, and switch on a flashlight to tell you about four haunted places in the Alamo City.
Throughout San Antonio’s 300+ year history, it has seen countless residents come and go, but some may have stayed behind. Let’s get into it.
The Menger Hotel
Built just feet away from the Alamo in 1859, the hotel has had many people check in over the years, but some have never left.
Rumor has it, about 45 souls still roam the halls of the hotel with reports of doors opening and closing on their own. Your room reservation may have an extra guest or two.
Victoria’s Black Swan Inn
This ghostly building has been burned down + rebuilt, and has seen its fair share of bloody battles and tragic ends. Its history is steeped in violence and has been known for its paranormal encounters.
Be warned, dear reader, choose this as your next wedding venue and you are guaranteed to have extra guests of the ghoulish kind.
Hemisfair
This district has seen many changes through its grounds over the years.
According to the Director of Communications Meredith Balzen, “In our historic homes, we’ve had experiences with shadow people, high windows unlocking themselves, voices saying ‘hello’, and the distinct sound of chairs moving across empty upper floors.”
She continues, “So many people have called the district home over the years, and we are happy to co-exist with the spirits that chose to stay around.”
Emily Morgan Hotel
The Emily Morgan Hotel is one of the most haunted hotels in the US. Before the Emily Morgan was anything, its plot adjoined a battlefield where 600 men lost their lives in the Alamo’s Long Barracks.
The building began its life in 1926 as the most advanced medical facility west of the Mississippi. It had a morgue in its basement, and a psychiatric hospital, surgery, and crematorium on higher floors.
Gargoyles look down from the hotel in the New York Gothic style. Reflecting the building’s original purpose, the monsters are twisted in agony from various medical conditions, from toothaches to stomach bugs.
These days, the building is a Doubletree Hilton — but if you believe, you might find remnants of its grim past. Residents + staff report mysterious phone calls, rattling sounds, and antiseptic smells. On the seventh floor, some have seen a woman in white, fleeting shadows, or a rickety gurney.
Do you believe in ghosts? Let us know.
