Friday, April 4, 2014

Hauntings: Driskill Hotel


Driskill Hotel (Austin, Texas)

In 1886, wealthy cattle baron Jesse Lincoln Driskill opened the Driskill hotel in Austin, Texas.  It became a popular meeting place for the area’s politicians and celebrities.  Mr. Driskill loved his luxurious hotel so much it's said his spirit remained after he died.  Several people have seen his ghost over the years.  Plus, he was an avid cigar smoker, and the smell of cigar smoke has been often reported even though no one is smoking.

And he’s not the only one haunting the place --

In 1887, the four-year-old daughter of a senator chased a ball near the Grand Staircase and fell to her death.  Since then, the sound of a ball bouncing and a child’s laughter has often been heard by guests.  Her portrait hangs on the fifth floor, and people have reported seeing the painting's expression change -- the little girl smiles at them.

In Room 525, a young bride killed herself in the bathroom, and twenty years later, another did the same thing.  Such an atmosphere of despair permeated the room that it was closed off for many years.  When the hotel was renovated, it was reopened, but troubles continue to plague the room like unexplained noises and plumbing leaks.

A female spirit has been seen multiple times on the fourth floor.  It’s believed to be the ghost of a woman who committed suicide there.  Guests and staff alike have heard a woman whispering and heard weeping, but never found the source of the noises.





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38 comments:

Steven said...

A painting that smiles at you? That's pretty creepy...

Andrew Leon said...

That's an awesome building. I love Austin and have been there several times, but I missed seeing that while I was there. If I ever make it back, I will have to make sure I at least drive past.

Lynda Dietz said...

What a gorgeous building. I love the attention to detail.

betty said...

After reading of the bride suicides there, I'm thinking it is some place I wouldn't want to spend my wedding night.

betty

Sara C. Snider said...

A very lovely building. Worth visiting if I ever find myself in Austin. Though making a note to stay clear of room 525.

SK Anthony said...

It's a beautiful building! The thought of hearing the bouncing ball and the child's laughter is making my skin crawl...

Heather R. Holden said...

Gosh, these are all so eerie, especially the one about the four-year-old girl. I mean, a portrait that smiles at you?! *shudders*

Melancholy and Menace said...

This building is really impressive!

I'm thoroughly enjoying all your eerie posts and feeling inspired to write some of my local hauntings.

Starting Over, Accepting Changes - Maybe said...

This is not a good place for females to visit.

Unknown said...

Intense, Lexa! I definitely would stay away from that room and just the thought of hearing a bouncing ball and child's laughter is eerie. We had a child haunting one of our previous homes. We knew it was a child because a couple of my family members would see a small figure pop up every now and then. We also found old pictures of a little boy buried in the basement even after the house had been vacated for almost a year. Then again, I suppose ghosts of children are not as scary as the bad energy described in that room above!

Michelle Wallace said...

Eerie!!
I'm making sure that I visit certain blogs (like yours) during the day, for this challenge.
I'm a scaredy cat... what can I say... LOL

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

A lot of suicides for one hotel!

Ava Quinn said...

Is it me, or does this hotel not like the ladies? lol!

Julie Flanders said...

Stories like Room 525 creep me out so much!

Magaly Guerrero said...

I've always loved the building and the creepiness that comes with it. Yum!

MunirGhiasuddin said...

The building is gorgeous but that many murders?

messymimi said...

So many odd places in the world.

Jeff Chapman said...

Two young brides committed suicide in the same room? What's the story behind those?

Joylene Nowell Butler said...

Yet the hotel looks so lovely and relaxing.

Brandon Ax said...

The architecture is amazing. I would hate to see a bleeding bride walking around my room though.

Brandon Ax: Writer's Storm

Unknown said...

Really pretty building! I'm half-tempted to stay there and see if I have any ghostly experiences!

Kate Larkindale said...

How do places like this stay open? I don't think I'd want to stay in a hotel with that many ghosts lurking around.

Alyssa said...

The building looks amazing, but I wouldn't want to ever stay there!

cleemckenzie said...

I guess I'd have to stay there and see these things for myself. I have a touch Elan in me.

Unknown said...

That one sounds cool. If I ever find my self unfortunate enough to be in Texas, I'll have to check it out. It's creepy that two brides killed themselves in the same bathroom.

Bish Denham said...

Those must have been some pretty unhappy brides...

Crystal Collier said...

Awesome. I want to go stay there! I would love to learn the story behind the original bride who killed herself there. I can only imagine: a forced marriage to a brigand...

stephen Hayes said...

It's really a beautiful hotel. Too bad it has all these hauntings but many people would get a kick out of that.

Sean @ His And Her Hobbies said...

Found you through the A-Z Challenge. I love hearing stories about haunted houses. I have only been to one haunted house but it was a great time listening to all of the stories.

Sean at His and Her Hobbies

Jocelyn Rish said...

This is another one of those hotels that looks like it was built JUST to be haunted. A smiling portrait would freak me out (but I would love having that story to tell!).

lyndagrace said...

Hello, Lexa.
I am stopping by from A-Z challenge. Thanks for visiting me.
Oh my. The building is gorgeous. I don’t think I would be able to make it through one night there though. I feel that anything is possible, even ghosts.

Beloo Mehra said...

Interesting spooky stories you have here about these hotels...just read the C post too. Wonder if these stories are also used to keep these hotels in business? Are they doing good business? Hmmm...the non-believer in me, I guess :)

Anonymous said...

That's a beautiful building. I would never have figured anything sinister went on inside.

Anonymous said...

I find I am absolutely fascinated by paranormal activity... have been since I was a kid... but also know, if I were to experience such happenings, I'd likely be utterly and completely freaked out. LOL

DMS said...

This looks like a beautiful hotel- with an interesting past! I am always intrigued by the background behind a building and when smells are linked in to the ghost sightings it is even spookier! :) Thanks for sharing.
~Jess

Al Diaz said...

I think I can stand a portrait smile at me better than hearing ghostly cries.

Unknown said...

all sounds sooooo sad. Its one thing to hear laughter but weeping and knowing of suicides... despair.

Unknown said...

Wonder why women hated that room so much they killed themselves...

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