Neighborhood News: ‘Chicago’s Most Haunted’ Congress Plaza Hotel
It looks innocent enough, but across the street from Millennium Park, the historic, 131-year old Congress Plaza Hotel,520 S. Michigan Avenue, thehost of presidents and gangsters, has been named ‘Chicago’s most haunted hotel,’ by ghost experts throughout the world.
As Ghost City Tours notes, from eerie sights to unsettling noises, there have been enough scary instances to send some people packing early and some others running out of their rooms in the middle of the night.
In the beginning…
The Congress Plaza Hotel began innocently enough. According to the hotel’s website, the Congress Plaza Hotel was originally named the Auditorium Annex in 1893 and housed visitors to the World’s Columbian Exhibition. Built by famed developer R.H. Southgate, and the north tower designed by Clinton Warren, it also housed Peacock Alley, an underground passageway that connected the new annex section to the original Auditorium Hotel. The south tower was built between 1902 and 1907 and featured a luxurious banquet hall, which later became the first ballroom in America to use air conditioning. The hotel changed Its name to the Congress Hotel by 1908. CBS News reported that former President Teddy Roosevelt held a news conference there in 1912, during the Republican National Convention, to announce he was founding his own new political party, the “Bull Moose” party. In 1916-1917, electrical outlets and desk lamps replaced chandeliers. The bathroom plumbing was replaced in 1923-1924.
Because of these modern conveniences, the hotel became known as the ‘Home of Presidents,’ with William Howard Taft, Roosevelt, Warren Harding, Calvin Coolidge, William McKinley and Grover Cleveland visiting. In the 1930’s, the former Elizabethan Room was renamed and became a vibrant nightclub hosting a bandstand. In 1935, that same room became the centerpiece for an NBC radio show featuring Benny Goodman.
Interestingly, nowhere on the website does it mention its ghostly connections.
Haunted halls
The 12th floor is considered the most haunted floor, causing some employees to refuse to work on it.
Several people, it is said, committed suicide in the hotel. According to Ghost City Tours, in 1900, Captain Louis Ostheim was staying at the hotel the night before his wedding. As a Spanish-American War veteran, he suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder. He awoke from a particularly brutal night terror and reached for his gun. Putting the barrel to his head, he pulled the trigger. Since then, he’s appeared as a shadowy figure that glides through the halls, following guests and staff. It’s speculated that Captain Lou may still be searching for the woman who he had planned to marry.
The Little Boy on the 12th Floor and other ‘Ghosts’
CBS News and other sources discuss the sad story of the Langer family. In August of 1939, Czechoslovakian immigrant Adele Langer, 43, came to the hotel with her two sons – Karel Tommy, 6, and Jan Misha, 4 ½. They had fled as the Nazis took over, and her husband was still there. According to Frightfind.com, Mrs. Langer was worried about being sent back to Nazi Germany, so in a panic, she threw her sons out the window and followed soon after. Little Karel has been said to follow guests down the hall and back to their room.
Another favorite phantom is the loveable Peg Leg Johnny. Choose Chicago says little is known about this mischievous ghost, but the legend has it that the incorrigible spirit has the urge to turn room lights and electronics on and off, and generally cause havoc for guests.
Other Scary Stuff
Meanwhile, CBS News also reported that Room 441 on the fourth floor of the South Tower is considered by many to be the most haunted room in the hotel. Many people called security because they see a woman standing or hovering over the bed, pushing or tugging on the bed, or pushing or tugging on the covers.
Nobody knows exactly who this woman is, but a lot of people have reported her. Some say they even see her coming in and out of the bathroom.
In another instance, America’s very first serial killer, H.H. Holmes was known to meet young women in the lobby of the Congress only to coerce them to his Murder Castle which was only a few blocks away.
Sealed Rooms
According to Frightfind.com, Room 666 is boarded up. It’s said that this was the most haunted room in the hotel. Room 209 was also reported to be, “too horrible,” and was sealed shut. Additionally, they report that The Florentine Room is a popular spot for weddings and parties. Some guests have seen tables and chairs move by themselves. Others have heard a young lady’s voice whisper in their ear.
Today
The Congress Plaza Hotel pays homage to its past with their annual Haunted Halloween Ball, held this year on Saturday, October 26th, with the terror and chills of a haunted house, transformed into an abandoned hotel run by zombies. There’s a $2,000 prize for the best costume. For tickets, click here.
Alison Moran-Powers and Dean’s Team Chicago
