The Shining’s Inspiration

The Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, Colorado inspired Stephen King’s “The Shining” after his stay in Room 217. But long before King’s visit, guests and staff had reported supernatural encounters in this elegant mountain resort.

The Founder

Freelan Oscar Stanley:

• Stanley Steamer inventor
• Built hotel 1909
• Loved location
• Died 1940
• Never left?

The Hotel

Historic property:

• Built 1909
• Georgian architecture
• Mountain setting
• Estes Park
• Luxury resort

Stephen King’s Stay

The inspiration:

• 1974 visit
• Room 217
• Nightmare experience
• Wrote “The Shining”
• Forever linked

F.O. Stanley’s Ghost

Founder still present:

• Seen in billiard room
• Bar appearances
• Checking on guests
• Benevolent presence
• Proud owner

Flora Stanley

His wife:

• Piano playing heard
• Ballroom piano
• Playing by itself
• Her music
• Continues entertaining

The Piano

Remarkable phenomenon:

• Plays on its own
• Witnesses multiple
• No mechanical cause
• Flora’s spirit
• Documented

Room 217

King’s room:

• Most requested
• Intense activity
• Covers pulled
• Presence felt
• High demand

The Fourth Floor

Children’s spirits:

• Laughter heard
• Running footsteps
• Ball bouncing
• Empty hallways
• Playful entities

Lord Dunraven

Previous landowner:

• Appears in room 401
• Watches guests sleep
• Territorial spirit
• Not malevolent
• Documented presence

Investigation Results

Paranormal teams:

• Ghost Hunters
• Multiple shows
• Consistent evidence
• Active location
• Well-documented

The Concert Hall

Also haunted:

• Separate building
• Children’s voices
• Apparitions
• Music heard
• Connected activity

Night Tours

Available:

• Spirit tours
• Ghost hunting
• Investigation packages
• Popular attraction
• Bookings required

Physical Evidence

Documented:

• EVP recordings
• Photographs
• Temperature anomalies
• Electromagnetic readings
• Consistent findings

Significance

Historic hotel with documented haunting that inspired one of horror’s most famous works.

Legacy

The Stanley Hotel demonstrates how genuine haunting can inspire great fiction—Stephen King’s nightmare stay produced “The Shining,” while the hotel’s ghosts continue welcoming guests.