The Haunted Brown Palace Hotel, Denver, Colorado
For over a century, the Brown Palace Hotel has stood as a beacon of opulence and sophistication in the heart of Denver, Colorado. More than just a luxurious accommodation, it’s a living testament to the city’s rich history, a place where echoes of the past linger in its grand halls and elegantly appointed rooms. While modernized to cater to the demands of contemporary travelers, the Haunted Brown Palace Hotel is also whispered to be home to a collection of spectral residents, spirits of bygone eras that continue to roam its corridors.
The story of this iconic landmark begins with Henry Cordes Brown, a man whose vision and ambition shaped not only the hotel but also the very fabric of Denver itself. Opened in 1892, the Haunted Brown Palace Hotel has remarkably never closed its doors, not even for a single day. Through numerous renovations and transformations, it has remained a constant presence, a steadfast symbol of Denver’s enduring spirit.
Brown’s journey to Denver was not initially planned. Leaving his home in Ohio in 1860, his sights were set on the promise of riches in California. However, fate intervened when his family passed through Denver. Legend has it that his wife, captivated by the charm and burgeoning opportunities of the city, declared, "Mr. Brown, thou may press on to California if such be thy wish. I shall remain here."
And remain they did. The Browns established their home in Denver and homesteaded 160 acres of land that would eventually become the prestigious Capitol Hill neighborhood. A shrewd and forward-thinking businessman, Brown meticulously developed this acreage into the city’s most desirable residential area, attracting the city’s elite who constructed magnificent brownstone mansions along Grant and Sherman Streets.
Henry Brown’s real estate ventures proved immensely successful, amassing him a considerable fortune. However, the economic panic of 1877 threatened to dismantle his empire. Forced to sell his own palatial estate to Horace Tabor for $50,000, Brown’s resilience and business acumen allowed him to swiftly recover his wealth. By 1880, he was once again among the wealthiest men in Colorado, boasting a net worth of nearly $5,000,000. This entrepreneurial spirit is woven into the history of the Haunted Brown Palace Hotel.
The impetus for building the Brown Palace Hotel arose from a personal affront. When the Windsor Hotel, then Denver’s most elegant establishment, denied Brown entry due to his cowboy attire, he resolved to create his own hotel, one that would surpass the Windsor in grandeur and sophistication. In 1888, he commissioned architect Frank E. Edbrooke to design a hotel unlike anything Denver had ever seen, a testament to Brown’s ambition and determination. The resulting masterpiece, the Haunted Brown Palace Hotel, would forever change the city’s landscape.
Constructed in the Italian Renaissance style, the luxury hotel occupies a distinctive triangular lot at the intersection of 17th and Broadway. The unprecedented cost of $1.6 million reflected the commitment to using only the finest materials and craftsmanship. The exterior is clad in Colorado red granite and Arizona sandstone, adorned with 26 hand-carved stone medallions depicting native Rocky Mountain animals. These intricate carvings, created by James Whitehouse, remain visible today between the seventh-floor windows, a testament to the hotel’s enduring architectural integrity. The hotel stands as a historical landmark and is considered by some to be the Haunted Brown Palace Hotel.
Stepping inside the Haunted Brown Palace Hotel is akin to entering a time capsule of Gilded Age elegance. The hotel boasts the nation’s first atrium lobby, a breathtaking space with balconies ascending eight floors above the ground. White onyx and marble were imported for the lobby, the Grand Salon, and the eighth-floor ballroom, creating an atmosphere of unparalleled luxury. A staggering $400,000 was spent on the exquisite furnishings that graced the hotel, ensuring that every detail exuded refinement and sophistication.
On August 12, 1892, the Brown Palace Hotel officially opened its doors, welcoming Denver’s social elite. Guests were immediately captivated by the hotel’s opulent features, including the intricate iron grillwork panels, the vast expanse of onyx and marble, the stunning stained-glass ceiling crowning the eight-story atrium, the meticulously chosen furnishings, and the numerous amenities designed to cater to every conceivable need.
The Brown Palace was committed to providing only the finest offerings. In its early days, the hotel sourced meat, vegetables, and cream from its own farms. It generated its own electricity, operated its own garbage incineration system, and even possessed its own artesian well to ensure a constant supply of fresh water. These self-sufficient features underscore the hotel’s dedication to providing an unparalleled guest experience. The hotel is not only luxurious but also has a fascinating history, including rumors of it being the Haunted Brown Palace Hotel.
Adding to its colorful past, a tunnel once connected the Brown Palace Hotel with the Navarre building across the street, providing access to a gambling den and a brothel. These clandestine connections hint at the hotel’s role as a hub of both high society and more illicit activities during its early years.
Throughout its illustrious history, the Brown Palace Hotel has hosted a myriad of celebrity guests, ranging from U.S. Presidents to rock and roll legends. Its walls hold countless stories, from tales of Prohibition-era raids to the spectacle of champion bulls displayed in its lobby, to the birth of the Denver Broncos. And, of course, there are the stories of ghosts that continue to fuel the hotel’s reputation as the Haunted Brown Palace Hotel.
One enduring legend centers around a Denver socialite who resided in room 904 from 1940 to 1955. When the hotel began offering tours, the story of her life and heartbreak over a lost love was shared with visitors. Bizarrely, the switchboard began receiving calls originating from room 904. However, at the time, the room was undergoing renovation and was completely devoid of furnishings, lights, carpet, and telephone lines. After the story was removed from the tour, the mysterious phone calls from room 904 ceased.
The hotel’s main dining room, currently known as Ellyngton’s, was once the San Marco Room, a venue where big bands and, later, the San Marco Strings entertained guests. One evening, an employee heard peculiar sounds emanating from the room and discovered a formally dressed string quartet practicing their music. When he informed them that they were not authorized to be there, they calmly replied, "Oh, don’t worry about us. We live here."
Another employee reported an encounter with the apparition of a man dressed in an old-fashioned train conductor’s uniform. The spectral figure materialized briefly before vanishing through the wall. This sighting occurred in the area currently occupied by the airline ticket office, which formerly housed the railroad ticket office. Could these events be proof of the Haunted Brown Palace Hotel?
Other reported paranormal phenomena include the frequent sighting of a uniformed waiter in the service elevator, the sounds of cheerful children galloping in the hallways, and the cries of a baby often heard in the boiler room. These unexplained occurrences contribute to the hotel’s mystique and allure.
Today, while the surrounding modern skyscrapers may visually overshadow the Brown Palace Hotel, its reputation remains as grand as it was over a century ago. It continues to be a symbol of luxury and elegance, a place where history and hospitality intertwine. Whether you believe in the paranormal or not, a visit to the Haunted Brown Palace Hotel is an unforgettable experience, a journey into Denver’s past and a glimpse into a world of timeless sophistication.
Contact Information:
The Brown Palace Hotel
321 17th St.
Denver, Colorado 80202
303-297-3111 or 800-321-2599