Another location that may be of interest to spirit seeking adventurers is the historic Agro Hotel in Crofton.  Crofton is a small town, population 760, in Knox county, Nebraska. 

     The Argo Hotel was originally built in 1911 to serve the railroad traffic at the time.  It is a two story brick structure, reminiscent of the period.    The Argo remained in business as a hotel until 1935 when it became a medical clinic. 

     The clinic treated patients with terminal illnesses.  Reading the information in various posts, I got the feeling, the clinic was similar to a modern day hospice program.  I am curious whether or nor patients actually died in the building but I haven’t been able to confirm that–yet.  Eventually, due to financial constraints, the clinic closed its doors .

     The building remained empty for a number of years.  Then in 1962 it became a clinic again with various types of clinicians practicing for a few years at a time.

     In 1994, the Argo was purchased by its current owner, Sandra McDonald, who began the monumental task of renovating it to its original glory.      During the process of remodeling, the bones of an infant were found in a burlap bag sealed in a concrete wall.  With no means of identifying the remains, they were buried in the local cemetery.   It was then that the first rumors of a haunting began circulating.    Renovation and remodeling of an old structure is a common thread in stirring up the paranormal. 

       Claims by employees and visitors include flickering lights despite the new wiring system, cold spots, and glasses shattering for no reason at all.  Some have reported being touched by unseen hands when nobody else was around.  Doors mysteriously open and close on their own volition.  Strange voices and vanishing apparitions have also been reported.

     Many have heard the sound of a baby crying in the night.  Others hear the sound of a woman’s voice crying out for her lost child.  There are rumors of a woman named Alice, who lost a child in the 1940′s, and some spectulate the infant found in the wall is her child.  There is no evidence to prove that theory one way or the other.

     In the hotel bar, known as The Speakeasy, remnants of a gunfight from years past, still remain in the form of bullet holes in the wall.  But, the bar is quaint and welcoming in spite of the grim reminder.

    I hear good things about the Argo, even when its spirits are calm and no paranormal activity is afoot.  The hotel is completely restored now, with all the charm a bed and breakfast could ask for.  The decorative oak staircase a major attraction.   The Argo also hosts a period dance hall and a cigar room. The staff is friendly, in tune to customer service, and love to share a story or two about the history of the hotel. 

     The food at the steakhouse is reported to be excellent and there is live entertainment on the weekends. What’s not to like about the Argo Hotel?  I’ve never been there, personally, but I’ve added it to my list of haunted locations I’d like to visit next year.  Sounds like a haunting good time!

Kris has a passion for the paranormal, writing fiction, and sharing her faith in innovative forums so combining the three has led to a series of books she is working on.

Mojo is a fast paced paranormal thriller.

If you’ve got Mojo; look for upcoming releases in 2011

Mojo is a fast paced paranormal thriller

Edgy and fun, this book will show the reader how having faith in a power greater than ourselves will lift us through even the most unforeseeable obstacles in life.