Haunted History ~ Brook Forest Inn

The Claims

Visitors claim to have heard children giggling, running up and down the hallways, and knocking on the doors even though no children are in the hotel at the time. Other claims include guests hearing talking, as if they are overhearing a conversation. Doors opening and closing repeatedly. Green glowing orbs that hang unnaturally in mid air before suddenly disappearing. They also claim to experience feelings of dread and anger in certain area’s of the Inn. (The ambassador Suite and the 3rd floor hallway among others.)

A full body apparition of a woman has been seen on the balcony of the Ambassador Suite.  Another full body apparition of a man is said to roam the hallways of the 3rd floor. (The 3rd floor seems to be the most active according to the staff at the Inn) People who live near the Inn have reported seeing lights going on and off when they know the Inn to be empty and locked up.

The History

The original building was built in 1909 by the Westerfields. The small cabin was abandoned for unknown reasons in 1911.  In 1913 the 350 acre property was bought by Edwin and Mary Weiz. The original cabin was made bigger with additional rooms. They built additional cabins on the property, planted crops, and landscaped. The Inn opened in 1919. The property was added onto over the years. The “Bell Tower House” located across the street from the main building is made of white & rose quartz. They added a pool, a stable, and many other amenities to the Inn itself. The Inn had every luxury available at the time. They completed all their renovations in 1937.

Edwin and Mary’s had one son. At the age of 10 he caught pneumonia and passed away at the Inn.  They continued to run and live at the Inn until 1947 when they sold it and moved to Denver. The Inn has had many owners in the years since.  Some built onto the Inn and made it bigger and better, some sold off parcels of land and the buildings on them. Many changes have taken place and many “stories” are told about its hidden history.

Rumored and Undocumented History

In addition to the Weiz’s son who passed away, there was said to have been a second child that died on the 3rd floor of the Inn of influenza.

There is said to be secret tunnels and rooms hidden beneath the main building and branching out to the other building on the property.

There are rumors of Nazi spies that used the Inn as their headquarters while they studied and mapped the United States for Hitler. This rumor included buried Nazi gold somewhere on the property. Another tale of buried treasure came in the form of Jesse James burying his take from a bank robbery. These tales of buried treasure, be it Jesse James loot, or Nazi gold, drove at least one former owner to dig up part of the grounds.

Another rumor is that of the stable hand, “Carl.” He is said to have murdered his fiancé, a chamber maid at the Inn, in a jealous rage. The murder took place in the Ambassador Suite. Carl then hanged himself somewhere on the lower level of the Inn. (Most likely the Baby Doe room)

Conclusion

Is the Brook Forest Inn haunted? I have never been there so I can’t say for sure. If you do a search on it you will find review after review of people who have experienced something there. The Inn has been investigated by paranormal groups who have concluded that it is haunted. I may have to go stay here for a weekend this summer and see for myself. If I go I will be sure to blog from the Ambassador Suite!

The inn does take advantage of its “haunted” history. They offer Murder Mystery weekends and on Halloween they have séance parties and Halloween balls. Seems like a very interesting place to visit whether you go for the luxury, the ghosts, the history, or the beauty of the area.

Wonder if I can talk hubby into a little vi
sit sometime soon!

The Information

The Brook Forest Inn is located at

8136 S. Brook Forest Rd, Evergreen CO, 80439 About 35 miles west of Denver.

You can visit their web site for more information on everything from rates and package information, history,  and paranormal history.

Brook Forest Inn

Doing a Google search will net MANY results of ghost stories and historical info. Here are a couple of links you may find Interesting.

Video of Denver radio station ghost hunting at the Brook Forest Inn

Stories and Info About the Inn

Mommy D