The Eldridge Hotel in Lawrence, Kansas, stands as a remarkable testament to resilience, having been destroyed not once, but twice, only to rise from its ashes each time. This iconic establishment has witnessed and played a pivotal role in some of the most tumultuous periods of American history, particularly the brutal Missouri/Kansas Border War preceding the Civil War. More than just a lodging, the Eldridge Hotel embodies the indomitable spirit of Lawrence, a city repeatedly challenged but never defeated, making it a living monument to perseverance and restoration.
The Free State Hotel: Birth Amidst Turmoil
The story of the Eldridge Hotel begins in 1855, not as the Eldridge, but as the Free State Hotel. Built by intrepid settlers from the New England Emigrant Aid Society, its name itself was a bold declaration of intent: Kansas was to enter the Union as a free state, a stance fiercely opposed by pro-slavery factions. The hotel served as temporary lodging for these early settlers while their permanent homes were being constructed, quickly becoming a symbol and a stronghold for the Free-State cause.
In January 1855, Colonel Shalor Eldridge arrived in Kansas City from New England. He acquired the American House, a property initially purchased by General Pomeroy for the Emigrant Aid Society, which served as a primary headquarters for Free-State advocates. Recognizing the strategic importance of Lawrence, Shalor Eldridge leased the Free State Hotel in early 1856, transforming it into a first-class accommodation.
However, the hotel’s defiant stance against slavery made it a prime target. On May 21, 1856, just months after Eldridge took the helm, Sheriff Samuel J. Jones, leading a formidable group of pro-slavery forces, launched a brutal attack on Lawrence. With a cannon aimed directly at its facade, Jones’s posse destroyed the Free State Hotel, burning it to the ground in an act of aggression that underscored the volatility of the Bleeding Kansas era.
Rebuilding and the Quantrill Raid of 1863
Undaunted by the destruction, Colonel Eldridge, alongside his brothers Edsin, Thomas, and James, swiftly embarked on rebuilding the hotel. In 1857, they proudly re-erected the structure at a significant cost of $80,000, with Colonel Eldridge famously vowing that if it were ever destroyed again, he would rebuild it once more. His words proved eerily prophetic, as the hotel was indeed razed again, this time by the notorious William Clarke Quantrill and his raiders in 1863.
William Clarke Quantrill, an Ohio native, had aligned himself with Confederate forces but grew discontent with their cautious approach. He carved out his own path of brutal guerrilla warfare, beginning his infamous raiding career in western Missouri in 1862. His early campaigns included plundering towns like Olathe, Spring Hill, and Shawnee, quickly attracting other desperate outlaws to his banner, including the infamous “Bloody” Bill Anderson and the notorious James brothers.
By the summer of 1863, Quantrill set his sights on Lawrence, Kansas, a town he viewed as a hotbed of abolitionist sentiment and Jayhawker activity. In the early morning hours of August 21, 1863, Quantrill, commanding a murderous force of approximately 400 bushwhackers, descended upon the sleeping town. Their carefully orchestrated raid turned Lawrence into a bloody, blazing inferno. In just four horrific hours, Quantrill’s mob looted and burned, systematically killing approximately 180 men and boys, leaving the proud city nothing more than smoldering ruins. The newly rebuilt Free State Hotel, a symbol of Lawrence’s resilience, was once again utterly destroyed.
The Hotel Eldridge Rises Anew
Despite the unparalleled brutality of Quantrill’s Raid, the city of Lawrence remained defiant, quickly adopting the motto “from ashes to immortality.” True to his earlier vow, Colonel Eldridge wasted no time. Using an original cornerstone that had survived the inferno, he promptly began construction, and in 1865, the hotel reopened its doors with a new, more enduring name: The Hotel Eldridge. This third incarnation firmly cemented the Eldridge legacy.
Colonel Eldridge continued to be a significant figure in regional development. In 1867, he built the Broadway House in Kansas City, now recognized as the Coates House. Later, in 1877, he established the Eldridge House in Coffeyville and, the following year, the Otis House in Atchison. Colonel Shalor Eldridge passed away on January 16, 1899, in Lawrence, at the age of 82, leaving behind a profound architectural and historical legacy.
For several subsequent decades, the Eldridge Hotel stood as one of the most prestigious hotels west of the Mississippi River, playing a crucial role in the growth and identity of Lawrence and the State of Kansas. Its grandeur and historical significance were widely recognized, making it a cornerstone of the community.
Periods of Decline and Grand Restoration
By 1925, even the magnificent Hotel Eldridge began to show signs of deterioration. Recognizing its vital importance to the city’s heritage and economy, a group of prominent Lawrence business leaders championed a plan to completely rebuild the hotel, restoring it to its former dignity and elegance. The community rallied, and with widespread support, the hotel once again showcased its splendor, serving as a beacon of luxury and hospitality.
However, changing trends in hospitality caught up with the Eldridge by the 1960s. The rise of roadside motels on the city’s outskirts diminished the popularity of downtown hotels. Consequently, the historic establishment closed its doors on July 1, 1970, and was subsequently converted into apartments, a chapter that many feared marked the end of its grand hotel era.
Fortunately, the story of the Eldridge was far from over. In 1985, a new consortium of investors spearheaded another ambitious effort to restore the old hotel to its original glory. This project garnered substantial municipal support, with the City of Lawrence committing two million dollars, which was matched by one million dollars raised from private investors. This comprehensive restoration involved completely rebuilding the top four floors, transforming them into 48 luxurious two-room suites, while the historic lobby was meticulously restored to its original elegance. Today, the Eldridge Hotel thrives as a modern luxury boutique hotel, seamlessly blending its storied past with contemporary comforts.
Haunted History of the Eldridge Hotel
With such a tumultuous and layered past, it comes as no surprise that the Eldridge Hotel is reputed to host a few ghostly residents. The hotel’s rich history of destruction and rebirth seems to have left an indelible spiritual imprint, particularly on its fifth floor, which is often cited as a portal to the spirit world. Room 506 is especially noted for paranormal activity.
Guests and staff have reported numerous inexplicable phenomena. Witnesses in room 506 have described breath marks appearing on recently cleaned mirrors, doors mysteriously opening and shutting on their own, and lights flickering on and off without human intervention. Beyond this specific room, cold spots are frequently encountered throughout the older parts of the hotel, signaling unseen presences.
Apparitions have also been sighted on the fifth floor, further fueling the hotel’s reputation as a haunted landmark. Perhaps the most playful of its spectral inhabitants is the “elevator ghost,” known for opening and closing the elevator doors on the fifth floor without any apparent cause. Photographers visiting the hotel have also shared peculiar experiences, mentioning inexplicable technical difficulties with their cameras when operating near the fifth-floor elevator, adding another layer to the enduring mystery of the Eldridge Hotel’s ghostly lore.
Conclusion: A Legacy of Resilience
From its origins as the defiant Free State Hotel to its current incarnation as the luxurious Eldridge Hotel, this establishment has consistently mirrored the spirit of Lawrence itself – a spirit of unwavering resilience and enduring hope. Destroyed twice by the fires of conflict and rebuilt with tenacious resolve, the hotel stands today not just as a place of lodging, but as a profound symbol of a community’s ability to triumph over adversity. Its walls whisper tales of frontier struggles, Civil War era devastation, and subsequent eras of renewal, making it a truly unique historical gem. The Eldridge Hotel is more than a building; it is a living narrative, inviting guests to step back in time while enjoying modern comforts, ensuring its legend continues for generations to come.
