The Hotel Strasburg
Strasburg, Virginia
Strasburg, Virginia
Among the things that we find interesting about the Hotel Strasburg is the fact that even though paranormal activity has been reported there, it doesn't promote itself as a "haunted hotel".
The hotel is located in historic Strasburg, Virginia, which is the oldest settlement in the Shenandoah Valley. We discovered it completely by accident one day when we were in Strasburg for other reasons. Having completed our business, we asked one of the locals where we could find a good place to eat, and he immediately recommended the Hotel Strasburg.
When we entered the lobby we felt as though we'd stepped back in time. It was a small area with a tiny reception desk and what our untrained eyes perceived to be furniture and décor dating back to the turn of the century, or perhaps earlier.
The desk clerk was very pleasant and told us that we could have a full meal in the dining room or lighter fare in the bar area. We opted for the bar, which was pretty typical of any small town bar. Most of the area was taken up by tables, but there was a small bar at the far end of the room where a few patrons sat chatting with one another.
After we put in our order, Stacey commented that she felt that there was more to the hotel than meets the eye, and that she had a strong feeling that there was paranormal energy there. Since her feelings are usually right, when we finished our meal we asked the desk clerk whether we could look around the hotel. She encouraged us to do just that, stating that each room is unique in size, shape and décor, and that the hotel leaves the doors to unoccupied rooms open so that visitors can tour them.
As luck would have it, we had a small digital camera with us, and we took some photos as we walked through the upper two floors. By this time we were both feeling that this was no ordinary hotel. We looked at the images that we recorded, but nothing was apparent because the camera had only a small LCD screen and no ability to enlarge what had been photographed. We'd have to wait until we could upload the photos to find out.
When we got back to the lobby we asked about the history of the hotel and were surprised to learn that it had originally been a hospital. It was founded by a Dr. Mackall Bruin in 1902, and converted to a hotel around 1915. At that moment we both came to the realization that this place would be a perfect habitat for ghosts. It was quite possibly the culmination of Dr. Bruin's life ambition, and he might well have wanted to come back and visit. People were born there, cared for there, and died there. In addition, since the hotel had retained the décor of the period, it might be a comfortable place for local spirits from a bygone era.
We could hardly wait to upload the photos and see what, if anything they revealed. When we did we definitely weren't disappointed, and we decided then and there that we had to go back. Before returning, however, we did some research on Dr. Bruin. We found several references to him that spanned a period of a few years, and then nothing; no more articles, no census information, no death certificate. That made things even more intriguing.
On our second visit we chanced to meet Gary Rutherford, one of the owners and innkeepers, who's an extremely pleasant and welcoming person. In addition he's a walking encyclopedia of the history of the hotel and the town, and he shared some very interesting information.
It seems that Dr. Bruin had run away with one of the three original nurses and was never seen or heard from again. Gary showed us their photo, which still hangs in the first floor hallway. Of course we wondered which nurse it had been. Gary replied that he didn't know, but that people assumed that it was the one in the center, who appeared to be the most attractive of the three. With his permission we took a photo, and were startled to find a glowing orb almost directly above the head of one of the other two nurses. We had to wonder whether somebody was trying to answer our question.
Gary also told us that from time to time guests have reported peculiar phenomena, particularly in a few specific rooms. A passing employee chimed in that she recalled a man who was staying in Room 210 who swore that he had felt a woman slide into bed with him. Startled and shocked he turned on the light and found that he was completely alone. Apparently he's returned to the hotel since then, but refuses to stay in 210. Another employee mentioned a rocking chair that has been known to rock all by itself. Obviously we had to return a third time, and we also have tentative plans to go back again this summer.
We think that you'll be intrigued by some of the photos we took in and around the Hotel Strasburg. Most of the interior shots were in daylight or under fully lighted conditions… not in dark corridors, dank basements, or creepy attics. But then why would ghosts want to hang out in places like those when they can have their choice of luxury rooms?
The Hotel Strasburg tops our list of Favorite Haunts. It has an exceptionally friendly staff, tastefully decorated rooms and an elegant dining room with an excellent and unique dinner menu. But most importantly, it appears that the hotel has and a number of paranormal "guests" that don't seem to be a bit camera shy. Or to put it another way, the hotel bar isn't the only place that you'll find spirits.
The hotel is located in historic Strasburg, Virginia, which is the oldest settlement in the Shenandoah Valley. We discovered it completely by accident one day when we were in Strasburg for other reasons. Having completed our business, we asked one of the locals where we could find a good place to eat, and he immediately recommended the Hotel Strasburg.
When we entered the lobby we felt as though we'd stepped back in time. It was a small area with a tiny reception desk and what our untrained eyes perceived to be furniture and décor dating back to the turn of the century, or perhaps earlier.
The desk clerk was very pleasant and told us that we could have a full meal in the dining room or lighter fare in the bar area. We opted for the bar, which was pretty typical of any small town bar. Most of the area was taken up by tables, but there was a small bar at the far end of the room where a few patrons sat chatting with one another.
After we put in our order, Stacey commented that she felt that there was more to the hotel than meets the eye, and that she had a strong feeling that there was paranormal energy there. Since her feelings are usually right, when we finished our meal we asked the desk clerk whether we could look around the hotel. She encouraged us to do just that, stating that each room is unique in size, shape and décor, and that the hotel leaves the doors to unoccupied rooms open so that visitors can tour them.
As luck would have it, we had a small digital camera with us, and we took some photos as we walked through the upper two floors. By this time we were both feeling that this was no ordinary hotel. We looked at the images that we recorded, but nothing was apparent because the camera had only a small LCD screen and no ability to enlarge what had been photographed. We'd have to wait until we could upload the photos to find out.
When we got back to the lobby we asked about the history of the hotel and were surprised to learn that it had originally been a hospital. It was founded by a Dr. Mackall Bruin in 1902, and converted to a hotel around 1915. At that moment we both came to the realization that this place would be a perfect habitat for ghosts. It was quite possibly the culmination of Dr. Bruin's life ambition, and he might well have wanted to come back and visit. People were born there, cared for there, and died there. In addition, since the hotel had retained the décor of the period, it might be a comfortable place for local spirits from a bygone era.
We could hardly wait to upload the photos and see what, if anything they revealed. When we did we definitely weren't disappointed, and we decided then and there that we had to go back. Before returning, however, we did some research on Dr. Bruin. We found several references to him that spanned a period of a few years, and then nothing; no more articles, no census information, no death certificate. That made things even more intriguing.
On our second visit we chanced to meet Gary Rutherford, one of the owners and innkeepers, who's an extremely pleasant and welcoming person. In addition he's a walking encyclopedia of the history of the hotel and the town, and he shared some very interesting information.
It seems that Dr. Bruin had run away with one of the three original nurses and was never seen or heard from again. Gary showed us their photo, which still hangs in the first floor hallway. Of course we wondered which nurse it had been. Gary replied that he didn't know, but that people assumed that it was the one in the center, who appeared to be the most attractive of the three. With his permission we took a photo, and were startled to find a glowing orb almost directly above the head of one of the other two nurses. We had to wonder whether somebody was trying to answer our question.
Gary also told us that from time to time guests have reported peculiar phenomena, particularly in a few specific rooms. A passing employee chimed in that she recalled a man who was staying in Room 210 who swore that he had felt a woman slide into bed with him. Startled and shocked he turned on the light and found that he was completely alone. Apparently he's returned to the hotel since then, but refuses to stay in 210. Another employee mentioned a rocking chair that has been known to rock all by itself. Obviously we had to return a third time, and we also have tentative plans to go back again this summer.
We think that you'll be intrigued by some of the photos we took in and around the Hotel Strasburg. Most of the interior shots were in daylight or under fully lighted conditions… not in dark corridors, dank basements, or creepy attics. But then why would ghosts want to hang out in places like those when they can have their choice of luxury rooms?
The Hotel Strasburg tops our list of Favorite Haunts. It has an exceptionally friendly staff, tastefully decorated rooms and an elegant dining room with an excellent and unique dinner menu. But most importantly, it appears that the hotel has and a number of paranormal "guests" that don't seem to be a bit camera shy. Or to put it another way, the hotel bar isn't the only place that you'll find spirits.
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