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Many different types of stories are told for Halloween fun. Some are meant to scare you, while others are made to make you laugh! While some stories are made-up myths, some are real and happened in history.
Robert the Doll
Robert the Doll is a haunted doll in Key West and has a thrilling history. The doll used to belong to a young boy named Robert Eugene Otto, also known as Gene. Gene was gifted the doll by his grandfather, and he carried the doll everywhere with him. He treated the doll as his child. Gene would blame the doll for his mischief, which added to the backstory of the doll. The parents of Gene said that the doll would move on its own and that the doll would “change expressions”. After Gene’s death, the doll was donated to the Fort East Martello Museum. Now, visitors can go and see Robert the Doll, but are warned not to look into the doll’s eyes. Reports of crashes and deaths occurred after people took pictures and looked into his eyes. Hundreds of apology letters are sent to the museum each year, apologizing to Robert for looking at him too long or taking his picture without his permission.
Stanley Hotel
The Stanley Hotel is a Grand Hotel in Estes Park, Colorado. It is considered one of the most haunted hotels in America and inspired the idea for Stephen King’s horror novel “The Shining”. The famous hotel is known for its ghost sightings and encounters with spirits. People have reported seeing the spirits of former employees and guests. There have been many people who have died in the hotel, like Elizabeth Wilson, who died from a gas leak explosion in room 217. She was a maid for the hotel, and while she was staying in the room, the gas leaked and exploded. The cause of the explosion was never identified. She died in 1911, and there are documents of seeing her around the hotel. People report having things unpacked, having shoes lined up neatly, and seeing shadows without a person. Other parts of the hotel that are claimed to be haunted are the staircase, the Concert Hall, and the basement of the Concert Hall. The staircase is believed to be a portal to a paranormal realm full of spirits. The Concert hall has reports and sightings of Phantom Piano Players and the spirit of Flora Stanley. The basement of the Concert hall is haunted by the spirit of a homeless girl, who froze to death while looking for shelter.
St. Augustine Lighthouse
Back in July 1873, three young sisters named Mary, Eliza, and Carrie died at the lighthouse. The three girls had been playing on a supply cart while construction was occurring at the lighthouse. The brakes on the cart failed, and the cart drove into the water. The girls were, unfortunately, trapped underneath the cart and were not able to escape. Now, there are reported sightings, saying that the girls tend to be “playful” spirits. People report untied shoelaces and finding small footprints in the keeper’s house.
While there are a lot scarier stories to be told, these are definitely some of the most unsettling American horror stories.