Seeking to cash in on the real estate boom of the early 1920's, Barnabas Whitehall, third son of well-heeled New England society, made his way to Los Angeles to snap up a parcel with the intent to build a resort and health spa meant to cater to the influx of new rich 'stars' born of the burgeoning motion pictures industry. The Hollywood Grand Hotel, whose architect's name has been lost to history, held its grand opening gala on July 26, 1924.
And that was the night of the first of many strange accidents.
The list of strange occurrences, unexplained events, and unfortunate accidents over the decades fills several volumes of news clippings (a few of which can be seen below).
In 1936, Barnabas Whitehall passed and his son, Davis inherited the hotel only to have his younger brother Edward forced to take the reins when Davis was committed to a psychiatric facility. Edward followed in his father's footsteps, dead by 40, and passed the hotel to his cousin Morris who was a victim of the 1947 'gas leak' that claimed thirteen souls.
Raymond Whitehall, Morris' heir, was utterly dismissive of the 'curse', and spent more than a decade shutting down any reporting that might do the business harm. Rumors of ghosts or the like were crushed and it wasn't until 1962, when Ray himself was found hanging in the cigar lounge, that the truth of how far he'd gone to protect the reputation came to light.
In his time as owner, there had been over two hundred instances of injury, death, or traumatic events that Raymond had concealed through bribery, threats, or far more grisly means, the true nature of the Hollywood Grand. After his death, ownership passed to his young son William, his only heir. Too young to take possession, the hotel was put in receivership. William would never take ownership in more than name. On the same day he came of age, he sold the hotel and vanished.
The new owners, an investment group from Los Angeles looking to refurbish the old hotel and make it a modern retreat for the new Hollywood elites, discovered more than mold and dust to contend with. Investigations would eventually discover that a letter had been left to William from his father detailing the true lengths he had gone to in order to keep the name of the Grand Hollywood from becoming smeared.
Dozens of bodies of guests found dead by mysterious circumstances were dealt with in manners ranging from being burned in the hotel's furnace to being carted off to be dumped at sea. A ledger was also discovered detailing hundreds of supernatural events that only grew in frequency as the years passed. Raymond Whitehall's last entry read 'They're getting stronger. I can no longer withstand the weight of their judgment. They are coming for me. Do not let them get to you. Run.'
The investors made a half-hearted attempt to restore the Grand Hollywood. Still, there was no amount of plaster or new fixtures that could erase the haunted history and, in 1989, after sitting untouched for years, it was set for demolition. An auction was held in the hope of getting something back, and the hotel was stripped of furnishings, decor, moldings, and other architectural items that were sold off and shipped across the country.
It is unknown how many contractors, antique dealers, construction companies, and other such businesses came into contact with these remnants of Hollywood's haunted history and if the darkness that the Grand Hollywood Hotel held within it perished with the last crumbling wall, or if it clung to those shards of the past given new homes to haunt. Only time will tell.