Episode 606: The Oliver House Murders & Haunted Hotels
In this episode of Morbid, the hosts explore the haunted histories of two iconic hotels: the Copper Queen Hotel in Bisbee, Arizona, and the Oliver House Hotel in Oklahoma. The Copper Queen Hotel is rumored to be haunted by the flirtatious spirit of a young woman named Julia Lowell who tragically ended her life there. At the Oliver House, guests report encounters with the mischievous ghost of an 8-year-old boy named Billy who loves to play harmless pranks.
The episode also details other ghostly occurrences witnessed at these locations, including sightings of wounded Civil War soldiers and unexplained incidents like moving furniture and disembodied voices. Listeners share their own unsettling experiences at the hotels, some of which have turned skeptics into firm believers in the paranormal.
This is a preview of the Shortform summary of the Oct 3, 2024 episode of the Morbid
Sign up for Shortform to access the whole episode summary along with additional materials like counterarguments and context.
1-Page Summary
Haunted hotels and their history
The Copper Queen Hotel and Oliver House Hotel were built to accommodate wealthy guests
The Copper Queen Hotel in Bisbee, Arizona, established in 1898 by the Phelps Dodge Mining Company, initially catered to prospective investors and corporate executives with lavish accommodations. Similarly, the Oliver House Hotel, built in 1908 by oil tycoon Henry Oliver, housed affluent investors and corporate leaders of the time.
Paranormal activity and ghost sightings at the hotels
The Copper Queen Hotel is haunted by the spirit of a sex worker named Julia Lowell
A young sex worker who used the hotel's third floor to entertain clients, Julia Lowell committed suicide after unrequited love. Her "sassy" spirit is said to flirt with male guests by whispering, touching them seductively, or provocatively dancing at the end of their beds.
The Oliver House Hotel is haunted by the ghost of an 8-year-old boy named Billy
Believed to be the spirit of a boy who drowned nearby, Billy is known for mischievous antics like tugging clothing, tapping people, moving furniture, and misplacing belongings. He befriends children at the hotel, though adults can't see him.
Other ghostly figures reported at the hotels
Guests have reported seeing a man in a top hat at the Oliver House and apparitions of wounded Civil War soldiers at the Marshall House Hotel, where visitors claim to see doctors working, hear children's voices, and experience unexplained phenomena.
Personal experiences and reactions to the hauntings
Listener Misty and her skeptical husband encountered strange incidents at the Marshall House Hotel, like feeling followed, TV turning off, cold chills, and, upon returning home, their dogs barking at an unseen presence until a mysterious voice hushed them.
A radio DJ fled a "haunted" room at the Oliver House after encountering the ghost of Nate Anderson, despite a $100 incentive to stay. Such experiences have turned skeptics into believers, underscoring the haunted nature of these historic hotels.
1-Page Summary
Additional Materials
Counterarguments
- The belief in hauntings and ghosts is not supported by empirical evidence and can be explained by psychological factors such as the power of suggestion, confirmation bias, and the human tendency to perceive patterns or meaning in random information (pareidolia).
- Historical accounts of hauntings may be exaggerated or influenced by folklore, which can distort the true history of a place.
- Personal experiences of paranormal activity are subjective and can be influenced by prior beliefs, expectations, or emotional states, and thus are not reliable evidence of ghosts or hauntings.
- Reports of ghost sightings and paranormal experiences can be influenced by cultural narratives and the desire for places to appear unique or interesting, potentially leading to fabricated or embellished stories.
- The experiences described, such as cold chills, objects moving, or electronics malfunctioning, can often have natural explanations such as drafts, uneven floors, or electrical issues.
- The use of haunted histories and ghost stories can be a marketing tool for hotels and tourist attractions, which may incentivize the perpetuation of such tales regardless of their veracity.
- Skepticism about paranormal claims is based on the lack of reproducible evidence under controlled conditions, which is a cornerstone of scientific investigation.
- The transformation of skeptics into believers after experiencing unexplained phenomena does not validate the existence of ghosts but rather highlights the impact of personal experiences on belief systems.
Actionables
- You can explore historical storytelling by writing a fictional diary entry from the perspective of a character living during the time the hotels were established, incorporating the era's culture and the allure of wealth that the hotels represented. This activity helps you connect with history creatively and understand the social dynamics of the time.
- Create a themed game night based on the ghost stories, where each player assumes the identity of a different ghost or guest from the hotels, and through role-playing, they must solve a mystery or complete challenges related to the hotels' histories. This can be a fun way to immerse yourself in the stories and engage with friends or family in a unique setting.
- Start a hobby in amateur ghost hunting by visiting local historical sites with reported paranormal activity and documenting your experiences through a blog or vlog. Use simple tools like a voice recorder or camera to capture any unusual occurrences, and share your findings with a community of like-minded enthusiasts. This allows you to actively participate in the exploration of the supernatural while contributing to the collective narrative of ghost lore.
Get access to the context and additional materials
Haunted hotels and their history
Exploring the eerie pasts and luxurious origins, two hotels in Arizona offer a glimpse into the fascinating intersection of opulence and the supernatural.
The Copper Queen Hotel in Bisbee, Arizona was built in 1898 to accommodate prospective mining investors and executives
The Copper Queen Hotel in Bisbee, Arizona, established in 1898 after the Phelps Dodge Mining Company required luxurious accommodations to house prospective investors and corporate executives. Initially catering exclusively to high-end clients with lavish provisions, the hotel eventually opened its doors to the general public. As the clientele shifted, the Copper Queen underwent renovations to modernize the suites with private bathrooms, reducing the number of rooms from 73 to 48, and enhancing its reputation as a desirable location for travelers visiting Bisbee.
The Oliver House Hotel in Arizona was built in 1908 by oil tycoon Henry Oliver and his wife Edith to cater to wealthy investors and corporate leaders
Similarly, the Oliver House Hotel was constructed in 1908 to ser ...
Here’s what you’ll find in our full summary
Haunted hotels and their history
Additional Materials
Actionables
- Explore local history by visiting historic hotels in your area to learn about their evolution and impact on the community. By doing this, you can gain a deeper appreciation for the historical significance of buildings in your own town, much like the Copper Queen Hotel and Oliver House Hotel serve as historical landmarks in Arizona. You might discover fascinating stories about the origins of these establishments, their transformations over time, and any notable events that occurred there.
- Create a themed travel itinerary based on historic hotels and their stories for your next vacation. This can be a unique way to plan a trip that offers both relaxation and education. For instance, you could map out a route that includes hotels with rich histories, similar to the Copper Queen and Oliver House, and explore the surrounding areas to see how the history of the hotels intertwines with local culture and indust ...
Related Shortform Content
Get access to the context and additional materials
Paranormal activity and ghost sightings at the hotels
Stories of ghostly encounters and unexplained phenomena draw curious visitors and paranormal enthusiasts to historical hotels where the spirits of the past seemingly linger.
The Copper Queen Hotel is said to be haunted by the spirit of a young sex worker named Julia Lowell
Julia Lowell was a young woman in her thirties who worked as a sex worker in the early 1900s and used a room on the third floor of the hotel to entertain her clients. After falling in love with a married client who did not return her feelings, she was driven to suicide, hanging herself near her room. Now known as the Julia Lowell room, the hotel has even placed a plaque to commemorate her. Described as a "sassy queen," Julia's spirit is a welcome presence, still active, and can be identified through the smell of perfume. She's seen on the hotel's second and third floors, sometimes dancing at the bottom of staircases, and notably flirts with male guests—whispering in their ears, touching them seductively, or dancing provocatively at the end of their beds.
The Oliver House Hotel is believed to be haunted by the ghost of an 8-year-old boy named Billy, who drowned in the nearby San Pedro River
Billy's spirit is noted for being mischievous, tugging clothing at a child's height, tapping people to get their attention, and befriending children staying at the hotel. There have been reports from guests that their children tried to introduce them to their new friend, Billy. Adults can't see him, but bartenders and guests have felt the evidence of his presence, such as tugs on their clothing. His playful demeanor extends to rearranging hotel furniture and misplacing guests' belongings. Objects have been seen floating at a child's height, and ghostly sounds, such as giggles or whimpering during baths, are believed to be from Billy.
Both hotels have reports of other ghostly figures, such as a man in a top hat at the Oliver House an ...
Here’s what you’ll find in our full summary
Paranormal activity and ghost sightings at the hotels
Additional Materials
Clarifications
- Julia Lowell was a young sex worker who tragically took her own life at the Copper Queen Hotel in the early 1900s. Her spirit is said to still linger in the hotel, particularly on the second and third floors, where she is known for playful and flirtatious interactions with male guests. The hotel has dedicated a room to her memory, known as the Julia Lowell room, where guests have reported encountering her presence through various sensory experiences like the smell of perfume. Julia's story adds a layer of intrigue and mystery to the hotel's history, attracting visitors interested in paranormal phenomena.
- Julia Lowell's haunting is believed to be connected to her tragic suicide at the hotel, as her spirit is said to linger in the place where she took her own life. The emotional turmoil and unresolved feelings surrounding her death are thought to contribute to her presence in the hotel as a ghost. Witnesses have reported encountering Julia's spirit in areas associated with her life and death, suggesting a link between her past experiences and her haunting. The legend of Julia Lowell's suicide and the subsequent haunting have become intertwined over time, creating a narrative that connects her tragic end to her spectral presence at the hotel.
- The Oliver House Hotel is believed to be haunted by the ghost of an 8-year-old boy named Billy, who drowned in the nearby San Pedro River. Billy's spirit is known for playful antics like tugging clothing, tapping people, and rearranging furniture. He is particularly fond of befriending children staying at the hotel, with reports of kids interacting with him while adults cannot see him. Billy's presence is marked by mischievous activities and ghostly phenomena that add to the hotel's paranormal allure.
- The man in a top hat at the Oliver House Hotel is a ghostly figure often reported by guests. He is believed to be a prominent spirit haunting the hotel, appearing in various areas and sometimes interacting with visitors. The presence of this apparition adds to the mysterious and eerie atmosphere of the hotel, contributing to the reports of paranormal activity experienced by guests. The man in the top hat is a notable and intriguing part of the supernatural occurrences at the Oliver House Hotel.
- The Marshall House Hotel is said to have apparitions of wounded Civil War soldiers. These ghostly figures are belie ...
Counterarguments
- The experiences of paranormal activity could be attributed to psychological factors such as the power of suggestion, where guests expect to encounter ghosts because of the stories they've heard.
- Sensory experiences like the smell of perfume or the feeling of being touched could be due to environmental factors or other guests, rather than the presence of a spirit.
- The mischievous activities attributed to Billy's spirit, like tugging on clothing or rearranging furniture, could be caused by other guests, staff pranks, or natural occurrences.
- The sightings of ghostly figures and the experiences of unexplained phenomena could be the result of hoaxes, fabrications, or misinterpretations of natural sounds and sights.
- The historical context of the hotels may lead to confirmation bias, where guests interpret ambiguous events as paranormal due to the setting.
- The experiences reported by children, who have active imaginations, might not be reliable and could be influenced by stories told by adults or other children.
- The reports of Civil War soldiers and doctors at the Marshall House Hotel could be dramatized or embellished over time, especially if they are p ...
Get access to the context and additional materials
Personal experiences and reactions to the hauntings
Unexplained phenomena and eerie encounters at haunted locations leave guests with chilling stories and sometimes turn skeptics into believers.
A listener named Misty and her skeptical husband faced a series of strange incidents when they stayed at the haunted Marshall House Hotel. Their experience after returning home continued to indicate that something paranormal had followed them.
Encounters at the Marshall House Hotel
While staying at the Marshall House Hotel, which is known for its paranormal activity, Misty experienced numerous unsettling occurrences.
Misty's unsettling experiences
Misty recounted feeling like she was being followed while walking back to her room after getting ice. Uneasy and seeking the comfort of light and sound, she slept with the TV on, only to wake up to the noise of someone, presumably her husband, getting ice. However, her husband was peacefully snoring beside her, and the TV had been mysteriously turned off. Despite the warmth of the room, Misty also experienced really bad cold chills.
When they returned home, their two Chihuahuas, who had never behaved oddly before, began barking furiously at something unseen in the middle of the night. The barking abruptly stopped after a mysterious voice commanded "hush." Misty later discovered a video online of someone experiencing a similar phenomenon to what she encountered in room 409.
Skeptics confronted by the paranormal
Guests at haunted hotels who have attempted to debunk the ghostly legends sometimes leave ...
Here’s what you’ll find in our full summary
Personal experiences and reactions to the hauntings
Additional Materials
Counterarguments
- Personal experiences are subjective and can be influenced by expectations, especially in places rumored to be haunted.
- Feelings of being followed or hearing noises can often be attributed to heightened anxiety or suggestibility in a supposedly haunted environment.
- Cold chills in a warm room could have natural explanations such as drafts or physiological responses to fear.
- Dogs barking at something unseen could be a reaction to ordinary stimuli that humans are not aware of, like sounds outside the range of human hearing.
- A mysterious voice commanding "hush" could be a case of auditory pareidolia, where the brain interprets random sounds as familiar patterns like human speech.
- Finding a video online of a similar experience does not confirm the paranormal but may indicate a shared psychological or cultural exp ...
Actionables
- Explore local legends by visiting historical societies or libraries to gather stories about reputedly haunted locations in your area. By learning the history and tales associated with these places, you can create a personalized map of potential supernatural hotspots to visit, which may enhance your understanding of the experiences shared in the stories.
- Conduct a simple experiment by spending a night in a place known for paranormal activity with a friend who's a skeptic. Bring along a notebook to document any unusual occurrences, and compare notes to see if the experience sways any beliefs. This can be an interesting way to test if personal encounters impact skepticism as suggested.
- Create a digital scrapbook of supernatural encounter ...
Get access to the context and additional materials
Create Summaries for anything on the web
Download the Shortform Chrome extension for your browser
