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The Plains
Hotel
In
the late 1800’s the City of Cheyenne,
Wyoming was called “The Magic City of the Plains,” so it was only
appropriate when a luxurious hotel opened in 1911, it called itself the
“Plains Hotel.” The concept of the elegant hotel was born at the annual
$1 dinner of the Industrial Club (now the Chamber of Commerce) in
December, 1909.
On
March 9, 1911, the hotel
hosted an
elaborate grand opening that was attended by men in full evening dress,
gallant Army Officers and a host of elegantly gowned ladies. As a band
played until the wee hours of the morning, the guests danced and
admired the magnificent appointments and furnishings of the new hotel,
modern to the smallest detail.
The
five story hotel featured
three
elevators, 100 guest rooms, lush velvet carpets, fine furnishings,
private baths, and telephones in the guest rooms, luxuries not seen in
most hotels of the time.
The
lobby was lighted through a
mission art panel skylight, decorated with heavy brass fixtures and
leather furniture, and its floor was finished in tile and mahogany. The
staircase leading from the lobby was made of solid marble and steel.
The lobby bar gleamed with plate glass and mahogany fixtures. On the
Mezzanine level, an orchestra entertained guests
The
hotel soon attracted
numerous
cattle barons, oil tycoons, and the many travelers making their way to
Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons. Guests raved about the amenities and
service provided at the hotel. But for one couple, their stay would end
in tragedy.
According
the legend, a bride
named
Rosie and her new groom checked into the hotel on their honeymoon. One
evening the groom went down to the lounge to have a drink and while he
was there he met a prostitute. After a prolonged absence, Rosie went in
search of her new husband, only to find him and his “lady friend”
pleasantly chatting at the bar. Within moments, she watched as the pair
left the lounge and headed upstairs together. Rosie silently followed
them to the woman’s fourth floor room, where in a jealous rage she shot
them both with her husband’s gun. Afterwards, Rosie returned to the
honeymoon suite and turned the gun on herself.
Since
the tragedy, the spirits
of all
three have been seen on many occasions by both employees and guests of
the historic hotel.
Housekeeping
staff often hear
the
sounds of both laughter and crying coming from the room that Rosie and
her husband once occupied. However, when they open the door, no one is
in the room. Rosie, herself, is often spotted walking in a long blue
gown on the second floor.
Seemingly,
the groom is more
restless
as he is sighted all over the hotel dressed in early 1900’s clothing.
Wearing a long tail black dress coat, black boots, and a white shirt
with a large silver button at its top, he is most often spotted on the
fourth floor and in the basement.
The
“other woman” has also been
seen,
most often on the second floor, wearing a short red dress with white
lace. On one occasion, when the hotel was decorated for Halloween, the
staff had placed two mannequins dressed in wedding attire in the lobby.
Just as an employee spotted the spirit of the “other woman,” the
mannequin dressed as a bride toppled over. After looking down at the
fallen “bride,” the employee looked up and the spirit had vanished.
Today,
the Plains Hotel
continues to
cater to the many travelers of Cheyenne. Offering 130 fully restored
guest rooms and suites, the rooms are furnished in an “Old West” style
complete with original artwork and photography by Wyoming artists.
Though maintaining its historic heritage, the hotel offers all the
modern amenities that are expected of today’s travelers.
Kathy
Weiser/Legends of America,
© October, 2005
Contact
Information:
Plains
Hotel
1600
Central Avenue
Cheyenne,
Wyoming 82001
866-275-2467
This site is © Copyright R. David Anderson
2009-2010,
All Rights Reserved.
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