Fact or Fiction?
Does life imitate art or does art imitate life?
“The Overlook Hotel”
This Overlook Hotel was the fictional setting for Stephen King’s mega-blockbuster, “The Shining.” Is it all truly fiction or is there some truth behind the book?
As with most works of fiction, there are grains of truth intertwined with the creative liberties. “The Shining,” is no exception. Stanley Kubrick terrorized audiences with the big screen version of the book, starring Jack Nicholson and Shelly Duvall. This production was filmed largely in the United Kingdom with exterior shots from the Timberline Lodge in Oregon. As unsettling as it was, this movie was not entirely based upon the book. Kubrick took the story into his own hands and added much content that readers would not find. Around two decades later, Stephen King, along with ABC, created a mini-series that was completely based upon the novel.
There is yet another piece to the formula for this novel that receives little attention. The Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, Colorado, is the true root of this book. Stephen King stayed there for a time and this work evolved as he stayed. Yes, the Shining is based upon a real haunted hotel. It is currently one America’s, “most haunted hotels.”
The Stanley Hotel is easy to recognize for anyone who has watched the ABC mini-series of, “The Shining.” The television version was filmed on location, at the Stanley. Many are surprised to also see the Stanley was the, “Hotel Danbury,” in the movie, “Dumb and Dumber.”
The idea for the hotel was a surprise for the original proprietor of the establishment. Wealthy business man, Freelan O. Stanley was sent West by his doctor. He was suffering from tuberculosis and his health was rapidly declining. Stanley had witnessed great success and wealth with his Stanley Steam Engine, but his affluence could not improve his health. His twin brothers were the founders of the Stanley Steamer Company.
Stanley, and his wife Flora, were sent to stay with a family in the town of Estes Park, Colorado. Upon arrival, the couple fell instantly in love with the area. Stanley’s health began to improve immediately. The inventor of the “horseless carriage,” decided to create a place where others could get away. The Stanley Hotel was opened in 1909.
While there is no record of mafia massacres at the hotel, as with the novel, there are many reports of unnatural guests staying at the Stanley. Freelan O. Stanley is reported to still frequent his beloved billiard room and the lobby. Flora is reported to still play the piano for guests in the ballroom. Lord Dunraven, who owned the land before Stanley, is reported to still frequent room 407.
When starting his novel, King stayed in room 217. He was no exception to witnessing spiritual events and it is said he saw a spectral child on the second floor in search of its nanny.
The hotel has been investigated by several paranormal societies including TAPS for its activity. Guests have reported numerous unexplainable events including strange voices, figures in windows, the sounds of children playing when there are none, and other activities throughout the establishment.
King achieved a pinnacle in fiction with his novel based upon the Stanley; however, its legendary activity was noticed prior to the book. This historic lodge is still open for business and the most haunted room is reported to be #418.
