One Of Grand Rapids’ Most Iconic Buildings Is Haunted
Why is it that hotels seem to be the source of some of the spookiest places we can think of? There's the Overlook Hotel from The Shining or the Bates Motel from Alfred Hitchcock's classic thriller Psycho, two structures that you wouldn't find me dead staying at (undead, however, may be another story).
However, while these are works of fiction, Grand Rapids most iconic structure and a staple of the city's skyline may also be one of the most haunted buildings in the entire city. I'm talking about the Amway Grand Plaza.
History of the Amway Grand Plaza
Back in the early 1900s, Grand Rapids was a growing city known for its blossoming furniture and lumber industries. The city experienced a period of growth and needed a hotel to support the influx of people in the area. The result of this was the Pantlind Hotel, originally built back in 1913.
It was at one point ranked as one of the finest hotels in America. However, it soon lost that title in the 1970s and was bought by the Amway Corporation, which restored it to its former glory and added the signature "Glass Tower" portion in 1983.
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Mary Monko
While the building was "reborn" after Amway bought it, parts of the building may have never moved on. Take for example the story of Mary Monko, a woman who died in the elevator shaft after she was decapitated in an elevator accident on the 10th floor. Guests still say they can hear her screams.
This is how the story went, per the Lowell Ledger back in 1914:
Mary Monko was decapitated by an elevator in the new Pantlind hotel at Grand Rapids Monday night. Mary and Josephine Kreuko, servants in the hotel, were going to their rooms when Josephine attempted to take the governor from the hands of the Negro operator. Mary started to get off Just as the car started downward. She was caught between an iron gate and the floor of the tenth landing.
Room 336
Room 336 and its adjacent room 337 are considered hot spots for paranormal activity. Staff have reported faucets "blasting steaming hot water", lights flickering, and doors slamming. One guest reported seeing shadow figures hovering over their bed.
General Paranormal Goings On
Otherwise, per US Ghost Adventures, guests have reported seeing ballroom dancers in the Pantlind Ballroom, spirits are known for "taking cigarettes and ashtrays', a woman in white apparently haunts the tennis courts, and a small child has been seen wandering the hotel.
If you want to learn more about the haunted happenings at Amway Grand Plaza, you can take a ghost tour of the building or around the city. You can also view other guests' reported experiences here.