Stanley Hotel Estes Park Co

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The Stanley Hotel was built by the man who create the Stanley Steam Engine, F. O. Stanley.  He had been diagnosed with Tuberculosis.  Mr. Stanley’s doctor could only recommend “Fresh Mountain Air” as a treatment at the time.  So Mr. Stanley and his wife Flora traveled to Estes Park to stay in a friends Cabin. 

 Mr. Stanley’s health improved greatly during their summer stay.  The Stanley’s decided to move to the area.  They built a home about .5 miles West, from where the Stanley hotel is today.  

 The construction for the hotel started in 1906.  The Rock and Wood were obtained from the nearby mountains. The construction was extensive as this hotel was built with no expense spared.  The hotel was built and paid for with cash.  

 The Stanley was opened on July 4th 1909.  It was considered a resort for the upper class Easterners and a health retreat. It was built with a 360 overlook of the Rocky Mountain National Park.   When the hotel opened its doors it had Electric Lights, Telephones, running water in bathrooms in each suite, and a complete uniformed staff.   The hotel did lack heat as it was built as a summer resort.  

In 1970 the hotel had lost its luster.  But a visitor made his way in and did not have a restful night of sleep.  He pinned a novel called the Shining and sent the hotel in a tailspin of activity both professionally and paranormally.