architecture representing
German immigration to the
Dakotas.
In 1927, construction
began on the hotel the day
before work began on Mount
Rushmore. Less than a year
later, on July 1, 1928, the first
guest registered. The bar off
the lobby was named after
the first hotel guest to sign
the register, Paddy O’Neill’s.
And in the years to follow the
guest would include a line of
presidents and celebrities. In
fact, on the ninth floor is the
presidential suite and there is
a plaque on the room’s door
with the names of those that
stayed there, Calvin Coolidge,
Franklin D. Roosevelt, Dwight D. Eisenhower, Richard Nixon, Gerald
Ford and Ronald Reagan. Alex Johnson being a longtime admirer of
the Sioux was made an honorary blood brother of Chief Iron Horse in
1933, receiving the name “Chief Red Star”.
On the second floor the ballroom and the meeting rooms doors
were all locked, I so wish I could’ve snuck into these rooms to capture
some photos as they looked breath taking through their glass doors.
The rooms are named after the four presidents who are represented
on Mount Rushmore, Lincoln, Jefferson, Washington and Roosevelt.
I make my way back to the lobby and the family and I head outside to
check out the downtown. The alleyway right next to the Alex Johnson
is the Art Alley also known as graffiti alley. This is an explosion of color
for the eyes and every where you look there are graffiti paintings on
the light poles, utility boxes, and the backside of the buildings down
this one block of alley. Around the corner is the Firehouse Brewing
Company, built in 1915 and was home to Rapid City’s first fire brigade.
Now home to South Dakota’s first brew pub and still holds the original
brass fire pole, photographs, patches, ladders, and helmets. The murals
that adorn the outside are truly breathtaking and emotionally moving.
We head back to the hotel to settle down for the evening and I still
want to explore the eighth floor.
So according to the Hotel Alex Jonson brochure it has long been
known as one of the most haunted hotels in South Dakota. From the
Lady in White to the ghost of Alex Johnson and even a young girl.
There have been countless reports of spooky activity.
The most popular and reported ghost story of Hotel Alex Johnson is
that of the Lady in White.
During the 1970s, it was reported that a young bride committed
suicide in room 812. Those that knew the young woman insisted
there was foul play, stating that she was much too happy and friendly
to commit such an act. The fact that she was to inherit a large sum
of money only strengthened their argument. Yet, no one was ever
convicted of her murder and the suicide ruling stood firm. Today,
guests claim the young bride wanders the halls of the eighth floor in
a white gown, searching for those responsible for her death. It has
been reported that the window of room 812 is often found open in the
morning and that dresser drawers are taken out, turned upside down,
and put back in place. Some guests have reported seeing the ghost of
Alex Johnson himself. It is thought that since his death in 1938, he has
stayed on the premises to
ensure operations are still
running smoothly. Then
there’s the story of the little
girl, some guests of the
eighth floor of the hotel
have reported that the ghost
of a young girl would knock
on their door, night after
night, only to disappear in
the hallway. She’s also been
heard giggling down the
hallway.
I did wander the hallway
of the eighth floor taking a
few pictures before turning
in for the night and saw nor felt anything. The only haunting that
occurred during our stay was our last night of stay, just drifting off
to sleep when the door to the room starts to rattle and there is loud
banging. Upon opening there stood my daughter and her fellow
nursing graduates with liquid courage filling their veins here to harass
her mother and other family members who are half asleep, that was
truly terrifying!
I highly recommend that if you’re
traveling to Rapid City for a vacation
to check into the Hotel Alex
Johnson. Reserve a room on the
eighth floor, be sure to head to the
very top where there is a bar and
restaurant but if you have a fear
of heights then this is not for you,
but the view is out of this world.
Take some time to walk around
downtown; there are copper
statues on every street corner,
along with plaques sharing the
rich history of Rapid City. n
Sources: Walk Into History, The Tour,
www.alexjohnson.com
Hotel Alex Johnson – Wikipedia
www.firehousebrewing.com
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