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 HISVOICEvJANUARY/FEBRUARY 2019v21