Happy almost Halloween! To get us in the spirit, this week’s photo is of our neighbor, the Omni Parker House Hotel – which is known as the most haunted hotel in Boston. In fact, just as the Shining was inspired by the Stanley hotel in Colorado, another Stephen King novel 1408 was inspired by events that took place at the hotel while King stayed in room 303.
The hotel was originally built in 1855, and founded by Harvey Parker, who later died in 1884. He was known to be an accommodating and friendly host, and it is rumored that he still haunts the ninth and tenth floors to see how guests are enjoying their stay.
The third floor has also been the site of some paranormal activity thought to be ghosts of Charles Dickens, who frequently stayed on the third floor, and the actress Charlotte Cushman, who died on the third floor in 1876.
On a less creepy note – the hotel was the original creator of the famous Boston Creme Pie!
Tune in each week to view our featured neighborhood photo from back in the day! Submit your historical photos by tagging @northend.waterfront on Instagram. Please include a caption or story telling about your photo.
The Parker House is most famous for their Parker House rolls which are still served in the dining room.
You are right — rolls.
Other fun facts. \Ho Chi Minh was a pastry chef at the Parker House. Malcolm X was a bus boy there too.
John Kennedy proposed to Jacqueline Bouvier at the Parker House.
Wow! Those are some eye opening tidbits. Thanks for sharing.