I Survived a Night in Texas’ Most Haunted Hotel—Caught on Camera!
Think Texas is all about BBQ, football, and big skies? Think again! Hidden beneath those vast horizons and spicy flavors are tales of the unexplained—stories that will make you question what’s real long after the sun goes down. On my latest adventure with Lone Star Plate, I traded in my trusty cowboy hat for a flashlight and spent a night at the legendary Excelsia House Hotel in Jefferson, Texas. Let me tell you: I didn’t just check in for a bed, but for a night full of spine-tingling encounters with the supernatural.
A Night at Texas’ Haunted Heart
Jefferson is more than just another small town; it’s a crossroads where history and haunting tales collide. With its foggy brick streets and antebellum architecture, the place feels like a preserved ghost story in itself. But no building in Jefferson buzzes with more eerie energy than the Excelsia House Hotel.
Built in the 1850s, the Excelsia is the oldest hotel in Texas still taking guests. And when they say, “taking guests,” they mean it — even the ones who never leave. Over the centuries, the hotel has seen everything: Civil War heroes, elegant Victorian socialites, notorious outlaws, and, of course, its rumored ghostly residents. Among these specters, Miss Louise, a Victorian lady in black, reigns as the hotel’s most talked-about apparition, said to drift through the corridors airing her lavender perfume, rearranging furniture, and sometimes watching visitors sleep.
Stepping Into the Unknown
Rolling into Jefferson under a misty blanket, the Excelsia loomed before me, a shadowy figure at the corner of Austin and Veil. The hotel interior is a time capsule: creaking staircases, flickering gas lamps, and oil paintings that seem just a little too watchful. Famous names in the guest book—Ulysses S. Grant, Oscar Wilde, even Steven Spielberg (who reportedly checked out early, unnerved by the experience)—hint that anyone, skeptic or believer, can leave with a story.
The staff, familiar with their otherworldly inhabitants, welcomed me with the kind of knowing smile that says, “You’re in for something special.” They handed me an old-fashioned brass key and told me not to be alarmed if I heard footsteps or saw flickering lights. “That’s just Miss Louise checking on you,” the clerk added, as if that explained everything.
Ghost Hunting 101: Tools and Tales
I settled into Room 215—a chamber that looked plucked straight from Texas’ past, filled with true-to-era furniture and draped in velvet. Out came my ghost-hunting equipment: a camera, EMF meter, digital recorder, and a notebook for every bump in the night. As dusk gave way to thick black Texas night, the whole hotel seemed to bristle with anticipation. Shadows danced at the edge of vision. The scents of faded perfume and old cigars swirled in the air. And from Room 212, infamous for its otherworldly activity, I caught my first chill: my EMF meter spiked, whispers filtered through my recorder, and I wondered if I was truly alone.
Whispers in the Dark
With my night-vision camera rolling and voice recorder ready, I tried the nerve-jangling lights-out session, asking, “Is anyone here with me?” Silence. Then—three soft knocks echoed from the closet. Goosebumps. A cautious investigation revealed nothing but mothballs and hangers, but when I played back the audio, a breathy, unnerving "get out" crept through the static. Could it have just been the wind? I wasn’t so sure.
Midnight’s Terrors: Orbs, Shadows, and Lost Souls
As midnight washed over the Excelsia, the unsettling escalated. In the hallway, an icy chill grazed my skin, and secretive whispers seemed to swirl behind closed doors. The grand staircase’s chandelier swayed—though not a draft stirred. By the parlor, the folklore of a young ghost playing marbles became all too real when I heard the delicate clatter of something rolling on wood, with nothing visible in the flashlight’s beam. My footage later revealed an unexplained orb drifting across the ceiling, and a soft, steady tapping on the antique fireplace.
The Witching Hour Arrives
Sleep didn’t come easy. Every squeak of the floor, every creak of my bed, felt loaded with hidden meaning. Around 3 a.m., I heard slow, heavy footsteps approaching my door. Peering out, I watched a shadowy, old-fashioned figure glide past: tall, silent, vanishing as suddenly as it appeared. My heart hammered as I whispered hello—no reply, just the thick, haunted hush of the hotel after dark.
Lingering Guests and Lasting Memories
By dawn, with nerves rattled and eyes wide, I trudged downstairs. The staff, ever amused, simply asked, “Did you meet any of our guests?” The guestbook was full of hair-raising entries: ghostly children’s laughter, lights switching on and off, mysterious handprints, and a pervasive sense that, here, you’re never truly by yourself.
Should You Brave the Excelsia?
Haunted or not, the Excelsia House Hotel offers more than just a room—it’s an invitation to step into history and maybe into a ghost story of your own. I learned that Texas’ famous hospitality doesn’t end with the living. Sometimes, it’s what you sense, not what you see, that haunts you longest. And if you’re craving a thrill, forget the amusement parks—book a stay at the Excelsia. Who knows what tales you’ll take home?
Would I do it again? Sure—maybe next time with more backup, a stronger flashlight, and a sprinkle of holy water. If you love a good ghost story, follow along with Lone Star Plate. Have your own haunted hotel tales or spooky Texas spots I should visit? Let me know in the comments. Until then, keep your lights on, your wits sharp, and your Texas spirit strong. Until next time, here’s to chasing both storms—and ghosts—across the Lone Star State.
