Hotel Settles, Big Spring, Texas

Haunted History of Hotel Settles, Big Spring, Texas

The Hotel Settles in Big Spring, Texas, is widely known not just for its grandeur but also for the whispers of spirits that reportedly linger in its historic halls. Built in 1930 during the height of the oil boom, the hotel quickly became a luxurious landmark — the tallest building in West Texas at the time — drawing travelers, socialites, and businessmen alike. Its elegant ballrooms, sweeping staircases, and ornate lobby set the stage for both opulent gatherings and, some say, lingering mysteries.

Apparitions and Ghostly Figures

Visitors and staff over the decades have claimed to see figures in period clothing moving silently through the corridors, sometimes disappearing before their eyes. Some describe shadowy forms gliding past rooms late at night, while others speak of full-bodied apparitions appearing briefly in mirrors or along dimly lit hallways. These sightings are often accompanied by an eerie sense of being watched, even in otherwise empty spaces.

Cold Spots and Strange Sensations

Many guests have reported sudden, inexplicable drops in temperature as they walk certain areas of the hotel. These "cold spots" are often accompanied by a feeling of unease, as if something unseen is near. Some visitors even feel a brush on the shoulder or the faint sensation of a presence lingering in the room, though no one is there.

Poltergeist-Like Activity

There are tales of objects moving on their own — glassware rattling in empty rooms, chairs slightly shifted after being left untouched, or personal items disappearing and reappearing elsewhere. These small disturbances, while subtle, contribute to the building’s haunted reputation, particularly on the upper floors.

Disembodied Voices and Footsteps

Perhaps the most frequently reported phenomena are disembodied sounds. Guests have heard faint whispers in hallways, footsteps echoing on wooden floors, and doors opening or closing by themselves. These sounds are particularly common in the late hours of the night, often when the hotel is otherwise quiet.

Tragic Legends

Over the decades, stories have circulated that some rooms were the sites of tragic events, including alleged suicides during difficult economic times. Whether fact or folklore, these tales have become woven into the hotel’s haunted lore, fueling the sense that restless spirits may still linger, bound to the hotel by past sorrow.

The Era of Abandonment

After closing in the early 1980s, the Hotel Settles fell into severe disrepair. For nearly 30 years, the building sat abandoned, decaying under the Texas sun. Broken windows, crumbling walls, and the sounds of pigeons in the empty halls created an atmosphere ripe for ghost stories. The derelict structure became a magnet for local legends, with people claiming that the spirits were more active during this period, perhaps drawn to the emptiness and neglect.

Restoration and the Resurfacing of Ghost Stories

When the hotel was purchased and meticulously restored in the early 2010s, many of the old ghost stories resurfaced. Renovation often stirred imaginations — and perhaps the spirits themselves, according to some reports. Witnesses say that rooms that had lain silent for decades seemed to “wake up” again, with cold spots, shadows, and disembodied noises returning, as though the building itself remembered its storied past.

The Most Haunted Floors

Anecdotal reports often single out the 13th floor as particularly active. Guests describe unexplained noises, fleeting figures, and an intense feeling of being observed. Lower floors are not exempt, however; hallways, stairwells, and even the grand lobby are frequently cited as hotspots for paranormal activity.

Interpretation

The haunted history of the Hotel Settles is a mix of architectural grandeur, historical tragedy, and human imagination. Decades of abandonment provided fertile ground for ghost stories, while the hotel’s restoration renewed interest in its past. Whether these hauntings are the work of restless spirits, echoes of history, or the power of suggestion, they have become an indelible part of the hotel’s identity.

Even today, guests checking into the Hotel Settles may feel a chill in the air, hear a faint whisper, or glimpse a shadow moving just beyond sight. The stories endure, making it not only a landmark of West Texas history but also one of its most intriguing haunted sites.