Oklahoma City, Oklahoma — Oklahoma County
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| Photo: Wikipedia |
If you're ever passing through Oklahoma City, you might be tempted to spend the night in one of the city’s most luxurious historic hotels — but fair warning: you may not get much sleep. The Skirvin Hotel, now operating as the Skirvin Hilton, is known not only for its elegance and charm, but also for its long-standing reputation as one of the most haunted places in the state of Oklahoma.
Built in 1911 by oil tycoon William Balser Skirvin, the hotel was a showpiece of modern luxury in its day — complete with electric elevators, air conditioning, and lavish furnishings that attracted celebrities, politicians, and socialites. Over the years, the hotel became woven into the city’s history, hosting presidents, movie stars, and more recently, NBA players. But beneath the glamor lies a darker story.
The most famous tale surrounding the Skirvin involves a mysterious woman named Effie — a maid who allegedly had an affair with Mr. Skirvin and became pregnant with his child. According to local legend, Skirvin was so concerned about scandal that he locked Effie away on the 10th floor, either in Room 1015 or another secluded part of the hotel, where she remained throughout her pregnancy.
As the story goes, Effie eventually fell into despair and leapt to her death — taking the baby with her. Ever since, guests have reported eerie encounters that seem to trace back to her spirit. People have claimed to hear a woman’s voice, crying, phantom footsteps, and even disembodied laughter echoing through the halls of the 10th floor. Male guests, in particular, have shared experiences of being touched, whispered to, or even propositioned by an unseen presence in their rooms.
It’s important to note that while Effie’s story has become deeply embedded in the hotel’s folklore, there is no historical evidence that proves such a maid ever existed — or that the events surrounding her death actually happened. Nevertheless, the legend persists, and the Room 1015 lore has become one of Oklahoma’s most enduring ghost stories.
The Skirvin's reputation is so widespread that professional basketball players from the NBA have publicly spoken about their uneasy stays at the hotel while playing against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Over the years, multiple players have refused to sleep alone, checked out early, or lost sleep before games — blaming doors opening on their own, lights flickering, and that same persistent sensation of not being alone. The ghostly lore even made its way into sports news headlines.
Other guests have shared reports of unseen forces tugging on bed sheets, toilets flushing by themselves, and furniture moving slightly during the night. One former employee once described seeing a shadowy figure disappear around a corner, only to find no one there.
The hotel underwent major restoration in 2007 and was reopened as the Skirvin Hilton, preserving much of its historic charm. But despite the fresh paint and modern amenities, the ghost stories have never stopped — if anything, they’ve only grown stronger with time.
Whether you believe in spirits or not, one thing is certain: The Skirvin Hotel is more than just a luxurious stopover — it's a place where the past lingers, and where legends like Effie continue to stir the imagination. If you do decide to spend the night, just don’t say you weren’t warned.
Address: 1 Park Ave, Oklahoma City, OK 73102
Public Access: Yes — currently a functioning Hilton hotel
Tours: No official ghost tours, but guests may inquire about history at front desk
