The Black Monarch Hotel: A Haunted History of Victor’s Most Famous Landmark

If you are looking for a place to stay in Victor, Colorado, you might be tempted by the Black Monarch Hotel. This hotel is not for the faint of heart, as it is reputed to be one of the most haunted places in the state. But if you are brave enough, you will be rewarded with a unique and unforgettable experience that will take you back to the wild and wicked days of the Gold Rush era.

The Black Monarch Hotel was originally built in 1895 as a casino and gentlemen’s club, catering to the wealthy and powerful men who made their fortunes from the gold mines that surrounded Victor. It was named the Monarch, after the Monarch Mine, one of the most productive and profitable mines in the area. The Monarch was a lavish and luxurious establishment, with a bar, a restaurant, a dance hall, and a brothel. It was also a hotspot for gambling, drinking, and debauchery, attracting some of the most notorious outlaws and bandits of the time.

One of the most famous guests of the Monarch was Butch Cassidy, the leader of the Wild Bunch gang, who robbed banks, trains, and stagecoaches across the West. He and his partner, the Sundance Kid, often used the Monarch as a hideout and a base of operations, as they planned their heists and escaped from the law. They even had a secret tunnel that connected their room to the other side of the mountain, where they could make a quick getaway.

The Monarch also witnessed some of the most violent and tragic events in Victor’s history. In 1899, a massive fire swept through the town, destroying most of the buildings, including the original Monarch. The fire was allegedly started by a disgruntled miner who was cheated out of his winnings at the casino. The Monarch was quickly rebuilt, but the fire was not the only disaster that befell the town. In 1903, a labor war erupted between the miners and the mine owners, who hired thugs and mercenaries to suppress the workers’ demands for better wages and conditions. The war resulted in many deaths, injuries, and arrests, as well as bombings, shootings, and sabotage. The Monarch was often the scene of these conflicts, as it served as a meeting place for both sides, as well as a target for attacks.

The Monarch continued to operate as a casino and brothel until the 1940s, when the gold ran out and the town declined. It was then converted into a hotel and renamed the Black Monarch, after the black paint that covered its exterior. The hotel changed hands several times over the years, and was eventually abandoned and neglected, until it was purchased and renovated by Adam Zimmerli in 2018. Zimmerli restored the hotel to its former glory, but also added a dark and gothic twist, inspired by the hotel’s haunted reputation.

The Black Monarch Hotel now offers four rooms, each with a different theme and decor, based on some of the most infamous characters and stories associated with the hotel and the town. The rooms are:

• The HH Holmes Room, named after the serial killer who built a hotel of horrors in Chicago during the 1893 World’s Fair. The room features posters of human anatomy, antique medical equipment, and instruments of torture on the walls.
• The Elizabeth Bathory Room, named after the Hungarian countess who allegedly killed hundreds of young women and bathed in their blood. The room features a red velvet canopy bed, a clawfoot bathtub, and portraits of the countess on the walls.
• The Nikola Tesla Room, named after the inventor and engineer who experimented with electricity and wireless communication. The room features a Tesla coil, a plasma ball, and a mural of Tesla on the ceiling.
• The Black Annis Room, named after the mythical witch who lived in a cave and ate children. The room features a dark and creepy atmosphere, with a wolf skin rug, a skull chandelier, and a mural of the witch on the wall.

The Black Monarch Hotel is more than just a place to sleep, it is an immersive and interactive art experience, that invites guests to explore the history and the mystery of the hotel and the town. The hotel is also said to be haunted by the ghosts of the past, who still roam the halls and the rooms, making their presence known through strange sounds, smells, and sights. Some of the spirits that have been reported are:

• A woman in a white dress, who is believed to be one of the prostitutes who worked at the brothel. She is often seen looking out of the window, or walking down the stairs.
• A man in a cowboy hat, who is believed to be Butch Cassidy, or one of his gang members. He is often seen in the bar, or in the hallway, where he tips his hat to the guests.
• A child, who is believed to be one of the victims of the witch Black Annis. He is often heard crying, or laughing, in the Black Annis Room, or in the basement.

The Black Monarch Hotel is a place where you can experience the beauty and the horror of Victor’s most famous landmark. It is a place where you can learn about the history and the legends of the town, and maybe even encounter some of the ghosts that still haunt it. It is a place where you can have a thrilling and unforgettable adventure, that will make you feel like you are in a horror movie. 🏨

If you are interested in staying at the Black Monarch Hotel, you can find more information on their website or follow them on Facebook.