Mineral Springs Hotel

The Luer Brothers built this five-story hotel in 1914 with marble staircases, terrazzo floors, and what was billed as the largest swimming pool in Illinois. Bricks from the old Confederate prison in Alton went into the construction — which some say is why the paranormal activity here never stops.

The Mineral Springs Hotel in Alton, Illinois, opened in 1914 as a luxury hotel and spa built by the Luer Brothers. Originally intended as an ice warehouse for their meat-packing company, the brothers struck a natural spring while digging in the bedrock. Hotel manager August Ratz convinced them to capitalize on the 1800s fad of "healing" mineral waters, marketing the sulfur water as having curative powers—even claiming it could instantly sober drunk guests.

The lavish five-story hotel featured terrazzo floors, marble staircases, art glass throughout, and what was touted as "the largest swimming pool in Illinois." The hotel operated successfully until the late 1960s, reopening in 1978 as a shopping mall. Many believe the building's bricks, salvaged from the nearby Confederate Prison, act as a conduit for paranormal energy.

The hotel's most famous spirit is the "Jasmine Lady," named for the floral perfume that trails her wherever she appears. According to legend, a woman named Mary or Sara had a quarrel with her husband, fell (or was pushed) down the grand staircase, and died from her injuries. Visitors frequently smell strong jasmine perfume near the stairwell—even those unaware of the ghost stories. Ghost hunters have captured EVPs in this area, many attributed to the Jasmine Lady.

Clarence Blair, an 18-year-old sheet metal worker from Granite City, drowned during swimming lessons in the hotel pool in a tragic accident. His body wasn't discovered for hours. Clarence's spirit is said to haunt the abandoned pool area to this day.

In 1965, Pearl L. Sons checked in on a Monday and was found dead of an intentional overdose Wednesday morning. Her former room has become the emotional hotspot of paranormal activity in the building.

Other spirits include "George," an artist who died before finishing a mural in the Crystal Room bar, and "Cassandra," a little girl who reportedly drowned and enjoys playing with marbles.

Historian Troy Taylor notes: "Alton is a town that has a long background of murder, death, disasters, floods, the Civil War epidemics. You name it, it's probably happened here." The Mineral Springs offers guided daytime tours including the iconic pool, grand banquet hall, and the infamous Jasmine Lady's staircase.