About This Location
The Dakota is one of Manhattan's most prestigious addresses, a Gothic-style apartment building that opened in 1884 on the Upper West Side. When built, it was so far from the city center that it was jokingly compared to the Dakota Territory. The building gained tragic notoriety on December 8, 1980, when John Lennon was murdered at its entrance. Yoko Ono still resides there.
The Ghost Story
Even before Lennon's murder, the Dakota was considered haunted. When alive, Lennon told Yoko Ono he had witnessed a "Crying Lady Ghost" in the building. After his death, Ono claimed to see Lennon's ghost sitting at his legendary white piano. Other reported spirits include a short man in a wig, a young girl who appears in hallways, and a woman identified as Elise Vesley, known as "The Crying Lady." The building was featured in the horror film Rosemary's Baby, which some believe attracted additional supernatural energy. Residents report cold spots, disembodied voices, and the overwhelming sense of being watched.
