The Spirits of the Stockyards Hotel

Posted: 03.03.2025 | Updated: 03.03.2025

The era of the Old West is often portrayed on TV and in film as a fun, adventurous, and exciting time in the American Southwest. But those tales of legendary outlaws and cowboys were not always as exhilarating as they seem. Many dark occurrences that ended in tragedy still haunt areas like Dallas and Fort Worth as the spirits from long ago linger in town to claim their territory.

If you are intrigued by stories of mysterious outlaws, the Dallas Terrors ghost tour is an experience you don’t want to miss. Be sure to schedule your tour with us today!

Is the Stockyards Hotel Haunted?

Over a century ago, the Stockyards Hotel in Fort Worth had earned a reputation as the idyllic destination for cowboys and outlaws to relax, unwind, and enjoy a peaceful night’s rest. But with so much history and outlaw activity attached to it, it is no surprise that so many locals believe this hotel is haunted.

The History of the Stockyards Hotel

The Stockyards Hotel opened in 1907 and was the jewel of Fort Worth for many years. It featured elegant accommodations with a hint of laid-back rustic style and was a favorite spot for elite individuals and outlaws on the run.

In 1904, Colonel Thomas M. Thannisch constructed a small hotel known as the Stock Yards Club. This two-story, wooden frame structure was located on the site where the Grand Stockyards Hotel would eventually be built.

In 1906, Thannisch hired a contractor to build a three-story brick addition to the hotel that would be situated on the east side. Several years later, he hired two more architects, E. Stanley Field and Wiley G. Clarkson, to design yet another addition to the hotel as an extension of the original building. 

Upon completion, the Stockyards Hotel had a total of 867 guest rooms and several ground-floor spaces intended for commercial use. The completed hotel was given the name Thannisch Bldg. 

The Stockyards Hotel Today

Over the years, it had several name changes, including Planter’s Hotel and Club Hotel. It wasn’t until 1984 that the hotel was renovated and given the name Stockyards Hotel we know today. The renovations were performed by businessmen Tom Yates and Marshall Young, who reopened the hotel in April 1984. 

Today, it has 52 guest rooms and suites. Every room is unique, with its specific theme and various artifacts from the early 19th century. The commercial space downstairs is now home to Hunter Bros. H3 Ranch Steak House.

The Stockyards Hotel is a big part of Fort Worth’s past, and many guests are so intrigued by the historic nature of the location they never want to leave. Unfortunately, there are also some former guests from long ago who are also against vacating the premises.

The Ghosts of the Stockyards Hotel

With so many ruthless individuals who chose to live their lives outside the limits of the law, it is no surprise that the Stockyards Hotel is home to many entities who lost their lives during the early days of the 1920s in the southwest. 

Known as a “Cattle Baron’s” hotel, it was once the home of the largest livestock market in the area. Today, it is believed to be haunted by the spirits of cowboys and rodeo stars of the past. The urban legends and ghost tales shared by locals are filled with murder, suicide, and crime, including two of the most infamous criminals in American history, Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow.

Bonnie & Clyde’s Room at the Stockyards Hotel

Famous outlaws Bonnie and Clyde took the country by storm, garnering attention from young and old alike. People stayed glued to the radio and other news sources to find out where the duo would end up next. 

The pair were accused of killing 13 people while they were on a murderous rampage to flee from the law and resist arrest. Nearly a century later, there is a new generation of true crime fans who are enamored by the antics of the couple. 

While many choose to stay in suite 305 at the Stockyards hotel for the historical aspects, other curious people are interested in staying because of the rumor that the ghosts of Bonnie and Clyde actually remain there.

Suite 305

The Bonnie and Clyde suite is located in the southwest corner of the third floor. This is where the couple stayed in 1933, as they kept a close eye on the whereabouts of local law enforcement. 

Around a year after their stay at the hotel, they were notoriously gunned down. But many believe Bonnie’s spirit may have found her way back to the hotel.

According to reports, guests have stated that the bathroom faucet will turn on and off by itself. Noises can be heard at night, and visitors feel the presence of someone in the room with them. But what would cause the ghost of Bonnie Parker to cling to this hotel room following their death?

The Lost Spirit of Bonnie Parker

The reason why many believe she refuses to leave the hotel is because there are so many artifacts from their escapes in that very room. Some of the souvenirs include the .38 revolver said to belong to Bonnie and newspaper clippings detailing their robberies. The most surprising artifact of all is one of Bonnie’s poems, which hauntingly foretells their death. 

Bonnie had hoped that when she and Clyde met their fate, they’d be buried side-by-side to remain together for eternity. But Bonnie’s mother demanded her daughter be buried separately. 

They are now buried nine miles apart in different cemeteries, even though several of their descendants have tried to move their remains closer together. Some people say that Bonnie didn’t want to face the afterlife alone, and that is why her soul still lingers at the hotel, hoping to be reunited with her former partner-in-crime.

Hauntings on the Second Floor

While the Bonnie and Clyde story is the most famous tale to come out of the Stockyards Hotel, there are several other ghosts and spirits to keep Bonnie company. The second floor of the hotel is said to be very haunted. 

One guest staying there said they woke up at 3 am after hearing a thudding noise against the wall. They remained awake and soon found they were unable to move their bodies. They could only look around the dark room without turning their heads. Soon they were startled by yet another loud thud. They then saw that a lamp had crashed into the wall and then fell back into place.

The guest then felt someone or something press down on their right knee before the lamp crashed the wall again, this time with even more force. The guest quickly jumped out of bed and gathered their things to leave the hotel immediately.

Creepy Calls to the Front Desk

One of the most detailed stories coming from the Stockyards Hotel concerns a night clerk who kept getting prank calls during their shift. He would answer the phone constantly, but there was never any response on the other line. 

After several calls, the clerk decided to investigate. They soon discovered the calls were coming from somewhere in the hotel’s lobby. The clerk waited for the phone to ring again while peering around the lobby. He noticed no one was there and was completely alone just as the phone rang again.

Stockyards Hotel Ghost Encounters

Ghost encounters at the Stockyards hotel have been a hot topic in Fort Worth since the hotel first opened its doors. Along with the faucet turning on and off in the Bonnie and Clyde suite, guests and staff members have reported similar issues with electronics such as TVs and radios powering on and off or switching channels. 

The original elevator in the hotel is believed to operate all on its own. Some have seen it ascending and descending without anyone occupying it.

Haunted Dallas

The Old West is filled with incredible stories that have been passed down through the years. While some are meant to inspire or take us back to a much simpler time, other stories like the ghost tales from the Stockyards Hotel only serve the purpose of keeping you awake at night.

For more information about the most haunted places in Dallas, be sure to check out our blog. And if you are planning to stay in Dallas, you won’t want to miss our Dallas Terrors ghost tour!

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Sources:

• https://www.stockyardshotel.com
• https://www.fortwortharchitecture.com/north/stockyardshotel.htm
• https://fwtx.com/news/features/fort-worth’s-stockyards-hotel-acquired-by-hotel-drover/
• https://texashighways.com/travel/lodging/stay-at-the-same-storied-fort-worth-hotel-as-bonnie-and-clyde/
• https://www.hauntedrooms.com/texas/dfw/haunted-places/haunted-hotels/stockyards-hotel-fort-worth