Before the Civil War began, Kansas was embroiled in its own battle. The proslavery and antislavery factions fought over the issue of allowing slavery in Kansas in a battle known as Bleeding Kansas or the Border Wars.

Lawrence, Kansas, was at the epicenter. In 1855, the antislavery side built the Free State Hotel. There was no question about what it represented. It was burned to the ground on the day of its grand opening.

Colonel Shalor Eldridge rebuilt the hotel and vowed to rebuild it every time the pro-slavery forces attacked it. In 1856, it was burned down again. The hotel was rebuilt. In 1926 it underwent extensive renovations, and that is the hotel you see today – The Eldridge Hotel.

It is said that Colonel Eldridge loved it so much that he has never left his beloved hotel and is there to this day. Today on the Grave Talks, Part One of our conversation about the historic – and haunted – Eldridge Hotel in Lawrence, Kansas, with Dennis Sneed.

For more information on the Eldrige Hotel, visit their website, eldridgehotel.com

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