The Haunted Legacy of the Lowe Hotel in Point Pleasant, WV

Exploring the History, Hauntings, and Future of a Paranormal Landmark

Hey spooky cats! 👻

During my recent trip to Point Pleasant for the Mothman Festival, I couldn’t resist checking out one of the most famously haunted spots in town—the Lowe Hotel. Even though we caught little during our brief investigation, I still wanted to share the history of this beautiful old building, the ghost stories that surround it, and what’s next for the hotel, since it’s currently closed. (But maybe not forever!)

The History of the Lowe Hotel

If you’ve never heard of the Lowe Hotel, it’s a gorgeous 3-story building right across the street from the Mothman statue. Built in 1901, it was originally called the Spencer Hotel. The location was prime real estate for riverboat travelers since the Ohio River is just steps away.

In 1929, the Lowe family bought the place and gave it the name we all know today. Then, in the 1990s, Ruth and Rush Finley purchased it and ran it as a charming, antique-filled time capsule. They did a great job keeping the historic feel while adding some modern comforts—although I wouldn’t call anything about this place "fancy." It was more like stepping back in time… in the best spooky way.

Ghost Stories from the Lowe Hotel

Even before I stepped near the hotel, I had heard the legends—and let me tell you, there are a lot of them. Whether you believe in ghosts, the Lowe Hotel has a serious reputation for hauntings. Here are a few of the ghostly characters said to still wander the halls:

• The Dancing Lady: One of the most famous ghosts is seen on the mezzanine between the first and second floors. Witnesses claim to see a barefoot woman dancing to music only she can hear. Some say she’s Juliette Smith, a heartbroken woman from the early 1900s who never got her happy ending.

• The Girl on the Tricycle: Yep, a classic creepy ghost kid. A little girl is said to ride her tricycle through the second floor halls. People have heard her giggling or the squeak of wheels when no one’s around.

• Captain Jim: A legless riverboat captain reportedly haunts room 316. People have seen him standing—or floating, I guess—by the windows, looking out toward the river like he’s waiting for a boat that’ll never come.

• The Whistling Maid: On the third floor, guests have reported hearing mysterious whistling and the sound of footsteps. Some believe it’s the ghost of a former maid going about her business in the afterlife.

We visited the outside of the hotel just long enough to do a quick investigation with our equipment. While we captured nothing super exciting this time, the atmosphere was still thick with history—and who knows what we might’ve caught if we’d stayed overnight?

So… Why Is It Closed?

At the time of our visit, the Lowe Hotel was officially closed. The doors were locked, and signs indicated it was temporarily shut down. But according to some recent news, there’s hope on the horizon!

The hotel was quietly sold to a new owner—apparently a local attorney who wants to stay anonymous (which, come on, only adds to the mystery). They’re planning a massive renovation, hoping to reopen the hotel as a 60-room luxury space, including suites and ballrooms. The goal is to keep the historic charm while giving the hotel a much-needed facelift. And yes, I’ll absolutely be back to investigate once it reopens.

Final Thoughts

I caught nothing groundbreaking during this trip to the Lowe Hotel, but the legends alone are enough to make it worth visiting—especially if you’re already in town for the Mothman Festival. Even just standing in the lobby gave me goosebumps, and if walls could talk, I’m sure this place would have a lot to say.

And who knows? Maybe the spirits were just on vacation. Or maybe they’re shy. Either way, I’m not done with the Lowe Hotel just yet. I’ll be watching for news of the reopening and definitely coming back for a proper overnight investigation.

Until next time, stay spooky, my cats.

– Spooky Cat Lady

🖤 Watch the full video of our investigation on my YouTube channel!
📍 Have you stayed at the Lowe Hotel or had an experience there? Let me know in the comments!