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History Of Hassayampa

Among Prescott hotels, the story of the historic Hassayampa Inn is truly unique. Even before it was constructed, the Inn helped to bring the people of Prescott together. During the “roaring twenties,” El Paso architect Henry Trost was challenged by a group of residents to design a grand hotel – a place where people could relax, chat and escape the grind of their hectic lives.

Hundreds of Prescott citizens bought shares into the project at $1 each and the result was the construction of a stunning red brick building, completed in 1927, that would serve as the cornerstone of downtown. Back then, it was known as the Hassayampa Hotel.  

These warm and welcoming accommodations were named after the Hassayampa River located north of Prescott, which mysteriously sinks beneath the surface for much of its 100-mile journey. The Apache word “Hassayampa” loosely translates as “the river that loses itself” is a fitting moniker for a hotel that was designed to be a place where patrons can emerge refreshed and relaxed.

Today, the historic Hassayampa Inn remains an anchor in the community. ​The building is included in the National Register of Historic Places and is a member of the Historic Hotels of America. But most of all, this red-brick hotel is as charming today as it was more than 90 years ago.

​Step inside and marvel at the elaborate stained-glass doors, vibrant murals, hand-painted ceiling beams and other historic features that have been artfully restored. Unwind in your comfortable room knowing that you’re staying in the same hotel where celebrities like D.H. Lawrence, Clark Gable, Greta Garbo, Tom Mix, Will Rogers and Georgia O'Keeffe once came to relax. 

Encountering Faith Essay

The year it opened, the Hassayampa Inn developed its most famous legend. A very young bride named Faith Summers checked into a balcony suite with her much older husband in 1927. According to the story, Faith’s husband went out to buy cigarettes and never returned. Faith waited for three days and then took her life in despair.

Since then, countless hotel guests and employees have reported encounters with a young woman throughout the hotel crying at the end of a bed, dressed in a pink gown in the hallway, appearing and disappearing from rooms. One housekeeper saw a woman by a bed, holding flowers and crying. When asked if she needed help, the woman vanished. Kitchen staff have reported feeling Faith’s presence in the kitchen, right before the burners on the stove suddenly went out.

Others have reported strange cold spots in Faith’s honeymoon suite. Frequently the smell of flowers emanates from the empty room. Once, a staff member was standing in front of the room drinking coffee and talking about the legend when her coffee leaped from the cup and spilled over her hand. Others have had similar experiences while doing research on Faith and her story.

One recent guest, a young man, said he sensed someone in his room when he awoke. He drifted off and awoke to someone hugging him. Then he asked if there had been incidents of haunting at the hotel. “Oh, that’s just Faith,” the desk clerk said. Others have experienced lights or the television going on in the middle of the night or awaking to find their toothbrushes missing.

Faith never threatens in these encounters. The heartbroken ghost simply appears unable to move on from her anguish. We like to think that even Faith enjoys staying at the Hassayampa Inn.

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