The Skirvin Hilton Hotel in Oklahoma City’s downtown is a viable option for anyone looking for a spooky getaway. Built in 1911, there are rumors that the ghost of Effie, a former maid, haunts this ancient building. The story begins with Effie purportedly involved in a scandalous romance with W.B. Skirvin, the hotel’s founder, which led to an unapproved pregnancy. Skirvin allegedly locked Effie in a room on the top floor of the hotel to prevent a public scandal, and that’s where she sadly gave birth to a child. According to legend, Effie jumped out of the window, killing herself and her kid because she was so hopeless.
The Enigma of Effie s Haunting
Customers and employees at the Skirvin Hilton Hotel have experienced spine-tingling experiences ever since those tragic events, including eerie whispers that seem to come from a strange woman, a baby’s haunting wail, and ghostly footsteps that reverberate through the hallways. Some even assert that they saw Effie’s apparition, dressed in a maid’s uniform, moving through the hallways or appearing in their rooms. Effie, who is well-known for her naughty antics, is rumored to pull practical jokes on her male guests, like knocking on doors and turning on showers and toilets. Some men have even gone so far as to say they felt Effie in their beds, or that she touched and kissed them.
The NBA Hex
The Skirvin Hilton Hotel has a reputation for being a curse for NBA teams traveling to Oklahoma City to play against the Thunder, which only serves to heighten its allure. Gamers have reported having trouble falling asleep, feeling uneasy, and even having nightmares because of the hotel’s ghostly presence. Athletes have blamed experiences with the hotel’s ghost for their subpar on-court results. Famous incidents include the 2010 New York Knicks loss to the Thunder, when players reported seeing Effie in their rooms, and the 2016 Cleveland Cavaliers loss, which was accompanied by cries of a baby in the players’ quarters.
Unraveling the Legend s Authenticity
Though Effie’s tragic story has been widely circulated, there is little evidence to substantiate its veracity. According to some historians, the tradition might have been created by a competing hotel owner who wanted to damage the reputation of the Skirvin Hilton Hotel. Documents do not support the existence of an Effie maid or any suicide or killing involving a woman and infant at the hotel. Paranormal enthusiasts, however, point to alleged proof of the existence of extraterrestrial beings, including EVPs, orbs, and anomalies photographed by investigators at the hotel.
Concluding Thoughts
Whether one believes in the paranormal or not, the Skirvin Hilton Hotel offers an engrossing glimpse into Oklahoma City’s past and present. The hotel features a restaurant, bar, spa, and ballroom, and it has hosted notables including Harry Truman, Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, and Barack Obama. However, if you want a quiet night’s sleep, you might want to avoid the 10th level, as that’s where Effie is said to hang out. You never know when an extraterrestrial contact will occur.