the Lemp Mansion Restaurant & Inn, St. Louis

In 1838 John Lemp arrived in St. Louis from Germany and opened a grocery where he sold home-brewed beer.  He shortly abandoned the grocery venue and went into growing his brewery into a major business.  The family became quite wealthy and in mid-century John's son William took over the family business. In 1876 William purchased a grand mansion near the brewery and then improved it even more, adding modern and extravagant features. Woodcarvers, painters and stonemasons were brought in to bring a new level of grandeur to the home. As the 20th century started, times were to become tragic for the Lemp family. William's son Frederick became sickly and died at the age of 28 in 1904. William became despondent, and less than two months later went up to his bedroom and killed himself with a gun to his head.  William Lemp Jr. inherited the brewery and went through his own marital and financial difficulties during the next 15 years. In 1920 his sister Elsa killed herself in the mansion with a gun.  Prohibition arrived shortly after that, and in Dec. 1922 William Jr. killled himself.  His son, William III died of a heart attack in 1943 at the age of 42.  William Jr.'s brother Edwin sold the mansion in 1949 and for years it was a boarding house in a declining neighborhood.  In 1975 the Pointer family bought the mansion and turned it into a restaurant, which is still open today.  During renovations many workers reported feeling watched and that their tools would disappear after they put them down.  Since the restaurant has been open, glasses have lifted off the bar, apparitions have been seen, disembodied voices heard, the piano plays by itself, and doors lock or unlock by themselves.  Footsteps of someone running up the main stairs is heard without cause, and on the back stairs the panting, click of nails and clink of a dog collar are heard  - supposedly loyal family dog. The Lemp Mansion is still run by the Pointer family, and offers a full lunch and dinner menu.  On Sundays a family style Sunday dinner is available. There are 5 guest suites where one can stay the night, and there are Paranormal Tours which you can read more about on their web site:  Lemp Mansion Restaurant/Inn

Arrow Rock Old Tavern Restaurant, Arrow Rock

In a small, quaint town overlooking the Missouri River, this tavern is a historic site owned by the state and contracted out to Mr. & Mrs. Duncan who run the establishment. The former owners and many of their staff experienced many paranormal events including hearing their names called when alone, seeing an apparition of a woman, and doors opening or shutting on their own.  The restaurant is at 302 Main St., Arrow Rock. Phone:  660-837-3200. The entire village of Arrow Rock has been designated a National Historic Landmark recognizing its association with Westward Expansion and the Santa Fe Trail. You can read more about it and get info for a walking tour at:  http://arrowrock.org/

The Elms Resort, Excelsior Springs

Only 30 minutes from Kansas City, the Elms was built for guests who wanted to partake of the mineral springs nearby.  Constructed in the 1880's, sadly it burned down in 1898.  Rebuilt, it was destroyed by fire again in 1910. Following that it was once again rebuilt and is still standing.  During the 1930's the hotel hosted the wealthy and famous from various arenas: politicians, actors and mobsters.  The lap pool is supposedly haunted by the spirit of a man killed by the mob.  On the third floor the ghost of a maid in a '20s style uniform has been seen.  On the Ghost Haunters' paranormal site they report that they were told of an apparition being seen several times in the library of a man in a white suit, and that others had seen a little girl who fades away. The Elms is at 401 Regent St., phone: 800-843-3567.  The Elms Website.