The Story Behind This Haunted Hotel in Georgia is Terrifying

Georgia is a state rich in history and culture, but also in ghost stories and paranormal activity. Some of the most haunted places in Georgia are the hotels that have witnessed centuries of events, tragedies, and mysteries. In this article, we will explore one of the most haunted hotels in Georgia, the Omni Atlanta Hotel at Centennial Park, and the terrifying story behind it.

The History of the Omni Atlanta Hotel

The Omni Atlanta Hotel at Centennial Park is a four-star hotel located in downtown Atlanta, overlooking the Centennial Olympic Park. The hotel was built in 1992 as part of the preparations for the 1996 Summer Olympics, which were held in Atlanta. The hotel has 1,059 rooms and suites, a spa, a fitness center, a restaurant, and a business center. It is also connected to the Georgia World Congress Center and the CNN Center by a skybridge.

The hotel is known for its elegant and modern design, as well as its proximity to some of the most popular attractions in Atlanta, such as the Georgia Aquarium, the World of Coca-Cola, and the Mercedes-Benz Stadium. However, the hotel also has a dark and sinister side, as it is said to be haunted by the ghost of a man who died in a tragic incident during the Olympics.

The Bombing of the Centennial Olympic Park

On July 27, 1996, the Centennial Olympic Park was crowded with thousands of people who were enjoying a free concert by the band Jack Mack and the Heart Attack. The park was a festive and lively place, where visitors could celebrate the Olympic spirit and have fun. However, at 1:20 a.m., a bomb exploded near a sound tower in the park, killing one person and injuring 111 others. The blast also damaged nearby buildings, including the Omni Atlanta Hotel.

The bomb was planted by Eric Robert Rudolph, a domestic terrorist who was opposed to abortion, homosexuality, and the federal government. He also bombed two abortion clinics and a lesbian bar in Atlanta, and a clinic in Birmingham, Alabama, where he killed a police officer and wounded a nurse. Rudolph evaded capture for five years, hiding in the Appalachian Mountains, until he was arrested in 2003. He pleaded guilty to all four bombings and was sentenced to life imprisonment without parole.

The bombing of the Centennial Olympic Park was one of the most shocking and devastating events in the history of the Olympics, and it left a lasting scar on the city of Atlanta and the nation. The park was reopened after a few days, and the Olympics continued, but the memory of the tragedy still haunts many people, especially those who witnessed it or were affected by it.

The Ghost of the Omni Atlanta Hotel

One of the victims of the bombing was Alice Hawthorne, a 44-year-old woman from Albany, Georgia, who had come to the park with her daughter and a friend to enjoy the concert. Hawthorne was killed by a nail that pierced her skull, while her daughter and friend suffered minor injuries. Hawthorne was a loving mother, a successful businesswoman, and a community activist, who was described by her family and friends as a “ray of sunshine”.

Hawthorne’s death was mourned by many people, and her funeral was attended by hundreds of mourners, including then-President Bill Clinton and his wife Hillary. Hawthorne’s family also received a letter of condolence from Muhammad Ali, who had lit the Olympic cauldron at the opening ceremony. Hawthorne was buried in her hometown of Albany, where a street was named after her.

However, some people believe that Hawthorne’s spirit did not rest in peace, and that she still lingers in the Omni Atlanta Hotel, where she had stayed before the bombing. According to some guests and staff, Hawthorne’s ghost haunts the 15th floor of the hotel, where she can be seen or heard walking in the hallways, knocking on doors, or turning on lights. Some people also claim that they have felt a cold breeze or a gentle touch when they are in the elevator or in their rooms.

Some paranormal investigators have visited the hotel and tried to communicate with Hawthorne’s ghost, using electronic devices or psychic mediums. They have reported getting messages or responses from Hawthorne, who seems to be friendly and curious, but also sad and confused. Some investigators have also captured images or sounds of Hawthorne’s ghost, which they have shared online or on television shows.

The Conclusion

The Omni Atlanta Hotel at Centennial Park is a haunted hotel in Georgia that has a terrifying story behind it. The hotel is haunted by the ghost of Alice Hawthorne, a woman who was killed in the bombing of the Centennial Olympic Park in 1996. Hawthorne’s ghost is said to roam the 15th floor of the hotel, where she manifests in various ways, such as noises, lights, or apparitions. Some people have tried to contact Hawthorne’s ghost, and have received evidence of her presence and personality.

The hotel is a popular destination for tourists, business travelers, and ghost hunters, who want to experience the luxury, the history, and the mystery of the hotel. The hotel is also a reminder of the tragedy that struck Atlanta during the Olympics, and the courage and resilience of the people who survived it. The hotel is a place where the past and the present, the living and the dead, and the joy and the sorrow, coexist.