Putnam Hotel, DeLand, Florida

The Haunted History of the Putnam Hotel, DeLand, Florida

A Gilded Beginning

The story of the Putnam Hotel begins in the late 19th century when Henry Addison DeLand, founder of the city, built the DeLand Grove House in the 1880s. This modest inn catered to visitors drawn to Florida’s citrus boom. In 1885, Alfred Putnam purchased and expanded the property, creating the Putnam House—a three-story wooden hotel that quickly became a winter haven for northern elites escaping harsh winters. Its verandas, fine dining, and electric lighting made it a jewel of early Florida hospitality.

Fire and Rebirth

Tragedy struck in 1921 when an explosion and fire reduced the original wooden structure to ashes. Determined to rebuild, developers commissioned architect William J. Carpenter to design a fireproof replacement. By 1923, the new Putnam Hotel rose—a six-story Mediterranean Revival masterpiece of brick, concrete, and steel. Its arched windows, red-tiled roof, and elegant colonnades reflected the opulence of Florida’s land-boom era. The hotel boasted over 100 rooms, grand parlors, and a ballroom, hosting dignitaries, celebrities, and Stetson University visitors.

Decline and Abandonment

By mid-century, changing travel trends and the rise of motels eroded the Putnam’s prestige. It shifted from luxury lodging to apartments and dorm-style housing. Despite redevelopment attempts in the 1990s and 2000s, the building fell into disrepair. Broken windows, peeling paint, and boarded doors became symbols of faded grandeur. Ultimately, after years of stalled renovations and ownership changes, the Putnam Hotel was demolished in February 2023, leaving only memories and ghost stories behind.

The Haunting Legends

The Putnam Hotel’s decline coincided with chilling tales that cemented its reputation as one of Florida’s most haunted sites:

1. Murder-Suicide Tragedy: According to local lore, a guest killed his wife and then himself within the hotel’s walls. Their restless spirits are said to linger, manifesting as cold spots, shadowy figures darting across upper floors, and an overwhelming sense of sadness.
2. The 1984 Fire Escape Murder: A documented case adds weight to the legends. In 1984, Stephen Hughes pushed his pregnant girlfriend, Elmyra Winfield, from a fire escape, killing both her and the unborn child. Many believe this horrific act intensified the building’s paranormal activity.
3. Ghostly Encounters: Former guests and urban explorers reported flickering lights, unexplained footsteps, and sudden temperature drops. Some claimed to hear faint music from the ballroom long after the hotel closed, as if echoes of its glamorous past refused to fade.

Why the Hauntings Persist

Locals often joke, “It’s the ghosts,” when asked why every renovation plan failed. Whether due to financial hurdles or supernatural interference, the Putnam Hotel became a cautionary tale of ambition, tragedy, and mystery. Today, the cleared lot stands silent, but the stories endure—whispered among DeLand residents and immortalized in Florida’s haunted lore.

Closing Thoughts

The Putnam Hotel’s saga blends history and haunting in equal measure. From its opulent beginnings to its fiery destruction and spectral legends, it remains a captivating chapter in Florida’s past. For ghost hunters and history buffs alike, the Putnam is more than a demolished building—it’s a reminder that some spirits never check out.