Fitzpatrick Hotel, Washington, Georgia

The Haunted History of the Fitzpatrick Hotel, Washington, Georgia

The Origins: From Fire to Grand Rebirth

The Fitzpatrick Hotel sits on the town square of Washington, Georgia, a historic building erected in 1898. Its construction followed a dramatic event: the Great Fire of 1895 devastated much of Washington’s business district.

Brothers John and Thomas Fitzpatrick, who previously ran a dry goods business, decided to invest in their hometown. They built the hotel not just to serve travelers but also as a showcase for their other businesses — in the lobby, they displayed dry goods and groceries alongside the hotel’s more traditional functions.

Architects Golucke & Stewart, noted for their work on public buildings across Georgia, designed the hotel. The building was modern for its time: it was the first in Washington to have electricity and a telephone system.

Over time, the hotel changed hands. After John Fitzpatrick died in 1907 and Thomas passed in 1911, the building went through various names and ultimately closed in the early 1950s. Decades later, in the early 2000s, it was lovingly restored by new owners, bringing back much of its original charm.

Hauntings Take Root: The Ghost Stories Begin

Because of its age, architecture, and layered history, the Fitzpatrick Hotel has become fertile ground for ghost stories. These are some of the most commonly told:

1. Built Above a Cemetery

One of the more chilling legends is that the hotel sits atop part of an old city cemetery. According to local lore, while headstones were removed when the hotel was built, the bodies were not. This provides a classic “restless souls” foundation for paranormal tales.

2. The Two Fitzpatrick Sisters

Perhaps the most pervasive story involves two young sisters, daughters of Thomas Fitzpatrick, who reportedly died in the hotel: one from illness, and the other from a tragic fall down a staircase.

1. Room 200: Many claim this was the room the sisters shared. Guests staying there report sore throats, which some attribute to the spirit of the sister who died of illness.
2. Others say they hear the sounds of children playing, or little feet running up and down the stairs.

3. The Lady in Green & Phantom Music

The Fitzpatrick is said to be haunted by a lady in green. Witnesses describe her appearance as being accompanied by a floral perfume, and some report phantom music playing in the empty ballroom between dusk and dawn.

4. A Scorned Wife’s Revenge

Another tale says a Fitzpatrick heiress discovered her husband with his mistress. In a jealous rage, she allegedly pushed the mistress out of a third-story window (often cited as Room 307). Some say the mistress’s spirit lingers there, while the wife herself returns to check on couples in that room.

5. Cold Spots & Shadowy Encounters

Paranormal investigators and guests have reported more subtle phenomena:

1. Cold spots in the hallways and stairwells.
2. Feelings of being watched or touched.
3. Mysterious movement of objects, including reports of items moving on their own.

Paranormal Investigations & Pop Culture

Over the years, several paranormal investigations have taken place at the hotel. Ghost hunters have explored the building, conducted séances, and held overnight investigations. The paranormal TV show Ghost Brothers visited the Fitzpatrick Hotel, further popularizing the haunting lore, especially around the idea that the hotel was built over graves. Local investigators describe sensing presences in the tower room and ballroom, feeling the weight of tragic history in the air.

The hotel’s haunted reputation has also made it a draw for media coverage and travel features, with ghost tours, overnight stays in “haunted rooms,” and interviews with staff who recount their experiences.

Theories & Interpretations

Given the variety of stories, several explanations have emerged:

1. Historical Roots – The idea that the hotel was built over an old cemetery gives many of the ghost stories a foundation in tradition.
2. Family Tragedy – The tale of the Fitzpatrick sisters adds emotional weight to any hauntings. Rooms tied to their story, like Room 200, naturally become “hotspots” for paranormal claims.
3. Jealousy & Revenge – The pushed-mistress story taps into themes of betrayal, scandal, and retribution, which are common in Southern gothic lore.
4. Sensory Hauntings – Reports of perfume, cold spots, or phantom music may reflect residual hauntings, where past emotions or events loop in a place without intelligent spirit intervention.
5. Psychological & Environmental Factors – Old hotels creak, settle, and shift; shadows are cast at odd angles, and the mind is powerful. Guests’ expectations can heighten the sense of paranormal activity.

Why the Haunted Reputation Matters

1. Tourism & Cultural Value: Guests intentionally book “haunted rooms,” and paranormal enthusiasts are drawn to the hotel, adding to its mystique.
2. Historical Preservation: The restoration revived not just a building but its stories, allowing visitors to connect with the past.
3. Community Identity: The hotel is woven into local legend, adding character and folklore to Washington, Georgia.

Skeptical Counter‑Points

1. No Historical Records for Some Stories – Many tales come from oral accounts and retellings rather than concrete evidence.
2. Investigations Are Mixed – Even experienced investigators do not always report unambiguous evidence of ghosts.
3. Psychological Priming – Guests who expect a ghost are more likely to interpret natural sounds or shadows as paranormal.

Conclusion: A Place Where History and Hauntings Meet

The Fitzpatrick Hotel is more than just a beautifully preserved building — it’s a repository of memory, legend, and mystery. Its haunted reputation rests on a tapestry of tales: lost children, scorned lovers, old cemeteries, and spectral music. Whether or not one believes in ghosts, the hotel’s lore enriches its character, making it a deeply atmospheric destination for history buffs, paranormal enthusiasts, and curious travelers alike.

The real “haunting” may be the way these stories connect us to the past — reminding us of loss, legacy, and how places carry echoes of those who came before.