Photos tour inside the Hotel In the high plains of Colorado, surrounded by the majestic Rocky Mountains, sits an imposing and stately building known as the Stanley Hotel. Recognized for its imposing architecture, this grand old dame is shrouded in fascinating history, stories of paranormal activity, and there is much more to this historic landmark than meets the eye. From its haunted reputation we delve into the intriguing events and fascinating anecdotes that have shaped the legacy of the Stanley Hotel which was the inspiration for Stephen King's iconic horror novel, The Shining. Founded in 1909, the Stanley Hotel was conceived and built by Freelan Oscar Stanley, a wealthy American entrepreneur and inventor, best known for developing the Stanley Steamer, an early steam-powered car. Struggling with tuberculosis, Stanley was advised by his doctors to move west for the health benefits of dry air and sunshine. Upon arriving in the small town of Estes Park, Stanley was immediately take