No photograph
on file
Est. 1951
The Campbell House official website
Haunted Hotel / Inn

The Campbell House

Historic 1951 hotel with paranormal reputation tied to alleged 1960s murders

1375 South Broadway, Lexington, KY 40504

Wheelchair Accessible Research-Backed · 2 sources

Research updated May 2026

Age

All Ages

Cost

$$

Hotel lodging rates vary; call for current pricing

Access

Wheelchair OK

Historic hotel with modern elevator

Equipment

Photos OK

ApparitionsDoors opening/closingPhantom voicesPhantom whispersLights flickeringObject movement

The Campbell House has become one of Lexington's most documented paranormal locations based on allegations of violent deaths and subsequent supernatural activity. The primary legend centers on two women whose deaths allegedly occurred on the premises during the late 1960s.

According to the account most frequently cited in paranormal literature, one woman was stabbed to death on the hotel's main staircase. Visitors and staff reportedly have observed a persistent bloodstain on the staircase carpet at the location where this alleged stabbing occurred. The stain's presence has been cited as physical evidence of the historical trauma, though documentation of the original incident remains absent from newspaper archives and official records.

The second alleged murder involved a woman shot in one of the third-floor guest rooms. This detail less frequently appears in contemporary accounts, with primary focus remaining on the staircase stabbing and associated phenomena.

Paranormal reports from guests and staff document various phenomena throughout the hotel. Doors in third-floor guest rooms frequently open and slam by themselves, with reports suggesting an autonomous quality inconsistent with mechanical failure. Some guest accounts describe sleep paralysis episodes and nocturnal disturbances. Visitors have reported seeing a tall man dressed in Victorian or dark clothing walking through hotel corridors and vanishing from view—identified by some sources as Kilbern, a previous hotel owner or manager.

A woman's voice has been reported in the basement area, allegedly whispering "help me," though the identity and historical connection of this entity remain undocumented. Unexplained flickering of lamps accompanied by buzzing sounds has been documented by multiple guests. Objects, particularly curtain rods, have allegedly fallen without apparent mechanical cause.

The hotel maintains guest comment books and has documented 26+ paranormal-related reviews. However, the absence of documented historical records, newspaper accounts, or official investigation reports concerning the alleged 1960s murders creates a significant gap between the paranormal reputation and historical verification. Local legend and guest experiences constitute the primary source material for the Campbell House's paranormal narrative.

Notable Entities

The Tall Man in Victorian DressKilbernThe Stabbed WomanThe Basement Woman

Media Appearances

  • The Grave Talks podcast

Plan Your Visit

1 way to experience
Overnight Stay Booking Required

Overnight Stay at The Campbell House

Stay overnight at the historic Campbell House hotel, a Lexington landmark with equestrian-themed decor and full hospitality amenities.

Cost:
Contact hotel for rates
Days:
Daily

Book a room at The Campbell House

Stay the night

Some links on this page may earn HauntBound a small commission when you book, at no extra cost to you. Our editorial picks are independent. Full disclosure

See current room rates and availability at The Campbell House.

Check rates and book

Rates come from booking partners, so a small property may not be listed. Book direct with The Campbell House

Sources & Further Reading

Every HauntBound history is researched from documented sources. We clearly separate verified historical fact from paranormal folklore.

  1. 1.thecampbellhouse.net
  2. 2.thecampbellhouse.com/about

Free Guide

Get the Kentucky Haunted Trail Guide

11 verified stops, rated for families, mapped in order. Free.

One email to confirm, then the guide link. Unsubscribe anytime.

Similar Destinations

Exterior of the Gibson Inn at 51 Ave C in Apalachicola, Florida, a 1907 three-story Victorian hotel
Haunted Hotel / Inn

Gibson Inn

Apalachicola, FL

The Gibson Inn was built in 1907 as the Franklin Hotel at the height of Apalachicola's lumber and shipping trade. Sisters Annie Gibson Hayes and Mary Ellen Gibson purchased and renamed it in 1923. During World War II, the U.S. Army requisitioned it as officers' quarters near Camp Gordon Johnston. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

$$$ All Ages Family: High
The RMS Queen Mary ocean liner permanently moored at Long Beach, California, its three red funnels and black hull visible from the harbor
Haunted Hotel / Inn

The Queen Mary

Long Beach, CA

The RMS Queen Mary was constructed at John Brown & Company's Clydebank shipyard beginning in 1930, launched September 26, 1934, and sailed her maiden voyage on May 27, 1936. Requisitioned as a troopship in 1939, she carried 810,000 soldiers under the nickname 'The Grey Ghost.' The ship has been permanently moored in Long Beach, California since December 1967.

$$ All Ages (Paranormal Ship Walk 13+; Graveyard Tour 16+) Family: Moderate
Aerial exterior view of the Hotel Alex Johnson, the 1928 Art Deco brick landmark in downtown Rapid City, South Dakota
Haunted Hotel / Inn

Hotel Alex Johnson

Rapid City, SD

The Hotel Alex Johnson began construction in 1927 and opened July 1, 1928, in downtown Rapid City as the vision of Alex Carlton Johnson. The Art Deco masterpiece represents early 20th-century hospitality luxury, featuring architectural distinction and historical significance throughout the Black Hills region. Johnson himself operated the hotel until his death in 1938. The facility has remained continuously operational and is now part of the Curio Collection by Hilton.

$$$ Guests must be at least twenty one to check in alone or be accompanied by someone at least twenty one. Family: High

Frequently Asked Questions

Is The Campbell House family-friendly?
The hotel is family-accessible but the paranormal reputation is based on alleged murders and violent deaths. The dark history makes it more suitable for teenagers and adults interested in haunted hospitality rather than young children. Overall family fit: Moderate.
How much does it cost to visit The Campbell House?
Hotel lodging rates vary; call for current pricing
Do I need to book in advance?
Yes, reservations are required.
Is The Campbell House wheelchair accessible?
Yes, The Campbell House is wheelchair accessible. Terrain: Historic hotel with modern elevator.