At its height this railroad station saw over 40,000 people a day on their way to Galveston's bars, casinos and brothels. An engineer by the name of William Watson would entertain the passing crowds by doing handstands on the cattle guard of the engines. One unfortunate day he slipped and was immediately decapitated. A derby hat was still securely sitting on the head they found a mile away!

So many dignitaries, soldiers, politicians and even presidents have checked in…but some never checked out. Crying sobs are heard on the stairwells and in the halls. A Civil War soldier marches up and down the lobby for all to see. A little boy plays in the hotel rumored to be the ghost of a child run over outside the front of the hotel. One helpful ghost will even unpack for you!

Charles F. Coghlan, a famous British actor, sailed to Galveston to grace the stage of The Grand Opera House. But poor Charles died before the curtain was ever raised. What to do with this distinguished visitor’s body? While waiting for the answer The Great Storm demolished the island and carried Charles' coffin out to sea. It floated from Galveston to Prince Albert Sound before it finally made land…about a mile from where Charles planned to retire.