THE STORY
Reported Haunting
The historic St. Francis Hotel is associated with apparitions and unexplained activity on its 12th floor, particularly around the suite connected to actress Virginia Rappe and the notorious 1921 Roscoe Arbuckle party.
Opened in 1904 overlooking Union Square, the St. Francis became the setting of one of early Hollywood's most notorious scandals in September 1921. Actress Virginia Rappe became gravely ill following a party hosted by film comedian Roscoe "Fatty" Arbuckle in the hotel and died several days later. Arbuckle faced multiple trials and was ultimately acquitted. Paranormal tradition later associated the hotel's 12th floor and Room 1219 with unexplained activity and an apparition identified as Rappe. Other unidentified female apparitions have also been reported in the hotel. The historical events are documented, while the supernatural claims remain anecdotal.