In 1922 a few New Jersey businessmen created the Flanders Hotel, which at the time would compete with many of the best hotels in the country. The Hotel provide a resting place for successful businessmen and their families, one that would combine all the modern conveniences and yet maintain an air of elegance suitable to their positions. It was named for the American Cemetery in Belgium where soldiers killed in World War 1 are buried.

Built using Spanish architecture the Hotel was complete with a full basement below sea level grade that became known as the “Catacombs of the Flanders”. This basement area contains a maze of seven or eight expansive rooms. Over the years this basement area was used for many activities, not all of which were legal.

Flanders Hotel after a boardwalk fire

In the 1920’s and 30’ organized crime was a major force influencing business operations throughout the country and the east coast was no exception. Ocean City, being one of the few thriving areas in South Jersey during this time, was an ideal neutral location for occasional meetings by organized crime bosses from New York, Pennsylvania and Atlantic City. And of course the perfect place to hold these meetings was in the private catacombs of the Flanders. Later during prohibition the catacombs were used as a bar area to illegally sell alcohol. But little known by to most, the catacombs were used for much worse things.

The Hauntings

Being such a secluded area, the catacombs were used by the mobs to performs hits on enemies. It’s unknown how many were killed down there. Others say that people were killed upstairs in the Hotel and hidden down in the maze of rooms. Many of these victims are seen in the catacombs where laughter can be heard, even when nobody is around. Others claim to see various dark apparitions.

Emily, or The Lady in White, is perhaps the hotel’s most famous ghost Click to Tweet

Flanders Hotel Ghost Emily

Emily, or The Lady in White, is perhaps the hotel’s most famous ghost. She is described as being in her early twenties with long brown hair. She is most commonly seen in the lobby, second and fourth floors. She is known for flickering the lights, wiggling doorknobs, moving glasses, and smashing plates. She even makes an appearance from time to time. A portrait of Emily can be seen on the hotel’s second floor. It was made by artist Tony Troy based on the descriptions given to him by the staff and guests of the hotel.

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Haunted Places, Legends and Ghosts

Flanders Hotel : Ocean City, NJ

Flanders Hotel : Ocean City, NJ

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