Is the Otesaga Haunted? Cooperstown’s Most Legendary Ghost Story

Written on DEC.17, 2025

Vintage black and white photo of the Otesaga Resort Hotel in Cooperstown NY, rumored to be haunted

Historic view of the Otesaga Resort Hotel, circa 1930's

While you may be looking for where to stay in Cooperstown, whether it be the Otesaga, a bed and breakfast, a VRBO, or hotels near Cooperstown, this story is about one special historic stay away.

Cooperstown may be a baseball mecca, but ask any local and they’ll tell you: there’s more to this town than bats and balls. One place that sparks whispers, raised eyebrows, and ghost stories galore is none other than The Otesaga Hotel. If you’ve driven past its stately front lawn or stayed there during tournament week, chances are you’ve heard at least one eerie tale.

And the truth? The ghost stories aren’t just for tourists.

What Makes The Otesaga So Spooky?

The Otesaga isn’t just one of the most beautiful hotels in Cooperstown—it’s also one of the most historic. Built in 1909, this grand lakeside resort has hosted everyone from baseball royalty to U.S. Presidents. But it’s the unseen guests that really get people talking.
Over the years, dozens of guests and employees have reported bizarre, unexplained phenomena throughout the building. Footsteps in empty hallways. Children’s laughter where no children are staying. Furniture moving on its own. And those are just the greatest hits.

The Third Floor Giggles

Most locals know: if you’re staying on the third floor, you’re in the hot zone. The most commonly reported sounds? Giggles. Fast-paced little footsteps. The kind of playful noise you’d hear if kids were racing each other down a hallway—except no one’s there.
These aren’t just ghost stories told by guests late at night. Employees on the night shift have heard them too. Many believe the spirits are tied to the hotel’s years as the Knox School for Girls, a boarding school that operated during the winter months from the 1920s through the 1950s.

Furniture Moving on the Fifth Floor

Another haunted hotspot is the fifth floor, where some guests have reported seeing shadowy figures, hearing muffled voices, or waking up to find furniture in a different place than where they left it. No one’s ever been harmed, and the ghosts don’t seem angry. But yeah, it’s unsettling.
And if you’re wondering if these tales are just small-town myths, think again. In 2015, MLB Hall of Famer Randy Johnson reportedly changed rooms at The Otesaga after learning his was said to be haunted.

Ghost Hunters Came to Town

The Otesaga even got national attention when The Atlantic Paranormal Society (TAPS) from the show Ghost Hunters showed up to investigate. It was Season 6, and they filmed their experience in the hotel. The team captured enough creepy activity to declare it one of the more active places they’d investigated at the time.
They focused on the third and fifth floors as well as the Glimmerglass Room—another spot rumored to house ghostly visitors. That ballroom has reportedly echoed with disembodied voices, especially after dark.

Are The Ghosts Friendly?

Here’s the good news: nobody’s ever been hurt. The spirits are said to be more playful than malevolent. Most guests who report spooky sightings say they weren’t scared—just surprised. It’s almost like the hotel has a memory of its own, and every now and then, it plays a few highlights from a century ago.

Should You Stay at The Otesaga?

Absolutely. Haunted or not, The Otesaga is a classic. The lake views, the porch rockers, the breakfast buffet—it’s a great place to stay during your baseball trip or family getaway. Just maybe double-check your chair placement before bed. And if your kid says she made a new friend down the hall named Margaret? Uh... maybe Google if that name’s in the guest registry from 1923.

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