This will be the final post of potential Adolphus Hotel hauntings in the elevator shafts. This death was much more recent than the others which dated to the construction of the hotel (1911) through the 1920s. Our final elevator shaft death dates to 1971. The Adolphus Hotel was a popular spot for local bands to play. As such, an unnamed band was loading gear in and out of a malfunctioning elevator in mid-March, 1971. Members of the band had noticed that the car was not always on the other side of the open doors. They had found themselves, more than once, staring in to an empty shaft.
From the Dallas Morning News:
An Adolphus Hotel porter died early Sunday after stepping in to a freight elevator shaft when the car wasn’t there. Dead is Ralph T Radley JR, 51, of 2506 Grand Avenue, Apt. 205.
A witness said he had warned Radley, loading band equipment on the 2nd floor, to ‘be sure the car is there’. He said Radley responded ‘yes, it is here’ and stepped in to the shaft. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Image: retractable ice skating rink in the Adolphus Hotel.
Viable entertainment options for the Adolphus Hotel included dodging missing elevator cars, listening to live music and ice skating indoors.
Yes, retractable ice rink. In the 19th floor ballroom, c. 1936 – 1965.
Image taken from: Skateguard1.blogspot
