Drury Plaza Hotel Broadview -Wichita, KS

Towering over the Arkansas River since the roaring 1920s, the Drury Plaza Hotel Broadview blends elegance, history… and something far more mysterious. Guests checking into this iconic Wichita landmark may find themselves sharing the halls with restless spirits—echoes of betrayal, tragedy, and a past that refuses to stay buried.

The Drury Plaza Hotel Broadview History

Originally opened in 1922 as the Broadview Hotel, this grand brick structure quickly became one of Wichita’s premier destinations for travelers along the historic Chisholm Trail.

• Hosted notable figures like Al Capone and Charles Lindbergh
• Featured a Prohibition-era speakeasy, adding to its lively (and sometimes secretive) past
• Situated prominently along the Arkansas River, making it a centerpiece of downtown Wichita

Over time, the hotel underwent renovations and was eventually restored and rebranded as the Drury Plaza Hotel Broadview, preserving much of its historic charm while modernizing the interior.

👻 Haunted Reputation & Paranormal Activity

The hotel is widely considered one of the most haunted locations in Wichita, with its paranormal reputation tied to a tragic and violent event.

💀 The Legend of “Clarence” (Primary Haunting)

• In the late 1920s, a guest named Clarence allegedly discovered his wife’s infidelity
• In a fit of rage, he killed her and then jumped from an upper floor (often cited as the 8th floor)
• His spirit is said to remain—and is often described as a mischievous, prankster-like entity

👻 Reported Paranormal Activity

• Phones ringing repeatedly with no caller
• Lights turning on/off and electrical disturbances
• Objects moving in bathrooms or guest rooms
• Curtains behaving unnaturally (even appearing to lift toward the ceiling)
• Disembodied sounds (including wing flapping in empty hallways)
• Apparitions dressed in 1920s clothing, often seen dancing in ballroom areas
• EVPs and unexplained voices recorded by investigators

Additional reports include a child spirit and other lingering guests who never checked out.

Drury Plaza Hotel Broadview’s Most Haunted Rooms & Areas to Request

• Upper Floors (especially 7th–8th floors) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
  • Associated with Clarence’s tragic death
  • Highest frequency of paranormal reports
• Rooms near the original balcony areas ⭐⭐⭐⭐
  • Linked to the jump and emotional energy
• Crystal Ballroom / Event Spaces ⭐⭐⭐⭐
  • Sightings of figures in 1920s attire dancing
• Hallways (upper levels) ⭐⭐⭐
  • Sounds of movement, wings, and voices
• Kitchen & Service Areas ⭐⭐⭐
  • Staff reports of objects activating on their own

Guest Reviews & First-Person Mentions

“The phone rang over and over in the middle of the night… no one was there.”

“We stayed on a higher floor and the curtains moved in a way that didn’t make sense.”

“The hallway felt active—you could hear something moving even when it was empty.”

“Beautiful hotel, but definitely something going on here… especially at night.”

From community discussion:

“The Broadview Drury hotel is supposedly haunted… certain floors avoided.”

(Note: Experiences vary and are not officially confirmed by the hotel.)

👻 Ghost Rating = 8.5 / 10

Why:

• Strong, well-known origin story (Clarence tragedy)
• Multiple types of activity (visual, auditory, physical)
• Activity reported across multiple areas (rooms, ballroom, hallways)
• Balanced between intelligent haunting + residual energy

BOOK A HAUNTED ROOM