Tower of Terror

"One stormy night long ago, five people stepped in the door of an elevator and into a nightmare.

That door is opening once again, and this time it's opening for you."

 

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The story of the Karcher's abandonment is tragic... in the pre-dawn hours of Christmas 1984, a fire broke out in a ground-level tailor shop; sending thick smoke up the elevator shafts and into the rooms of the senior citizens living there (at the time it was known as the Karcher [Retirement] Hotel for Active Seniors).

 

While many residents were with their nearby families for Christmas, 22 were sleeping in the hotel that night. Eight died of smoke inhalation on the building's upper floors; six were injured; and the remaining survivors were forced into the frigid cold. Thankfully another hotel warmed up rooms for them, and following the tragedy, the city residents opened their arms up with donations.

 

Except for occasional restoration attempts, the Karcher Hotel remained sealed until now. Pictured are the elevator doors on the second floor; where I presume much of the smoke entered the shaft.

 

Karcher Hotel -- Waukegan, IL -- 8/15/11

Done