The Haunted Jens Hotel – Mount Gambier

The Haunted Jens Hotel – Mount Gambier

 

Jens Hotel - 1893 - SLSA: B21810

Jens Hotel in Mount Gambier which was established in 1847.  The hotel we see today is the completion of construction in 1884 for Johannes Jens. 

 It is alleged the ghost of a very large man named ‘Maurice’ haunts the Jens Hotel. It is believed Maurice died inside the hotel in 1905.
 Maurice likes to play with electrical items in the hotel, and to protect women who are vulnerable to men trying to take advantage of them, by suddenly appearing to men and threatening them with his intense energy.
 It is not known who Maurice actually is, but many people have died in the Jens Hotel.

In 1933, well-known local grazier Edgar Learmonth was found dead in an outhouse at the Jens Hotel. He had taken his own life by shooting himself in the temple with a small calibre revolver. An inquest later found him to be of unsound mind.

 Another unfortunate death at the Jens Hotel was that of Mr H. Smith. Smith had been fishing when a hook had become stuck in his hand. The wound became infected, and gangrene set in. His blood became septic killing him suddenly while staying in the hotel.

Another alleged spirit in this hotel is a little girl. She is believed to be around 4 years old and is alleged to haunt the ground floor. It is believed she is waiting for her mother to return. The basement of this hotel is also alleged to be haunted by a man who committed suicide by hanging in this hotel.

Researched and written by Allen Tiller © 2019

Bibliography

'Death of a Well-known Mount Gambier Grazier.', The Naracoorte Herald, (11 July 1933), p. 3.

'OBITUARY.', Border Watch, (13 July 1933), p. 4.

'The Tragic Death of Mr. E. T. Learmonth.', The Naracoorte Herald, (14 July 1933), p. 3.

'A PAINFUL CASE.', South Australian Weekly Chronicle, (7 March 1885), p. 21.