Many old hotels tend to have an eerie kind of feeling associated with them. Even after several renovations, these strange vibes won’t leave the place. While most of the people are scared of staying in such places some are eager enough to pay a higher amount for staying. Hotel Emma is not the type of place you’ve seen in American Horror Story: Hotel but guests have reportedly felt the presence of someone other than humans at midnight.
It took not one, not two but three Emmas and an unbelievably odd chain of events for the hotel to be christened Emma.
Hotel Emma
According to the company’s official website, Hotel Emma is “a delectably unique 146-room hotel with seven top-floor suites, a handsome bar, and club room, an excellent restaurant, a purveyor of fine foods, and public spaces reminiscent of fine old hotels in far-flung locales.” Well, the huge hotel people see today started back in the early 18th century as a brewhouse. Yes, you read it correct!
Back In the 19th Century
This story took place in the historic Alamo country, in the bustling Pearl District of San Antonio, Texas. Decades before the USA faced the Prohibition (1920–33), this district witnessed one of the 19th century’s most weird cases. The case of Otto Koehler, a story of love and betrayal, wealth and destruction, conspiracy and manipulation.
Berlin To Texas
In 1884, Otto Koehler observed the fortune present in the American brewing industry during those days. He knew nothing of this industry but he was ready to take the risk. This one step brought him all the way to Missouri, Texas from Berlin, Germany. So far, he didn’t know what the new lands had to offer but he started with the first option he got to survive. Unaware that soon his name will be etched in the history of Texas.
Otto Koehler
Otto Koehler settled in St. Louis, Missouri and started to look for options to flourish in America. After several months of interviews and research Otto finally got an offer to join the Lone Star Brewery as a Manager. The company was one of the first large mechanized breweries in the state. This proved to be his first step towards the ladder of success and wealth.
Emma Bentzen
Financially, Otto’s life was a struggle and romantically, it was much worse until he met the woman he loved and who loved him deeply. Her name was Emma Bentzen, a German native who trusted Otto with her life. When he offered her to start a new life with him in America, she agreed right away and came to the new country with her man. Sadly, this couple wouldn’t withstand the test of time.
Moving On
German couple moved to Texas in 1884 to look for better-earning options for themselves. And from there on, he learned everything about the brewing industry. As a result, enormous doors of opportunities opened in front of him. A couple of avenues gave him a better offer but he worked at Lone Star until he was an expert.