Exploring the Abandoned Hotel Grim 

Guys, this is big. I used to live in the Grim Hotel between 1983 and 1985, apartment 808 on the top floor. My best friend was the building manager's daughter and we had the full run of the place. The basement where you entered had dry cleaning, a barber, massive bathrooms, the boiler, and a tunnel to the Perot Theatre. The front desk, where my mother worked, had a manual switchboard for calling out. The hallway to the left of the lobby past the elevators goes to a grand ballroom where we played. To the right of the lobby, a diner; the left, a news stand. Manager's suite was above the diner. Above the grand staircase to the 2nd floor was an ornate stained glass ceiling; to see it destroyed makes my heart hurt (the whole video does, really). It was built and opened in 1925 in grand opulence when passenger rail was still king, and closed around 1988 or so when the Greyhound station moved to the Interstate. By that point it had turned into a flophouse for retirees. The automatic elevator on the left sometimes didn't work, so the maintenance man would have to pilot the manual elevator on the right during the day, and we'd climb the stairs the rest of the time. The terrace on the roof was a great place to hang out and watch the bats leave the belfry and fly around at sunset. Just off the terrace was an amazing apartment that was once the kitchen and dining room of the upstairs restaurant. The property's owner keeps promising a renovation and rebuild, but it's never, ever going to happen; there's just no demand. It hurts to see it completely decayed. Thanks for checking it out!

While lots of other youtubers fall in the clickbait-trap, The Proper People stays genuine and focus on great content. Keep up the good work and stay true to yourselves!

I can’t believe they have a Hotel Grim in the Town that Dreaded Sundown. This is awesome!

February 2020 update: as of January, the sign has lit up once again and the hotel is going to reopen as apartments in spring 2021 :)

None of us including The Proper People would realize that 2 years after this video was published, restoration work on Hotel Grim would start in 2020 and is still continuing to this day. In the end, the future is looking bright for Hotel Grim.

Can u guys somehow incorporate old footage from the places and mix it with todays footage ? So u can really see the decay in contrast with the old pictures/film. Greetings from the Netherlands

I Love these vids , no drama, no click bait ghosts or " we got chased by a lunatic " just quality vids, excellent quality and very informative.. The best out there by far... good work again lads. Best wishes from Liverpool UK

Huh. When I read "Hotel Grim" in the title I thought you guys were describing the hotel as grim, but it turns out it's actually called Hotel Grim.

Incredible video!!!👍👍 You guys seriously deserve a tv show! Awesome explore👍

The hotel Grim is being renovated now! The lights are on inside and is looking stunning💜

I don't understand how this channel is not more popular. No clickbait, amazing intro and good editing, locations are researched and info is given about them, and you guys know where basically your viewers would want to go or what they want to see(at least in my case). Probably the best exploration channel so far.

The full restoration of the Grim is almost complete now. It will be called the Lofts at the Grim and will be apartments. It's amazing just how much work they have put into this place to bring it back to what it once was. From what I saw on the news, the bottom floor will be brought back to it's original state with the other floors (the apartments) being more modern. I did also read where it will be an income capped apartment complex, keeping so many people from enjoying it. Years ago the huge Buhrman-Pharr Hardware building in Texarkana was turned in to lower rental apartments. It too has so much history that not everyone can enjoy.

This is why I adored your channel. You treat locations with huge respect and always like it had a past. You captured the spirit of the hotel perfectly. Also when you went into that motor room I actually brain Gasmed. Such beautiful machinery! On a side note please be careful of going near open shafts, it was quite a drop and the cars were still present. Otherwise a magnificent video indeed!

Love the house of the rising sun background music in the opening shots

The Grim closed in October 1990. I Explored this place in October 1995. Took several 35mm photos- there were no digital cameras back then to speak of. It was low rent apartments when it closed. It's best days were up to the 1960s when people came into town from the nearby train station. The interstate on the north side of town was completed in the 1970s, and the Grim took a nose dive after that, as well as rail passenger service usage into down town. Most of the TVs were not broken, most of the elevator doors were closed, and the floor dial above the elevator doors were all there. The current property owner removed the chandeliers, outdoor Grim Hotel street sign, and marble panels from the lower walls in the lobby sometime in the 2000s. The roof had not failed yet, and the sky lights were intact, so the walls and stair cases were all fine back then. I think people pushed things out of the windows from the upper floors and crashed through the sky lights in the lobby some time ago, and the weather has been coming in ever since. The grim reaper spray painted on the wall on the top floor was there in 1995- neat to see it is still there 22 years later. The top floor had a round table nearby the reaper, with a pentagram drawn on the surface, and an unopened can of Coors Light beer set at each point of the star- that was creepy as hell. There has been so much talk about renovations of the Grim for more than decade, but the problem I see, Texarkana has only 150K people in the greater metro area, and the there is a lot of poverty- just not enough people with money to frequent a renovated establishment. The proper people should explore the Pine Street middle school just a mile north of the Grim hotel. Built in 1920s as a college, closed in 2003. Attended that school 1990 to 1993.

Apparently funding was secured for a 26 million dollar renovation of the Hotel Grim. Be interesting to see if it ever happens...

Whenever I see things like the ducting on the roof all collapsed, I always wonder if it happened all at once, or over time, if it made any noise, if anyone noticed it... just interesting things to think about.

As dilapitated as the Hotel Grim is now you can tell by what remains standing that it was once a hella swanky place! Its heyday, the roaring twenties and prohibition era... these places always stir the imagination.

You guys should really wear PPE when going on-site (Hard hats, protective eyewear, work gloves or latex gloves, and respirator masks). There's no telling what you might be breathing in and there's always the chance that debris could fall on your head. Also, wear a headlamp that you can easily toggle on/off. I've seen you go into sites where there's tons of mold and odd smells, and nobody is wearing anything on their head.

I wish I’d found this channel sooner. I’ve been binging for a month now during my spare time and I’m hooked. You guys have so much respect for these places and you put so much effort into your production. We are so lucky to have this content available.

Awesome! I love your editing style. EDIT: that opening drone shot of the sign coupled with the music was super effective! Nice.

Love the music that is reminiscent of both the opening era of the hotel but also of The Tower of Terror at Hollywood Studios. Made me love the video even more!

Drinks are on the house Mr Torrence

The two TV's you see in this video tell the tale of early television. The dial with 12 or 13 channels was for VHF stations. Within those 13 only about 4 actually carried a television signal. Later on in the 70's you began to see TV's like the one at 11:27 in this video with a second dial of UHF stations for smaller local stations. These went from 14-65 i think..... on the outside of the dial was a plastic ring that you would spin to tune in the channel better once you found what you were looking for.

From somebody who is from Texarkana, and have always watched your videos this is amazing. Keep up the good videos.

Beautiful Otis Geared elevator machine. The Right one looks like it was a service elevator with manual handle operation original to the hotel. the left looks like it was upgraded in the 70's

I actually live in the Town that Dreaded Sundown, and always thought, "Has anyone explored Hotel Grim?" And I find it cool that someone actually did! Next someone should do the Grand Station next door.

I am from Texarkana, there was a push to reopen and remodel the Grim, but I don't think it has gotten enough support. My grandpa always tells me stories from working there when he was younger.

Finally some good content on RU-vid! Thank you guys

Yes! The return of chairs just chillin! Great video as always (loved the intro especially)

You guys worry me sometimes. I feel like when I am watching you guys go up sketchy stairs I yell, don't fall!

Flashbacks to photos of the locations during its peak would be interesting.

I totally explored this on a rally! Such a cool place, I didn’t make it to the top but I did climb that terrible marble stairway with the mattress on it. Happy to see you guys closer to me 💪🏼

wasn't swallowing abandoned building water how the first zombie was made? I think so... :)

As someone from Texarkana, it's funny hearing how someone not from here or the surroundings towns call say it. We pronounce it Tex-Ar-Kana, with a short a sound not a long a. Also Texarkana used to be a major rail road town , a lot of trains had to go through the town to get to other places, so people said that back in the day the mafia was known to be around these parts. Some say the mafia still have a hold on the town, but I don't know. Apparently though Hotel Grim had a lot of Mafia activity back in the 30's, as well as Bonnie, from Bonnie and Clyde, was rumored to have been seen at this hotel.

Hotel name 10/10

YES!!!! Another proper people video!!! This is faboulos!!!!🤗

That you called a press it is a mimeograph Google it, a lot of grade schools in the 60s throughout the mid-1980s use those to print papers with you know worksheets and the ink and them had a distinct smell it smelt like nothing you ever smelt before whenever a teacher handed out a worksheet for a student that included me as well we would all smell the paper it smelt like heaven

The first drone shot of the Hotel Grim sign was absolutely insane, it goes so well with the music.

No one: This entire comment section: "OMG House of the Rising Sun" "OMG it's TexarKANa"

Drink everytime you hear the word "old" in these videos. Love y'all!

Finally came to the Grim!!!! I was hoping for so long you'd come here to Texarkana! Hopefully you enjoyed it here!

The Proper People is by far one of my favorite RU-vidrs. They keep their videos real and present historical facts about the places they visit. It’s always entertaining to watch Michael and Bryan. Much appreciation for you two❤️❤️

Good creepy explore!!!!! Thanks guys great job.😊

I’ve been refreshing (not the video, the channel home page) to see how fast the views change, 810 views in 16 minutes. Also, the thumbnail just changed.

Texarkana is pronounced like TexarCANa. Just a Texas pet peeve. Love the video as always! And can never get enough of this intro.

My sister is a property manager involved with the renovation of this place! I’m excited for her! It’s being turned into affordable apartments!

With that creepy ghost music in the lobby and at night, it would make a good "Bumps in the night" episode. As if the ghosts from a forgotten era come out to say hello.

VHF TV was channels 2 - 13. They were distinct channels with a "click" for each one. UHF then went from 14 - 83. (Not all TV's had UHF) These channels had no distinct "click" and had to be dialed in as best you could. Fun times! Thanks for the video!!

you guys are so brave to go into this building! it's pratically falling apart!

Michael and Bryan , you guys continue to set the quality standard for your explore both in content and quality of video ! As a Florida guy to you two Florida guys , You make us all proud, keep up the great work.

I lived at the Grim Hotel, My daughter was born and on her birth certificate has the Grim address. We lived on the top floor room 820. Loved living there. Take care.

This place is cool. Those elevators are brilliant. Thanks for the explore!

Hey i live here in texarkana! Been subscribed to you guys for a while now. Its so weird to see this lol

Lovely to see so many original fixtures and fittings. The ceiling in the lobby was incredible and the deep wood panelling in the elevator an echo of a time long past. Thank you for sharing this with us.

I love your filming and editing so much! Every time I see an upload from you I get excited. Please don't ever stop exploring.

"way back when TVs were furniture.. thirteen channels.. just like the other ones..." you gotta love it!

I can't believe that someone at some point thought that "Hotel Grim" was a good name for a hotel.

When I think of quality made RU-vid videos these days I think of _The Proper People_ videos. The production quality of these videos even surpass the garbage on broadcast TV.

The production of these videos man.. not only the video quality itself but the sound design is so stinkin good. I especially love the music playing in the lobby, gives you the feeling that the place is still up and running. Bravo

I'm as surprised as they are the mirrors are still there and haven't been vandalized.

Love the dissenent trumpet in the background to go along.

Holy crap! I have driven by this derelict beauty countless times and have always wanted to explore it! Being female and not knowing anyone that I could trust to be my urbex partner I never got the chance. Now years later I can see what’s inside thanks to you guys! Too awesome! Thank you Proper People!

Getting such a Tower of Terror vibe, just from the building and music!

Thank You Guys For These Awesome Videos I Don't Understand How You Guys Don't Have 1M subscribers Happy New Years

if you live in texarkana, raise your hand if the way he said “texarkana” bothered you 🙋🏼‍♀️

Amazing video. You boys are so incredibly talented. As a photographer of 20+ years I love your aesthetic, the way you work with light in the spaces you visit and the music you choose. You deserve WAY more subscribers than you currently have. You are way better than the plethora of immature dweebs doing urbex videos (think that dick with the dead body fiasco the other day). I wish you guys all the best and I'll be sure to pledge via Patreon real soon.

This channel deserves more recognition. You guys bring us awesome content, again and again. I am so proud of you, please, do continue making what you love. I will be here along the way, enjoying every video.

Reminds me of hotel for dogs. Also wish there were places like this where I lived

I lived in Texarkana most of my life and always wanted to go in the Grim. I have wished for years that they would restore it. While I know in the video that is says they are. They have literally been saying that for the last 10 years or more.

I keep having dreams about this place, glad they’re reopening it :)

I literally love this place and lived pretty close by it a few years ago! In older pictures it looked so elegant and regal I can’t believe how absolutely unsalvagable this place has become.

It is missing a ballroom and a bartender talking about how people being"corrected" aka the shining .

video was amazing! the background music was fantastic! very well done! 👍

I was in Texarkana once, found an English Bull dog there right outside the Hotel Grim. Named him Al Capone. Al liked to smoke cigars but not just any cigars he would only smoke swisher sweets. Of course I had to keep lighting them for him because sometimes he would fall asleep with the cigar in his mouth. My wife Norabell made him a little suit with a bow tie. Al loved to wear his little suit. My daughter Jenna taught him how to play one of those little toy pianos. He played it with his nose. He only learned a couple of songs, but he was pretty good. A fella come out from California was gonna put him in a TV show, but it never did happen. He never came back or called or anything. One day old Al Capone was playing his piano and smoking his cigar at the same time, and burnt the living hell out of his nose. Hot cigar ashes was everywhere. Poor old Al Capone died at the ripe age of 9 years. Gonna get me another bull dog one day. Yep good old Texarkana Ark, I remember it well.

You guys are by far the best urbex channel on RU-vid. You filmmaking is second to none in your genre.

beautiful cinematography on those drone shots, love you guys!! keep makin awesome urbex vids ^.^

Your intro song keeps getting stuck in my head

Both of you need to win a Emmy. Top quality here. 👍

I was able to find a few photos of this hotel during its heyday and like all architecture of its time, it was beautiful inside. It'll be interesting to see how this hotel turns out after its reno.

Come to hotel Grim where prices are slim but stinks like the change room in the gym

Happy new year to Sarah, Bryan, and Michael from Edward Hsia in Los Angeles, CA. Much success to all 3 of you! 🌟

Awesome building. Love how the music gave that long hallway a "Shining" vibe.

The ambient city noise that echoes adds to the creep factor

Still Use The OLD Intro Good Job

So what your contingency plan if something goes wrong (injury, crazy people, etc) on an explore? I always wondered.

Texarkana is my home town. I love this building! It’s beautiful! I always wanted to see the inside thank you for this !

That drone shot of the hotel’s sign in the beginning looks like something out of a Wes Anderson film. Your artistic eye never ceases to impress me.

A shame to waste such a nice building :(

Im usally optimistic for building renovations but this hotel grim looks like its to far gone

So happy I found this channel. 👀

Grim by name, grim by nature. Expertly filmed as always. Thank you for all your hard work. Happy New Year to you. Many thanks for sharing

We are in the process of renovation and restoration. It will be known as the grim hotel apartments

when my dad was my age he used ti go there and get magazines from the lobby. he lived right next to it

You guys are my favorite in urban exploring videos

Guys, Another GREAT Job. Please keep them coming. You are the Very Best ! ! ! ! Jim

Tower of Terror anyone?

Yess!!! Been waiting for a new upload!

That music you have playing in the background the first couple mins while walking around the lobby is so cool, spooky, and eerie at the same time lol. It like takes me back in time giving me flashbacks of when the hotel was running in the 40's n 50's with people coming n going through the main doors, people checking in n out at the front desk, and people standing n sitting around with luggage waiting or relaxing. Crazy how simply playing music paints those images in my mind giving me like a flashback in time.

Recently discovered the channel, totally hooked now. Working my way through every video. Great work, very professional. Best wishes from Taunton, UK 🇬🇧.