The Fort Harrison Hotel serves as the flagship building of the "Flag Land Base," the spiritual home of the Church of Scientology. The 11-story hotel has over 220 rooms, was opened in 1926, and was purchased by the Church in 1975 when it was in a state of disrepair. Today, the hotel accommodates many of the high profile members of the organization when visiting the area.
Notably, Scientologist member Lisa McPherson was kept captive in Room 174 for 17 days after having a psychotic episode. The religion eschews any sort of conventional psychiatric therapy, in favor of their own version of treatment. McPherson died of a pulmonary embolism en route to a hospital on December 5, 1995. The incident has become a rallying cry for many anti-Scientology groups.
