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WVU Haunts around Campus
Since its graduation season, I thought now would be a good time to share some of the many, many stories that have come out of one of West Virginia’s premier institutions of higher learning. Ghost stories can be found on just about any campus, but there seems to be more than a fair share coming from West Virginia University in Morgantown, WV. This is just a short sampling of some of the many haunted locations found on campus. Please check back for further updates!
The Ghost Cow of Woodburn Hall
This first story is one of my favorites, although it is quite tragic and sad, lol. Anyway, when WVU first opened its doors in 1867, it wasn’t called West Virginia University. Instead, it was known as the Agricultural College of West Virginia. During these early years, the college used a building that was formerly home of the Woodburn Female Seminary as their main residence hall. When that building burned in 1876, a new building was erected over the site, known as New Hall. In 1878, expansions were made, and New Hall was renamed University Building. It wasn’t until the early 20th century that a north wing was added to the structure, and the building was christened Woodburn Hall, the iconic building that we often associate with the campus and school itself!
One of Woodburn Hall’s outstanding features is its impressive Seth Thomas clock and clock tower. It is this clock tower that is the home to our legend. Apparently, it is a widely known legend that during the university’s tenure as an agricultural college, several students pulled a prank that would go horribly wrong. Hearing the old saying that you can lead a cow up the stairs, but can’t lead it back down again, that’s exactly what this group did. They stole a cow from a school-owned farm and marched it up the bell tower where it mooed and bellowed like crazy. Of course, the students found out that the saying was TRUE! They could not get the cow to come back down, and thus it had to be killed on site, and chopped into smaller pieces for removal.
Visitors today still claim to hear the ghostly, ethereal moos emanating from the clock tower, a grisly reminder of a “harmless” prank gone wrong.
Downtown Campus Library
WVU’s downtown campus library was built in 1931, and like many college libraries, quickly has gained the reputation for being haunted. A wide variety of events happen at this center for knowledge, including the sounds of writing coming from empty desks, apparitions sighted among the shelves, and a feeling of being watched that permeates a section of the 10th floor, now used only as a storage area.
One of the most prolific ghost stories to come from this library is the story of an employee who met his death by falling down the elevator shaft during maintenance. His apparition is commonly seen getting onto the elevator, or exiting on various floors. He disappears if anyone tries to come near him.
Elizabeth Moore Hall
E. Moore Hall was built between 1926 and 1928 and serves as a women’s physical education building. It was named for the principal of the Woodburn Female Seminary Institution from 1865 to 1866. Elizabeth Moore is also said to be the resident ghost, who likes to make her presence known in the basement pool area.
MountainLair
The MountainLair is WVU’s student union building. Its a perfect place to socialize, get something to eat…and apparently to spot a ghost! Janitors working the building late at night have often reported seeing a little girl wearing a yellow party dress. It is believed that the little girl was buried in a cemetery where Stewart Hall now stands.
Read more at Theresa’s Haunted History of the Tri-State
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