Auburn, Alabama- home to one of the most respected universities in the country, a National Championship winning football team, and…ghosts? The Auburn-Opelika region has such a rich history, it should come as no surprise that a number of ghost stories have worked their way into the local legends. When you’re looking for a scare this Halloween, try reading up on these haunted locations that are just outside your front door!
The Ghost of Sydney Grimlett- The Auburn University Chapel, located on the corner of Thach and College Street, is the oldest building on Auburn’s campus. Built in 1851, the chapel served as a hospital for injured soldiers during the Civil War. One soldier in particular, Sydney Grimlett, is said to have never left. When the Auburn Theatre Troupe took over the building in the 1920s, reports of ghostly encounters began. During performances, the audience noticed several glowing orbs floating near the actors, props started suspiciously disappearing from the sets, and rehearsals were often interrupted by whistling and tapping from the attic. The terrified students consulted a Ouija Board, which confirmed the ghost’s identity. To appease the mischievous spirit, the Auburn Players started leaving candy for Sydney before performances.
Don’t go running down to College Street to look for Sydney just yet, though. When the Telfair Peet Theatre was built in 1972, the ghost allegedly moved with the actors. Recently, The Alabama Paranormal Research Team investigated the claims. The researchers decided to play into Sydney’s love of candy by going through an entire bag of M&Ms and asking him which colors he preferred. He only responded to two colors- orange and blue! They documented their experiment–watch the video below! (Be warned though, it’s a little creepy!)
The Guard at Samford Hall- Nothing screams “Auburn” quite like the image of the iconic Samford Hall. Everyone has seen the building but most people don’t know about it’s dark history. A long, long time ago, when Auburn University was called East Alabama’s Male College, the building that stood in the heart of campus was called Old Main. Along with the Chapel, Old Main was also converted into a hospital when the Civil War began to tear through the plains. In 1887, the makeshift hospital burned to the ground and was replaced by the familiar Samford Hall. Even though the building was replaced, it is reported that some soldiers still linger in Auburn’s most famous landmark. According to Faith Serafin, author of Haunted Auburn and Opelika, the spirit of a guard still watches over the city from his post in the bell tower.
Hauntings at Spring Villa Mansion- Spring Villa Mansion in Opelika definitely scores a ten on the creepy scale. Legend has it that one night the mansion’s owner was climbing the stairs to go to bed. As he reached the thirteenth step, a vengeful slave jumped out of a cubbyhole and decapitated him. People have reported numerous incidents occurring on the same step, including feeling sick and a feeling of being pushed. If that wasn’t enough, paranormal researchers claim the spirit of an unknown little girl also resides on the property. Supposedly, she can be heard asking “Can you see me?” on one of their recordings.
For more local legends that are sure to send a shiver up your spine, check out Haunted Auburn and Opelika by Faith Serafin.
Happy haunting!
Sources
http://hauntedhaven.blogspot.c…
http://www.auburn.edu/student_…
http://opelika.wsfa.com/news/w… otsstrangehappenings/81706 http://www.alabamaghosthunters…
Haunted Auburn and Opelika by Faith Serafin