Haunted School: Eastern Kentucky University
In 1906, the Kentucky General Assembly enacted legislation to establish the Eastern Kentucky State Normal School. Ruric Nevel Roark was named president of the school on June 2. Later that same year, the campus at the old KY Central University was selected as the site for the new school. It became a four-year institution in 1922. The name of the university would change quite a few times until 1966, when it finally became Eastern Kentucky University. Today EKU is still educating also building a reputation as one of America’s most haunted schools.
The first degrees offered by the school were teaching degrees. They were offered from the school beginning in 1925. In 1935, the first graduate program was approved. This would lead to the Masters of Arts in Education. In the early days of the university, there weren’t very many students.
It wasn’t until February 1966, when the institution received its final name change, that graduate degrees in fields other than education were offered. Since then, Eastern KY University has grown rapidly in stature and size. It has served thousands of Kentuckians and out-of-staters over the years, offering certificates, undergraduate programs, and graduate programs in a variety of topics. It also offers joint doctoral programs with other institutions.
One reason why Eastern Kentucky University stands out among institutions is because the entire campus is believed to be one of the most haunted schools in America. Other colleges have legendary ghosts living in a particular dorm, or haunting a certain library. At EKU, students, visitors, and faculty members alike can attest to all manner of paranormal activity on the entire campus.
Perhaps the school’s most well-known ghost resides in the Keen Johnson Ballroom. She is known as the “Blue Lady”. Since the 1950s, many sightings of this strange lady have been reported. She received her name due to the blue-ish mist that surrounds her. Sometimes she can be heard singing from the bell tower.
Even the bathrooms at EKU are said to be haunted. There have been reports ranging from a feeling of uneasiness to strange odors (OTHER than what you would expect from a bathroom) coming from the men’s bathrooms at the Bert Combs Building. One former janitor has reported getting a glimpse of strange movements out of the corner of his eye in the restrooms.
The Pearl Buchanan Theater is reportedly haunted by a nice-so-nice entity who gives students and faculty a very eerie feeling. According to legend, a young actress hanged herself at the theater from the rafters, although this has never been substantiated.
If you are looking for a great education plus maybe a little more, why not pick one of the most haunted schools in America?