Callaway Hall isn’t your typical dorm. Between its Victorian design and bell tower, it looks like something from a fairytale, rather than a college campus. However, its whimsical appearance in no way alludes to one of the building’s most notorious features – its penchant for supernatural activity.
Callaway Hall is a dormitory at the Mississippi University for Women in Columbus.
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Built in 1860, it’s the oldest building on campus. Its now-iconic bell tower, clock, and dome weren’t added until 1885.
muw.edu
It’s named in honor of Mary J.S. Callaway, who served as a professor from 1885-1900, as well as president of the college. However, the building has long been associated with another Mary.
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Both students and locals say that Callaway Hall is haunted by the ghost of Mary, a Civil War nurse, who was so heartbroken, she killed herself.
wikipedia.org According to legend, Mary worked as a nurse at Callaway Hall, which did, in fact, serve as a military hospital during the Civil War. She fell in love with one of the men, who she nursed back to health. Once he regained his strength, he went back to war, never to return. Mary was so grief stricken, she killed herself. Some legends say she hung herself from the bell tower, while others say she leapt from its ledge, plummeting to her death.
Decades have passed since Mary’s death, yet her spirit still roams the hallways of Callaway Hall, leaving many to believe she’s waiting for her long lost love.
RomeoEchoDelta/Wikimedia Not afraid to make her presence known, Mary has been known to turn faucets on and off, ride the elevator up and down, and, perhaps the creepiest of all, appear on students’ beds in the middle of the night, weeping.
To learn more about the Mississippi University for Women and its history, click here.
Mississippi University for Women/Facebook
muw.edu
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wikipedia.org
According to legend, Mary worked as a nurse at Callaway Hall, which did, in fact, serve as a military hospital during the Civil War. She fell in love with one of the men, who she nursed back to health. Once he regained his strength, he went back to war, never to return. Mary was so grief stricken, she killed herself. Some legends say she hung herself from the bell tower, while others say she leapt from its ledge, plummeting to her death.
RomeoEchoDelta/Wikimedia
Not afraid to make her presence known, Mary has been known to turn faucets on and off, ride the elevator up and down, and, perhaps the creepiest of all, appear on students’ beds in the middle of the night, weeping.
So, did you know about Callaway Hall’s resident ghost? Have you or anyone you know experienced this Mississippi legend firsthand? Know of another spine-tingling legend? Tell us!
Not creeped out enough yet? Click here for a creepy day trip through the spookiest places in Mississippi.
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Address: Mississippi University for Women, 1100 College St, Columbus, MS 39701, USA
