Everyone has their own opinions on the paranormal. Some believe, some don’t, some are scared, some aren’t. No matter what you believe, you need to know of some strange happenings here on campus. Throughout time many people have claimed to experience the paranormal. Some of it ranges from unexplained sounds, to objects moving and apparitions (the appearance of a ghostly figure)

So where have these occurrences happened?

Get ready.

1. Friley Hall

One well known story is of Mr. Big. Supposedly, one day some security guards were making their rounds around a building, and they stumbled across a man wearing a cape and a top hat. The guards asked the man to stop but he started to run. 

Eventually, after a few hours, the guards grew tired and they stopped looking. That’s when one guard peered through a hole in a brick that was sealing up an old room. That’s when they saw in chalk on the wall “I am Big” right next to an outline of a man, wearing a cape and a top hat.

2. Memorial Union

Go the Gold Star Hall – the room past the Zodiac – and listen carefully. You may just hear a very eerie moan. Staff at the Memorial Union can not seem to explain it. Rumor has it that it is the ghost of the only female veteran from Iowa State to die in World War I – Hortense Elizabeth Wind.

3. Farm House

The Farm House is the oldest building still on Iowa State’s campus – built just two years after Iowa State’s founding in 1858 – and over the years has racked up a couple ghosts. Edith Curtiss and Esther Wilson to be exact.

Edith, daughter of former Dean Curtiss, was known to visit lovers late at night by sneaking out of her room on the second floor. It is said that her ghost still opens blinds.

Esther, wife of former Iowa State president Wilson, is believed to simply move things around, such as silverware.

4. C.Y. Stephens Auditorium

It is said that C.Y. Stephens himself haunts his building. He make his presence known by cold drafts in the basement. He is known to watch shows from the third floor balcony as well, which is thought to be a good luck sign! 

5. Fisher Theatre

It’s a common known fact in the theatre world that every theatre has a ghost, and the ghost of Fredricka Shattuck has been around for a while. Originally haunting the old Shattuck Theatre, after it’s demolition she needed a place to go. What better place than the new Fisher Theatre?

Claims say that she moves a wheelchair around the theatre. She used a wheelchair for the last few years of her life, and after her death she donated it to be used as a prop. 

6. Linden Hall

Legend says that there is a ghost of a former Cyclone football player that can occasionally be seen in full pads the night before home football games.

7. Iowa State Cemetery

Multiple sources have claimed to see white mists above graves that roughly represent the outlines of people.