The Spookiest Spots on Chatham's Campus
Chatham’s Shadyside campus is over 150 years old; that’s plenty of time to amass a hefty spirit population, which if you ask around, we have. If you’ve never heard of our infamous Chatham hauntings, check out our compiled Chatham ghost stories from current students and alumni alike. And if you’re looking to scare yourself this Halloween season, check out our recommendations for these famously haunted spots on campus below ⬇️.
But before we dive into spooky Chatham lore, we’d like to remind our Cougs to stay kind, safe, and healthy this Halloween. Student writers from 2020 collaborated on ways to make sure your costume isn’t cruel and culturally-appropriative here! If you need a refresher on COVID-safe Halloween ideas, check out our list of alternatives to mega-crowded Halloween parties from Halloween 2020, complete with ways to scare yourself, spend time with friends, and plenty more!
And now, read on if you dare…
Fickes Hall
Scare Factor: 👻👻👻 out of 5 ghosts
Fickes is not only a popular home for Chatham first-years, it has long been rumored to be populated by a variety of spirits. One well-known apparition is affectionately known as ‘Billy’ and appears in the form of a little boy. Billy has been known to bounce a ball down the halls of Fickes, startling already nervous Chatham newcomers. Built in 1927, Fickes was once the home of Edwin Stanton Fickes, whose specter is now believed to wander the halls of his old home looking for lost belongings. Other students have reported seeing female ghosts that resemble The Blue Lady of Woodland Hall fame.
Photo c/o Chatham Archives & Special Collections
Rea House
Scare Factor: 👻 👻 👻 👻 out of 5 ghosts
Rea House was built in 1912, and has a murky, rumored history as the site of multiple extra-marital affairs. You know, the kind that may leave some spirits restless. Unsubstantiated rumor has it that Julia Rea and James Laughlin carried on an affair whilst James Rea carried on his own with a woman on the housekeeping staff. Students have reported a number of unsettling and unexplainable experiences over the years, including a female ghost who restlessly roams the halls and the wails of crying babies.
On a less terrifying note, the Rea House basement, known as Rea Coffeehouse, is adorned with the graffiti and musings from decades of Chatham students. If there is anything supernatural happening down there, we’d like to think it is warm & fuzzy.
Photo c/o Chatham Archives & Special Collections
Laughlin House
Scare Factor: 👻 👻 👻 👻 out of 5 ghosts
Like Rea House, Laughlin was built in 1912, and shares the burden of the speculated Rea and Laughlin affairs. And much like the other elder mansions, it is home to a variety of hauntings.
Check out this detailed description of a Laughlin House haunting from the Haunts & History blog: “The worst was a female spirit in Laughlin House (3rd floor). She had long dark hair and a bluish white dress, and she woke me up one night by putting intense pressure on my chest...” Eeek!
Other reported phenomena include lights mysteriously turning on, doors slamming randomly, belongings disappearing, and spectral sightings galore.
Photo c/o Chatham Archives & Special Collections
Berry Hall
Scare Factor: 👻👻👻 out of 5 ghosts
This scare-tastic warning comes directly from ChathamU ambassador, Leah Johnson, who regularly works in Berry Hall:
“My recommendation is Berry Hall, the admissions building on campus. I have worked here for nearly four years. In the attic there is an extremely creepy rocking horse. The story told is that the rocking horse belonged to the little boy that lived in the attic. Not much is know about it, but I personally believe the rocking horse mane is made out of human hair.” Yikes!
For more info, check out this JKM Library deep dive on the ghosts of Chatham, which explores who the ghosts of Berry Hall might be…
Editors note: The photo at right depicts the original Berry Hall, not the Berry Hall which stands today.
Photo c/o Chatham Archives & Special Collections
Mellon Center
Scare Factor: 👻👻 out of 5 ghosts
Mellon Building was once the private home of Pittsburgh’s own Andrew Mellon. It included Pennsylvania’s first indoor swimming pool as well as a bowling alley; these days, you’ll find the Mellon Board Room in that space. Over the years students have reported the smell of cigar smoke wafting throughout the room; others claim to have seen Andrew Mellon himself wandering the halls. Might this be why Mellon Board Room is always so cold?
Needless to say, be sure to acknowledge Mellon’s portrait when you pass it. Rumor has it, your exams will be cursed if you don’t!
Photo c/o Chatham Archives & Special Collections
Woodland Hall
Scare Factor: 👻👻👻👻👻 out of 5 ghosts
Woodland was initially built in 1909 but has undergone multiple transformations and facelifts since then, including expansions in 1929 and 1952. But reconstruction has nothing on determined ghosts…
You’ve likely already heard rumors about The Blue Lady of Woodland Hall. She is arguably Chatham’s most spotted ghost and has a penchant for startling Woodland’s unsuspecting residents. She roams the halls in a stately blue dress and has even been known to wander into students’ rooms. 😱 Surprisingly, she isn’t alone. Woodland is also said to be home to a child’s ghost who occasionally tries to get students to play with him.
Photo c/o Chatham Archives & Special Collections
Howe-Childs Gate House
Scare Factor: 👻👻👻👻👻 out of 5 ghosts
The Howe-Childs Gate House might not be a popular destination for student stays, but it is a common spot for Chatham guests and the occasional student worker. Many student workers have reported unexplainable experiences during the overnight shift, including feeling a negative presence and hearing mysterious sounds. The Gate House, formerly known as Willow Cottage, was constructed in 1861 and was part of Pittsburgh’s Millionaire’s Row. In fact, it’s the oldest remaining element of the row. For the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s in-depth and unsettling history of the Gate House, click here.
Photo c/o Chatham Archives & Special Collections
Happy Halloween to our courageous Cougs and scaredy cats alike! Stay safe and healthy through this holiday season! Special thanks to the Chatham Archives & Special Collections for these spooooky Chatham photos!