Miami University in Oxford is Ohio's second-oldest liberal arts college. It was founded in 1809. Here are a few of its campus ghost legends.
Fisher Hall
A building which no longer exists, Fisher Hall stood where a new conference center stands today. It was haunted by its namesake, Judge Elam Fisher, known as the Diamond Judge because of a diamond-shaped trinket he wore around his neck. He moved a bust done of him around the off-limits upper floors in a diamond-shaped pattern, as well as in the shape of his initials, then stole it. He also stole other things, such as winches and ropes used in the building's theater. Another Fisher Hall legend (an extremely famous one at Miami) is that of Ronald Tammen, a student who disappeared from his room on April 19, 1953, leaving behind his coat on a cold night and his open books as if he were in the middle of studying. He was said to haunt the building along with the Judge. For a long time a rite of passage at Miami was to break in, but the demolition of the building put and end to that. It's said that creepy things still happen in the conference center, though.
Peabody Hall
This dorm is said to be haunted by its namesake, Mrs. Helen Peabody, who is seen there sometimes. A suicide supposedly took place in room 210, only to be repeated by another student years later. Windowshades sometimes flap violently in the rooms when there is no wind. It has a long and convoluted history, having been built in 1855 as Seminary Hall and then renamed in 1905 after Helen, who was the founder of the Western Seminary (a school which merged with MU in the 1970s). It burned twice and was rebuilt each time, in 1861 and 1871; and was remodeled again in 1974, after the college merger that made it part of Miami University.
Reid Hall
Reid Hall was the site of a murder on May 9, 1959. Two students got into a fight there, and an RA named Roger Sayles tried to intervene. One pulled a gun and shot Sayles, killing him. His assailant then fled to Ogden Hall, where he blew his own brains out. Today you're supposed to be able to see the bloody handprint Sayles left when he fell against the wall. Other ghostly occurrences are reported there as well, including strange noises.
Wilson Hall
This building was once a tuberculosis hospital, and is said to be haunted by the ghosts of those who died in it. They overturn furniture, moan, and do other ghostly things. Another haunted Wilson Hall is located at Ohio University.
