It seems every college campus has at least one ghostly tale attached to the grounds, or in this case, a building. Furman University in northern Greenville County is a beautiful place to visit, tucked in the rolling hills of the Upstate, near Travelers Rest.
Furman’s ghost stories are not widely known, but some online searches do reveal a few. The Paladin wrote an interesting piece on November 5, 2012, about “The Ghosts of Judson 500.”
Judson Hall serves primarily as housing for the students. The building was constructed in 1961 and named for Charles and Mary Judson. Charles was the second professor hired by Furman when the school was moved from Winnsboro, South Carolina, to Greenville. Many may be shocked to learn that Furman was actually in Winnsboro from 1837 until 1851 (some great trivia to know, especially for those interested in history).
The legend of “Judson 500” is a floor that has remained off-limits to the Lakeside residents for years. It was stated in the same article that access was closed because the wood was rotted and unsafe at that time, but that reportedly hasn’t stopped some students from exploring that space, or the ghostly story behind it. It should be added that the building was remodeled in 2012.
The legend tied to the hall states that a forlorn student took a fatal leap from the building many years ago, no date given. And since students have reported hearing footsteps and knocking noises on the ceiling. One student stated, “The knocks are clear as day.”
Is Judson Hall haunted? No one knows, but the story is a riveting tale that will now forever be preserved in South Carolina’s Ghosts and Legends.
Written By: John G. Clark Jr.
Image By John G. Clark Jr.
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