Features
Uncovering Hamilton’s spooky side: A tour
By Grant Hamilton ’18
October 27, 2016
Tags features
We are lucky to live at the ideal school for celebrating Halloween. It is a spine-tingling spot—isolated, full of old buildings and surrounded by woods. Hamilton’s administration has finally recognized our school’s true potential and decided to make the most of its resources. So, I have been appointed to lead you all on a Halloween Tour of campus. Now, let me be clear: we are not necessarily going to locations that are haunted, just places that I deem creepy. This is going to take a while, but do not worry—we will stop by spooky vending machines and bathrooms along the way.
Our tour begins with a ghost story in the Kirkland Glen, just to set the mood. We sit around the fire pit, listening to my tale about the ghost of Couper Hall. I had asked my friend Steve to pop out in a ghost costume at the climax of the story to give you all a fright, but he must have misread my directions. The story really hinged on someone suddenly surprising us at the end to convey the final scare, so now everyone just stares at me as if to say, “Was that it?”
From there we head to List, the abandoned arts building. The building’s inside is now empty and covered in graffiti. Legend has it that the Kirkland professors who refused to work at Hamilton when the two combined are now squatters in List. In one empty classroom, we actually do find a former professor who has lived here for decades. He is pale with 6-inch fingernails and hair far past his shoulders. None of us are particularly frightened by the sight of this strange man, but we all run away screaming when he begins delivering a chemistry lecture.
Then we stop at Benedict Hall, which we are only visiting because it looks old and eerie. It really is an ideal spot for Hogwarts at Hamilton—the yearly tradition in which student volunteers tour visitors through various Harry Potter-themed rooms. I think it is really neat that they host this each year, but I just wish they had cleaned up after themselves before we got here. The volunteers who ran Hogwarts at Hamilton forgot to take the troll out of the bathroom. Because of the whole violent troll thing, we have to leave this stop early. Dobby tags along with us too, which is fine, I guess, but the guy is just so clingy.
Our next stop is the only spot at Hamilton that is actually haunted— Couper Hall. I try to open the door
We are lucky to live at the ideal school for celebrating Halloween. It is a spine-tingling spot—isolated, full of old buildings and surrounded by woods. Hamilton’s administration has finally recognized our school’s true potential and decided to make the most of its resources. So, I have been appointed to lead you all on a Halloween Tour of campus. Now, let me be clear: we are not necessarily going to locations that are haunted, just places that I deem creepy. This is going to take a while, but do not worry—we will stop by spooky vending machines and bathrooms along the way.
Our tour begins with a ghost story in the Kirkland Glen, just to set the mood. We sit around the fire pit, listening to my tale about the ghost of Couper Hall. I had asked my friend Steve to pop out in a ghost costume at the climax of the story to give you all a fright, but he must have misread my directions. The story really hinged on someone suddenly surprising us at the end to convey the final scare, so now everyone just stares at me as if to say, “Was that it?”
From there we head to List, the abandoned arts building. The building’s inside is now empty and covered in graffiti. Legend has it that the Kirkland professors who refused to work at Hamilton when the two combined are now squatters in List. In one empty classroom, we actually do find a former professor who has lived here for decades. He is pale with 6-inch fingernails and hair far past his shoulders. None of us are particularly frightened by the sight of this strange man, but we all run away screaming when he begins delivering a chemistry lecture.
Then we stop at Benedict Hall, which we are only visiting because it looks old and eerie. It really is an ideal spot for Hogwarts at Hamilton—the yearly tradition in which student volunteers tour visitors through various Harry Potter-themed rooms. I think it is really neat that they host this each year, but I just wish they had cleaned up after themselves before we got here. The volunteers who ran Hogwarts at Hamilton forgot to take the troll out of the bathroom. Because of the whole violent troll thing, we have to leave this stop early. Dobby tags along with us too, which is fine, I guess, but the guy is just so clingy.
Our next stop is the only spot at Hamilton that is actually haunted— Couper Hall. I try to open the door
We are lucky to live at the ideal school for celebrating Halloween. It is a spine-tingling spot—isolated, full of old buildings and surrounded by woods. Hamilton’s administration has finally recognized our school’s true potential and decided to make the most of its resources. So, I have been appointed to lead you all on a Halloween Tour of campus. Now, let me be clear: we are not necessarily going to locations that are haunted, just places that I deem creepy. This is going to take a while, but do not worry—we will stop by spooky vending machines and bathrooms along the way.
Our tour begins with a ghost story in the Kirkland Glen, just to set the mood. We sit around the fire pit, listening to my tale about the ghost of Couper Hall. I had asked my friend Steve to pop out in a ghost costume at the climax of the story to give you all a fright, but he must have misread my directions. The story really hinged on someone suddenly surprising us at the end to convey the final scare, so now everyone just stares at me as if to say, “Was that it?”
From there we head to List, the abandoned arts building. The building’s inside is now empty and covered in graffiti. Legend has it that the Kirkland professors who refused to work at Hamilton when the two combined are now squatters in List. In one empty classroom, we actually do find a former professor who has lived here for decades. He is pale with 6-inch fingernails and hair far past his shoulders. None of us are particularly frightened by the sight of this strange man, but we all run away screaming when he begins delivering a chemistry lecture.
Then we stop at Benedict Hall, which we are only visiting because it looks old and eerie. It really is an ideal spot for Hogwarts at Hamilton—the yearly tradition in which student volunteers tour visitors through various Harry Potter-themed rooms. I think it is really neat that they host this each year, but I just wish they had cleaned up after themselves before we got here. The volunteers who ran Hogwarts at Hamilton forgot to take the troll out of the bathroom. Because of the whole violent troll thing, we have to leave this stop early. Dobby tags along with us too, which is fine, I guess, but the guy is just so clingy.
Our next stop is the only spot at Hamilton that is actually haunted— Couper Hall. I try to open the door
We are lucky to live at the ideal school for celebrating Halloween. It is a spine-tingling spot—isolated, full of old buildings and surrounded by woods. Hamilton’s administration has finally recognized our school’s true potential and decided to make the most of its resources. So, I have been appointed to lead you all on a Halloween Tour of campus. Now, let me be clear: we are not necessarily going to locations that are haunted, just places that I deem creepy. This is going to take a while, but do not worry—we will stop by spooky vending machines and bathrooms along the way.
Our tour begins with a ghost story in the Kirkland Glen, just to set the mood. We sit around the fire pit, listening to my tale about the ghost of Couper Hall. I had asked my friend Steve to pop out in a ghost costume at the climax of the story to give you all a fright, but he must have misread my directions. The story really hinged on someone suddenly surprising us at the end to convey the final scare, so now everyone just stares at me as if to say, “Was that it?”
From there we head to List, the abandoned arts building. The building’s inside is now empty and covered in graffiti. Legend has it that the Kirkland professors who refused to work at Hamilton when the two combined are now squatters in List. In one empty classroom, we actually do find a former professor who has lived here for decades. He is pale with 6-inch fingernails and hair far past his shoulders. None of us are particularly frightened by the sight of this strange man, but we all run away screaming when he begins delivering a chemistry lecture.
Then we stop at Benedict Hall, which we are only visiting because it looks old and eerie. It really is an ideal spot for Hogwarts at Hamilton—the yearly tradition in which student volunteers tour visitors through various Harry Potter-themed rooms. I think it is really neat that they host this each year, but I just wish they had cleaned up after themselves before we got here. The volunteers who ran Hogwarts at Hamilton forgot to take the troll out of the bathroom. Because of the whole violent troll thing, we have to leave this stop early. Dobby tags along with us too, which is fine, I guess, but the guy is just so clingy.
Our next stop is the only spot at Hamilton that is actually haunted— Couper Hall. I try to open the door
We are lucky to live at the ideal school for celebrating Halloween. It is a spine-tingling spot—isolated, full of old buildings and surrounded by woods. Hamilton’s administration has finally recognized our school’s true potential and decided to make the most of its resources. So, I have been appointed to lead you all on a Halloween Tour of campus. Now, let me be clear: we are not necessarily going to locations that are haunted, just places that I deem creepy. This is going to take a while, but do not worry—we will stop by spooky vending machines and bathrooms along the way.
Our tour begins with a ghost story in the Kirkland Glen, just to set the mood. We sit around the fire pit, listening to my tale about the ghost of Couper Hall. I had asked my friend Steve to pop out in a ghost costume at the climax of the story to give you all a fright, but he must have misread my directions. The story really hinged on someone suddenly surprising us at the end to convey the final scare, so now everyone just stares at me as if to say, “Was that it?”
From there we head to List, the abandoned arts building. The building’s inside is now empty and covered in graffiti. Legend has it that the Kirkland professors who refused to work at Hamilton when the two combined are now squatters in List. In one empty classroom, we actually do find a former professor who has lived here for decades. He is pale with 6-inch fingernails and hair far past his shoulders. None of us are particularly frightened by the sight of this strange man, but we all run away screaming when he begins delivering a chemistry lecture.
Then we stop at Benedict Hall, which we are only visiting because it looks old and eerie. It really is an ideal spot for Hogwarts at Hamilton—the yearly tradition in which student volunteers tour visitors through various Harry Potter-themed rooms. I think it is really neat that they host this each year, but I just wish they had cleaned up after themselves before we got here. The volunteers who ran Hogwarts at Hamilton forgot to take the troll out of the bathroom. Because of the whole violent troll thing, we have to leave this stop early. Dobby tags along with us too, which is fine, I guess, but the guy is just so clingy.
Our next stop is the only spot at Hamilton that is actually haunted— Couper Hall. I try to open the door
We are lucky to live at the ideal school for celebrating Halloween. It is a spine-tingling spot—isolated, full of old buildings and surrounded by woods. Hamilton’s administration has finally recognized our school’s true potential and decided to make the most of its resources. So, I have been appointed to lead you all on a Halloween Tour of campus. Now, let me be clear: we are not necessarily going to locations that are haunted, just places that I deem creepy. This is going to take a while, but do not worry—we will stop by spooky vending machines and bathrooms along the way.
Our tour begins with a ghost story in the Kirkland Glen, just to set the mood. We sit around the fire pit, listening to my tale about the ghost of Couper Hall. I had asked my friend Steve to pop out in a ghost costume at the climax of the story to give you all a fright, but he must have misread my directions. The story really hinged on someone suddenly surprising us at the end to convey the final scare, so now everyone just stares at me as if to say, “Was that it?”
From there we head to List, the abandoned arts building. The building’s inside is now empty and covered in graffiti. Legend has it that the Kirkland professors who refused to work at Hamilton when the two combined are now squatters in List. In one empty classroom, we actually do find a former professor who has lived here for decades. He is pale with 6-inch fingernails and hair far past his shoulders. None of us are particularly frightened by the sight of this strange man, but we all run away screaming when he begins delivering a chemistry lecture.
Then we stop at Benedict Hall, which we are only visiting because it looks old and eerie. It really is an ideal spot for Hogwarts at Hamilton—the yearly tradition in which student volunteers tour visitors through various Harry Potter-themed rooms. I think it is really neat that they host this each year, but I just wish they had cleaned up after themselves before we got here. The volunteers who ran Hogwarts at Hamilton forgot to take the troll out of the bathroom. Because of the whole violent troll thing, we have to leave this stop early. Dobby tags along with us too, which is fine, I guess, but the guy is just so clingy.
Our next stop is the only spot at Hamilton that is actually haunted— Couper Hall. I try to open the door
We are lucky to live at the ideal school for celebrating Halloween. It is a spine-tingling spot—isolated, full of old buildings and surrounded by woods. Hamilton’s administration has finally recognized our school’s true potential and decided to make the most of its resources. So, I have been appointed to lead you all on a Halloween Tour of campus. Now, let me be clear: we are not necessarily going to locations that are haunted, just places that I deem creepy. This is going to take a while, but do not worry—we will stop by spooky vending machines and bathrooms along the way.
Our tour begins with a ghost story in the Kirkland Glen, just to set the mood. We sit around the fire pit, listening to my tale about the ghost of Couper Hall. I had asked my friend Steve to pop out in a ghost costume at the climax of the story to give you all a fright, but he must have misread my directions. The story really hinged on someone suddenly surprising us at the end to convey the final scare, so now everyone just stares at me as if to say, “Was that it?”
From there we head to List, the abandoned arts building. The building’s inside is now empty and covered in graffiti. Legend has it that the Kirkland professors who refused to work at Hamilton when the two combined are now squatters in List. In one empty classroom, we actually do find a former professor who has lived here for decades. He is pale with 6-inch fingernails and hair far past his shoulders. None of us are particularly frightened by the sight of this strange man, but we all run away screaming when he begins delivering a chemistry lecture.
Then we stop at Benedict Hall, which we are only visiting because it looks old and eerie. It really is an ideal spot for Hogwarts at Hamilton—the yearly tradition in which student volunteers tour visitors through various Harry Potter-themed rooms. I think it is really neat that they host this each year, but I just wish they had cleaned up after themselves before we got here. The volunteers who ran Hogwarts at Hamilton forgot to take the troll out of the bathroom. Because of the whole violent troll thing, we have to leave this stop early. Dobby tags along with us too, which is fine, I guess, but the guy is just so clingy.
Our next stop is the only spot at Hamilton that is actually haunted— Couper Hall. I try to open the door
We are lucky to live at the ideal school for celebrating Halloween. It is a spine-tingling spot—isolated, full of old buildings and surrounded by woods. Hamilton’s administration has finally recognized our school’s true potential and decided to make the most of its resources. So, I have been appointed to lead you all on a Halloween Tour of campus. Now, let me be clear: we are not necessarily going to locations that are haunted, just places that I deem creepy. This is going to take a while, but do not worry—we will stop by spooky vending machines and bathrooms along the way.
Our tour begins with a ghost story in the Kirkland Glen, just to set the mood. We sit around the fire pit, listening to my tale about the ghost of Couper Hall. I had asked my friend Steve to pop out in a ghost costume at the climax of the story to give you all a fright, but he must have misread my directions. The story really hinged on someone suddenly surprising us at the end to convey the final scare, so now everyone just stares at me as if to say, “Was that it?”
From there we head to List, the abandoned arts building. The building’s inside is now empty and covered in graffiti. Legend has it that the Kirkland professors who refused to work at Hamilton when the two combined are now squatters in List. In one empty classroom, we actually do find a former professor who has lived here for decades. He is pale with 6-inch fingernails and hair far past his shoulders. None of us are particularly frightened by the sight of this strange man, but we all run away screaming when he begins delivering a chemistry lecture.
Then we stop at Benedict Hall, which we are only visiting because it looks old and eerie. It really is an ideal spot for Hogwarts at Hamilton—the yearly tradition in which student volunteers tour visitors through various Harry Potter-themed rooms. I think it is really neat that they host this each year, but I just wish they had cleaned up after themselves before we got here. The volunteers who ran Hogwarts at Hamilton forgot to take the troll out of the bathroom. Because of the whole violent troll thing, we have to leave this stop early. Dobby tags along with us too, which is fine, I guess, but the guy is just so clingy.
Our next stop is the only spot at Hamilton that is actually haunted— Couper Hall. I try to open the door to the basement, but it is locked. Unfortunately, this means we must conduct our séance in Couper’s first floor hallway, which really is not ideal. The automatic lights are on the whole time and professors must squeeze past us to get to their offices. Each time they walk through our circle, they say something like “Whoops, ’scuse me!” or “Sorry— don’t mind me,” which seriously kills the spirit-summoning vibes. By this point Dobby has started to refer to himself as “Grant’s elf,” so I guess we are stuck with him. to the basement, but it is locked. Unfortunately, this means we must conduct our séance in Couper’s first floor hallway, which really is not ideal. The automatic lights are on the whole time and professors must squeeze past us to get to their offices. Each time they walk through our circle, they say something like “Whoops, ’scuse me!” or “Sorry— don’t mind me,” which seriously kills the spirit-summoning vibes. By this point Dobby has started to refer to himself as “Grant’s elf,” so I guess we are stuck with him.
It would not be a Halloween tour without visiting the graveyard, so we stop by for a bit. One of you ask me whether any famous people are buried here, but I have no clue. By now you are starting to doubt that this tour was worth $10, but, well, there are no refunds. Dobby senses the uncomfortable silence and asks whether we visited the dungeon-like room beneath the bridge. I tell him no, but that it is a good idea and will be included on next year’s tour. Dobby then tells us (in third person), that this spot under the bridge is where he and his friends go to do drugs. Dobby is a free-spirited elf.
Our second-to-last spot is Rogers Estate, which is without a doubt the creepiest dorm on campus. The place looks just like a haunted house. We make our way up to its attic—which is locked but has windows looking inside of it for some reason. Through these dusty windows we can see dingy antiques and imagine ghosts inside. You and Dobby are really hitting it off, huh? I am not jealous, but like, he is my elf.
The final stop requires a bit of a trek—a hike along Rogers Glen trails all the way to the Field of Dreams. This is a big cornfield in the middle of the woods, which really goes nicely with the whole Halloween thing that we have been going for here. Without any moonlight it is an especially dark and difficult trip, and some people on the tour are getting whiny (except Dobby, who is suddenly Mr. Charming). Eventually we arrive at the Field of Dreams, and you all seem a bit disappointed by the tour’s climax. It is, after all, just an empty field. By freak chance, Steve, the guy I asked to frighten you all earlier at the campfire, came to this Glen by mistake. He spots our tour and salvages the night by running up on us to scare the absolute bejesus out of us. That is, all of us except you and Dobby, who seem to have snuck off together.