Springfield's urban legends
Are they fact, fiction, or a little in between?
Kaitlyn McConnell and Logan Hoffman
Issue date: 10/29/08 Section: Life
Many people have heard an urban legend or two at some point in their lives. Those stories that seem too crazy, too scary or just too "out there" to really be true. Though such far fetched stories are present nearly everywhere, some may be closer than you think. Take a look at these local urban legends that have persisted for generations.
The rumored ghost of Clara Thompson Hall is not by any means a new story. The legend has been traced back to the 1950's, when numerous Drury students claimed that a ghost resided within the hall; various individuals have recounted experiencing strange noises, including piano playing, and eerie "presences" while in Clara Thompson late at night. Speculated identities of the ghost have been Clara Wallace Thompson, namesake of the hall, or Thomas Stanley Skinner, past long time dean of the music department.
Located near Highways 60 and 65, the Winoka Lodge was owned by the Schweitzer Family in the 1920's and was used as a summer home. For decades, it has been circulated that several girl scouts were murdered there; the rumors were strengthened after the camp closed shortly after the reported incident and never reopened. The claims, however, have been confused with an accident that occurred about the same time, where three girls were killed at a Girl Scout camp in Oklahoma.
A Springfield landmark, the Landers Theatre has been a part of the area's cultural history for nearly 100 years. The theatre has been in continuous operation since 1909; in addition to live entertainment, it was also a motion picture house and one of the first to acquire "talkies". Part of the theatre's appeal draws from its habitation of several restless spirits. Tales range from a janitor who died during a fire in the theatre during the early 20th century and is often seen in the balcony near the actors on the stage. Another tale features a baby who was accidentally dropped from the upper balcony many years ago. There have been reports by actors who have heard the baby crying, followed by words of comfort from the baby's mother.
The rumored ghost of Clara Thompson Hall is not by any means a new story. The legend has been traced back to the 1950's, when numerous Drury students claimed that a ghost resided within the hall; various individuals have recounted experiencing strange noises, including piano playing, and eerie "presences" while in Clara Thompson late at night. Speculated identities of the ghost have been Clara Wallace Thompson, namesake of the hall, or Thomas Stanley Skinner, past long time dean of the music department.
Located near Highways 60 and 65, the Winoka Lodge was owned by the Schweitzer Family in the 1920's and was used as a summer home. For decades, it has been circulated that several girl scouts were murdered there; the rumors were strengthened after the camp closed shortly after the reported incident and never reopened. The claims, however, have been confused with an accident that occurred about the same time, where three girls were killed at a Girl Scout camp in Oklahoma.
A Springfield landmark, the Landers Theatre has been a part of the area's cultural history for nearly 100 years. The theatre has been in continuous operation since 1909; in addition to live entertainment, it was also a motion picture house and one of the first to acquire "talkies". Part of the theatre's appeal draws from its habitation of several restless spirits. Tales range from a janitor who died during a fire in the theatre during the early 20th century and is often seen in the balcony near the actors on the stage. Another tale features a baby who was accidentally dropped from the upper balcony many years ago. There have been reports by actors who have heard the baby crying, followed by words of comfort from the baby's mother.
Article last update: 10/28/08 at 7:55 PM CST
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Wm. Garvin
posted 10/29/08 @ 9:01 AM CST
I just wanted to let you know that we looked into the Smith Hall story several years ago. What we found is that there have _never_ been any other buildings on the site of Smith Hall--no Victorian homes, nothing. (Continued…)
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