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Ghost Stories

by Maria Alvarez

Meadowlands, 2019.  Photograph by Maria Alvarez.

    There was a ghost story documented in the newspaper, the Meadowlark, in 1921 which explained how lights would be turned on in the Meadowlands dormitory. It refers to the spirit as careless and irresponsible instead of scary. One of the most recalled stories from 1975 was that of Suzie-Q. The story says that Suzie-Q lived on the third floor of Meadowlands and one Saturday night she was in her room reading and at 2 a.m., the third-floor phone rang and after 10 to 20 rings, a girl from the second floor went up to answer the phone. When she picked up, she heard Suzie-Q’s voice shrieking, “Why didn't you answer the phone? It’s too late now - You’re too late!” The next day, Susie-Q was found dead in the hills far from Dominican.

     Moreover, Angelico has some horrific ghost stories as well. The most known story is the nun of Angelico which has different versions. The first story comes from the Metamorphosis newspaper of 1975. There was an elderly nun who planned to sing an opera written for her, but she died before she was able to perform it. People in Angelico say they can hear her practicing on an organ and preparing for the performance she was unable to attend. In addition, the newspaper mentioned that if one walks on the path between Guzman and Angelico hall on a foggy evening, one may meet a nun without a head.

Angelico Bathroom, 2019.  Photograph by Maria Alvarez.

     The ghost of Fanjeaux is another famous ghost at Dominican. Like before, various versions of the ghost that haunts Fanjeaux dormitory are known. The Carillon newspaper of 1950, mentions how there were two cousins, Gertrude, and Greta, that lived in Fanjeaux. Gertrude lived on the second floor and Greta on the third floor. Gertrude would use smoke from cigarettes to signal her cousin on the third floor when they lived in the dorm. Later, Gertrude would haunt the second floor, inhabiting the cigarette urn on the fireplace.  None of the people interviewed had a recollection of this story, but they had their own experiences.

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     The Townhomes became part of Dominican in the fall of 2017. One night, Hernandez had to write a long essay, so she stayed up all night writing it. While listening to music, scratches on the back of the couch were heard. Hernandez exclaims that Dominican cannot escape the ghosts because they followed students into the newly acquired buildings. Similarly, Sigala experienced paranormal activity at the Townhomes. She saw a shadow that came from her closet and would stand by her bed observing her. One night, this shadow pulled her sheets and went on top of her bed. Sigala felt like it was cumbersome and it was breathing down her neck. After a while, the shadow finally got away from her, and it scurried back into the closet until the next night. Events like this happened throughout the whole semester for both Sigala and Hernandez even after they got the townhome blessed.

Fanjeaux, 2019.  Photograph by Maria Alvarez.

Townhome, 2019.  Photograph by Maria Alvarez.

Click here for the rest of the story!
Listen here for an oral history about the ghost stories!
Adriana Sigala Interview - Maria Alvarez
00:00 / 00:00
Nancy Hernandez Interview - Maria Alvarez
00:00 / 00:00
Derek Myers Interview - Maria Alvarez
00:00 / 00:00
AJ Real Interview - Maria Alvarez
00:00 / 00:00
Paul Raccanello Interview - Maria Alvarez
00:00 / 00:00
Rosa Leguria Interview - Maria Alvarez
00:00 / 00:00
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