Devereux Hall - Allegany, NY - Ghosts and Hauntings on Waymarking.com

Devereux Hall is one of St. Bonaventure University's oldest and most beautiful and intriguing buildings. Begun in 1926, Dev, as it is commonly known, is the University's second oldest existing building. St. Bonaventure's first dormitory, it is also the one with the most character due to its unique architecture. For many years, Dev has been one the most popular dorms to live in due to its inviting appearance and the nature of its residents. Dev, however, is popular for other reasons. It is rumored that the building is haunted and many of its residents will tell you that they have encountered one of its ghosts at one time or another. Dev's fifth floor is also a source of many legends and superstitions.

It's most famous history lies in its ghost stories. This is by far the largest site for myths and legends on campus.

The most famous of these legends include: Black Mass, William J. Cooper, and 3rd Floor Legends.

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A variety of rumors exist around fifth Dev. The best rumors are those that have been derived from the story of the Black Mass.

In the early 1960s a group of students stole some unconsecrated hosts from the Dev chapel and collected a few books in an attempt to perform a Black Mass.

Although the exact events of what occurred on fifth Dev are unclear, the students did proceed upstairs to a former recreation room and attempted to conjure up some type of spirit.

The supposed Black Mass was interrupted by a friar or residence life staff member that walked upstairs and so it was never carried through. The students suffered severe consequences by the University including an expulsion.

Students today believe that ghosts linger up on the fifth floor and that this Black Mass could have brought some of them there. They also believe that this is the reason that the fifth floor is presently closed and proceeding up there is prohibited.

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Willie Cooper can be identified first as a World War II veteran. His second identity is clearly one of the legends that haunt Devereux Hall.

It is said that Willie visited the building annually walking the back wing where he was able to look out over a war memorial that formerly stood outside the building.

It is said that when one walks by the memorial his name stands out. The memorial is quite old and has experienced a great deal of weathering. Although a majority of the names have become faded and unclear, his name shines through bright as ever.

Since a series of construction around campus the memorial has been moved, but whether Willie still walks the halls is a mystery.

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The third floor of Devereux Hall holds many legends, but it is hard to discern what is real from student accounts.

It is said that the ghost of a friar who once died in the building jogs up and down the hall during the night. Whether he is trying to make peace with someone or something, or simply finishing his run is uncertain.

Students also buzz about possible deaths or suicides that may have occurred in the building. They claim that lingering spirits have been seen and that these spirits are the cause of strange occurrences such as appliances that operate on their own and items that are mysterious moved or damaged.

Together these stories produce a number of student accounts of paranormal activity.

Public access?: With proper authorization, it is probably possible to visit the building. Visting hours: Website about the location and/or story: [Web Link]

Visit Instructions:

• Please submit a photo(s) taken by you of your visit to the location (non-copyrighted photos only). GPS photos are also accepted with the location in the background, and old vacation photos are accepted. Photos you took of paranormal activity are great. If you are not able to provide a photo, then please describe your visit or give a story about the visit
• Tell your story if you saw, felt, or smelled anything unusual. Post pictures of what you saw.
• Add any information you may have about the location. If your information is important about the location, please contact the waymark owner to see if it can be added to the description.
• Be careful and do not enter areas which are off limits or look dangerous. No waymark is worth harm. Use your 6th sense, because sometimes there are unseen things which are telling you to stay out.
• Use care when using your camera flash so you do not disrupt any possible nearby residents. Time lapse can be the best tool on your camera in many circumstances.

 

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