The Olin Library Unofficial Guide to Paranormal Research

Annie Russell Theatre

Image: The theatre in a thick fog. Credit: Rollins Digital Archives

Numerous reports of hauntings and poltergeist activity have been reported in the theatre over the years. Originally constructed in the early 1930s, the building definitely has a long history.

Annie Russell, known to be a stage actress, performed actively between 1885 to 1918. However, she was plagued with a variety of illnesses throughout the entirety of her career, resulting in large gaps between performances.

In 1920, she moved to Winter Park to be near her close friend, Mary Curtis who encouraged Annie Russell to teach at Rollins College. And so the Annie Russell Theatre became to be, opening in 1932. Annie Russell taught until her death in 1936 at 72 years old.

Those who work in the theatre say her ghost still walks throughout the halls - not as a malicious spirit, but as a kind and caring protector. Witnesses often describe her as wearing a lavender, early 1900s-style dress.

In Jennifer Hilley's article, "Things that go Bump in the night..." article in the Sandspur (1991, December issue), Hilley details from then-sophomore Peter Hyde that there may even be two other ghosts inside the theatre: a gentleman in a top hat and coat phantom known as the 'middle-aisle walker", who walks through the seats of the theatre; the other, a one malicious ghost of a Campus Security officer. On Oct 10th, 2012, Fox News and a crew of ghost hunters came to investigate the Theatre and claimed they discovered a total of 6 spirits.

Multiple paranormal investigators have looked into the reports, and you can read The Ghosts of Rollins by Mary Seymour '80 for the Rollins News and Magazine, Fall 2011 issue.

Additional write-ups from the Sandspur include articles from 1979, 1991, and 2000:

The Ghosts in Knowles Chapel

Image: The chapel in 1935. Credit: Rollins Digital Archives

The Knowles Memorial Chapel was also built in the early 1930s in honor of Francis Bangs Knowles (1823–1890), one of the founders of Rollins College and Winter Park. The Chapel was designed by architect Ralph Adams Cram, known for his collegiate and ecclesiastical buildings. 

Being one of the oldest buildings on campus, the Chapel has it's own share of haunting tales.

At night, two chapel organists have reported seeing ghosts while practicing alone in the building at night. 

One witness saw a woman in gray moving down the aisle as he played. Decades later, another witness saw a ghostly figure standing at the altar.

Two students on a recent ghost tour told us that they have heard music coming from the chapel late at night, as if a phantom musician was playing the organ despite the chapel being empty.  The organ had a large EMF and magnetometer spikes when the tour members scanned it.

The Haunting of Pinehurst Cottage

Image: Pinehurst Cottage. Credit: Rollins Digital Archives

Pinehurst Cottage is the oldest structure on the campus. Designed by architect George D. Rand of Boston, Pinehurst Cottage was built in March 1886. The three-story high building consisted of twenty-seven dorm rooms and two open porches.

Initially called the Ladies Cottage, in 1904 two rooms on the third floor were used as an infirmary. During World War II, the available space in Pinehurst was used for the headquarters of the STAR (Specialized Training and Reassignment) unit in August 1943. Today, Pinehurst is a co-ed residence hall and serves as a symbol of continuity and embodies the history of the College.

Around the campus, you will hear whispers of reported hauntings, such as footsteps down the corridor or objects moving on their own. It's unknown who may be haunting the current resident hall, but its storied history is undeniably frightening.

Interred Remains on Campus

A well known alumnus and his wife are interred here on campus. After attending Rollins College in the late 1890s, a well known alumnus had a successful writing career spanning up to 33 novels. However, he found himself gradually descending into helplessness due to his failing health towards the end of his life. After being bombarded with medical illnesses for years, he decided to give in and be at peace.

In honor of his memory, Rollins College interned his ashes along with his wife’s ashes here on the campus.

UFOs over Campus

In 2007 a witness reported seeing a strange, dark UFO flying over campus while standing on the dock at Dinky Dock Park. The silent craft drifted over the lake and headed in the direction of Semoran Blvd. The witness was sure that it wasn't a balloon or plane. Someone reported what appears to be the same object a year later in Gainesville, Florida.  The National UFO Reporting Center lists 27 UFO sighting reports in Winter Park including this one.  The most commonly reported objects are triangular, chevron-shaped, and fireball or orb type objects.

In 2004, several witnesses had a strange encounter on an undisclosed lake on the Winter Park chain of lakes. The witnesses reported several glowing lights hovering over the lake. The lights created a slight swirling motion in the water and rotated over the water for about 20 minutes before slowing to a complete stop. After the lights completely stopped, they shot about 1000 feet into the air and continued the swirling motion. At that moment a thunderous bang caused car alarms to sound in the otherwise quiet night. Several residents of the neighborhood went outside when the alarms sounded, spotting the light just before it vanished into the night.