Words by Jenny Lynn Davis | Images by Jenny Lynn Davis and Al Blanton
The Carl Elliott Regional Library–Jasper Public Library hosted Dr. Alan Brown on Thursday evening, October 9, for a presentation titled School Spirits: Ghost Stories from Alabama’s College Campuses. Known for his work collecting and preserving Southern folklore, Dr. Brown shared eerie tales from across the state’s colleges and universities, blending history, legend, and a touch of the supernatural.
Brown, one of Alabama’s most notable folklorists, has spent decades gathering ghost stories tied to the South’s most storied campuses. His presentation took listeners on a tour of Alabama’s halls of higher learning, including the University of Alabama, the University of Montevallo, Huntingdon College, the University of North Alabama, and the University of West Alabama. Each story combined local lore with the rich traditions of the schools themselves.
For the event’s attendees, one story hit especially close to home: the haunting of Walker College’s (now Bevill State Community College) Davis Hall.
Brown shared a portion of the tale of Dr. Carl Jesse, the college’s founder and one of Walker County’s most influential educators. A Texas native, Dr. Jesse earned a doctorate in music from the Western Conservatory of Music in Chicago before founding Interstate College in Kansas. In 1937, he moved to Jasper to serve as dean of Cheatham Conservatory and, one year later, established Walker College with the help of local community leaders.
Known for his deep dedication to education, Dr. Jesse reportedly did everything necessary to keep the college afloat during its early years, including serving as both janitor and president. He remained committed to the institution until his death in 1955, and his funeral was held in the college auditorium.
Over the years, whispers spread that his spirit never truly left the campus. Many believed Davis Hall, one of the school’s original buildings that was demolished in 2021, was haunted by its founder. As shared in Brown’s book, Haunted Birmingham, former faculty and students recalled unexplained footsteps, flickering shadows, and the feeling of being watched in Davis Hall. Pamela Decker, quoted in Brown’s book, says that nearly everyone who spent time in the building had experienced something strange, like sounds, movements, or a mysterious presence that seemed to linger long after closing hours:
“There was a feeling of release, a catharsis, I suppose. Many people who were skeptical before or just straight-out non-believers in ghostly phenomena changed their minds very quickly. Seeing or hearing for yourself does have that effect on people.”
Brown concluded the evening by reminding his audience of the words of prolific storyteller and Selma, Alabama native Kathryn Tucker Windham, “You don’t have to believe in ghosts to enjoy a good ghost story.” WL
