Northern Arizona University’s Morton Hall: Haunted?

cvancaraj
Jun 4
3 min read

Updated: 5 days ago

Introduction

Deep in the pines of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University (NAU) is known for its crisp mountain air, historic buildings… and a few lingering ghosts.

At the center of campus legends is Morton Hall, a historic dormitory built in 1914 — and the focus of some of the most persistent haunting stories in Arizona higher education.

For decades, students have whispered about strange sounds, flickering lights, phantom figures, and a restless spirit named Kathy who may still roam its halls.

The History of Morton Hall

Morton Hall is one of NAU’s oldest buildings, a red brick structure originally housing just 36 women. Over the years it has served as both a women’s dormitory and, more recently, co-ed housing. Its location near the edge of Old Main Quad gives it a quiet, somewhat isolated vibe — especially at night when most of the campus sleeps.

And it’s at night when strange things tend to happen.

Who is “Kathy”? The Ghost of Morton Hall

The most famous legend centers around a female student named Kathy, said to have died by suicide in Morton Hall decades ago.

Though official records of such an event are difficult to verify (as is often the case with campus hauntings), the story has been passed down through generations of NAU students.

Reported paranormal activity includes:

✅ Lights flickering with no electrical issues found

✅ Doors slamming when no one is around

✅ Shadows moving across rooms with no visible source

✅ Cold spots — sudden temperature drops in specific rooms

✅ Phantom crying or footsteps late at night

✅ Apparitions — multiple students have claimed to see a figure of a young woman in older-style clothing, believed to be Kathy

Eyewitness Reports

Over the years, countless students have shared personal experiences:

One former resident said:

“My roommate and I both woke up to the sound of crying one night. We checked the whole floor — no one was there. It happened more than once.”

Another wrote on a local ghost forum:

“We saw a shadow cross our room wall — it wasn’t headlights or anything we could explain.”

Maintenance workers have also reported tools going missing or strange sounds when the building is empty during breaks.

Skepticism and Possible Explanations

Skeptics point to Morton Hall’s age and electrical systems as potential causes of flickering lights and door movement. Temperature changes in old buildings are common. The power of suggestion — especially on a campus where the “Morton Hall ghost” legend is well-known — can also cause heightened sensitivity to normal sounds.

But not all reports can be so easily explained.

The Enduring Legend

Whether the spirit of Kathy truly lingers or not, Morton Hall remains one of Arizona’s best-known “haunted dorms”— regularly featured in local haunted places lists and campus ghost tours. New generations of students continue to report strange experiences. For believers, it seems Morton Hall still has stories to tell.

Have You Experienced Morton Hall’s Haunting?

If you’ve lived in or visited Morton Hall and had an experience, share it with us on the 918 BOARD.

And if you're visiting Flagstaff — maybe think twice before walking Morton’s halls alone at night.

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