A look inside Drake University's most haunted building
"We had one young gal who claims to be sensitive and says that occasionally she'll see an older man walking around here," Schwartz said.
"We had one young gal who claims to be sensitive and says that occasionally she'll see an older man walking around here," Schwartz said.
"We had one young gal who claims to be sensitive and says that occasionally she'll see an older man walking around here," Schwartz said.
For nearly 100 years, the Drake University Observatory has been central Iowa's glimpse into the cosmos.
The building is the brainchild of Dr. Daniel Morehouse — one of the first astronomers employed at the university.
He rose in status by becoming an expert in comets.
"He was the first one to see it. As a result, it was named after him. So Morehouse's comet propelled Daniel Morehouse into the forefront as a comet expert," shared Herbert Schwartz, an adjunct professor with the university.
Morehouse went on to become president of the university in 1923.
When he passed in 1941 his ashes were imbedded into the observatory, and when his wife passed in 1964, hers were too.
And since then, some have claimed to have otherworldly experiences in the building.
"We had one young gal who claims to be sensitive and says that occasionally she'll see an older man walking around here," Schwartz said.
Schwartz is an adjunct professor for the university and he claims to have had his own experience, alone in the observatory.
One night while he was working by himself in the basement, he heard someone come in.
"The door opened because I felt the draft of the outside in February in Iowa, come down the stairs," he said.
He called out — but no one answered.
He went upstairs to look for the visitor but he found himself standing there alone.
He even went outside to check the snow for tracks, but there weren't any, only his.
"So, I don't know if I was visited, or if it was a figment of my imagination but it seemed like somebody came here," Schwartz said.
Nov. 5 will mark 100 years for the structure, and the public is invited out to attend an event that starts at 6 p.m.
Relatives of Morehouse will be in attendance.
And Schwartz says if Morehouse is still roaming around — he'll extend an invite to the event to him, too.
"I hope he's enjoying the fact that we have people here on Fridays and the fact that the place is going to be 100 years old and if he's around, I hope he comes to the party," he laughed.