UMass Lowell Has An Abandoned Campus That No One Talks About | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
popular

UMass Lowell Has An Abandoned Campus That No One Talks About

We know there's a South, North, and East campus, but did you know there once was a West Campus too? Yes, it really exists.

14315
UMass Lowell Has An Abandoned Campus That No One Talks About
Imgur: UML west campus

The University of Massachusetts Lowell is known for its three separate campuses: North, South and East. North is known as the science, business, and engineering campus, while South is known for arts and humanities as well as health sciences. Meanwhile, East is just a residence campus. But what many people don't know is that there used to be a fourth campus, and of course, that campus was, you guessed it: West.

That's right, West campus is actually not a myth. Located on Princeton Street in Chelmsford, it's UMass Lowell's least talked about and most forgotten campus.


Gould Hall at UMass Lowell's West Campus

Before UML acquired the campus, the grounds were part of a truancy school for boys of Middlesex county from 1894-1973. Basically, it was kind of like a boarding school/boot camp that misbehaving boys went to and worked on the farm on the property. There are rumors of the boys being treated very poorly and numerous accounts of boys trying to escape only to be hunted down, brought back, and punished. Eventually, the school closed down, and Wang Laboratories purchased the property, planning to build their headquarters there, but for some reason that never happened, so UML acquired the main buildings and sold the farmland to a developer that ended up building condominiums on it.

The main five buildings were used for the Graduate School of Education up until about the mid-1990s. They consisted of Bigelow, Read, Upham, Gould, and Richardson Halls.


Aerial map of UMass Lowell's West Campus today minus Read Hall which was destroyed in a summer fire. (Yes, I covered up the street names, sorry guys.)

These buildings were used until the buildings didn't pass inspection anymore and were deemed unfit and unsafe to hold classes in, and UMass Lowell did not want to spend the money to make the repairs, so as a result, the Graduate School of Education was moved back to South Campus and the buildings were left abandoned-- all except for one. Bigelow Hall is being leased out and used as an office building, supposedly to a facility for troubled girls called the Robert F. Kennedy school.

Read Hall also no longer exists. The building caught fire due to unknown causes during the summer of 2013 and did not survive.

Aside from the used building closest to the entrance of the campus, the rest of the property is known to have an eerie kind of feel to it. Buildings are boarded up and there are 90s computers, record players, and old school supplies just left untouched in the buildings. There are also old books and toys scattered throughout the floors and graffiti on the walls.


Books scattered across the floor of Gould Hall.



Children's toys and VCR tapes scattered by the entrance of Gould Hall.

There are rumors of the grounds being haunted, but there is no known reason aside from maybe the boys' emotions and treatment from the old truancy school days. The campus is featured in a book by Renee Mallet called Haunted Colleges & Universities of Massachusetts along with Leitch Hall.



A hallway in one of the abandoned buildings.

Today, the buildings remain unlisted on the UMass Lowell website and campus maps. After the fire of 2013, there are rumors that the remaining unused buildings are being scheduled for demolition since they are considered a safety and fire hazard. The grounds and constantly subject to trespassing.



A "No Tresspassing" sign on a fence right down the front driveway by Bigelow Hall.



Bigelow Hall on West Campus.



A classroom inside Gould Hall with graffiti on the walls.



A closet inside one of the abandoned buildings.


A vandalized classroom inside of Gould Hall.

Though this campus is rarely talked about and most students and faculty aren't even aware of its existence, it definitely remains an interesting part about UMass Lowell and is something that makes UML unique.


DISCLAIMER: All photos of West Campus were either submitted or found online. Please do not trespass onto this private property without proper permission from the owner. Trespassing is illegal.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Kardashians
W Magazine

Whether you love them or hate them, it's undeniable the Kardashian/ Jenner family has built an enormous business empire. Ranging from apps, fashion lines, boutiques, beauty products, books, television shows, etc. this bunch has shown they are insane business moguls. Here are seven reasons why the Kardashian/ Jenner family should be applauded for their intelligent business tactics.

Keep Reading...Show less
friends
Photo by Elizeu Dias on Unsplash

If I have learned one thing in my lifetime, it is that friends are a privilege. No one is required to give you their company and yet there is some sort of shared connection that keeps you together. And from that friendship, you may even find yourself lucky enough to have a few more friends, thus forming a group. Here are just a few signs that prove your current friend group is the ultimate friend group.

Keep Reading...Show less
ross and monica
FanPop

When it comes to television, there’s very few sets of on-screen siblings that a lot of us can relate to. Only those who have grown up with siblings knows what it feels like to fight, prank, and love a sibling. Ross and Monica Geller were definitely overbearing and overshared some things through the series of "Friends," but they captured perfectly what real siblings feel in real life. Some of their antics were funny, some were a little weird but all of them are completely relatable to brothers and sisters everywhere.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Types Of Sorority Girls

Who really makes up your chapter...

2758
Sorority Girls
Owl Eyes Magazine

College is a great place to meet people, especially through Greek life. If you look closely at sororities, you'll quickly see there are many different types of girls you will meet.

1. The Legacy.

Her sister was a member, her mom was a member, all of her aunts were members, and her grandma was a member. She has been waiting her whole life to wear these letters and cried hysterically on bid day. Although she can act entitled at times, you can bet she is one of the most enthusiastic sisters.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

10 Reasons Why Life Is Better In The Summertime

Winter blues got you down? Summer is just around the corner!

2362
coconut tree near shore within mountain range
Photo by Elizeu Dias on Unsplash

Every kid in college and/or high school dreams of summer the moment they walk through the door on the first day back in September. It becomes harder and harder to focus in classes and while doing assignments as the days get closer. The winter has been lagging, the days are short and dark, and no one is quite themselves due to lack of energy and sunlight. Let's face it: life is ten times better in the summertime.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments