Drive-By
Exterior Visit to Candler Hall
View Candler Hall from Herty Drive as part of a UGA North Campus self-guided walk that includes Demosthenian Hall, Old College, Lustrat House, and the Jackson Street Cemetery.
- Duration:
- 15 min
Photo coming soon
Other Dark Tourism Site
Candler Hall
1901 UGA building on North Campus said to be haunted by William Samuel 'Willie' Lloyd, a 23-year-old senior who accidentally shot himself in his dorm room on September 22, 1905.
202 Herty Drive, Athens, GA 30602
Wheelchair Accessible
Research-Backed · 4sources
Age
All Ages
Cost
Free
Free exterior viewing. Active UGA academic and administrative building; public interior access is limited.
Access
Wheelchair OK
Active classroom and office building on UGA's North Campus.
Equipment
Photos OK
Est. 1901 · Former UGA Men's Dormitory · Named for Governor Allen D. Candler · Site of Documented 1905 Accident
Candler Hall stands on Herty Drive on the University of Georgia's historic North Campus. The building was completed in 1901 and named for Allen D. Candler, who served as governor of Georgia from 1898 to 1902. At opening, the hall functioned as a men's residence and could house up to 84 students.
Over the 20th century the building was adapted for academic use; it currently houses departments and offices within UGA's School of Public and International Affairs (SPIA).
The building's most prominent historical episode is a tragic accident on September 22, 1905. According to the SPIA's published 'IA Building Ghost Story' and the Clio entry for Candler Hall, twenty-three-year-old senior William Samuel Lloyd of Fayetteville (often called 'Willie Sam' and sometimes spelled 'Loyd' in contemporary records) returned to his first-floor room after dinner with his roommate. While playfully spinning a loaded pistol on his finger, the pistol discharged, striking him in the lower abdomen. He died of his injuries; his body was returned to his family for burial.
Sources
- https://spia.uga.edu/an-ia-building-ghost-story/
- https://alumni.uga.edu/2023/10/31/haunted-uga-spooky-stories-from-around-campus/
- https://guides.libs.uga.edu/ghostguide
- https://theclio.com/entry/78894
Figure hovering over sleepersPacing footsteps on wood floorsDoors and elevators opening on their ownPhantom taps on the shoulderVariant dagger-wielding specter and chain-dragging reports
According to UGA SPIA's official 'IA Building Ghost Story,' the UGA Libraries ghost-stories research guide, UGA Alumni's Haunted UGA roundup, and the building's Clio entry, ghost stories tied to Candler Hall have circulated since at least the 1920s. During its dormitory years, students reported waking suddenly in the middle of the night to the feeling of someone hovering over them.
Faculty in the modern academic period have reported hearing unusual noises as if someone is pacing on the wood floors of the upper levels. The building's elevator and automatic doors have reportedly opened and closed on their own. Some accounts add a dagger-wielding specter and an unseen figure who drags a chain up and down the staircases — variant traditions that may have grown out of original accounts.
Attribution centers on Willie Lloyd, the 1905 accident victim, although other Candler-era residents have occasionally been suggested. The lore is exceptionally well-documented at the institutional level — UGA SPIA published its own ghost-story explainer — and is one of the few UGA hauntings to combine a verified contemporary tragedy with a continuously documented modern witness inventory.
Notable Entities
William Samuel 'Willie' Lloyd
Plan Your Visit
1 way to experienceSources & Further Reading
Every HauntBound history is researched from documented sources. We clearly separate verified historical fact from paranormal folklore.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Candler Hall family-friendly?
Exterior is family-suitable. The 1905 accidental-shooting story should be contextualized; suitable for older children and teens with adult guidance. Overall family fit: Moderate.
How much does it cost to visit Candler Hall?
Free exterior viewing. Active UGA academic and administrative building; public interior access is limited. This location is free to visit.
Do I need to book in advance?
No advance booking is required, but checking availability is recommended.
Is Candler Hall wheelchair accessible?
Yes, Candler Hall is wheelchair accessible. Terrain: Active classroom and office building on UGA's North Campus..