The Ghost of 401
- Emerson Drake
- Oct 26
- 2 min read
The Haunted Halls of Kilachand
By Emerson Drake
Within the hallowed halls of 91 Bay State Road, the legendary playwright Eugene O’Neill is rumored to still linger. While few students outside of the Kilachand Honors College know of the ghost said to haunt Room 401, O’Neill’s legacy makes Kilachand Hall unlike any other dorm on campus.
Born in 1888, O’Neill is considered America’s first major playwright for bringing realism to the stage. Moving away from the melodramatic conventions of his time, he sought to capture the complexities of the human spirit, redefining the course of American theater.
O’Neill was bold and unafraid to experiment, using innovative techniques to explore controversial themes in mid-20th-century America, such as interracial marriage, gender equality and capitalism. The central message of his works sought to reveal how choices can shape one’s destiny.
His groundbreaking artistry earned him four Pulitzer Prizes for Beyond the Horizon, Anna Christie, Strange Interlude, and Long Day’s Journey into Night. In 1936, he received the Nobel Prize in Literature, remaining the only American playwright to have earned this distinction.
In the mid-1900s, before 91 Bay State Road became part of Boston University’s campus, the building served as the Shelton Hotel and luxury apartment complex, home to O’Neill and his wife during his final years. In 1953, O’Neill passed away from pneumonia in his fourth-floor suite, now known as Room 401 within the Kilachand Honors College.
Today, O’Neill remains an integral figure within the Kilachand community. In November 2024, the Eugene O’Neill Society partnered with Kilachand students to perform Abortion, one of his most notable plays. Outside Room 401, a bronze plaque honors his legacy and marks the site of his passing.
Previous residents of the suite have reported paranormal occurrences, including flickering lights, slamming cabinets, and unexplained knocks on their doors. Whether these hauntings are truth or legend, O’Neill’s spirit remains woven into the history of Kilachand. His legacy of creativity and bold storytelling continues to inspire, embodying the pioneering spirit that Boston University strives to instill in each student.
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