The Haunted Powell Symphony Hall

Posted: 12.23.2024 | Updated: 12.23.2024

Music has the uncanny ability to evoke a wide range of emotions, linking the past to the present. That may be why St. Louis, with its eclectic music scene, remains one of the most haunted cities in the U.S. At the center of it is the world-renowned Powell Symphony Hall. 

Located at 718 N. Grand Boulevard, this ornate concert hall is anchored in St. Louis’s history and goes back to 1925, when it was formerly a theater. It now has another reputation as one of the most exquisite concert halls in existence. However, intertwined with it are the rumors that it’s not just the living who enjoy listening to the melodies that fill its walls. 

There’s another scene lurking underneath St. Louis’s vibrant socialscape. It lies in the shadows, hiding whatever goes bump in the night. Ready to find out what it is? Be sure to book a ghost tour with St. Louis Ghosts today for an unforgettable, spine-tingling experience. You can also stay up to date on our blog for more chilling tales of St. Louis’s most haunted locations. 

Is the Powell Symphony Hall Haunted?

Powell Symphony Hall displays as much an elegant display of magnificence as the music that reverberates through its halls. However, many believe that music isn’t the only thing that can be heard in the former vaudeville theater.  It carries a reputation for hosting its own little ghostly ensemble. 

History of Powell Symphony Hall

Life was breathed into Powell Symphony Hall in 1925 when its construction was completed on North Grand Avenue, where it still stands today. It wasn’t an orchestral hall originally but was a gem nonetheless, attracting top vaudeville stars from all over the area. However, evolving competition made it harder for the 4,000-seat theater to stay afloat by the 1960s.

The ending of St. Louis Theater’s final film, The Sound of Music, also marked the end of a chapter for the ornately designed structure. However, its superior acoustics showed promise that it wouldn’t be the end of its story. The St. Louis Symphony Society purchased the building in 1966, making it their new permanent home. 

An extensive two-year renovation was undertaken on the property before opening its doors on January 24, 1968. It was renamed Powell Symphony Hall after Walter S. Powell, a St. Louis shoe manufacturing executive whose widow, Helen Lamb Powell, donated $1 million towards the hall’s renovation. Only a day after opening, the St. Louis Symphony Society played to a packed audience and received an exorbitant amount of critical appraisal.

It was the bedrock for the reputation Powell Symphony Hall continues to this day, known as one of the world’s finest orchestral halls. It was entered into the National Register of Historic Places in 2001 and is a staple of St. Louis’s history and culture. Another extensive renovation is also underway for it and is expected to be completed in 2025. 

Hauntings Overview

Powell Symphony Hall has been home to the St. Louis Symphony Society for over 40 years. However, not only the living seem to appreciate the mellifluous tunes reverberating throughout its halls. A number of ghosts and the stories that follow them are known to linger around this cherished establishment. 

One of them is a female spirit that is said to haunt the projector room, while another, Richard, is said to wander upstairs. The rumors alone are enough to send shivers through staff and attendees. However, an overnight paranormal investigation in 2010 gave these spectral residents the perfect opportunity to amp things up from speculative to downright frightening. 

The night was already riddled with strange bumps and bangs when the music director and his secretary found themselves locked in an auxiliary storage room. This seems like the perfect setup for the climax of a horror movie, but the spookiest event of the night came during the devil’s hour. 

It happened in the basement’s Whitaker Room during a Q&A session with the ghosts. At exactly 3 a.m., the telephone rang exactly once. Curiosity makes one wonder who could be on the other side, but even then, would you really want to know? 

Dressed for the Occasion 

The most famous ghost known to frequent Powell Symphony Hall is, without a doubt, the best-dressed. Staff refer to him simply as George. He roams the halls of the building with his signature handlebar mustache, donning a classy white tuxedo and hat. 

It remains a mystery who this pristinely dressed specter might be; perhaps an actor who met a tragic fate on the way to his big breakout role? Maybe there is more to the hall’s history than meets the eye. Whatever the case, one can only admire this charming ghost for his readiness on any occasion. 

Haunted St. Louis

St. Louis, MO, tops the list for go-to destinations, with an energetic, diverse culture in every aspect: entertainment, architecture, and, let’s not forget, its thriving blues scene. It’s all here, including some of the most haunted locations imaginable. 

Powell Symphony Hall seems to check all the above boxes, with its deep-rooted history and an unsettling reputation for its handful of spirits. Hidden within its grandiose architecture and immaculate designs are decades worth of stories, some of which may hide a sinister secret only known to its spectral residents walking its halls. 

A ghost tour unlike any other awaits you in St. Louis! Be sure to visit our website today and book a tour with St. Louis Ghosts for a walk on the city’s darker side. Since you’re already there, check out our blog for more chill-ridden stories, and stay connected with us on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.

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