Fordham University Rose Hill: A Storied History
Fordham University's Rose Hill campus, steeped in history and tradition, stands as a testament to the evolution of higher education in the United States. From its humble beginnings as St. John's College to its current status as a renowned institution, Rose Hill has witnessed significant transformations, intriguing events, and even a few ghostly tales.
Founding and Early Years
Fordham University was established in 1841 as St. John's College by the Right Rev. John Hughes, Coadjutor-Bishop (later Archbishop) of New York. Hughes sought a suitable site to establish a seminary and college, ultimately purchasing the 100-acre Rose Hill Manor farm bordering the Bronx River. This land was acquired for $29,750, equivalent to approximately $800,000 today. The name "Fordham" originates from the Anglo-Saxon words "ford" and "ham," signifying a wading place or ford near a settlement. The Rose Hill name itself dates back to 1787, bestowed by Robert Watts, a wealthy New York merchant, in honor of his family's ancestral home in Scotland.
On June 21, 1841, St. John's College opened its doors, becoming the first Catholic institution of higher learning in the Northeast. The college began with a small student body of six and was initially staffed by diocesan clergy. In 1846, the New York State Legislature granted the school a charter. Bishop Hughes recruited five Jesuits from St. Mary's College in Kentucky and other communities, and the Society of Jesus assumed administration of the College.
The Jesuit Influence
The arrival of the Jesuits in 1846 marked a turning point for St. John's College. Hughes sought the assistance of French Jesuits, who were then managing a small college in rural Kentucky. Simultaneously, the Jesuits were seeking to relocate to a more metropolitan area. The Jesuits took control of the college's educational, financial, and daily operations. However, Hughes retained authority over St. Joseph's Seminary, connected to St. John's College.
The Jesuit philosophy of cura personalis, or care for the whole person, became a cornerstone of the Fordham education. This approach emphasizes the development of the student's intellectual, spiritual, and social well-being. Fordham College embraced this ideal, evident in its strong core curriculum. Since 1846, the college has upheld the importance of a solid core curriculum to provide all students with a strong liberal arts education.
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Expansion and Transformation
As the college grew, so did its academic offerings. In 1907, with the addition of a law school and medical school, the institution's name was changed to Fordham University; St. John's College then became Fordham College.
The Rose Hill campus itself underwent changes. When the Jesuits arrived, the campus extended east to the Bronx River and west to Webster Avenue. However, New York City acquired approximately 26 acres of the property for $9,300 through eminent domain, which outlines the government’s power to acquire private property for public use provided that they compensate the owner with the fair market value price. These acres later became part of the New York Botanical Garden.
The Fordham Cemetery
The Fordham University cemetery holds a unique place in the institution's history. There was a widespread myth on campus that the Fordham cemetery is a "phantom" one (tombstones but no remains).
In 1889, New York City took title to 26.845 acres of Fordham's east campus, which included the college cemetery. This acquisition was made under the authority of the 1884 New Parks Law. As a result, the cemetery could no longer be used. The remains of 61 Jesuits, 3 seminarians, 9 college students, and 2 workmen were transferred to a new cemetery near the university church in January 1890. The transfers were meticulously documented in Latin and English by Fr. Joseph Zwinge, S.J.
The first burial in the "new" cemetery was Fr. Thomas Hennessy, S.J., on January 26, 1890. The last burial was Fr. William O'B. Pardow, S.J., on January 24, 1909. In 1999, the deteriorating tombstones were replaced by low granite markers. The cemetery and the markers were blessed by the Rev. Joseph A. O'Hare, S.J. The inscription on the markers reads: "IN THEIR HOPE OF RESURRECTION HERE LIE THE REMAINS OF 124 SONS OF ST. IGNATIUS LOYOLA: 68 JESUIT PRIESTS; 44 JESUIT BROTHERS; 12 JESUIT SCHOLASTICS; 77 OF THEM HAD ASSIGNMENTS TO FORDHAM. OTHERS BURIED IN THE SAME CEMETERY FOR WHOM AND WITH WHOM THE JESUITS LABORED ARE: 3 DIOCESAN SEMINARIANS, 9 STUDENTS, AND 2 COLLEGE WORKMEN."
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Rose Hill Manor
Rose Hill Manor, previously known as Fordham Manor, has a rich history dating back to the American Revolution. The manor was built by Benjamin Corsa, who grew up on a smaller farm on the property. It was named in 1787 after Robert Watt's family estate in Scotland. During the American Revolution, Rose Hill Manor served as a crossing point for the Continental Army. Hughes acquired Rose Hill Manor, as well as a stone building that survives as a central piece of the Cunniffe House.
Allan Gilbert, a professor in the anthropology department at the Rose Hill campus, and Roger Wines, a former professor of history, conducted extensive research into the university's early years. Gilbert and Wines also found minuscule traces of artifacts from Native American tribes. He hypothesized that the pieces of these artifacts found in the Rose Hill Manor excavation could have been from rocks within the village that were used to fill in hollows and raise the land level.
Hauntings and Legends
Fordham University has its share of ghost stories and legends. The age of the campus, combined with its location on land that once contained a hospital, has fueled speculation about paranormal activity.
Several buildings on campus are rumored to be haunted. Hughes Hall, before the Gabelli School of Business moved in in 2012, used to be a dorm of some notoriety. It was one of the filming locations for The Exorcist (1973) and, like Martyr's, seems to have a ghost child of its own. Students have reported seeing a little blonde girl staring straight ahead when they pull back the curtain.
Collins Auditorium is another site of alleged hauntings. Faculty and students alike have reported seeing a man walking around the balconies.
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The Queens Court also has its own ghostly tale. In the summer of 2003, before the students moved in, the RAs repeatedly found the mattresses in one room propped up, rather than lying flat. One night, one of the RAs heard a knock at his door. Someone said, "Someone must have been praying pretty loudly if they got me up at this hour. Sorry about that, it normally stays at the other end of the hall, but it must have gotten out." For the rest of the summer, the mattresses stayed in their proper places.
Finlay Hall, before becoming a dorm, was the location of Fordham's Medical School. Students have reported the sound of hammering in the walls as if the spirit of the man is still trying to finish the job. One of the construction workers had a heart attack while working on the roof and fell tragically to his death.
Fordham College Presidents
The following individuals served as presidents of Fordham College at Rose Hill:
- 1841-1843 - Fr. Thomas Hennessy, S.J.
- 1843-1844 - Fr. James A. Ryder, S.J.
- 1844-1846 - Fr. John McCloskey
- 1846-1851 - Fr. Augustus J. Thébaud, S.J.
- 1851-1854 - Fr. Louis Tellier, S.J.
- 1854-1859 - Fr. Remigius I. Tellier, S.J.
- 1859-1863 - Fr. Augustus J. Thébaud, S.J.
- 1863-1865 - Fr. William Moylan, S.J.
- 1865-1868 - Fr. Peter Tissot, S.J.
- 1868-1874 - Fr. Edward Doucet, S.J.
- 1874-1882 - Fr. F. William Gockeln, S.J.
- 1882-1885 - Fr. John A. Petit, S.J.
- 1885-1888 - Fr. Thomas J. Campbell, S.J.
- 1888-1891 - Fr. Robert J. Johnson, S.J.
- 1891-1896 - Fr. Thomas E. Murphy, S.J.
- 1896-1900 - Fr. Thomas J. Campbell, S.J.
- 1900-1904 - Fr. John A. Moooney, S.J.
- 1904-1906 - Fr. John J. Collins, S.J.
- 1906-1911 - Fr. Daniel J. Quinn, S.J.
- 1911-1915 - Fr. Thomas J. McCluskey, S.J.
- 1915-1919 - Fr. Joseph A. Mulry, S.J.
- 1919-1924 - Fr. Edward P. Tivnan, S.J.
- 1924-1930 - Fr. William J. Duane, S.J.
- 1930-1936 - Fr. Aloysius J. Hogan, S.J.
- 1936-1949 - Fr. Robert I. Gannon, S.J.
- 1949-1963 - Fr. Laurence J. McGinley, S.J.
- 1963-1965 - Fr. Vincent T. O'Keefe, S.J.
- 1965-1969 - Fr. Leo P. McLaughlin, S.J.
- 1969-1972 - Fr. Michael P. Walsh, S.J.
- 1972-1983 - Fr. James C. Finlay, S.J.
- 1984-2003 - Fr. Joseph A. O'Hare, S.J.
- 2003- - Fr. Joseph M. McShane, S.J.
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