Downers Grove South is a 60 year old school, having opened its doors in 1964. Inevitably, some older aspects of the school are still noticeable despite the numerous renovations the school has undergone. These older areas of the school can give off an unsettling vibe compared to newer areas such as the commons and the new STEAM wing.
For example, one of the more unsettling areas that most students have encountered is the pool hallway. It’s a narrow brick hallway without much bright lighting with tile flooring that even has its unique smell compared to the rest of the school due to its proximity to the pool.
At the end of the hallway is a large metal door that I’ve never seen open and a wide yet empty space that leads to a door outside. This hallway contrasts the bright, blue and white areas students spend most of their time in and might even be one of the darkest areas in the school.
Another place that feels off compared to the rest of the school is the second floor study room E233. Most driver’s education students are likely familiar with this classroom, as this is where they go to take the permit test they need to pass to take the class.
This is another area mostly comprised of unpainted brick walls. It can also be difficult to find. The classroom is up a random set of stairs near the large gym.
All these factors make this room feel strange and mysterious, especially considering how little this room is visited by most students.
The old testing center is another location that would send chills down my spine–students would take the stairs up to the gymnastics balcony (around the back of the large gym) and head into a large study room. However, that’s not the room I’m talking about.
Going straight through the study room, students would find themselves in an old, narrow and long room. The desks were organized in a huge rectangle and students would be spread out in the musky, dimly lit room. Thankfully, students now take retakes in the new testing center on the third floor.
Out of all the rooms at DGS, there are some pretty scary ones. Other rooms at DGS that didn’t make the list are the locker rooms next to the large gym, the basement and some stairwells. Dark areas such as these, which don’t seem to have changed since the school was built, are sure to unsettle any freshman who wanders near.
DGS has had a lot of history throughout its 60 years, and many changes have been made to various areas around the school. However, the school’s old history still shines through behind the blue and white renovations.
