Shaken Cow

In later years this building was the boot and shoe shop for Fisks department store (which existed from 1908-1961) and narrowly escaped demolition in 1910. It is from this era that the ghostly tales originate, as the St Albans museum website tells us; "Number 17 is alleged to be haunted by a ghost known as 'the corset maker'. She is said to be the daughter of a manager of Fisks who kept her locked in her room when she fell in love with one of the storemen. In her distress she committed suicide. After her death a table of wedding veils in the shop was often found disturbed and some of the shop assistants saw her figure in the Abbey gardens. [Her grey figure] is also said to haunt the basement and has [had?] been heard upstairs." Other legends say that she also appeared on the pavement, and she may also have disrupted business in neighbouring shops, with the phantom being seen in the cellars and stock being thrown around. It is not known if she still persists.

Link: St Albans Museums