Unveiling Ohio's haunted spots: Ghostly tales and paranormal encounters

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — There is no shortage of haunted spots in Ohio, from old prisons, to abandoned sites and cemeteries, frightening lore abounds in the Buckeye State.

Some spooky buildings are known for being terrifyingly intimidating, like the Ohio State Reformatory and The Ridges. Other places, such as the Confederate cemetery on Johnson’s Island, might be mentioned less but are still the subjects of some bloodcurdling tales.

Online sites, including Ohio Exploration Society (OES), Haunted Ohio and The Ghosts of Ohio are rich with resources on some of the most creepy places in the heart of it all. Below is a sampling of places in Ohio deemed rich in paranormal activity.

Found in a remote area of southeastern Ohio near Zaleski State Forest in Vinton County sits the Moonville Tunnel an abandoned railway tunnel dating back to the mid-1800s.

According to The Ghosts of Ohio website, it is reputedly haunted by the spirits of those hit by the train near the tunnel. Visitors report seeing ephemeral figures, hearing train whistles, and experiencing a “ghostly lantern.”

The tunnel is accessible via hiking trails in Lake Hope State Park, and it is a popular spot for ghost hunters and history buffs alike.

The Ohio State Reformatory, listed in “Haunted Ohio” author Chris Woodyard's top “haunt-spots” in Ohio, is notoriously home to undead spirits. Located at 100 Reformatory Rd., in Mansfield, it is known for its Gothic architecture and as the filming location of “The Shawshank Redemption.”

The reformatory operated from 1896 to 1990. The legends behind its reputation come from the harsh conditions, violence, and death that occurred there. Visitors report hearing disembodied voices, footsteps, and other paranormal phenomena.

“When I visited, the energy in the 'Hole' or solitary confinement area was bad—several men had died in that area, some of them murdered,” wrote Woodyard. “I also came away from the East Cell Block completely exhausted by whatever still lingers there—it was the site where a prisoner burned himself to death in his cell.”

For those who dare to visit, guided ghost tours, paranormal investigations, and seasonal events like the “Escape from Blood Prison” haunted attraction are offered.

Almost as imposing as the reformatory is a building complex known as “The Ridges.” Situated at 100 Ridges Cir., in Athens, it was once a mental health facility, referred to at the time as the “Athens Lunatic Asylum.”

Now owned by Ohio University, The Ridges opened in 1874 and is infamous for its dark history, including lobotomies and patient mistreatment. Many believe it to be one of the most haunted places in the state, with ghost sightings, strange noises, and cold spots reported throughout the building.

An OES investigation in 2005 noted some unusual activity.

“During our tour of the basement area, we recorded electronic voice phenomenon (EVP) asking, 'Would you help us?'” the group wrote on its site. “Later on another floor, the team was inside a room that had once been a padded cell. We recorded the sound of a scream on our audio equipment that was not heard by those present in real time.”

The grounds are currently accessible to the public and self-guided walking tours are available. The Kennedy Museum of Art is located in one of the renovated buildings on the site.

The cemetery on Johnson’s Island at 910 South Bayview Rd. in Marblehead is the historic final resting place of more than 200 Confederate soldiers who died while being held as POWs during the Civil War.

Paranormal activity reported here includes apparitions of soldiers in uniform, unexplained cold spots, and the feeling of being watched. Some visitors have also heard distant sounds of military drills or voices.

“The centerpiece of the cemetery is a large bronze statue of a Confederate,” The Ghosts of Ohio website notes. “This statue faces north as opposed to south, which would have symbolized a retreat. However, legends abound of the statue coming to life at night and moving.”

The cemetery is open to the public as a somber and reflective experience. Historical markers provide information about the Civil War and the prisoners on the island. Visitors can explore the grounds and learn about the history of the camp and cemetery.