Ohio’s history of historic buildings comes with no surprise about the spookiness factor. A wide range of haunted places in Ohio, from haunted hotels to abandoned asylums and even ancient cemeteries, screams adventure for some. For adventurous souls drawn to the supernatural, Ohio presents a compelling selection of haunted sites. If you’re one of those, list all the haunted places and join the spine-tingling journey, as Ohio has a skinny line of places that blurs the veil between the living and the dead.
Haunted Places In Ohio
If you’re seeking a thrill or just a curious soul, these haunted places in Ohio are just the perfect treat. So, make a list of these paranormal places for the ultimate adventure.
1. The Ohio State Reformatory
Popularly recognised as Mansfield Reformatory, the Ohio State Reformatory is a historic prison in Mansfield. Built in 1886, it has become one of the most haunted places in Ohio. Many visitors visited, from unsettling noises to shadowy figures, and it felt eerie. Even the inmates have mentioned that they felt hands reaching out to them from the walls. Due to its deteriorating conditions, the prison was closed in the 1990s. However, the local activists purchased and restored the buildings, and the famous Shawshank Redemption was shot there. Now, it is open to the general public, and if you want to experience spooky at its best, head to Mansfield Reformatory with your friends or solo for the added thrill.
Location: 100 Reformatory Rd, Mansfield, OH 44905, United States
Timings: 11 am–4 pm (Tuesday and Wednesday are closed)
Highlight: If you’re not scared of Ohio State Reformatory and its tales, experience the haunted house-like attraction with Escape from Blood Prison throughout October.
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2. Ceely Rose House
We promise, this is the most interesting story with evidence, in 1896, Rose family that operated a mill outside Mansfield – fell sick and died. However as a mystery only one member of Rose family survived – Ceely Rose, that led to suspicion by the police and a theory circulated that she might be the one to pioson her family. The theory was thus backed by evidence when Ceely confessed her crime. Authorities delcared her insane and sent her off to Toledo Insane Asylum. Ceely Rose House have appeared in many Haunted television shows and visitors have confirmed to experience paranormal activities and weird noises from the house.
Location: 4050 Bromfield Rd. Lucas, OH 44843
Timings: None
Highlight: Rose farm is not open for the public, but you can visit their periodically schedule ghost tours.
3. The Ridges
Formerly called Athens Lunatic Asylum, it was operated in Ohio from 1874 till 1993. It is said that the first patient to get admitted to the Asylum was a 14-year-old girl whose parents told that she was possessed by demons. She was along with many people that suffered from mental illness from civil war veterans, homeless people and the infamous multiple-personality disorder rapist by Billy Milligan. The asylum also had a cemetery that served as a final resting place for 700 women and 959 who died. Now, the Asylum has been operated by the Ohio University with art museums, daycare and classroom facilities, and many students and faculties have claimed to have experienced paranormal activities. Some even have witnessed the ghost of Margaret Shilling on the property. If this is not spooky for you then we are unsure what will be. The Ridges have been one of the haunted places in Ohio to experience paranormal.
Location: 100 Ridges Cir, Athens, OH 45701
Timings: From dawn to dusk
Highlight: Only a limited part is accessible to the public; however, they sometimes hold tours that cost $15.
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4. Moonville Tunnel
You should be scared, but there’s an abandoned train tunnel that is HAUNTED. Moonville was a small mining and railway town, and the locals state that around 1859, a brakeman fell asleep and somehow tripped in front of a moving train. He never recovered from his injuries; now, his ghost is roaming around that place. So, who wants to experience the ride of horror at this tunnel and feel the paranormal activities?
Location: Hope-Moonville Rd, McArthur, OH 45651, USA
Timings: 10:30 am–3:30 pm
Highlight: Experience the eerie factor at this abandon tunnel.
5. Collingwood Arts Center
The Collingwood Arts Center in Toledo is one of the largest and oldest centres in the area. Previously owned by the Ketcham and Laskey families, this charming white-bricked Victorian mansion was later acquired by the Ursuline Order of the Sacred Heart. It is rumoured to be haunted and featured in several books, including “Ghost Hunting Ohio” and the “Haunted Ohio” series.
Ghost hunters commonly refer to a small hallway within the centre as “the cells,” which contains a few small rooms that barely fit a single bed. Some believe these rooms were used for housing nuns, while others think they may have served as private tutoring spaces. Regardless of their original purpose, visitors have reported experiencing intense paranormal activity within the Collingwood Arts Center. It is said that the restless spirit of a nun who took her own life in the basement still lingers, leaving behind a sense of anxiety near the bottom of the stairs. It is one of the most haunted places in Toledo Ohio.
Location: 2413 Collingwood Blvd, Toledo, OH 43620, United States
Timings:12 – 3 pm, Closed on Mondays
Highlight: It offers a wide range of events to explore year-round, from Kids Arts Nights to ghost hunts.
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6. Hills and Dales Lookout Tower
Dubbed Witch’s Tower, it was completed in 1941; the purpose of this was to provide views of Community Country Club. Due to the remote location, the tower was often vandalised by trespassers, which shattered beer cans and whiskey bottles all over the place. Strange tales confirm they have seen eerie figures around a fire and untraceable scorch marks on the ground. But the most common story is of a ghosty girl and boy whenever the lightning illuminates the sky.
Now, that is something that facts have backed up, as Peggy Harmeson, a 16-year-old girl, died inside the tower when the lightning struck in 1967. She and her reported boyfriend, 17-year-old Ronnie Stevens, took shelter when the thunderstorm occurred. Peggy was found dead lying on the 11th floor, while Stevens survived but was uncomfortable when the ambulance arrived and was restrained in handcuffs. That’s not all; visitors have found burnt images of the girl within the tower, and the stains remained despite how much it was scrubbed. Scary. Isn’t it?
Location: 2655 S Patterson Blvd, Kettering, OH 45409
Timings: 8 AM–10 PM from April 1–October 31 and 8 AM–8 PM from November 1–March 31
Highlight: It’s a real story associated with the ghosty girl that is sure to give you chills down the spine.
7. Ohio Statehouse
Tom Bateman, a senate clerk, was so concerned about maintaining law and order that it is believed that even after his death, he didn’t stop. The employees of the Statehouse observe that at approximately 5 o’clock, his ghost leaves the senate chamber with flickering lights, and the people nearby feel the cold chills of his presence. Another spooky tale suggests a foul smell; some thought it was bodies buried in the crypt. Later, it was discovered that the smell was due to the combination of gas, horse stable and mouldy storage. Regardless of the explanation, there have been witnesses of paranormal activities spotted by visitors.
Location: 1 Capitol Sq, Columbus, OH 43215, USA
Timings: 8 am – 5 pm
Highlight: Get to experience the spookiness of the Statehouse.
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8. South Bass Island Lighthouse
South Bass Island Lighthouse stood forty-five feet tall when finished, and its first lantern was lit by the keeper Harry H. Riley on July 10th 1897. Under his supervision, the duty was performed from March to late December, the typical shipping season. On August 09th 1898, he hired a caretaker, Samuel Anderson – an eccentric individual who lived in the lighthouse’s basement. But a tragedy stuck at the lighthouse when, after moving for just 22 days, Anderson was found dead, having fallen off a rocky cliff near the lighthouse. It has remained unclear whether it was a suicide or murder.
However, many unfortunate incidents happened after this; Riley, the keeper, was declared ‘unstable and insane’ and sent to the Asylum to get proper treatment. The visitors’ keen interest remained in the lighthouse’s basement, which is unavailable to the public. Many have reported hearing slamming doors, eerie footsteps, and other strange experiences. Would you be daring enough to spend the night alone at this lighthouse?
Location: 2368 Langram Rd. Put-in-Bay, OH 43456
Timings: Open 24 hours
Highlight: Climb the stairs to take a great view of Put-in-Bay.
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Haunted Houses In Ohio
Haunted Houses in Springfield Ohio
Home to some of the most haunted houses in the region, Springfield has an abandoned Oakwood Cemetery and mysterious Wittenberg University. It’s notorious for its weird atmosphere, ghost sightings, and strange sounds. Guests often feel a chilling presence at certain cold spots in Springfield.
Haunted House in Sandusky Ohio
Ghostly Manor Thrill Center stands out in Sandusky, featuring the ancient and the haunted jigsaw puzzle, a completely haunted house in Sandusky, Ohio. A frightening experience in a 19th-century buildings where ghostly encounters are frequent. Tourists have complained about hearing unexplained footsteps and voices, while others have felt the eerie sensation of being watched by someone.
Haunted House in Wilmington Ohio
The haunted Roberts Centre in Wilmington is a former hotel with a history of deep paranormal activity. The guests and staff have also witnessed strange apparitions that felt sudden temperature drops. Apparently, the ghost was a former resident who is now adding the chilling allure and haunting the building.
Haunted Houses in Youngstown Ohio
Like all places in Ohio, Stambaugh Auditorium is famous for its history and traces of spirits. If this is something up your alley, then make sure to visit. Former employees have reported strange cold spots, ghostly shadows, and weird sounds at this historic venue. The city’s rich history adds to the supernatural mysteries surrounding its haunted locations.
Haunted Houses in Northeast Ohio
Haunted houses in Northeast Ohio offers a wide variety of mysteries, including the infamous Mansfield Reformatory, where ghost sightings along with other paranormal activities are just common. Franklin Castle in Cleveland have also been reported haunted by the visitors as they have experienced supernatural experiences. Would you dare to encounter unsetting sounds to spectral figures? If yes, then this region is teeming with haunted locations steeped in history with mystery.
Haunted Houses in Toledo Ohio
Home to several paranormal activities and haunted houses, one such infamous spot is the
Toledo Zoo’s haunted mansion. Imagine the historical charm and the eerie landmarks making it worth visiting for the ghost busters. Many visitors have reported of sightings ghostly figures and unexplained voices. Due to it’s history Toledo is a favourite spot for the thrill-seekers.
Haunted House in Bellaire Ohio
Widely considered as one of the most haunted locations in the states, Bellaire house is infamous for it’s spookiness. Paranormal investigators and visitors have confirmed of hearing eerie noises, ghosty shadows and strange occurrences. This historic mansion has a tragic past and is an ideal place for the curious souls and well, ghost hunters.
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If you’re a paranormal investigator, ghost hunter or just somebody intrigued by ghosts, haunted houses or places, or eerie sounds, you must visit at least one of these most famous haunted places in Ohio. With a wide range of haunted houses and attractions throughout the state, be it the 13th Gate in Springfield or the Toledo Terror Trail, Ohio offers a unique and terrifying experience that is worth taking the risk for. So, plan your trip to the USA with friends and family or alone. Well, you can be daring and venture into an experience to remember.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Haunted Places In Ohio
Are there any haunted places in Ohio?
Yes, there are many haunted places in Ohio, from the famous Ohio State Reformatory to The Ridges. Visitors are bound to experience the eerie and spookiness in the air.
How many haunted attractions does Ohio have?
Ohio has over 130 haunted attractions, and that is more than any state in America. From haunted houses, barns, cemeteries, castles, caves and more. With its strong passion for Halloween, the Ohio Haunters Association president, Max Bryant, says their haunt community is more passionate about collaborating than competition. Some of the famous haunted attractions of Ohio include Hackett Hotel, Factory of Terror and The Gallery.
Suggest some haunted places to stay in Ohio?
Some of the haunted places to stay in Ohio include:
- Hotel Millersburg
- Landoll's Mohican Castle
- Spread Eagle Tavern & Inn
- Antique Schoolhouse; circa 1895
What are some of the best haunted houses in Ohio?
Ohio is known for its spookiness and historic buildings, however, nothing beats to the best haunted houses in Ohio. Hell's Dungeon is one of the best haunted houses in Ohio Columbus, haunted houses in Cleveland Ohio is the Cleveland Ghosts, haunted houses in Ohio columbus’s Dayton Scream Park, Haunted houses in Akron Ohio’s Ghoul Brothers House of Horrors and haunted houses in Canton Ohio’s Carnival of Horrors.
Are there any haunted places in Cleveland?
Haunted places in Cleveland, Ohio, have their fair share of spookiness, the most famous being Franklin Castle.
What are haunted houses in Cincinnati Ohio?
The top haunted houses in Cincinnati Ohio includes:
- Land of Illusion
- Haunted Scream Park
- Dayton Scream Park
- Halloween Haunt at Kings Island
- Brimstone Haunt
- Cincinnati Fear Fest.
What is the most haunted place in southern Ohio?
Moonville Tunnel in Zaleski State Forest is considered one of the most haunted places in southern Ohio.
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