Ohio is home to numerous haunted locations. Ohio’s most haunted locations include Mansfield Reformatory – best known as one of the filming locations of The Shawshank Redemption – and Golden Lamb Restaurant, where an apparition depicting a lady wearing gray is said to frequent.
Tyler pointed out that more haunted houses are adding mechanical scares to their attractions – they can be just as scary as real ghosts!
The Majestic Theatre
The Majestic Theatre is an exceptionally haunted location that’s home to multiple spirits, such as that of a woman who committed suicide nearby and can often be seen weeping and her ghost still roams through its halls. Additionally, another spirit may include that of an angry former janitor who attacks anyone who creates mess in his bathrooms.
In 1927, this three-theatre complex comprised by real-estate magnates the Chanin Brothers was opened for business. Comprised of three theatres: Royale and Theatre Masque (now John Golden), it provided producers the flexibility of moving shows between venues depending on ticket sales. The Majestic also had its own large musical house to provide extra production flexibility.
Tyler noted the importance of remembering that live actors offer the scariest scares. For more information on The Majestic’s creepy history, click HERE.
Serpent Mound
One of the world’s largest prehistoric effigy mounds can be found in rural southern Ohio, stretching more than a quarter mile long with an egg-shaped head at its end.
Archaeologists generally agree that serpent mounds were constructed by Native American ancestors, yet there remains much controversy as to their meaning for those who created them. Some speculate that its serpent’s head might represent solar eclipse, while others feel its egg-shaped head might symbolize moon.
Other experts have speculated that snakes were once used to point towards the Pole Star and act as an ancient compass, but this theory has not gained wide support.
The Old Governor’s Mansion
The Old Governor’s Mansion served as a stop on the Underground Railroad, an underground network of safe houses used to help slaves escape to freedom. It is thought that those who died while seeking sanctuary at this historic property remain there today and have caused reports of strange noises, sightings, apparitions and other paranormal activity at this location.
Ohio State Reformatory was once known for being an extremely violent prison, often punishing inmates by throwing them into “The Hole”, an extremely dark and confining cell. Even after its closure in 1990, many consider the building haunted and are said to still experience ghostly manifestations at that location.
Visitors have reported hearing footsteps, unexplained noises and baby crying sounds inside this house. Rumor has it that this residence may even be haunted by the ghost of a woman who killed her family members.
The Cry Baby Bridge
This haunted bridge can be found near the Old State Reformatory in Mansfield. Once an idealistic prison experiment, this institution was meant to reform criminals through religion, education and trade; but after overcrowding, rioting, and the suicide of one of the warden’s wives it has since earned itself the distinction as being one of Ohio’s most haunted places.
Unusual noises, shadowy figures and crying babies have been reported by visitors, while some even reported feeling an undue presence pulling them into the river below the bridge.
Ohio is also known for being home to other paranormal hotspots such as the Old Governor’s Mansion, said to be haunted by an African American maid in 1800s clothing who is said to break paintings off walls and roll up any rugs she doesn’t approve of.
Moonville Tunnel
Railroad industry boomed throughout southeastern Ohio during the 1800s. Along these rails emerged Moonville, which is said to be haunted by an eerie lantern which can be seen during stormy nights.
The tunnel itself is long and narrow with just enough room for one set of trains to pass. Unfortunately, many people were killed here due to accidents, yet this eerie place still attracts many tourists today.
Jannette and her group of hikers encountered distinct footsteps that seemed to come toward them as they passed by the tunnel. But when they looked in that direction with flashlights shining in, nothing was visible there and the scuffling sound stopped immediately – believed by many to be ghostly echoes from those who died here haunting it today.
