No matter your stance on ghosts, Halloween brings out the spirit in all of us and Ohio has plenty of haunted spots worth exploring this season!
Mansfield’s Ohio State Reformatory became internationally renowned through its portrayal in The Shawshank Redemption film series. However, overcrowding, escape attempts that turned deadly and even a riot have all left their mark on this prison.
The Ohio State Reformatory
Ohio State Reformatory in Mansfield is an iconic haunted location popular with paranormal investigators. Made famous by the movie Shawshank Redemption, its six-tier freestanding cell block remains accessible on tours today for visitors looking for paranormal activity.
At one time or another, every prison in America is thought to be haunted. Even today as a tourist attraction, visitors report hearing chains dropping onto the floor, sinister growls, and unexplained footsteps; others claim seeing dark apparitions or hearing voices in empty rooms.
People from around the globe visit this spooky locale, and many have reported paranormal activity there. Witnesses claim to have seen shadows of inmates running through hallways while others report being touched or pushed by unseen forces – including staff members themselves who have had similar encounters there.
The Ridges Asylum
The Ridges Asylum (also known as Athens Lunatic Asylum) has long been associated with ghostly sightings and reports. Operating from 1878-1993 as a mental hospital, patients at Ridges Asylum were subject to inhumane treatments such as electroshock therapy and lobotomies- often without anesthesia- in order to survive treatment at this institution.
This haunted building has attracted ghost hunters for decades, even appearing on several paranormal television programs. Visitors have reported hearing unexplainable sounds such as scuffling feet, banging doors and disembodied voices; others have reported shadowy figures or black masses roaming its halls.
Ohio is known to be a hotbed for paranormal activity and contains numerous haunted locations that visitors can explore across the state. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources is joining in the Halloween spirit by sharing campfire tales about some of Ohio’s spookiest spots.
The Ohio State Jail
Ohio State Jail is an immensely popular location for ghost hunters and moviegoers, as well as being famous as being featured in classic flick “The Shawshank Redemption.” Visitors can tour this castle-like prison during the day or take part in Escape from Blood Prison – a haunted house attraction taking place in parts of the jail that aren’t typically open to visitors.
Many visitors who have explored the OSR claim they’ve heard footsteps, voices and the sounds of chains clinking together; many also report feeling as if they are being touched and having their arms pulled on. Visitors have reported hearing demented babbling and disembodied moans coming from The Hole; visitors have also reported feeling touched and having their arms pulled on by unidentified hands in The Basement which has also been said to be haunted by evil spirits from when one young boy died there; other reports include seeing balls of light and shadowy figures in The Hole.
The Ohio State University
Ohio State University is home to many mysterious tales, from ghost teachers who communicate with students to sounds and voices being heard in sealed rooms; its large campus is filled with paranormal activity.
At OSU, a popular haunt is “The Biology Professor.” He can often be found roaming the Science Building and is said to put away miscellaneous equipment or free any animals trapped inside labs – some students report feeling watched when “The Biology Professor” is present.
The Mansfield Ohio State Reformatory, made famous as a setting in the movie Shawshank Redemption, has an infamous past filled with riots, suicides and murders. Due to its haunting aura and haunted past, filming locations and paranormal tours often choose this location for filming locations or tours.
The Thurber House at 77 Jefferson Ave was home to late writer James Thurber. Former caretakers reported hearing strange noises and seeing strange images, along with seeing someone dressed in gray walking along a particular route every night. It has also been suggested that its paranormal activity includes seeing ghostly figures.
