Ohio boasts many haunted spots to explore. From homes & hotels to lighthouses and roadways, Ohio has plenty of eerie spots said to be haunted.
Malabar Farm State Park is said to be haunted by legends surrounding Louis Bromfield’s ghostly visits at his former residence, while other haunted spots such as Ohio University Ridges and Moonville Tunnel may also hold great unease for some people.
Athens Asylum
This beautiful property that once served as Athens Asylum for the Insane was designed using the iconic Kirkbride plan, and is said to be haunted by ghosts from those who died there. There are cemeteries located throughout its grounds that add an eerie feeling when visiting.
Margaret Schilling is one of the more famous tales regarding Margaret Island; she became trapped inside an empty ward during a game of hide and seek and was never found again. Her body decomposed so rapidly that a stain could never be washed away; according to legend, her ghost now wanders among its ruins. However, Margaret Schilling isn’t alone either: her ghost may also haunt nearby sites.
Confederate Cemetery
Confederate Cemetery and its nearby park have many ghostly residents, but one particularly disconcerting ghost has everyone talking. She has been seen throughout different rooms of Old Governor’s Mansion and even made contact with people during renovation work!
As she passed, she created an embroidery sampler which read, ‘Remember Me,’ which appears to have done just that! Watkins Road Bridge is also said to be haunted by an elderly couple and their baby who have been known to appear when flashing your lights twelve times. Finally, Ohio State Reformatory is one of Ohio’s most well-known haunted locations and has been featured on multiple paranormal TV shows.
Serpent Mound
Serpent Mound in Adams County is an effigy mound, or large animal-shaped earthwork, constructed by Ohio American Indian cultures during ancient times and one of the most recognized National Historic Landmarks in the US.
According to Native beliefs, serpents represented transformation – where individuals shed their old skin to transform into stronger versions of themselves – with physical death leading to spiritual renewal. This may explain their strong beliefs regarding physical change as a path to spiritual rebirth.
Even though archaeologists have excavated this mound, no artifacts that could link it with any specific culture have been found; nonetheless, its significance for Native communities in southern Ohio cannot be denied.
The Majestic Theatre
Ohio may be known for its friendly residents, but it also contains plenty of paranormal activity. From Indian ghosts who want their skull back to an actress supposedly still performing curtain calls – there is something haunted enthusiast can find in Ohio!
The Ridges at Ohio University was once a mental asylum and is now haunted by several restless spirits, including the Lady in Gray. Her apparition has been known to roam the grounds, knock paintings from walls, roll up rugs that she finds dislikeful and preside over Moonville Tunnel – other haunted locations include houses & hotels, schools, hospitals, lighthouses roads and cemeteries.
Ohio State Reformatory
Once a prison for the living, this Mansfield building is now considered one of the most haunted places in America. Visitors have reported hearing footsteps, slamming doors and disembodied voices within its walls.
Ohio State Reformatory has seen great success since The Shawshank Redemption’s filming there in 1995; since then it has hosted ghost tours and other events, as well as being used for filming purposes; Miss May I filmed her music video “Calm Down” here and Anti-Flag shot their video for “The New Sound” here as well.
OSR is open for tours Tuesdays through Fridays and on select Saturday nights from March through November. Additionally, guests can join overnight ghost hunts.
Kings Island
Ohio offers many real scares, from haunted houses and lighthouses to ghostly railroad tunnels – but that isn’t all! Let’s Roam has plenty of haunted places that offer thrills all year round for an extra scare or two!
Malabar Farm State Park in Mansfield boasts many dark tales to tell. Once owned by a wealthy philanthropist, it also served as a stop on the Underground Railroad.
Hills and Dales Metro Park in Kettering boasts the hulking Patterson Tower that looks more like Frankenstein’s Castle than an amusement park ride. Legend has it that people have witnessed an encounter between humans with leathery skin and an alien spirit and sightings of both beings at this site.
