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A Vampire in Ohio: The Strange and Grim Superstition of the Salladay Family

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Seeking new land and a new life, the Salladay family went to Ohio, but brought a silent killer with them: Consumption. Falling into odd superstitions, they believed the only way to stop the disease was to stop the undead from rising from their graves. 

America’s early history is peppered with strange, somber superstitions—rituals born of fear, desperation, and a primal struggle against diseases no one understood. Among these unsettling tales is one from Scioto County, Ohio, in the dead of winter, 1816–17: the tragic and bizarre case of the Salladay family, whose hereditary affliction with tuberculosis led to a desperate, grisly ritual in the hopes of stopping death in its tracks.

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It may not have earned the infamy of New England’s vampire panics, but this haunting episode stands as a potent reminder that superstition knew no borders in early America.

The Vampire Grave in Ohio: The Salladay Cemetery in Scioto County, Ohio, where Samuel Salladay rests alongside his relatives. Source

A Family Cursed by Consumption

The Salladays were Swiss immigrants, part of the wave of European settlers moving westward after the opening of the French Grant, a parcel of land along the Ohio River. It was granted by Congress in March, 1795, to a number of French families who lost their lands at Gallipolis by invalid titles. The river bottoms are well adapted to corn, and on a great part of the hill land small grain and grass could be produced and tempted settlers inland. The name Sallaway is an americanized version of the Swiss German Salathe

Not long after settling in Scioto County, the family fell prey to the disease that had terrified communities for centuries: tuberculosis, then called consumption. It was a cruel, wasting illness, slowly claiming victims with bouts of coughing, fever, and a wasting pallor that convinced many it was the work of a malevolent force rather than mere contagion.

Consumption: Before it had a scientific explanation, TB was a horrifying, slow-moving plague. It wasted the body. Victims grew pale and thin, their cheeks sunken, eyes glassy. They coughed blood. They wheezed and gasped and sometimes appeared to grow stronger just before they died, as if something unnatural were prolonging their suffering. In this time and place, a superstition that it was the work of a vampire sprung out.

After the head of the family and the eldest son succumbed, and others began showing signs of sickness, panic overtook reason.

A Desperate and Macabre Cure

In the depths of the winter of 1816–1817, the Salladay family, surrounded by fearful neighbors, turned to a folk remedy that would be familiar to followers of New England’s vampire lore: the belief that a dead family member might be preying on the living from the grave.

The “cure” was grim. They resolved to exhume one of the deceased, burn certain organs in a ceremonial fire, and do so before the eyes of the surviving family members — an attempt to sever the sinister connection between corpse and kin.

The victim of this desperate rite was Samuel Salladay (1789-1815), one of the earlier victims of consumption who had died during the fall of 1815. His body was disinterred by Major Amos Wheeler of Wheelersburg, an official of standing in the community, lending the macabre event a disturbing legitimacy. A large crowd from the surrounding countryside gathered to witness the ritual, drawn by a mixture of morbid curiosity and communal dread.

Samuel’s entrails were removed and burned upon a fire specially prepared for the rite. The hope was that the ritual would end the spread of disease within the family and grant a reprieve to those still living.

The Folly of Superstition

Unsurprisingly, this desperate act proved futile. Consumption was a highly contagious disease, passed through airborne bacteria, not through supernatural means or malevolent corpses. Despite the burning of Samuel’s remains, the remaining Salladays continued to fall ill, one by one.

In the end, only George Salladay survived the affliction, while the rest of the family perished — victims of both disease and superstition.

Today, no marker or monument commemorates the Salladay ritual, and their story survives largely through scattered historical accounts. Perhaps this was the only vampiric exhumation that happened in Ohio. Although not strictly a New England place, Ohio carried a lot of the earlier settlers by the way people moved west from the east shore, and some of the state used to be a part of Connecticut. 

Samuel Salladay still rests in the Salladay Cemetery in Sand Hill in Scioto County, together with all of his relatives who were never cured from their life-draining disease. 

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References:

New England vampire panic – Wikipedia

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/197357043/samuel-salladay

https://www.findagrave.com/cemetery/43291/memorial-search?cemeteryName=Salladay+Cemetery&page=1#sr-30710534

Scioto County, Ohio 

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Ghostly Encounters in Moonville Tunnel in Ohio

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Moonville Tunnel is some of the few remains of the mining community that used to be there. Now, the railroad tracks are gone, but it is said the ghosts of those who died along the tracks are still there, warning everyone for the oncoming train. 

Tucked deep within the dense, shadowy expanse of Zaleski State Forest lies Moonville, an abandoned railroad community whose eerie tales and spectral residents have remained, even though the living moved away. 

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While the town itself is long gone with only foundations of a few buildings, a cemetery as well as the railroad tunnel where the ghost stories come from. Its haunted legacy endures, centered around the infamous Moonville Tunnel—a foreboding passageway that continues to stir the imaginations of those who dare to visit.

Moonville Tunnel: Graffiti now covers the tunnel with no rail road tracks running through it anymore. It has become a local hot spot for local lore and ghost stories, many fueled by actual deaths that occurred along the dangerous railroad tracks. Source: Wikimedia

The Birth and Death of Moonville

Founded in the mid-19th century, Moonville was a modest mining community that sprang to life thanks to the railroad cutting through the rugged landscape. Its location, remote and isolated, made it an ideal spot for transporting coal and clay, but a dangerous one for the people who lived there. A small cluster of homes, a general store, a post office, and a cemetery where the heart of this tiny settlement of a few families.

However, Moonville was destined for an early grave. By the late 1940s, with the decline of the mining industry and the advent of more accessible transport routes, the town’s population dwindled. Eventually, the last remnants of the community faded into obscurity, leaving behind only whispers of its haunted past and the enduring structure of the Moonville Tunnel.

The Moonville Tunnel: A Portal to the Past

Today, the Moonville Tunnel stands as one of the few physical reminders of the town’s existence. The Moonville tunnel was also used as a footpath of the miners and their family walking along the tracks. This together with trains coming from both east and west on a single track caused a lot of deaths over the years, some say at least 27 deaths around the station and the tracks.

The tracks that once carried freight trains through this lonely stretch of forest have been removed, leaving a rugged path that winds through the trees, leading curious adventurers to the tunnel’s yawning mouth. Graffiti marks its ancient walls, and the tunnel’s darkness beckons with the promise of the unknown.

But it’s not just the tunnel’s history that draws visitors—it’s the ghosts that reportedly haunt its shadowy depths.

Moonville Tunnel: No railroad tracks run through the old tunnel anymore and the place is started to be reclaimed by nature. Even so, there are those who claim to see the ghosts of those trying to warn about oncoming trains. //Source: Wikimedia

The Ghosts of Moonville Tunnel

Since the late 1800s, stories of ghostly encounters in and around the Moonville Tunnel have been passed down through generations. The most famous of these spectral sightings is that of the Lantern Man. Described as a towering figure, close to eight feet tall, with a long white beard and glowing eyes, the Lantern Man is said to appear from the darkness swinging a luminous lantern. Clad in dirty overalls and a miner’s hat, he releases a terrifying scream that echoes through the tunnel, sending chills down the spines of those who hear it.

Legend has it that the Lantern Man was a brakeman who met a gruesome end beneath the wheels of a train. He fell asleep around 1859 according to some sources at work. Some say he had been drinking and just laid down to sleep on the tracks. It was a stormy night and he woke up when the sound of the train left the depot. Stumbling to the tracks, he fell and died.  

There is a newspaper article from the McArthur Democrat from MArch 31 in 1959. It says: “A brakesman on the Marietta & Cincinnati Railroad fell from the cars near Cincinnati Furnace, on last Tuesday March 29, 1859 and was fatally injured, when the wheels passing over and grinding to a shapeless mass the greater part of one of his legs. He was taken on the train to Hamden and Doctors Wolf and Rannells sent for to perform amputation, but the prostration of the vital energies was too great to attempt it. The man is probably dead ere this. The accident resulted from a too free use of liquor.”

His ghost now wanders the tracks, eternally searching for the lantern he lost in life, warning trespassers of impending doom as he tries to catch his train.

The Ghost from the Trainwrecks

There is also a story about the man being an engineer called Frank Lawhead, or sometimes called Theodore, who was driving his train along the tracks around 1880. The dispatch forgot to tell him about an oncoming train and they collided. Both he and a fireman onboard were killed.

“Cincinnati, Ohio, Nov. 5. – Two freight trains ran together on the Marietta and Cincinnati Railroad, near Moonville, on the eastern end of the road, yesterday. Engineer Frank Lawhead and Fireman Charles Krick were killed and six of the crew wounded, none fatally. The cause of the collision is said to have been the failure of the train dispatcher to notify the east-bound train of an order to the west-bound train to run on its time.”
– Chicago Tribune – Saturday, November 6th, 1880

His ghost is now haunting the tracks and the tunnel, and was said to be spotted by other engineers traveling the route, said to hold his lantern in his hand, still trying to stop the trains. These sightings are said to have happened all the way up to the 1980s until the railroad came to an end and the tracks were removed. 

The Lavender Lady

Another haunting figure is the Lavender Lady, an elderly woman whose presence is often accompanied by the faint scent of lavender. Sometimes she is called Mary Shea. According to local lore, she was gathering lavender near the tracks when she was tragically struck by a train. Others say that she was looking for her fiance who worked on the rail line when she was struck by the train and died.

When this is said to have happened is rarely mentioned, some citing it around 1905. Visitors to the tunnel have reported seeing her ghostly figure, dressed in old-fashioned clothing, gliding silently through the mist, smelling of lavender.

The Bully on the Tunnel

There is also the story of the ghost of Baldie Keeton being told. He was a resident of Moonville they say and a mean drunk who liked to fight, often bear hugging his opponent. One day he was kicked out from the Saloon and was found dead on the tracks, many believing it was murder. The legend says he throws pebbles from above the tunnel at those visiting, staring at you. 

It seems that this legend is a more recent one and not as often told as the other ones. The story of The Bully is often told by mothers to their children, telling them not to stay out after dark as The Bully would get them. 

Beyond these apparitions, there are tales of formless spirits—shadows that flicker just beyond the range of vision—and an unseen entity that hurls pebbles at those brave enough to enter the tunnel. These playful yet unsettling encounters leave visitors questioning the reality of what they’ve experienced.

A Pilgrimage to the Paranormal

Despite its chilling reputation, Moonville has become a popular destination for ghost hunters and those intrigued by the paranormal. The hike along Raccoon Creek to the tunnel offers a serene, if eerie, journey through nature, where the line between the living and the dead seems to blur.

In recent years, local efforts have worked to preserve the history and mystique of Moonville. Guided tours, ghost walks, and Halloween events invite the curious to explore the tunnel and surrounding areas, offering a glimpse into the town’s haunted legacy..

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References:

The Legend of Moonville

Moonville Tunnel

Moonville Tunnel

Moonville Tunnel Rail Trail | History and Ghost Stories | Directions |

https://victoriastravelsandtribulations.com/2023/08/16/moonville-tunnel-hike-scary-stories-told-in-the-dark

https://eu.dispatch.com/story/news/state/2022/12/25/ghost-hunting-visit-southeast-ohio-moonville-tunnel-spooks/69627112007

The Moonville Tunnel 

Moonville, Ohio – Wikipedia 

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The Haunting of Room 428 at Wilson Hall at Ohio University

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It is said that room 428 was forever sealed off at Wilson Hall dormitory after several bizarre deaths with ties to the occult in the 1970s. Now, the University of Ohio is considered one of the most haunted all these years later. 

In the rolling hills of southeastern Ohio, Ohio University in Athens boasts a rich history that dates back to its founding in 1804. However, it’s not just academic accolades that have put this university on the map—it’s also one of the most haunted campuses in the United States. 

Read More: Check out all ghost stories from the USA

At Brown House, ghostly children are splashing around in the long-gone swimming pool, in Jefferson Hall there is a “marble sound,” which happens most often on the top floor of the building as if someone’s dropping hundreds of marbles on the floor above. At Washington Hall the entire girl basketball team is haunting, while the men’s team is haunting the attic. 

Many locations at one University with many stories, but at the center of these spine-chilling tales stands Wilson Hall, a dormitory that has gained a notorious reputation for its eerie and unsettling paranormal activity.

The University of Ohio: A very old university, the place have gotten a reputation for being one of the most haunted universities that are. One of the more famous story talks about the sealed off room at Wilson Hall dormitory, supposedly built on top of a very spiritual plasce. //Source

A Brief History of Wilson Hall

The Wilson Hall is the building most people talk about when they talk about the haunted legends of the University. The red brick building is towering on the green grass, looking quaint and peaceful from the outside. However, on the inside, the legend says it’s anything but. The most infamous aspect of Wilson Hall is room 428, a space that has become synonymous with ghostly encounters and unexplained phenomena.

Wilson Hall: Source

Wilson Hall, located on the university’s West Green was built in 1964, named after the former student, Hiram Wilson and it has housed generations of students. However, beneath its unassuming exterior lies a darker, more mysterious past. 

The building is said to be built in the middle of five cemeteries in the region. When you look at it on a map, you can draw out a pentagram, the symbol of power and magic in pagan lore. Just a myth? After all, anything within five points can make a pentagram. But this origin lore comes with a legend that tells of its consequences. 

There is also the persistent myth about the hall being built on top of an Indian burial ground, as many supposed haunted spots in America claim. There is a fairly large tribe from the Shawnee natives in Athens, even today. Who knows if this is true, but they did find out in the 1980s that the hall is built on top of the early cemetery of the Athens Mental Institute. Although, also this is something that they say is not really true. There is, however, worth to note that there are in fact two Wilson Halls, one being a historic building with closer ties to the tuberculosis hospital and asylum with its own ghost stories. 

The Legend of Room 428

Hall of the Pentagram: source

The legend of Wilson Hall centers on room 428, which has been sealed off and is no longer used for student housing. The room’s haunted reputation dates back to the 1970s, when a female student reportedly died by suicide under mysterious circumstances. Or was it in fact a male student as some former student pointed out that the 4th floor was for boys back in the late 70s? The true identity has been lost over the years, if it even happened. Some say it was in fact two deaths, one being the tragic suicide of the male student, and then a female student moved in and started to dabble with the occult. 

According to campus lore, the student was deeply involved in the occult and had been conducting rituals in her room. It is said that she experienced a powerful spiritual encounter that drove her to take her own life. According to the lore, the student was practicing astral projection, a technique for the spirit to travel without its body. In addition there were several attempts to contact the dead. 

Following her death, subsequent residents of room 428 began to report strange occurrences—disembodied voices, objects moving on their own, and inexplicable cold spots. The disturbances were so persistent and unsettling that university officials eventually decided to lock the room permanently, preventing anyone from entering.

Paranormal Activity in Wilson Hall

The hauntings in Wilson Hall are not confined to room 428. Students living in the building have reported a wide range of supernatural experiences, particularly in the hallways and other nearby rooms. The comment sections in forums flood with people’s experiences staying at the dorm. 

Students have frequently heard faint, whispering voices emanating from the walls, especially near room 428. Some have claimed to see shadowy figures lurking in the hallways or standing at the end of their beds. These apparitions are often described as indistinct and fleeting, vanishing as quickly as they appear. Objects have been known to move on their own—books flying off shelves, doors slamming shut, and lights flickering without explanation. Sudden drops in temperature are a frequent occurrence, with some rooms feeling unnaturally cold despite the heating being on full blast. 

Theories Behind the Hauntings

While the legend of the student’s suicide provides a compelling backstory, some believe that Wilson Hall’s paranormal activity could have deeper roots. Athens itself is steeped in folklore, with numerous reports of hauntings and ghostly encounters throughout the town. The university is built near the site of an old mental asylum, and many locals believe that the area is a hotspot for supernatural activity due to its history of suffering and tragedy.

Read More: Check out the stories about The Old Maternity Hospital Haunts the Building of Cordoba University, The Braided Girl on the Train Tracks for more university hauntings.

Additionally, the alleged pentagram shape formed by the university’s buildings has led to theories that the campus was designed with occult purposes in mind, further fueling the idea that Wilson Hall is a focal point for paranormal energy.

Honoring the Legends

Despite its dark reputation, Wilson Hall remains a popular topic of fascination for students and paranormal enthusiasts alike. Ghost tours and investigations often include the building as a key stop, drawing those eager to experience its eerie atmosphere firsthand.

While Ohio University’s administration maintains a respectful silence regarding the specifics of the haunting, they have acknowledged the building’s notoriety and the interest it generates. Room 428 remains sealed or perhaps turned into a boiler room beyond recognition. Some mentioned that it was reopened for a few years in the 1980s before shutting down for good.

For those who dare to delve into the mysteries of Wilson Hall, the question remains: what truly happened in room 428 all those years ago, and for what reason was it sealed off so no other  student would live in it. And why do its restless spirits said to linger in the dormitory hall refuse to move on?

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References:

Wilson Hall Room 428

Ohio University – FrightFind

Ohio University | Athens Ohio | Real Haunted Place 

https://eu.dispatch.com/story/news/education/2021/11/24/haunted-campuses-ghost-stories-have-long-history-ohios-colleges/6173016001

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Ghosts Serving Time in Ohio State Reformatory

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Rattling of chains, Gothic facade and a history of tortured prisoners, riots and murders. The beautifully frightening Ohio State Reformatory is said to be one of USA’s most haunted places. 

Standing tall since 1896, the Ohio State Reformatory in Mansfield, Ohio, is a hauntingly beautiful relic of the past, infamous for its Gothic architecture and towering six-story cell block. While it gained cinematic fame as the primary filming location for The Shawshank Redemption, its sinister reputation was well-established long before Hollywood arrived.

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At first sight, the building looks more like a mansion than a prison with its beautiful archers and bright bricks, not one of USA’s most haunted places. But the inside is said to hold old torture chambers where the ghosts of the inmates are said to never have been freed. Even when the tours have ended, it is said that the sounds of rattling chains, the desperate cries of tormented voices and the clunking of church bells are said to echo through the halls. 

Ohio State Reformatory: The original architect for the design was Levi T. Scofield from Cleveland, who used three architectural styles; Victorian Gothic, Richardsonian Romanesque and Queen Anne. He was inspired by German castles and wanted to create and awe in the inmates, wanting to reform and raise their spirits.

The History of the Haunted Prison

The prison, also known as the Mansfield Reformatory, started out as a place to send prisoners too old for juvenile corrections, but hadn’t committed crimes severe enough for the Ohio State Penitentiary and the goal was to reform the prisoners so they would get into society easier after serving their sentence and was known for having a high success rate with their program. So what happened to the prison, and how come it is today known as one of America’s most haunted?

The Shawshank Redemption: The reason why the place might look familiar and is so famous is because of the movie from 1993, only a couple of years after the prison shut down. It’s about a man wrongfully convicted of killing his wife and his life inside of the brutal prison system.

One of the things happening was when a fire broke out in the Ohio State Penitentiary in Columbus and killed 330 people. Many of the surviving hard criminals were sent to the reformatory building, not really equipped to handle so many prisoners and so many terrible criminals. 

Read More: Check out all ghost stories from haunted prisons in the world.

Although the intention was aspirational, the programs and ideas behind the prison began to falter and it turned into a high security prison in the early 60s and 70s, with riots between the prisoners in the overcrowded building, even some fights ending in deaths. 

One of the worst punishments that the prisoners had to endure was when they were sent in “The Hole”, a small cell they were put in for days in isolation. One horrible story is when the guards sent inmates to The Hole, and only one came back.  

The Haunted Cells: Many died during their stay in the prison. According to those visiting the building, it is haunted and is perhaps even one of the most haunted places in the country. // Source: Wikimedia

The inmates were also put under water torture as well as giving electrical shock, so it’s safe to say that the holistic and reformative idea behind the prison died in the end. The prison operated until 1990, plagued by overcrowding and horrific conditions that claimed the lives of over 200 individuals, including two guards. 

The Haunted Legends of Ohio State Reformatory

It’s no surprise that the spirits of former inmates and staff are said to still linger. Paranormal enthusiasts frequently report encounters with ghostly apparitions, sudden cold spots, and disembodied whispers echoing through the dilapidated halls. The smell of something burning is something people blame on the ghosts of those who were moved from Ohio Penitentiary after the fire. Or perhaps it is from the ghost of James Lockhart  who killed himself by setting himself on fire and the other inmates could only watch as he slowly burned to death. 

Here are some, but far from all ghosts said to haunt Ohio State Reformatory:

The Ghosts in the Basement

One of the ghosts is said to be a 14 year old boy who died there when the place was for minors. He is said to haunt the basement and his shadow is said to glide along the walls. Although the ghost of him is said to be well documented, his life is not, and who is is uncertain. The legend claims that he was murdered by being beaten to death. 

Another ghost in the basement there is an entity much darker than the spirit of the young boy. Lurking in the shadows it is also said that the murderer of the boy lingers. 

The Hole and the Ghosts still there

Another hotspot for ghosts in the prison is the feared cells, The Hole, where prisoners weren’t allowed to leave for 72 hours, sometimes longer. The around 20 cells had no natural light and the place used to bring the inmates mad. 

How many were sent there? Some say over 100, and that most never left it, perhaps even in death? 

Solitary Confinement: Living on some bread and water, the prisoners sent to the Hole are said to have gone mad. Some also say that those who died there are still haunting the small cells. // Source: Wikimedia

A horrible history that would make anyone’s blood run cold, but there are also those claiming that the cold feeling you get is also because of the ghosts haunting the place. People claim to feel nauseous as well as something breathing down their neck when visiting the torture chamber. 

The Chair Room and the Challenge

There are plenty of rooms that look strange with a harrowing backstory. The Chair Room is a room without windows and just a single chair facing the door like if someone is watching you. What was the room used for? No one really knows. Who sits there?

Some claim that it’s a dark entity haunting the room. They have a thing they do at tours when visitors are allowed to go into the room when it’s dark and sit in the chair. It is said voices whisper in the pitch black or even the chair is said to be vibrating by some kind of force. Some of the visitors claim they have left the room with their body covered in scratches by the entity after provoking it.

The Haunted Cellblocks in Ohio State Reformatory

There are too many ghosts to mention throughout the cell blocks of the prison. Especially the East cell block built in 1910, is said to be haunted because of the many suicide that took place there. At most, it housed over 1200 inmates. 

On the 3rd floor of the administration wings are also known for having the sound of footsteps and strange shadows passing by. 

One particularly chilling legend tells of a phantom guard who still patrols the corridors, prodding visitors with his spectral nightstick. It is said the guard, Frank Hanger, also known as Mr. Salt was a guard who was killed when he worked down in Solitary Confinement in 1932. He was beaten to death by a three-foot iron rod by prisoners when they tried to escape. Could he still be guarding the inmates?

The Ghost of Helen Glattke

It is not only inmates and guards haunting the former prison if we are to believe the stories. One day in 1950, the Superintendent’s wife, Helen Glattke was in her bedroom on a Sunday morning. The Warden, the Superintendent as well as their families lived in the East Administrative wing. She was married to Arthur Glattke, who worked as the Assistant Superintendent from 1935 to 1959. 

She was reaching for a box in the closet where, unbeknownst to her, her husband’s revolver was. It fell down and discharged, shooting her in the lung. It was many days before she died at the hospital, but according to some, she is still here. People don’t really report on seeing her, but they claim they smell the rose water and her White Rain shampoo. 

Haunted Prison for those Seeking the Thrill

Today, the Ohio State Reformatory on 100 Reformatory Road is a popular destination for those eager to experience its haunted history firsthand. In the later years the prison has started to lean into its haunted rumors and turned it into a spectacle as a so-called bloody haunted house attraction. There are also guided tours and paranormal investigations offer visitors a chance to step into the shadows of this chilling site, where the echoes of the past still reverberate in the present.

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References:

Haunted Places Series: Ohio State Reformatory | The Inspector Blo 

https://darkartandcraft.com/blogs/news/a-look-in-the-dark-ohio-state-reformatory-is-haunted-as-fu?srsltid=AfmBOor8LhJEE-oK5X8qabhykXSodFN0vwdzZraE7o_Ck_eeZAgHSQ-K

Haunted America: Ohio State Reformatory 

Historic Ohio State Reformatory – Destination Mansfield 

https://www.valeriearchual.com/2018/10/19/the-ohio-state-reformatory-mansfield-ohio

The Ghosts of Ohio – Lore & Legends in Ohio – Ohio State Reformatory 

read more first hand accounts of paranormal happenings from visitors: Mansfield Reformatory Ghosts | A Collection of Stories | Articles 

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The Hitchhiking Ghost at Everett Road Covered Bridge in Cuyahoga Valley National Park

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Along the old bridge crossing the stream in Cuyahoga Valley National Park, the Everett Road Covered Bridge is said to be haunted by the ghost trying to catch a ride, often connected to a tragic tale that happened years ago.

Cuyahoga Valley National Park stands as a haven of rolling hills, bucolic farmland, and scenic historic structures along the Cuyahoga River that used to be so polluted it caught fire a couple of times in the past. 

The park between Cleveland and Akron in Ohio, offers a lush and diverse landscape that stands in stark contrast to the surrounding urban areas. Visitors can explore more than 125 miles of hiking trails, including the famous Towpath Trail, which follows the historic route of the Ohio & Erie Canal. The park is home to Brandywine Falls, a stunning 65-foot waterfall, and the Beaver Marsh, a vibrant wetland teeming with wildlife. Cuyahoga Valley also preserves numerous cultural and historical sites, such as the 19th-century buildings in the village of Peninsula and the scenic Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad, which offers a nostalgic journey through the heart of the park. 

Read More: Check out all ghost stories from the USA

While it may not boast the fame of some other national parks, with a staggering 2.2 million visitors annually, it conceals stories that transcend the ordinary – tales of specters and hauntings that linger within its scenic expanse.

Everett Road Covered Bridge: The red bridge, a rebuilding of what used to be there is said to be haunted by a hitchhiking ghost. Who could this ghost be? Someone who died crossing it, or something older, even before the Everett Road Covered Bridge was built?

The Everett Road Covered Bridge

One of the park’s eerie focal points is the Everett Road Covered Bridge over the Furnace Run stream, the last vestige of covered bridges in Summit County, Ohio. Steeped in history, this bridge holds a mysterious tale that intertwines tragedy and the supernatural as rumor has it that it is haunted. 

According to local lore, on a chilling winter night in 1877, a farmer named John Gilson and his wife embarked on their journey home from a holiday party with some friends. Usually they crossed another place of Furnace Run, but the rising water and ice blocked where they usually crossed.

As their sled wagon traversed the Everett Road Bridge, tragedy struck – one of the horses stumbled, sending them both, including the Gilsons, into the icy river below. Mrs. Gilson miraculously survived, but her husband did not.

However, historical discrepancies challenge this narrative, as records suggest the bridge did not exist at the time of Mr. Gilson’s purported demise, although the road was built in 1856 already. Some say that the incident is what sparked the construction of the bridge, connected to the United States Centennial in 1876. 

An alternative story suggests that the Everett Road Covered Bridge was constructed over a Native American burial mound, as some road construction workers claimed to have found, adding an extra layer of mystique to its already enigmatic history that no one really knows how or when it started.

The Ghost Haunting the Park

Regardless of the tale, an unsettling presence has left its mark on the Everett Road Covered Bridge – a ghostly hitchhiker, perpetually wandering in the hopes of catching a ride with an unsuspecting driver between the supposed burial ground and the wooden bridge. It is unknown when the rumors started to spread, but in the end, the tale sounds alot like the ghost story of the vanishing hitchhiker.

Is it the lingering spirit of Mr. Gilson, yearning to find his way back home? Or perhaps, a restless Native American soul of the Hopewell culture native to Ohio as far back as over a millennia, seeking its final resting place? 

Cuyahoga Valley National Park: One of the trail you can hike in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. It is said that they are haunted by a spirit wanting to catch a ride.

People claim to have heard disembodied voices in the night, pleading for help as if they are in dire danger. Paranormal researchers make the claim of seeing orbs and mysterious fogs when seeking the ghosts.

The mysteries shrouding the Everett Road Covered Bridge invite brave souls to venture forth, to traverse the haunted span and uncover the secrets whispered by the winds that dance through the timeworn timbers. The original bridge was washed away in a spring flood in 1975, and another built close by years later. The Haunting is said to remain the same. 

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References:

12 Haunted National Parks | Shaka Guide 

Everett Road covered bridge’s haunted history | Ohio, The Heart of It All

Everett Covered Bridge – Cuyahoga Valley