Ohio, with its rich history and storied past, is one of the most haunted states in the U.S. From former asylums to ancient cemeteries and abandoned prisons, the Buckeye State is brimming with ghost stories and paranormal activity.
Whether you’re a thrill-seeker or a curious skeptic, these 13 locations are sure to send chills down your spine.
1. Ohio State Reformatory – Mansfield
Known for its eerie architecture and violent past, the Ohio State Reformatory was once home to some of the country’s most hardened criminals. Inmates and staff have reported ghost sightings, unexplained footsteps, and cold spots. It’s also the filming site for The Shawshank Redemption—which only adds to the mystique.
2. The Ridges – Athens
Once called the Athens Lunatic Asylum, The Ridges is infamous for reports of mistreatment and lobotomies. Visitors claim to hear screams, doors slamming, and even see shadowy figures roaming the halls. One stain, said to be from a woman who died and decomposed on the floor, remains visible to this day.
3. Moonville Tunnel – McArthur
Tucked deep in the woods, this abandoned railroad tunnel is home to the spirit of a brakeman who died in a train accident. Locals speak of eerie lights appearing in the tunnel and a feeling of being watched. It’s a ghost hunter’s favorite haunt in southern Ohio.
4. Franklin Castle – Cleveland
This Gothic mansion is arguably the most haunted house in Cleveland. Built in the 1800s, Franklin Castle has a bloody history of mysterious deaths and hidden passageways. Witnesses have reported screaming voices, lights turning on and off, and chilling whispers from nowhere.
5. Sedamsville Rectory – Cincinnati
This former rectory is linked to dark energies, especially due to its past involving abuse scandals and a deadly fire. Paranormal investigators have experienced violent spirits, growling noises, and shadowy figures. It’s widely considered one of the most spiritually dangerous places in the Midwest.
6. Majestic Theatre – Chillicothe
Opened in 1853, this historic theater once served as a makeshift morgue during a flu epidemic. Employees and guests have claimed to see apparitions in the balcony and hear ghostly singing. Some believe the souls of those who died during the epidemic never left.
7. Licking County Historic Jail – Newark
Built in 1889, this jail housed violent criminals and was the site of multiple hangings. Today, visitors report hearing cell doors slamming, disembodied voices, and even being touched by unseen forces. Some investigators say the spirit of a former warden remains in control.
8. Buxton Inn – Granville
Operating since 1812, this inn has a long legacy of hauntings. Guests have claimed to see the ghost of Ethel “Bonnie” Bounell, a former owner, along with other spirits who linger in Room 9. Footsteps, moving objects, and strange drafts are common complaints.
9. The Golden Lamb Inn – Lebanon
Ohio’s oldest continuously operating hotel is also one of its most haunted. Over the years, guests have spotted the ghost of a little girl named Sarah, and some even claim to have seen Charles Dickens—who once stayed here—roaming the halls. Mysterious knocking and cold chills are frequently reported.
10. Hotel Lafayette – Marietta
This riverfront hotel has welcomed guests since 1918—and not all of them left. Staff and guests report elevator malfunctions, doors slamming, and ghostly apparitions in mirrors. Paranormal groups have recorded EVPs and seen shadows dart across hallways at night.
11. Crybaby Bridge – Salem
Ohio has several “Crybaby Bridges,” but the one in Salem is the most notorious. Legend says a woman threw her baby off the bridge and then jumped herself. Visitors claim to hear a baby crying beneath the bridge, and some report their cars being mysteriously pushed uphill.
12. Mudhouse Mansion – Lancaster (Demolished)
Though it was demolished in 2015, the Mudhouse Mansion was infamous for its legends of mass murder, slavery, and haunted family members. It’s said that you could see ghostly figures in the windows even after the house was empty for decades. Its ghostly lore still lingers in Ohio folklore.
13. Punderson Manor – Newbury
This Tudor-style manor in Geauga County blends luxury with mystery. Guests report objects moving on their own, lights flickering, and sightings of a man hanging from a rafter in the dining room. Despite its beauty, there’s a dark undercurrent that haunts the place to this day.
Final Thoughts
Whether it’s the ghost of a Civil War soldier or a shadowy figure roaming an abandoned asylum, Ohio’s haunted places offer a glimpse into the unknown. Each location is more than just a spooky story—it’s a window into the state’s eerie past. Visit if you dare, but don’t be surprised if something—something—follows you home.
