Discover Ohio’s Forgotten History With These 3 Haunted Places

One of my favorite parts about traveling to each state, especially during the fall, is getting to hear all the regional ghost stories that have been passed around for years, stories that are told around campfires late at night about spectral forces, haunted houses, and supernatural occurrences. Whether or not you believe in haunts, you have to admit that the stories are a lot of fun to listen to. Here are three of my favorite spots for ghost hunting in Ohio.

1. South Bass Island Lighthouse

On the southern end of Bass Island in Lake Erie, you'll find, aptly, South Bass Island Lighthouse, a popular Ohio vacation spot that’s surrounded by mystery. This iconic sight has a creepy history to it that has shrouded the lighthouse for years and been a curiosity for its visitors. Many guests have reported hearing weird footsteps, slamming doors, and other unexplained noises coming from the lighthouse. Upon inspection, it seems that the lighthouse is empty, though the sounds will persist.

According to the story, in 1898, Sam Anderson was hired as the lighthouse keeper. He kept track of things on his own, and when a support team came to check in on him, they found his body at the bottom of a cliff near the lighthouse. He was dead. At the time, his death was ruled a suicide, but rumors spread that he had been pushed. Some think that his soul has been doomed to haunt the lighthouse for eternity and that the strange occurrences that happen in the lighthouse are his doing.

2. Punderson Manor State Park Lodge - Newbury Township

Sitting on the edge of Punderson State Park is the Punderson Manor State Park Lodge, a sight to behold during the fall. Frequented by vacationers looking to enjoy the nearby state park, this lodge is a beautiful English Tudor-style building with a curious past. Many guests have reported hearing a woman’s laughter echoing through the main staircase, while others have heard children laughing and prancing through the halls, though no children are present in the building. Other reported happenings include televisions turning on and off, water faucets spraying water, and lights flickering in the middle of the night. The odd thing is, no known deaths have ever occurred in the manor, meaning that if there are ghosts, their origins are a mystery. 

3. Everett Covered Bridge - Boston Township

Sitting on the edge of Cuyahoga Valley National Park, the Everett Covered Bridge stands by itself, completely unassuming. A passerby without knowledge of the bridge’s history might consider it idyllic and peaceful, but those who know the story do their best to avoid the area. The story goes that in 1877, Farmer John Gilson and his wife were traveling via horse-drawn wagon during a storm. Finding that their usual route was blocked, the farmers decided to ford the creek on their own. Disaster struck, and both were knocked from the carriage. While Mrs. Gilson survived, Mr. Gilson did not. Legend says that the Everett Covered Bridge was constructed right where the accident occurred, and that Farmer Gilson’s ghost haunts the road around the bridge late at night, perhaps waiting for his wife.

Have you visited any of these haunted places or any other cursed Ohio spots? If you know of other ghostly areas that you want us to look into, please share them through our nomination page.

 If you're feeling inspired to create your own spooky experience, plan a trip using Only In Your State’s itinerary planner.