Take A Thrilling Road Trip To The 9 Most Abandoned Places In Ohio
Exploring the creepy and long-forgotten abandoned places in Ohio can be fun — if you like that sort of thing, anyway. From deserted amusement parks to old factories being reclaimed by nature, Ohio certainly has an interesting mix of abandoned places. The following road trip takes you to nine of those places, with a total drive time of just under 9.5 hours.
(Please note: Trespassing may be prohibited in some of these areas, so proceed at your own risk. Remember to observe from afar and always use caution to ensure you don’t stroll onto private property.)
Grab a friend or two, start at the abandoned destination nearest you and work your way to the others. Check out the Google Map of the trip (complete with exact locations and addresses of the destinations) in a separate tab or window.
In terms of abandoned places in Ohio, the Detroit-Superior Bridge, (also known as the Veterans Memorial Bridge), is definitely creepy. It's a 3,112 ft. long arch bridge over the Cuyahoga River, linking Detroit Avenue and Superior Avenue. When cars pass over this bridge, they’re also passing over a lower streetcar level that hasn’t been in operation since 1954. Today, the streetcar level remains vacant and closed off. However, a few times a year the Cuyahoga County Engineer’s Office opens the system to the public—allowing urban explorers to venture through the lonely (and slightly eerie) tunnels.
Next up on our abandoned places in Ohio road trip: Geauga Lake Amusement Park. What was once the world’s largest theme park is now an overgrown land of decaying roller coasters, empty concession stands and abandoned ticket booths that welcome visitors no more. Geauga Lake Amusement Park has stood abandoned since 2007, after a long history of beloved family vacations (since 1887) and multiple expansions and redesigns.
Please note: Much of the park is now demolished, and no roller coasters stand at the site anymore. Nonetheless, telltale signs of the former amusement park can be seen in the landscape.
The people of the former town of Boston Mills (located in northern Summit County and now more commonly referred to as "Helltown,") were ordered by the U.S. government to leave the town in the early 70s. Whether Satanic activity, government conspiracy or mutated citizens led to the town's sudden evacuation, the abandoned homes, buildings and streets are said to be haunted today by the spirits of those who didn't want to leave. (That's what local legend asserts, however. Officially, the establishment of Cuyahoga Valley National Park was the reason why residents were ordered to leave.)
Tucked away in Medina County there’s a rusted, long forgotten ferris wheel. What what was once Chippewa Lake Park is now just a few piles of amusement park ruins and the lone ferris wheel. From 1878 to 1978, the amusement park was a popular, thriving destination for family entrainment. Today, the nearby Medina County Historical Society houses the former amusement park’s welcome sign, and although the Big Dipper is no longer standing, various remnants of the park’s rides still remain.
What was once the Molly Stark Mental Hospital in Louisville, Ohio, is now a long-forgotten facility with decaying structures, lonely hallways and a restless spirit or two—or so some speculate. This former tuberculosis hospital in northeastern Ohio, (often referred to as "Molly Stark Park,") was constructed in the 1920s in the Spanish Revival-style. It officially closed down in the mid-90s. Today, the surrounding grounds are a public park, and the asbestos filled facility is rumored to be haunted and slated for demolition. (Trespassing is prohibited.)
Stark County Park District-Molly Stark Park, 7900 Columbus Rd NE, Louisville, OH 44641, USA
Very little is left of this early 1800s mill town in Delaware County. Stone bridge pillars and the skeleton of Bieber's Mill are all that remain of this long forgotten town in Ohio. The ruins of the old mill, which was built in 1840, (pictured) sit along the Olentangy River in Delaware near the Ohio Wesleyan University.
Carpenter’s Mill, 4287 Scott’s Way, Powell, OH 43065, USA
The abandoned coal mining town of Moonville in southeastern Ohio (Vinton County) was founded in 1856, when the Marietta and Cincinnati railroad ran through the area's woods. One structure of the town that remains today is the Moonville Tunnel; a haunted tunnel where legend has it the ghost of a man who was killed instantly by a train passing through the tunnel wanders along the track bed near the old tunnel at night.
Moonville Tunnel, Hope-Moonville Rd, McArthur, OH 45651, USA
The little town of King’s Mill houses the building of a once thriving industry that now stands abandoned, with select portions undergoing renovations. Bullets and explosives are no longer made here—but I wouldn’t be surprised if you faintly and mysteriously heard the sounds associated with them.
Not many people are aware of the dark, lonely and long-forgotten subway beneath the streets of Cincinnati -- the country’s longest abandoned subway system that never transported a single individual. Located under Central Parkway in downtown Cincinnati, (from Walnut Street to just south of Hopple Street,) sits the incomplete, eerie series of tunnels, which have been abandoned since 1928 and are easily among the most notorious abandoned places in Ohio.
Cincinnati, OH, USA
What do you think? Are you up for this road trip to abandoned places in Ohio?
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The OIYS Visitor Center
abandoned places in ohio
January 12, 2020
Nikki Rhoades
What is the most famous abandoned place in Ohio?
Welcome to The Buckeye State, arguably one of the most haunted and spooky places in the nation. Sure, we don’t have famous cemeteries like those in New Orleans or Savannah, but we have plenty of interesting and disturbing history – like the Cleveland Torso Murderer and the infamous Kirtland Cult Killings. One infamously haunted place is abandoned, for the most part. Tours and events still take place at the Mansfield Reformatory, which hasn’t housed prisoners since it closed in 1990. While the Mansfield Reformatory is one of our most famous abandoned sites, we also have one ghost town: Mineral, Ohio.
What is the most haunted place in Ohio?
When it comes to the creepiest places in Ohio, the aforementioned Mansfield Reformatory is a favorite of paranormal aficionados. It’s only natural, many would argue, that paranormal happenings are more likely to occur in a place where emotions run high. However, this destination is just one of many purportedly haunted places in Ohio. Road trip to places like The Buxton Inn, Spitzer House Bed and Breakfast, and other spooky places for an opportunity to come face-to-face with a phantom. Ohio is overflowing with local lore, so don’t be afraid to ask around about legends in your own community.
Can I go ghost hunting in Ohio?
Of course you can! There are many incredible institutions and local landmarks that actually offer ghost hunting tours. One of the best ghost hunting tours is offered at the Mansfield Reformatory. However, you may find that some of the most unexpectedly ominous places are hiding in plain sight. Our state is overflowing with haunted history, so there are places worthy of visiting from Cleveland to Cincinnati.
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April is the Ohio staff writer for Only in Your State. She is an Ohio native with a Bachelor of Science in Journalism from E.W. Scripps School of Journalism. With more than 10 years of writing experience and a background in news reporting for Ohio newspapers, she's published pieces in multiple print and online publications. When she's not on deadline or chasing after her toddler, she's hunting for hidden gems in Ohio or getting lost in a good book.
