A Terrifying Tour Of This Haunted Prison In Ohio Is Not For The Weak
If you’re looking for something extra spooky to experience this October, consider touring the Ohio State Reformatory—but be aware that it isn’t for the faint of heart. While the exterior of the building may be hauntingly beautiful, the lonely cells and restless spirits roaming about inside are far from welcoming. If exploring haunted places is your thing, this is the one place in Ohio that has to go on your haunted bucket list.
We’re aware that these uncertain times are limiting many aspects of life as we all practice social and physical distancing. While we’re continuing to feature destinations that make our state wonderful, we don’t expect or encourage you to go check them out immediately. We believe that supporting local attractions is important now more than ever and we hope our articles inspire your future adventures! And on that note, please nominate your favorite local business that could use some love right now: https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/nominate/
Formerly known as the Mansfield Reformatory, this historic prison first opened in 1886 and is nearly 130-years-old.
The facility officially closed in 1990. And despite its disturbing history, four major motion pictures were filmed at the reformatory, the most famous being the "The Shawshank Redemption" in 1993.
This year, Paranormal Penitentiary: Monster Lockdown will take place at the Ohio State Reformatory on Thursdays through Sundays, from
September 23 - October 30.
Public ghosts hunts will also take place this November. But before you deicide you want to tour or investigate this place, you should know a thing or two about its dark past.
The reformatory is home to the state's most violent ghosts. Spirits of rioting inmates who often fought each other to the death in overcrowded isolation cells are said to haunt the halls and cells of this former prison.
No one could have anticipated the dark history to follow the facility, which was not even initially intended to function as a prison. Overtime, however, the reformatory officially transitioned into a high security prison—and with that transition brought more violent prisoners.
The most infamous tale of the prison involves "the hole," a small cell in which prisoners were held for three days when they were being punished. Several sources have reported that at one time there were two inmates held in "the hole"—and by the end of the three days one did not make it out alive.
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.
Love Ohio?
Thank you! You'll receive your first newsletter soon!
