The town was never very large.

Even in its prime during the mid-1800s, the population of Moonville, Ohio never reached more than 100 people. By the 1950s, it was entirely abandoned. However, the ghosts that supposedly roam the remains of the town, (particularly the tunnel nearby carved through the Appalachian hills,) will not allow Moonville to be completely forgotten.

Dense woods surround the area on all sides, a less-than-inviting welcome to the deserted town.

It's not uncommon for the trees to seem so dense as to block out the sun, further lending a dark, eerie atmosphere to the already-spooky area.

Approaching the town by crossing Racoon Creek, one encounters a most ominous welcome—the Moonville Bridge sits alone, quietly daring visitors to step into the realm of the lost.

Built around 1856, the bridge and tunnel beneath connected the tiny town of Moonville with important coal-transport railways. A small community sprang up around it, with a schoolhouse, some homes, a cemetery and, of course, a saloon.

The luster didn't last long, though. Less than 75 years after its incarnation, the town of Moonville wasn't much more than a few dilapidated homesteads, fading memories...and the tunnel.

The Moonville Tunnel remains there to this day—a dark, cold reminder of the necessities of the past. Ask any local ghost hunter about this place, though, and they'll tell you that it's still alive in its own way: it's home to at least four known spirits.

In fact, the entire town of Moonville is thought to be a small hub of paranormal activity, but the ghosts are by far the most intriguing attraction.

As you begin walking beneath the bridge, through the infamous tunnel, keep half an eye out for the Brakeman, who was killed in 1880 in an accident on the tracks. He most commonly appears as a shadow person, lurking around in one's peripheral vision and disappearing when you finally look straight at him.

Graffiti and street art decorate the inside of the tunnel, giving an otherwise dull and lifeless place some color—but the ghosts certainly don't seem to notice.

The Brakeman isn't the only restless spirit to walk this tunnel. Another specter known only as the Engineer, thought to have been killed in the same accident the Brakeman was killed in, has been reported to appear to startled visitors, sometimes asking about the tracks.

Another spirit visitors run the risk of running into is known as the Bully.

Allegedly the ghost of a drunk driver killed near the tunnel, this ghost isn't exactly Casper; he tends to throw rocks at curious visitors from the bridge. You're definitely safe from this guy inside the tunnel—as long as you're not worried about the other spirits.

Finally, the fourth spirit that ghost hunters say roams this area is known only as Lavender Lady.

She walks along the train tracks by herself, seeming to struggle. She's elderly, and has a badly bent back. She often will appear to fall, much to the horror of onlookers—but disappears just before she hits the ground. Her identity is unknown, but she often leaves behind the vague scent of lavender.

Have you ever experienced any of the four ghosts of Moonville Tunnel? Did you cross the bridge above or explore the tunnel below? Tell us about your experience in the comments.