It's the time of the year when the feeling of being scared is welcomed. Northeast Ohio has a rich history of castles occupied by former presidents, mansions of oil tycoons and cemeteries with headstones dating back to the early 1800s. Whether the tales of ghosts and hauntings are true or false, it doesn't make them or Ohio's history less creepy.
To get in the spooky spirit of Halloween, we've narrowed down the 10 best places in town to feel goosebumps in an environment that radiates not-so-friendly vibes.
Located in the North Chagrin Reservation of the Cleveland Metroparks, this castle is a reflection of the builder Feargus B. Squires, who was a founding member of the Standard Oil Company. The actual castle was never built so what is standing today was the shell of the gatekeeper's house for the estate. Legend has it that Feargus' wife, Rebecca, was very much a city a girl who wanted nothing to do with nature. Stories say Rebecca was walking up the stone stairs when she became startled by something outside her window. In a panicked state, she dropped her lantern and tumbled to her death down the cold, stone staircase.
River Rd, Willoughby Hills, OH 44094
Tiedeman House aka Franklin Castle
Known as the Franklin Castle, this Victorian-style stone house has been a witness to history and withstood the development of the west side. The stone castle carries an American Horror Story type history along with it. The house was built between 1881-1883 by a German immigrant, Hannes Tiedemann. At the turn of the 19th century, Franklin Boulevard was one of the most upscale residential avenues in Cleveland. Franklin Castle was sold in 1896, just one year after his wife Louise died. In the century that followed, the house saw many new owners and new uses. Rumors began to circulate around 1986 that the house was haunted by the ghosts of Mrs. Tiedemann and her daughter Emma who died before the house was even built.
4308 Franklin Blvd Cleveland, Ohio 44113
Photo: Forgotten Ohio
The Cleveland Grays were organized in 1837 as an independent volunteer militia company, serving in the Civil War, Spanish American War and World War I. The Cleveland Grays Armory was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1973. It's one of few example today of armory architecture of the 19th century in the U.S. Visitors report hearing the rhythmic sound of marching footsteps from the empty floors. The Armory was featured on Syfy channel's series "Ghost Hunters." On October, 27, the Armory is opening its doors for the first ever public paranormal investigation during Halloween weekend.
1234 Bolivar Road Cleveland, Ohio
Photo: Forgotten Ohio
Crybaby Bridge: Rogue's Hollow
Rogue's Hollow is famous for its classic legends of mill ghosts and constant noises of a baby crying. As the legend goes, an unmarried woman, who was jilted by her lover, threw her baby over the bridge in the cold, water below. Another version is about a newborn baby and his parents who were killed in a car that hit black ice. While the parents were killed instantly, the baby died much later, from starvation.
Rogues Hollow Historical Society | 17500 Galehouse Road Doylestown, Ohio 44230
Photo: Forgotten Ohio
The Federal Reserve Bank Building in downtown Cleveland stores more than just large sums of cash. Legend has it that ghosts are also stored inside. It's said that the hallways are haunted by a woman named Matilda, who dressed like a flapper when she killed herself in 1929 after the stock market crashed and she lost everything. Now she allegedly stalks employees through the gigantic old bank.
1455 E. 6th Street Cleveland, Ohio 44114
It's claimed to be one of the most haunted places in Ohio. Located in the countryside of Vermillion, a fire engulfed an old orphanage, burning dozens of young children alive, according to long told tales. For over a century, visitors to the Gore Orphanage have reported strange experiences of glowing lights, chilling cries and apparitions. Light of Hope was the actual name of the orphanage and was established by Johann Sprunger and his wife Katharina. They moved to the Vermillion area after their two former businesses in Indiana also caught fire. Throughout the years, children told stories of abuse, neglect and slave labor conditions. In 1909, an investigation was conducted but because the state had no laws or regulations pertaining to orphanages, nothing could formally be done to prosecute the couple. While there is no proof that any deaths actually occurred, there is little doubt about its reputation for being the most haunted area in Ohio.
Gore Orphanage Road (Continue past the winding portion of road until clump pf trees replace the field on the right)
Picture: Forgotten Ohio
The House of Wills is a funeral home established in 1904 as Gee & Wills, one of the oldest and most successful businesses run by black entrepreneurs in Cleveland. For many years, the House of Wills hosted black community gathering, barred from most public gathering. Paranormal investigators and visitors claim shadowy figures move back and forth in the empty rooms. If you walk past it, you may catch a glimpse of someone standing in a window.
2491 E. 55th Street Cleveland, Ohio
It's notably one of the most haunted and recognized places in Ohio after appearing in several movies such as The Shawshank Redemption and Air Force One. But the real claim to fame is the horror stories coming out of the former prison over the years. One officer was shot to death by a former inmate in 1926 and the other one was beaten to death with a 3-foot pole by another inmate. Several ghosts apparently continue to haunt the prison, mostly around the superintendent's quarters, because of the questionable suicide of the superintendent's wife and the "Mad Dog" murders that took place there. Self-guided tours and paranormal programs are offered.
1000 Reformatory Road Mansfield, Ohio 44905
Take a drive down Sanitarium Road in Akron and you will find a building that housed victims of physical and sexual abuse. It served as Summit County Tuberculosis Hospital and expanded in the 1960s with a ward that served as the Department of Children Services. Now, the hospital is used for outpatient rehab programs but the spirits of a joyless, sad past continue to lurk and roam the campus.
330 Broadway St. E. Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio 44221
Photo: Reddit
Walking through the Erie Street Cemetery is like traveling back in time. One of Cleveland's oldest cemeteries holds stories of its former residents, dating back to as early as the mid-1800s. There are reportedly at least two graves belonging to Native Americans. Other interesting graves include four Cleveland mayors and a monument designated to the unknown early settlers.
2254 E. 9th Street Cleveland, Ohio 44115
Photo: Forgotten Ohio
