Who ya gonna call?!
Fall is officially here, and Halloween is creeping around the corner faster than you can say “pumpkin spice.” And while sipping on pumpkin-flavored everything is fun, some of you are out here looking for more… like, scare-your-socks-off kind of thrills.
Sure, most people love hitting up haunted houses… you know, the ones where actors in scary costumes jump out at you from dark corners. Don’t get me wrong, those haunted hayrides and DIY haunted garages around the neighborhood can bring the chills. But maybe that’s not enough for you. Maybe you’re looking for real haunted spots. You know, the ones where the scares don’t clock out at the end of the night.
Lucky for you, Central Ohio is packed with haunted places that don’t rely on actors to deliver the shivers. These are the spots with decades (or centuries!) of ghost stories, strange sightings, and spine-tingling legends. No fake blood or masks needed here… just eerie history that’ll make even the biggest skeptics do a double-take.
So, what are you waiting for? Round up your bravest friends and a whole lot of nerve. Here are some of the most haunted places in Central Ohio that you need to visit this spooky season.
Did one of these places close? Send us a note!
Ohio State Reformatory
100 Reformatory Rd, Mansfield, OH 44905
Some of history’s most evil and heinous criminals lived within the walls of the Ohio State Reformatory and are believed to haunt it to this day. While the Reformatory does not exist as a prison any longer, it is a place for people to tour and experience the eery heaviness that can only be traced back to its dark past.
The Shawshank Redemption was actually filmed at the Ohio State Reformatory which is a draw for many enthusiasts as well. If you’re reading this article though, you’re most likely here to uncover some of the documented paranormal happenings that have taken place here.
Ghost Hunts are held at the Ohio State Reformatory for people ages 18 and up, so if you think you can handle it – this may be up your alley. You’ll be able to explore 250,000 square feet of the Reformatory which includes the East and West Cell Block, Solitary Confinement, Chapel, Attic, and more. You’ll be taken on a guided one hour tour through the Reformatory. When the tour is concluded, the lights turn off, and you’ll be free to wander until 3am. People often state that they’ve felt an evil presence, have heard footsteps, and audible voices…
Ohio University
Athens, OH 45701
The Ohio University is said to be haunted by deranged patients of the past who spent their lives at the Athens Lunatic Asylum. In 1978, one of the patients escaped the asylum and was found dead one month later. There are claims that the imprint where she passed is still visible, even after all these years.
The Brown House is also supposedly haunted, as there have been strange, reoccurring reports of shrieking sounds of children playing in a pool that no longer exists on the grounds.
Char Bar
439 N High St, Columbus, OH 43215
If you’ve been to the bathroom at Char Bar before, you probably understand why this spot is on this list. No, the urinal cakes aren’t possessed, but the lower level (which actually used to be the main level before High Street was raised) is so unbelievably creepy and obviously haunted that it’ll make you think twice about breaking the seal.
The old destroyed piano has been heard being played, the old tunnel outside of the lower level is known to be home to a humanoid figure with some ill intentions, and some even report seeing the piano moving before their very eyes. Maybe the person who crashed into the storefront this summer saw something evil lurking inside the bar and thought they should take matters into their own hands…
I took the picture below while on a Columbus Ghost Tour, and captured an orb hovering directly over the piano… just sayin’.
Greater Columbus Antique Mall
1045 S High St, Columbus, OH 43206
The Greater Columbus Antique Mall is not just a draw for its endless array of antiques and vintage memorabilia – its also reported to be haunted… One employee rapidly quit after supposedly being met with an evil, ghostly entity dressed in a black cloak.
What some people don’t know is that the Antique Mall actually used to be a Funeral Home. That may be why there are reports of customers seeing a crying woman in a yellow dress who quickly vanishes after being noticed. Employees and customers have also made remarks about strange smells like dead flowers, food, and cigar smoke.
Schwartz Castle
492 S 3rd St, Columbus, OH 43215
The Schwartz Castle is not open for tours, but it is still worth mentioning. Residents claim that the building is haunted due to strange occurrences, and have witnessed things that have made them wonder if Fredrick William Schwartz himself may haunt it. Schwartz built this beautiful castle for his fiancé in an attempt to show her the extent of his love. She eventually called off the wedding which sent Schwartz into an irreparable spiral.
Residents have reported feeling a cold sensation when inside, and have even said that they have spotted Schwartz staring through a window or lying naked on the roof. Who would’ve thought there was an NSFW ghost lurking around German Village?!
The Ohio Statehouse
1 Capitol Sq, Columbus, OH 43215
If you haven’t heard, The Ohio Statehouse holds haunted tours for guests to immerse themselves in the location of several paranormal events that have supposedly taken place within its walls. Its halls and chambers hold ghostly stories of old, and it is even said the ghost of Abraham Lincoln himself lurks within them. Visitors are sure that they’ve seen Lincoln dancing in the Senate Chamber. You can even stand right where Abraham Lincoln’s body laid in state as his funeral procession made it’s way back to Illinois.
Ringside Cafe
19 N Pearl St, Columbus, OH 43215
Opened in the late 19th Century, Ringside Cafe has seen its fair share of paranormal events and real-life horrors. Employees, both past and present, report seeing a tall man in a coat and a hat roaming the restaurant at night, while others hear the disembodied voices of women and children. The Ringside Cafe got its name as it hosted prize fighting in the basement of the building, and there is a possibility that some fighters and gamblers were so in debt that they bet their families as collateral… that’s some seriously dark stuff!
The Ohio Statehouse also connected to the Ringside Cafe through underground tunnels, which means many-a-backroom deal have been made in the confines of this restaurant. Even the decor and the vibe inside are enough to make you a bit uneasy, but in the best way possible.
Orton Hall
155 South Oval Mall, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210
As an Ohio State grad, I have heard my fair share of ghost stories about Orton Hall. After a late night of studying on campus, I’d always keep my eyes peeled to the windows of Orton Hall on my way back to South Campus to see if I could spot OSU’s first president, Edward Orton, reading under candlelight inside the building after close. I’d even study in the Orton Hall library on countless occasions, just hoping I’d catch a glimpse of some paranormal happenings.
I still swear I saw some flickering light in one of the windows one evening…
