by Aaron Butts
1. Moonville Tunnel
Located in an old ghost town, the Moonville tunnel is one of the creepiest places in Ohio. The tunnel itself sits underneath the old Marietta and Cincinnati Railroad and has been unused for decades. It used to be connected to a track and a nearby trestle that crossed over a river, but both the track and the trestle have been removed.
Now there only sits the graffiti-ed tunnel with the name “Moonville” above it. The tunnel also sits in the middle of a dense forest, far from anything else (other than a cemetery) and is at the top of a very steep hill. Apparently, if someone were to go to the tunnel at night and attempt to walk through it, they would be met with a floating spectral lamp at the other end that would chase them out. This is supposedly the lantern of an old brakeman who used to work on the railroad who now spends eternity haunting this desolate location.
2. Elizabeth’s Grave
Definitely one of the creepiest haunting sites in Ohio. This 19th century church yard cemetery near Mt. Union is home to one suicidal ghost. The story goes that a woman named Elizabeth hung herself from a tree in the back of the cemetery and was buried further towards the front.
There are two Elizabeths buried within the cemetery; however, the Elizabeth that haunts the cemetery has her headstone still at the place where she was buried while the other Elizabeth’s is lying in a pile of gravestones near the edge of the woods. The pillar of the headstone has been removed and sits just next to the base of the stone.
All accounts of persons who visit the cemetery late at night involve a feeling of immense cold next to the grave, and when they press on toward the tree at the back of the cemetery, they sometimes see Elizabeth either hanging from or standing on a branch of that tree. Some reports also mention a shadowy figure who accosts trespassers on the ground at the tree. Elizabeth is always mentioned wearing all white.
3. Jeffery Mansion
Right here in Bexley is the old Jeffery Mansion. Supposedly, the former owner, Mr. Jeffery, hanged himself inthe attic of the building and left it to the city of Bexley after his death. Ever since it has been used as a site for parties, gatherings, or conferences run by the Bexley Department for Parks and Recreation; however, it is rumored that Mr. Jeffery still occupies the house and can be seen swaying in the window of the attic. Other reports have him walking through the halls whistling.
4. Ohio State Reformatory
Most famously known as the prison from “Shawshank Redemption,” the old reformatory has fallen into disrepair and it’s creepy gothic exterior just screams haunted. The building itself is owned by a group that wants to preserve and restore it, keeping it closed to amateur ghost hunters who want to wander in, but for the price of $50, one can purchase a ticket to spend the night in the old reformatory for the night.
5. Mooney’s Mansion on Walhalla Road
Supposedly, a man named Dr. Mooney killed himself and his family in a fit of mania, hanging their bodies from a bridge over Walhalla Road in Clintonville. Mooney himself committed suicide in the attic of his mansion. What makes this haunting strange is that nobody is quite sure which house is Mooney’s.
Although his ghost is said to haunt it, nobody is quite sure where it is; however, further down the road, it is claimed that one can see his murdered family members hanging from the bridge, dripping blood.
One account even said that while walking down Walhalla late at night, they heard phantom footsteps behind them. They turned to confront the person they thought was following them, but there was nobody around.
6. Greenlawn Cemetery and Abbey
Greenlawn is one of the most interesting sites in Ohio. Not only is it the eternal resting place of Edie Rickenbacker, the most celebrated ace of WWI, and the home of several former ohio Governors, but it is also the home of Dr. Snook.
Snook was the former head of the OSU veterinary school and even won a gold medal in the Olympics for pistol shooting. In 1930 he was sent to the electric chair after being convicted of killing his former mistress, an old TA who Snook claimed bit down on him while performing fellatio, so he hit her in the head with a ball-peen hammer.
Buried in a grave without his last name to disguise his resting place, Snook is said to be seen late at night standing over his grave, hanging his head in shame for having been literally caught with his pants down. His grave can be found under the name “James Howard, 1879-1930.”
Also at the cemetery is the Hayden Mausoleum. A grand structure housing several of the Hayden family members, the rumor is that if someone knocks on the front door, they will receive a knock in reply from Mr. Hayden himself. It is also rumored that on rainy nights, passersby can hear the crying of a small child from inside.
The creepiest place at Greenlawn isn’t actually affiliated with the cemetery. Rather, it is the Greenlawn Abbey, a gigantic mansion-like structure that was made as a crypt for 200+ people. The Abbey stands alone and foreboding adjacent to the cemetery. It gives off a very creepy feel because it looks like a mansion, yet no living person is there.
Unfortunately, the place is said to be patrolled regularly by Columbus Police and trespassers may be arrested. The halls are said to be haunted by the ghost of a magician who was buried there.
abutts@capital.edu
