With one of the oldest universities in the United States and a former insane asylum, Athens, Ohio is bound to have a haunting or two. In fact, it just might be the most haunted city in the entire state. The following are just a few of the haunted locations and ghost stories that are infamous to Athens residents, Ohio University students and ghost hunters seeking to connect with the restless spirits. Let’s explore haunted Athens Ohio, shall we?
- The Ridges
Justin Masterson/Flickr
Justin Masterson/Flickr What was once the Athens Lunatic Asylum is now known as The Ridges, and it’s owned by (and a neighbor to) Ohio University, but parts of the facility still hold shadows, stains and spirits of former mental patients who often suffered from violent treatments such as lobotomies. The grounds of the former asylum are still home to a few unusual—and extremely eerie—cemeteries. Patients of the former insane asylum were buried on the facility’s grounds, and their restless spirits are left to wander to property. Most of the graves are without names, and merely display the number of the former mental patient buried beneath. The Ridges, 118 Ridges Cir, Athens, OH 45701, USA
- West Green (Ohio University)
Sapienna/Wikimedia Commons Nearly all of Ohio University’s buildings on the West Green are said to be haunted because they were allegedly built on top of an Indian burial ground. Ohio University, Athens, OH 45701, USA
- Wilson Hall (Ohio University)
Michael/Flickr Located on West Green is what is arguably the most haunted dorm on Ohio University’s campus. In addition to being built atop an Indian burial ground, the hall is also said to be built on top of an old cemetery and sitting at the center of a pentagram formed by several cemeteries in the Athens region. Most of the hauntings in Wilson Hall are centered around the fourth floor. Students on this floor have reported seeing apparitions and hearing voices and slamming doors. It is also rumored that a student committed suicide in a room on the fourth floor. This particular room was featured years ago in an episode of “Scariest Places on Earth.” Wilson Hall, 20 W Green Dr, Athens, OH 45701, USA
- Convocation Center (Ohio University)
Ohio University Libraries/Flickr Also located on the West Green part of campus, the Convo is said to be haunted by several ghosts in the dormitory portion of the building. Some of the stories include the ghost of an RA who was supposedly killed by her boyfriend that now roams the halls at night and the ghost of a student who died while sleeping that embraces students sleeping at night. Convocation Center, 95 Richland Ave, Athens, OH 45701, USA
- Washington Hall (Ohio University)
Sent from the Past/Flickr Located on the East Green portion of Ohio University’s campus, this dormitory is allegedly haunted by an entire basketball team of high school girls that visited the university right before they were killed in a bus accident. Students have reported hearing several feet running and bouncing basketballs in the distance. It’s one of the most notorious ghost stories in Ohio. Washington Hall, 49 E Green Dr, Athens, OH 45701, USA
- Cemeteries
pangalactic gargleblaster/Flickr Several haunted cemeteries in the Athens area well known. In fact, there’s a rumor that all of the haunted cemeteries are geographically placed in the shape of a pentagram, with the university’s Wilson Hall at the center. Supposedly, the haunted cemeteries include; Simms, Haines, Hanning, Cuckler, Higgins, Zion, Hunter, Slaughter, Cutler, Mansfield, and Peach Ridge Cemetery.
Have you ever had a spooky encounter in Athens? What do you think of these stories? Share your thoughts and stories with us!
Justin Masterson/Flickr
What was once the Athens Lunatic Asylum is now known as The Ridges, and it’s owned by (and a neighbor to) Ohio University, but parts of the facility still hold shadows, stains and spirits of former mental patients who often suffered from violent treatments such as lobotomies. The grounds of the former asylum are still home to a few unusual—and extremely eerie—cemeteries. Patients of the former insane asylum were buried on the facility’s grounds, and their restless spirits are left to wander to property. Most of the graves are without names, and merely display the number of the former mental patient buried beneath.
The Ridges, 118 Ridges Cir, Athens, OH 45701, USA
Sapienna/Wikimedia Commons
Nearly all of Ohio University’s buildings on the West Green are said to be haunted because they were allegedly built on top of an Indian burial ground.
Ohio University, Athens, OH 45701, USA
Michael/Flickr
Located on West Green is what is arguably the most haunted dorm on Ohio University’s campus. In addition to being built atop an Indian burial ground, the hall is also said to be built on top of an old cemetery and sitting at the center of a pentagram formed by several cemeteries in the Athens region. Most of the hauntings in Wilson Hall are centered around the fourth floor. Students on this floor have reported seeing apparitions and hearing voices and slamming doors. It is also rumored that a student committed suicide in a room on the fourth floor. This particular room was featured years ago in an episode of “Scariest Places on Earth.”
Wilson Hall, 20 W Green Dr, Athens, OH 45701, USA
Ohio University Libraries/Flickr
Also located on the West Green part of campus, the Convo is said to be haunted by several ghosts in the dormitory portion of the building. Some of the stories include the ghost of an RA who was supposedly killed by her boyfriend that now roams the halls at night and the ghost of a student who died while sleeping that embraces students sleeping at night.
Convocation Center, 95 Richland Ave, Athens, OH 45701, USA
Sent from the Past/Flickr
Located on the East Green portion of Ohio University’s campus, this dormitory is allegedly haunted by an entire basketball team of high school girls that visited the university right before they were killed in a bus accident. Students have reported hearing several feet running and bouncing basketballs in the distance. It’s one of the most notorious ghost stories in Ohio.
Washington Hall, 49 E Green Dr, Athens, OH 45701, USA
pangalactic gargleblaster/Flickr
Several haunted cemeteries in the Athens area well known. In fact, there’s a rumor that all of the haunted cemeteries are geographically placed in the shape of a pentagram, with the university’s Wilson Hall at the center. Supposedly, the haunted cemeteries include; Simms, Haines, Hanning, Cuckler, Higgins, Zion, Hunter, Slaughter, Cutler, Mansfield, and Peach Ridge Cemetery.
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The OIYS Visitor Center
Haunted Athens Ohio August 22, 2022 Sarah M. What’s another haunted town to visit in Ohio? While there’s no haunted Ohio town quite like Athens, Cincinnati definitely has its share of haunted locales. From the city’s notoriously haunted Music Hall and Eden Park Gazebo to historic places like Spring Grove Cemetery and the USS Nightmare, there’s a lot for ghost hunters to love in Cincinnati, Ohio! What’s more, some of the most haunted places in Cincinnati can be found in one particular part of the city: the Over-the-Rhine neighborhood. This historic area has had so much happen above ground, but almost as much happen beneath the streets. The tunnels under the streets of OTR, once used in the brewery business, are said to be haunted. Washington Park and Music Hall, also in Over-the-Rhine, also have their fair share of ghost stories. The land was once an orphanage and also a burial site, thus making it a popular stop on any ghost tour around Cincinnati! What’s the scariest place to visit in Ohio? Without a doubt, Mansfield Reformatory is the scariest place to visit in Ohio. If you’re looking for someplace out of the ordinary to explore, consider a tour of the Mansfield Reformatory – but be aware that this experience isn’t for the faint of heart. While the exterior of the building may be beautiful (if not hauntingly so), the lonely cells and restless spirits roaming about inside are far from welcoming. Formerly known as the Mansfield Reformatory, this historic prison first opened in 1886 and is nearly 130 years old. The reformatory is known to house some of the country’s most violent ghosts; spirits of rioting inmates who fought each other to the death in overcrowded isolation cells are said to haunt the halls and cells of this former prison, which closed in 1990. Since then, the reformatory has gained national acclaim, most notably as the filming location for “The Shawshank Redemption.” Today, it’s open to curious visitors looking to explore a haunting – albeit stunning – piece of Ohio history.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Haunted Athens Ohio
August 22, 2022
Sarah M.
What’s another haunted town to visit in Ohio? While there’s no haunted Ohio town quite like Athens, Cincinnati definitely has its share of haunted locales. From the city’s notoriously haunted Music Hall and Eden Park Gazebo to historic places like Spring Grove Cemetery and the USS Nightmare, there’s a lot for ghost hunters to love in Cincinnati, Ohio! What’s more, some of the most haunted places in Cincinnati can be found in one particular part of the city: the Over-the-Rhine neighborhood. This historic area has had so much happen above ground, but almost as much happen beneath the streets. The tunnels under the streets of OTR, once used in the brewery business, are said to be haunted. Washington Park and Music Hall, also in Over-the-Rhine, also have their fair share of ghost stories. The land was once an orphanage and also a burial site, thus making it a popular stop on any ghost tour around Cincinnati! What’s the scariest place to visit in Ohio? Without a doubt, Mansfield Reformatory is the scariest place to visit in Ohio. If you’re looking for someplace out of the ordinary to explore, consider a tour of the Mansfield Reformatory – but be aware that this experience isn’t for the faint of heart. While the exterior of the building may be beautiful (if not hauntingly so), the lonely cells and restless spirits roaming about inside are far from welcoming. Formerly known as the Mansfield Reformatory, this historic prison first opened in 1886 and is nearly 130 years old. The reformatory is known to house some of the country’s most violent ghosts; spirits of rioting inmates who fought each other to the death in overcrowded isolation cells are said to haunt the halls and cells of this former prison, which closed in 1990. Since then, the reformatory has gained national acclaim, most notably as the filming location for “The Shawshank Redemption.” Today, it’s open to curious visitors looking to explore a haunting – albeit stunning – piece of Ohio history.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
While there’s no haunted Ohio town quite like Athens, Cincinnati definitely has its share of haunted locales. From the city’s notoriously haunted Music Hall and Eden Park Gazebo to historic places like Spring Grove Cemetery and the USS Nightmare, there’s a lot for ghost hunters to love in Cincinnati, Ohio! What’s more, some of the most haunted places in Cincinnati can be found in one particular part of the city: the Over-the-Rhine neighborhood. This historic area has had so much happen above ground, but almost as much happen beneath the streets. The tunnels under the streets of OTR, once used in the brewery business, are said to be haunted. Washington Park and Music Hall, also in Over-the-Rhine, also have their fair share of ghost stories. The land was once an orphanage and also a burial site, thus making it a popular stop on any ghost tour around Cincinnati!
What’s the scariest place to visit in Ohio?
Without a doubt, Mansfield Reformatory is the scariest place to visit in Ohio. If you’re looking for someplace out of the ordinary to explore, consider a tour of the Mansfield Reformatory – but be aware that this experience isn’t for the faint of heart. While the exterior of the building may be beautiful (if not hauntingly so), the lonely cells and restless spirits roaming about inside are far from welcoming. Formerly known as the Mansfield Reformatory, this historic prison first opened in 1886 and is nearly 130 years old. The reformatory is known to house some of the country’s most violent ghosts; spirits of rioting inmates who fought each other to the death in overcrowded isolation cells are said to haunt the halls and cells of this former prison, which closed in 1990. Since then, the reformatory has gained national acclaim, most notably as the filming location for “The Shawshank Redemption.” Today, it’s open to curious visitors looking to explore a haunting – albeit stunning – piece of Ohio history.
