Theresa's Haunted History of the Tri-State
Combining the Fact with the Folklore
Haunted Places in Ohio
This section of the site is devoted to some of my favorite haunted hot spots around Ohio. Aside from a general summary of reported activity, I've tried to include historical profiles and links for more information. If you see the HPIR logo, please click on it to see our investigation results of that location!
If you have a haunted spot in OH that you'd like to see featured on this page...or if you have any corrections or updates, as always, feel free to email me at theresarhps@yahoo.com
Where Would You Like to Go?
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Macedonia Missionary Baptist, South Point area
The Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church, located outside of South Point, was built in 1849. During the early part of the 1800s, Baptists in the area held services in their own homes. However, when a group of 37 freed slaves from Virginia formerly owned by James Twyman arrived in the area, they joined the current congregation and built the historic church.
The church remained the focal point of the African American community well into the 20th century. Many social activities, such as picnics and dances were held at the church, which was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1978.
No longer in use, the church has acquired a reputation by locals of being haunted. Reports of shadows, lights flickering, and hymn singing coming from within have been reported. An early HPIR investigation took us to this location, where the only thing reported was the fact that several members felt a tingling energy sensation. At this time, there is not enough evidence to deem this location as haunted, so if you have any additional info, please email me!
Elizabeth's Grave, Chillicothe
Off an old dirt road off of Union Lane outside of Chillicothe is the Mount Union-Pleasant Valley Cemetery.
Mt. Union's claim to fame is that it is the final resting place of Elizabeth...and possibly where she died as well. There are two major stories to the Elizabeth legend. In the first, Elizabeth, overcome with grief over the death of her husband, hanged herself from a tree near the rear of the cemetery in which her husband was buried. In another variation, Elizabeth was murdered in a similar manner by several men angry over her inheritance upon her husband's death. In both legends, the story goes that Elizabeth was buried near the front of the cemetery. However, her tombstone mysteriously moves itself to the back of the cemetery near the location of her death, most often against the very tree from which she hung. When replaced, it would always wander back to the rear of the cemetery.
The cemetery has been vandalized, and Elizabeth's grave is undoubtedly among the destruction. However, therein may lie supporting evidence for the legend. In the back of the cemetery is a group of fallen tombstones piled near a tree. One such is the stone of Elisabeth P. Eagleson, born November 16,1819, and died June 5th, 1896. Elisabeth was the wife of John, who died two years before.
Thrill seekers and paranormal investigators still flock to this location. It is rumored that Elizabeth/Elisabeth still walks the cemetery, often seen in a white dress. Sometime she is seen hanging from the tree where she lost her life, and some even say that on the anniversary of her death, blood drips from the tree in question. A few people claim that apparitions of Elizabeth/Elisabeth are accompanied by the apparitions of two shadowy men dressed all in black.
Twin City Opera House, McConnelsville
Ground broke for the Twin City Opera House and Town Hall on October 20, 1889 atop land referred to as the "burned district". Designed by H.C. Lindsay at an estimated cost of $16,000, the building was to have been three stories high, with a ballroom on the third floor, and a clock tower. However, overspending and lack of funding caused the project to be delayed, and the clock plans scrapped.
Official opening night for the Opera House was Saturday, May 28th, 1892. All eight hundred seats were sold out to see a performance of the Arion Opera Company's rendition of Gilbert and Sullivan's "The Mikado." In all actuality, many of the patrons came more for the novelty of electric lights than the show. The Opera House was the first building in the city to be outfitted entirely with electric lights. Unfortunately, on opening night, the generator failed, plunging the building in darkness, as ushers scrambled to find enough gas lamps to light the Opera House. Because it was deemed that electric lights were too unpredictable, the Opera House was redone entirely with gas lamps.
The Twin City Opera House has a long history with the paranormal which seemed to reach a peak in the 1960s. A janitor saw or heard something that so frightened him that he ran out of the building, and immediately quit his job, refusing to ever enter the building again. Objects would move around on their own accord, the drapes would close over the screen during movie showings, and the little girl began making an appearance.
This little girl is believed to be 10 year old Elizabeth. People have heard Elizabeth giggle, and have seen her peeking out from the catwalk above the stage. In addition to Elizabeth, other ghosts include the apparition of Everett Miller, who spent 30 years at the Opera House as an usher, and then later as a manager. He is sighted wearing a white suit, just as he did in life. There is also the spirit of Red Wine Robert, who often communicates through EVP, including telling one investigator, "I've got red wine!"
The ballroom is home to the spirit of John Leezer who was stabbed in the early 1900s. Also in the ballroom, witnesses report hearing the disembodied voices of women singing jingles popular from the 1950s and 1960s. Also seen with alarming frequency are the shadowy beings that reside in the basement near the old tunnel system. The shadows have been noted to growl and even drastically drop the temperature when confronted.
Today, the Opera House hosts ghost hunts, and is available to rent out for private investigations. Over 300 EVPs from the site are on record, leading many to believe that the Twin City Opera House is the most haunted building in Ohio.
Chapman Cemetery, Noble County Ohio
John Chapman was born on September 26, 1774 in Massachusettes, second child of Nathaniel Chapman and Elizabeth Simonds. Shortly after giving birth to her third child, Nathaniel Jr. in 1776, both Elizabeth and her newborn passed away from what is believed to be tuberculosis. Nathaniel remarried a woman named Lucy Cooley, and together with her, had ten more children.
In 1792, John Chapman, aged 18 years, took his 11 year old half-brother, also named Nathaniel, and his older sister Elizabeth out west. Their destination was ultimately to be the headwaters of the Susquehanna.
By 1800, John Chapman had made it to Licking County, Ohio. His father and the rest of the family arrived five years later, and settled in what is now the Dexter City area of Noble County. By 1806, John Chapman was already know as Johnny Appleseed.
The Chapman Family Cemetery can still be found on an overgrown hilltop just outside of Dexter City, off of Rt. 21 close by to where I-77 intersects old route 821. Johnny Appleseed passed away on February 18, 1845 and is not buried in this cemetery--he is buried in Archer Cemetery in Indiana.
However, visitors to the overgrown cemetery, which contains the ruined graves of Johnny's stepmother, several siblings, and their descendants, have reported seeing the apparition of a gray-bearded, shaggy man with ragged pants and no shoes. It is believed the apparition is that of Johhny Appleseed himself, coming to visit the family gravesite.
Johnny's apparition is also seen nearby at the Johnny Appleseed memorial erected in September of 1942. Consequently, September is said to be the best time to witness the apparition, both at the monument and at the family cemetery.
Briggs-Lawrence County Public Library, Ironton
On May 24, 1933, the body of Dr. Joseph Lowry, age 68, was found dead at his home. The wealthy physician lived in a palatial home, located at 321 South Fourth Street in Ironton...the exact location which now houses the library building.
Dr. Lowry, who lived alone, was found dead in bed in an almost unnatural position, with a towel over his head, blood running down the side of his face from his nose and mouth, and an electric light turned on. He was found by a Mr. Riley, a close friend, after several of the doctor's patients could not get ahold of him. Mr. Riley climbed through the one un-latched window to enter the home.
It was assumed that the doctor had died of a stroke, and was buried in Woodland Cemetery near his wife and mother. However, a key to a lock box was soon discovered, but the box itself was missing, leading many to believe that Dr. Lowry had been killed by his heirs over his fortune.
The body was exhumed to look for evidence of foul play, and a shocking discovery was made. The doctor's entrails had been removed completely, and his legs had been broken to fit inside the casket! The undertaker admitted to the deed, citing sheer spite, as two years earlier, the Dr. refused to pay for an expensive casket he ordered for his wife, Sarah. Sarah was a very small person, so certain "adjustments" had to be made to ensure that Lowry would fit in her unused coffin! With not enough physical evidence, the death of Dr. Lowry was never officially solved. See Woodland Cemetery below for more info on this story!
Today, visitors to the library claim that the doctor is still around...looking for his missing body parts. Often at closing, staff will hear the jingling of keys, even though everyone holds their own still. A hydraulic door to the Genealogy room has also been reported to open and close on its own, but several workers and visitors had a much more profound experience.
While discussing Dr. Lowry one day, one worker made it quite clear that she didn't believe any of the ghost nonsense...and then the computer beeped. The screen showed a partial list of patrons in the system. Four names popped up...all with the name Lowry. A few minutes later, the computer beeped again, signaling a book had been checked out at it...the book was "The Ghost and Mrs. Muir."
Rider's Inn,Painesville
Rider's Inn, located at 792 Mentor Avenue, originally opened in 1812 by Joseph (Joe) Rider, and his wife, Suzanne as a stagecoach stop between Buffalo, NY and Cleveland. The inn rapidly expanded, and became a favorite stop for food and lodging for travelers heading West. Over the years, the inn was used as a stop on the Underground Railroad, and also to house Union soldiers returning home from the war.
The inn stayed in the Rider family until 1902 when financial difficulties forced them to sell. However, due to the discovery of a hot springs in the area, the inn was purchased by George Randall in 1922, and returned as a showpiece of hospitality. Randall made extensive improvements, adding a dining room and speakeasy, and expanding the breakfast accommodations.
The hot spring was short lived, however, and retirement of the Randalls saw the inn through further hard times until 1988. After being listed on the National Register of Historic Places nearly fifteen years early, owner Elaine Crane and her mother renovated the inn into today's bed and breakfast.
Like many historical B&B's, the Rider's Inn is said to have its own resident ghost. Suzanne Rider, original owner, carries on her duties of greeting her guests. She is often seen hovering around the front door, but guests have also encountered her friendly and peaceful spirit throughout the house, particularly the upper floor.
Lafayette Hotel, Marietta
Here's the history of this historic hotel straight from the inn's website:
Here on the banks of the Ohio River today, you can view the same magic beauty that fascinated early settlers in 1788, as evidenced by inscriptions in the letters of Rufus Putnam, "a country of the most pleasant climate and of the rarest beauty and enduring charm."
The Lafayette Hotel draws its name from the visit in 1825 of the Marquis de Lafayette, French hero of the American Revolution. Lafayette landed at the "point" on a boat named Herold. The towns people did not know of his plan to visit here and were unprepared for his arrival. A prominent early Marietta citizen, Nahum Ward, entertained him at his home. Lafayette continued from Marietta through several communities to his final destination of Boston, Massachusetts. A plaque near the Hotel marks the spot where Lafayette came ashore in Marietta and today the locals boast that the first tourist to visit Marietta was the Marquis de Lafayette.
The Bellvue Hotel was built in 1892 where the Lafayette Hotel stands today. It was 4 stories tall, had 55 steam heated rooms, a bar, a call bell system in every room and advertised hot and cold baths. The rate was $2.00 or $3.00 American Style. The Bellvue was destroyed by fire on April 26, 1916, at 5:40 p.m. Pictures of the fire are on display in the vestibule by the Lafayette's Gun Room Restaurant.
The Lafayette Hotel, built by Marietta businessmen, opened on July 1, 1918, and was incorporated as the Marietta Hotel Co. which owned the original building, additions, and real estate. Reno G. Hoag was hired as manager with a salary of $150 per month plus room and board for his family.
When Mr. Hoag was named manager in 1918 his eighteen year old son, S. Durward Hoag, also began working for the hotel. He helped unpack furniture and fixtures which came by boat from Cincinnati on the river packet, Liberty, a week before the opening on April 26. Eventually, Reno Hoag purchased the contents of the hotel for $25,000. For a number of years, Reno and Durward began buying stock as it was offered to them and in 1924, incorporated. Together they operated the Lafayette, making improvements and changes as the times dictated. The old Mansion House, which was built in 1835, was purchased by the hotel from Thomas McCurdy and Christina McCuley. The house stood directly behind the Lafayette and was demolished to build a 30 room addition to the original hotel, The Hoag Addition.
Reno Hoag died on March 4, 1944, and S. Durward Hoag continued to run the hotel until he sold the Lafayette on December 17, 1973, to local businessman, Harry J. Robinson.
Mr. Robinson saw a need for larger facilities to accommodate meetings and banquets. He also had a passion for the preservation of big bands and ballroom dancing. In 1978, the Sternwheel Ballroom was added at a cost of $650,000. Mr. Robinson's business insight continues to benefit the Hotel and the local community by allowing the hotel to attract small and medium-sized conventions from around the state. The Grand Ballroom still plays host to big band music and ballroom dancing. Harry Robinson operated the Lafayette Hotel until May 30, 1984.
From June 1984 to July 1989, the Lafayette Hotel was operated by a limited partnership comprised mostly of out of town investors. During this period, the property suffered extreme financial set backs and remodeling over runs and was eventually turned over to the mortgage holder, Bank One, Columbus. Bank One continued to operated the property in receivership until a buyer could be found.
In May 1991, the Lin Family from Columbus, Ohio, formed the Lafayette Hotel, Inc., and purchased the property. Since then, guest rooms, the lobby and the Grand Ballroom have been redecorated and major improvements have been made to heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration equipment. More importantly, the property has been linked to Historic Hotels of America through the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
The Anchorage (Putnam House), Marietta
The Anchorage is located just outside of Marietta. It was built in 1859 by a local businessman, Douglas Putnam, for his second wife, Eliza. This beautiful Tuscan inspired mansion was modeled after a similar home in New Jersey that Eliza fell in love with after visiting friends there. The 22 room home cost approximately $60,000, and boasts a tower with a widow's walk.
The home was known as the Putnam House, and was a hub of social activity in the region. Unfortunately, Eliza didn't get to enjoy her beloved home for very long--she died in 1862 of heart disease. Allegedly, David Putnam, brother to Douglas, at one time either lived in the home, or was a constant figure there. David was a staunch abolitionist, and rumors abound that the home contains secret tunnels that were used in the Underground Railroad. No tunnels have thus been found, and the family vehemently denies their existence.
In 1896, the house left the Putnam family, and was purchased by the Knox family. The Knox's were involved in boat manufacture and transportation, and thus the home was named "The Anchorage."
In 1960, the home was converted into a nursing home, and remained open until 1986. Today it is located on the old Arbors Nursing home property, and is owned by the Washington County Historical Society.
The first reports of this home being haunted began to surface during its time as a nursing home. Patients, visitors and staff all have reported a young African American boy, around the age of nine, roaming through the building. His presence may have helped spur the legends of an Underground Railroad.
However, the most prominent spirit is definitely that of Eliza Putnam, who continues to frequent the home she so adored. She has been seen on the stairs wearing a long dress and looking melancholy. She is also often reported looking out the front bedroom window. She seems to be seen most on the anniversary of her death, which was on September 9th.
I had the opportunity to attend a ghost hunt at the home a few years back, but unfortunately, there were so many people, we really couldn't obtain any good evidence. However, there have been several groups that have gotten pretty decent EVPs from the home, and some unexplainable photographs.
Kings Island, Mason
Kings Island is located in Mason, Ohio, about 24 miles NE of Cincinnati. Up until 1997, the park was a part of the Deerfield Township, which was annexed in that year into Mason.
The park broke ground on June 15, 1970, and officially opened to the public on April 29, 1972. It was named for the Kings Powder Company, which created the town of Kings Mill for its employees. The park sits on property formerly owned by the company.
Kings Island covers over 700 acres of land, and was built to replace the defunct Coney Island Amusement Park, located 10 miles east of Cincinnati. Coney Island was shut down due to frequent flooding, and several of the rides and attractions were moved to the Kings Island location.
Deaths at the Park
There are tons of rumors of deaths and accidents being covered up, but there are several verifiable deaths relating to accidents and natural causes at the park.
1. An employee of the Lion Country Safari Ride was killed in either 1975 or 1976. Jack, or Johnny by some accounts, was a 20 year old employee who had asked the previous year to be transferred from grounds crew to ranger for the ride. Rangers rode around the attraction in armored cars with tranquilizers. Jack made the mistake of leaving his vehicle without his tranquilizer gun in order to use the restroom. Reports indicate that Jack was suffering from diarrhea, and was attacked with his pants down. That rumor is false. However, Jack did exit the vehicle to make a pit stop, and was thus attacked. The Safari ride operated from 1974 to 1993, and the location is now home to the Son of Beast coaster and a storage/junk yard.
2. A little girl allegedly drowned prior to the park's opening in a lake located on the property. The lake is now supposedly used as a reserve for the White Water Canyon attraction.
3. In May of 1983, the park hosted a Grad night for local high schools. A boy by the name of Johnny, was apparently inebriated and climbing around restricted areas of the Eiffel Tower. By different reports, Johnny was either hit by the counterweight of one of the elevators, or was decapitated and mutilated by cable wires...or a combination of the two.
4. June 9, 1991 is a day known in park history as Black Sunday. The day started off in good spirits, as the park hosted one of its last public Gay Pride events at the park. However, things would not stay so carefree. A man by the name of Tim Brenning was with friends in Oktoberfest, near the Viking attraction. Since it was a hot day, he playfully dipped his hand into the pond to splash his friends. Due to a short in the electrical and light component, Tim was shocked, and fell into the water. His friend, William "Eddie" Haithcoat went in after him, but was also shocked. A security guard nearby got reports that someone had been "shocked" in the area, but misheard it as someone being "shot." Thus, he jumped in to pull the men out, and was also shocked. Another guest, probably after someone had gotten the information to cut the electricity, reached in and pulled the men out and CPR was started. Unfortunately, both the security guard and William died, and Tim suffered severe nerve damage in his arm.
The park was overrun with helicopters and emergency personnel, which seemed to have distracted a reportedly highly intoxicated woman who was riding the Flight Commander ride. Candy Taylor had been belligerent with ride operators, but was allowed to ride alone in the two-person pod anyway. From eyewitness reports, it seems as if the woman, who was also quite small, was wriggling around in the harness, trying to wave at her friends below and point out the helicopters, when she managed to wriggle between the restraints and fell out. Subsequently, the ride was shut down, and modifications were made so that it would be impossible to slide over into the other seat and out of one's harness.
5. A thirty-four year old woman suffered a heart attack while riding the top gun ride in 2003. She died in the hospital the next day.
Ghosts at the Park
1. Not many people are aware of the fact that there is a cemetery on Kings Island property. The cemetery is located between the campground and the parking area, and has graves dating back to the 1840s. Allegedly, a little blond girl wearing a blue dress is said to be buried there, and who haunts the park. She is under 4 feet tall, and is estimated to be about 5-8 years old. She is most often seen along the tram route, and in the WaterWorks area.
2. Tower Johnny: Tower Johnny is the ghost of the teen who passed away on the Eiffel Tower on Grad Night in 1983. Tower Johnny is often seen at the tower, and is blamed for many of the electrical malfunctions for that attraction, and many others in the park. In fact, tripped sensors with no apparent cause are dubbed "Johnnies." Johnny isn't limited to just the tower, though. He is seen throughout the park as a young, bloodied looking man. He is rumored to be seen at the Beast, either on the tracks, in the tunnel, or in the woods. A legend states that the bloody cables that were instrumental in Johnny's death were stored/hidden in the woods behind the Beast. Actually, there were cables stored there, but the rusty cables actually were parts from the ride itself.
3. Some people say that the Beast has its own ghost...and its not Johnny. Glowing red eyes are routinely reported by riders during the part of the ride through the woods. There is also supposedly a photo taken by a ride cam that shows the ghost, but no one can produce a copy, or has personally seen it.
4. Similar to Tower Johnny is Racer Boy. Racer boy is supposedly a young boy, often seen wearing all white, who frequents the area around the Racer. The Racer is a coaster that has two of its four trains originally coming from the Coney Island park's Shooting Star. Many years ago, a young teen boy sitting in the back of that coaster was noticed as missing when the ride pulled in. A search ended with his body being found in the bottom of a dip in the track. Whether or not this is the same boy or not, we do know that Racer Boy is only seen during the dark, most often right as the park is closing. Visitors report him along the sides of the tracks, and in the tunnels, and like Tower Johnny, there is supposedly a picture of him out there. What is interesting is that while the Racer is one of the oldest rides in the park, Racer Boy reports didn't start coming in until the early 1990s.
5. The White Water Canyon rafting ride also has its own ghost. Countless employees have encountered the sounds of a child's giggle and the pelting of rocks against their observational towers after the last visitors have exited the ride. The poltergeist is dubbed "Woody" and is most often experienced at Observational Tower 2, which is deep in the woods, and is only accessible by a small footpath. Occasionally Tower Johnny is blamed for the activity, but other times activity is blamed on the little girl who drowned in the nearby lake.
Lake Vesuvius, Ironton
Lake Vesuvius is located in Lawrence County, and is part of the Wayne National Forest. The furnace located at Lake Vesuvius was built in 1833, and was one of at least 60 such pig iron furnaces located in the Hanging Rock area of Ohio. By 1863, the furnace was operating under William Firmstone. It had switched from the "cold blast" method to the "hot blast" method of production, and was producing 8-12 tons of pig iron a day.
Shortly after the Civil War, the iron ore seams of the Hanging Rock area were disappearing, and operations were moving north to the Lake Superior region. Vesuvius Furnace, as a result, closed officially in 1906.
In the 1930s, the land around the furnace was purchased by the government, and in 1937, the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) moved in and began construction of a dam, cabins, boat and bath houses, etc. Work was completed in 1941, and the new dam had created Lake Vesuvius along the Stormy Creek.
In 1966, a cave was found in the area, on property belonging to the Haney's. Artifacts found in the excavation indicate that the cave goes back at to at least 700BC and was used by Shawnees, Mingos, and several other traveling tribes as a shelter.
By 2001, the dam was deemed unsafe. The lake was drained, the dam rebuilt, and the entire camping and recreational area was reopened in 2004.
There are several ghost stories and legends connected to the area, the first being directly related to the furnace, which is still standing. While the furnace was in operation, it was reported that workers encountered the Devil himself in human form. The Devil blocked the path daily, and so disturbed the workers, that the owners were forced to hire in a priest. The priest is reported as asking the Devil, "What in the name of God do you want?" The Devil either did not respond, or no answer was ever recorded.
Several other ghosts are also said to roam the vicinity of the lake. One appears to be a man wearing a cowboy hat who is seem simply walking along the paved roads with his head down. When people turn to take another look, he has vanished. A second ghost is that of a woman. The woman is seen primarily along the dock area of the lake, but has also been reported on the road. She appears in rags, and is bloodied and bruised and disheveled...almost as if she has been beaten to death. A third sighting involves a vaporous white figure that floats among the trees.
These seem to be the most heavily reported ghosts, but in recent years, at least two others seem to have surfaced. It is said that an elderly woman is seen relaxing in a rocking chair located at one of the CCC cabins. The last is the apparition of an Indian tribesman. He is seen mainly around the wooded areas and along trails.
Update May 2009: I've learned from the Forgotten Ohio website that another ghost is directly connected with this area. In the nearby mine area, the ghost of a former miner who died from a mining accident is often reported. He is seen pushing his wheelbarrow out of the opening of the mine, walking around for a few moments, then re-entering the mine.
History of the Vesuvius Furnace
Image by Sherman Cahal, from American Byways
Woodland Cemetery, Ironton
The Ghosts
Teenie Peters Antoinette "Teenie" Peters danced with the Imperial Russian Ballet and the Chicago Opera before marrying and settling down in Ironton, Ohio. She was tragically killed in a car crash. Shortly after her interment, vandals broke into her mausoleum, broke the corner off her glass coffin, and broke off two of her fingers, stealing her rings. Also stolen was a brooch given to her by the czar of Russia, and her photo outside the crypt was shot at with a BB gun. Today it is said that every night at midnight, the ghost of Teenie Peters dances around her mausoleum, scaring away would-be vandals.
Osa Wilson Osa Wilson was an abused wife. Legend has it that her husband slapped her across the face, resulting in her falling down a flight of stairs, fatally injuring her and her unborn child. Her tombstone portrays a woman's figure, where it is said a hand print appears on the face, no matter how many times it is sandblasted. The statue is also said to cry real tears, and the belly is often warm...sometimes even a small, faint heartbeat can be felt. The gown of the statue was said to have been seen fluttering as well.
Dr. Lowry Dr. Joseph W. Lowry, a respected Ironton physician who died mysteriously in 1933, is said to haunt the library which stands where his house once was.
Dr. Lowry was found dead in bed in the middle of summer with the heat going in his house. There were rumors that his heirs had him murdered, but the official cause of death was declared a stroke.
The next part is pretty gruesome. The undertaker, an employee of Schneider, out of Chesapeake, who received Lowry's body, was still angry at him for refusing to pay for a custom-made coffin he'd ordered for his wife Sarah two years earlier. As the story goes, Dr. Lowry changed his mind about paying the steep price for the coffin, and used a small nick that would have been easily repaired as an excuse to cancel the order. As revenge, the undertaker broke Lowry's legs and folded them up to help him fit into the coffin he had refused to pay for. The lid still wouldn't close over his fat stomach, so the undertaker cut him open, scooped out his internal organs, and sewed him up again. The doctor was buried in Woodland Cemetery.
When the authorities later exhumed Lowry to check for signs of poison, they found his abdomen empty. The undertaker admitted what he had done and showed the police to the place where he had buried the organs, but by that time they were so rotten that nothing could be determined.
Today Lowry haunts the Briggs Public Library in Ironton, supposedly searching for his lost body parts. He is also seen in Woodland Cemetery, sometimes walking with his mother, near her crypt at the front entrance.
Means Cross When erecting this stone cross, which weighed several tons, it fell, crushing one of the workers to death. That worker has said to be seen around the monument. In one incident, a group of men went out after dark to look for the alleged ghost...and apparently found him. One man was so startled at the sight of the apparition, he fired several shots from his pistol at the figure. If you look closely at the cross and a monument nearby, you can still see markings from where the bullets hit.
All photos taken during the Ironton Ghost Walk 2007
Cement Plant, Ironton
Also known as the Alpha Portland Cement plant, this factory was built in the late 1890s and operated for nearly 70 years. It was closed in the mid 1960s due to the financial hardships. In the 1970s, it operated for a short while under Getty Oil. A tragic accident during this decade led to the permanent closing of the plant; a basement wall broke, flooding the basement area and killing several workers. Today, there are underground mining areas still on the property. Due to the flooding, these underground mines are completely filled with water...but there is also still mining equipment, trapped 600 feet below the property.
It is rumored that because of this tragic accident, the property is now haunted. Legend has it that some of the bodies were never recovered, and it is these lost souls who remain today. Many people have reported seeing the apparitions of these victims.
The current owner, Dan Bolender, doesn't believe the property is haunted, and has even built his own home on the property. Bolender, who is president of the Ice Creek Land Company, worked maintenance at the plant years ago under Getty Oil before purchasing the property in the mid-90s. Plans to tear down the remaining structures and turn the land into a residential area are underway.
(Photo property of Abandoned Online Please click on the link for more information!)
Our House Museum, Gallipolis
The Our House Museum was built in 1819 as a tavern by Henry Cushing, and his sister Elizabeth. It is located in Gallipolis, OH. The apparition of Mr. Cushing, wearing short green breeches, has been seen in the kitchen, and also along the back pathway. Phantom footsteps are also often heard.
In the ballroom, which once hosted General Lafayette in May of 1825, has been the site of a woman singing, and chairs scraping, as if a large audience was being seated. The singing ghost is thought to be Jenny Lind, who stopped at Our House in the 1850s during her American tour.
The Cushing family owned and operated Our House until 1865. It was then purchased in 1933 by Dr. and Mrs. Charles E. Holzer, who donated it to the state in 1944 as a memorial to the French families who founded Gallipolis.
Info from Haunted Ohio II by Chris Woodyard.
Monitor School, Coal Grove
The Monitor School (or Coal Grove School) was built in 1905 as the area's new High School, and was later converted into an elementary school.
It was built by Cooke Bros. Construction Company with architect T.S. Murray, a local citizen. T.S. Murray had his office on the second floor of the Furlong building, and his company was sued by St. Joseph's in the 1880s for breach of contract. The obituaries of T.S. Murray and his family can be found at www.lawrencecountyohio.com
It was part of what later became the Dawson-Bryant school district with original board members including:
H.L. Sartain
John A. Jones
John Peters
Philip Carey
Chas. Moseman
The school apparently closed sometime in the 1980s/1990s after a new school was built. Thanks to a tip on the HPIR guestbook, we think we've got the actual closing date as 1996. The date listed on one site is 1984, however. The school had been named a defendant in a law suit regarding outdated heating practices involving coal, lol. Afterward, it was apparently still owned by the Dawson-Bryant School District.
In 2000, the community tried to rally together and turn the abandoned school into a community center. It was, however bought by an investor who wished to turn it into an apartment complex. The community again rallied...this time AGAINST those plans. They wanted to keep the building in as original condition as possible. It is now back on the market.
The main paranormal activity reported is strange lights seen inside the building when no one is there, and also scant reports of a ghostly janitor seen roaming the halls. 
