3 Day Getaways

Central Ohio

Ghost Hunting in Ohio

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Day One: Are You Afraid of the Dark?
Granville is the epitome of small-town New England architecture and charm. Each autumn the town is recharged with the vitality and academic discourse of Dennison University faculty and students returning to the picturesque school located high on a hill overlooking Granville. There are plentiful rumors, however, of a different type of spirit in the air at two of the stately local inns. As Ohio's oldest continuously operating inn in its original building since 1812, the Buxton Inn has witnessed plenty of history, and perhaps an owner or two who just can't bring themselves to leave the premises. The ethereal "Lady in a Blue" (thought to be Ethel Bounell, an actress and singer who operated the inn from about 1934 - 1960) is said to roam the halls periodically along with mischievous Orin Granger (who built the tavern turned inn) who has a penchant for stealing pies and Major Buxton (second owner) who enjoys warming his hands by the fire.

Directly across the street, the historic Granville Inn has a haunting history of its own. An English Manor built in 1924, employees and visitors to the inn have reported mysterious cold spots, a wildly swinging chandelier and some other varied creaks and bumps in the night. Another thing both inns have in common is their excellent cuisine so plan to enjoy a sumptuous meal during your stay. Don't Miss: Ye Olde Mill, home of Velvet Ice Cream in Utica; the Newark Earthworks, 2,000-year-old geometric mounds that served as both cathedral and astronomical observatories for the Hopewell culture in present-day Heath.

Day Two: The Ghosts of Downtown
Downtown Columbus has a well-known history; it's the capital of Ohio, the largest city in the state and a place where arts and culture have flourished for years. The Kelton House Museum and Garden is no exception either. The home focuses on urban life and the decorative arts in its present day, but was once home to the Kelton Family including Oscar Dwight Kelton, the eldest son of the family, who tragically died in battle during the Civil War. His ghost is said to make appearances on the property in Civil War uniform. The Cultural Arts Center stands tall over Bicentennial Park and resembles an old-world castle that is believed to house old-world spirits of the 19th century. Especially in the basement, students have claimed to see a woman dressed in period clothing gliding along the ground before disappearing into thin air. Don't Miss: The Short North Arts District; the cobble-stone streets of German Village and the Columbus Topiary Garden's take on Georges Seurat's painting, "A Sunday On The Island Of La Grande Jatte."

Day Three: A Salute to Fallen Soldiers
During the height of the Civil War, numerous Ohioans answered the call of military duty. At Fort Hayes in Columbus, a legend says that a young man fell in love with a commander's daughter, despite the commander's dislike for the young soldier. The young man was accidentally killed when a gun exploded in his hands during a salute to President Lincoln after the President's death. The ghost of the young man is still seen today, even though many of the buildings at Fort Hayes are abandoned. At Camp Chase Confederate Cemetery, volunteers for the Union trained for Civil War battle before the camp turned into a federal prisoner of war camp. In 1863, a smallpox epidemic hit the camp and by 1865, nearly 2,260 men were buried in the cemetery. Since then, many people have claimed to see a lady dressed in gray and speculate that she's searching for her lost husband who never came home from the war. Don't Miss: Delaware State Park; the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, home to Jack Hanna and his favorite animals.