Athens is widely regarded as the most haunted city in Ohio, so it's only appropriate that the city's popular college is steeped in its own haunted lore and legends. On the hill overlooking Ohio University sits The Ridges, a stately part of campus that is hiding a dark and haunting secret. You see, the site was originally the Athens Asylum for the Insane, and there's something downright eerie about these grounds.
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 Ohio University is the oldest college in the state, founded on Feb. 18, 1804. The campus spans 1,800 acres in Athens, a beautiful town in Southeast Ohio.
What was once the Athens Lunatic Asylum is now known as The Ridges, and it's owned by (and a neighbor of) 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.
What's more, the grounds of the former asylum are still home to a few unusual -- and extremely unsettling -- cemeteries. (Yes -- there are multiple cemeteries on this Ohio college campus!)
Many of the grave sites are unmarked. It's said that patients whose parents had disowned them due to their mental disorder (a surprisingly common practice back then) were simply given numbered stones in lieu of a named gravestone.
Have you explored The Ridges before? Did you know about this haunted college in Ohio? It's lovely, but absolutely not the kind of place we'd want to visit at night by ourselves...
Looking for more hauntingly beautiful places to explore in Ohio? Spring Grove Cemetery is absolutely stunning, despite being one of the most haunted places in Ohio.
Rumor Has It the Ohio State Reformatory Is One of the Most Haunted Places in the US
Known for its role in "The Shawshank Redemption," there's so much more to discover at the Ohio State Reformatory... including paranormal activity and ghost sightings.
When I was six years old, I had my first ghost encounter. Ironically, this happened at my church.
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My mom was very active in our church and this meant many evenings tagging along while she worked on various committees and projects. I loved wandering the halls when it was so quiet, sneaking into offices and wandering down the pews in the pulpit and choir loft. It felt like my very own secret playground.
That is, until the night I encountered what I later learned to be the church ghost.
I was in a hallway bathroom -- a small space with two stalls and an adjoining room where choir members often changed. I had just sat down when the toilet next to me flushed. There was no one else there, so I bravely said Hello?
After a pregnant pause, the toilet flushed again. I've never hightailed it out of a place as quickly as I did on that fateful evening. I ran into the room where my mom was; she was with a fellow church member prepping for the fall rummage sale. When I explained what had happened, that fellow church member replied, "Oh, yes, that's the church ghost. She's friendly."
She went on to explain that, a hundred years ago when the church had just been built along what was then a one-lane road, there was a head-on collision between two cars. The driver of the first car died instantly, as did the driver of the other car -- but he wasn't alone. His wife was also in the car, gravely injured but able to crawl out of the vehicle and make her way into the church pulpit, where she peacefully passed away.
Today, explained my mom's friend, the ghost roamed the halls of our church but was friendly; she often played with lights and, yes, plumbing, gently reminding folks that she was there.
She may have been friendly, but that was the last time I roamed the halls of my church alone. I never went to the bathroom alone, either... the idea of a paranormal presence really freaked me out. This experience has stuck with me over the years, keeping me far, far away from anywhere even remotely haunted. Like, say, the Ohio State Reformatory.
Whether you live in Ohio or not, you're probably familiar with the Ohio State Reformatory. Not only did this former reformatory play a key role in "The Shawshank Redemption," but it's also considered to be one of the most haunted places in the U.S.
I've lived in Ohio most of my life but had never visited this iconic institution until recently. But on a recent weekend in early fall, just as the leaves were beginning to change and the air carried that faint smell of backyard bonfires, I left my cozy corner of southwest Ohio and headed east to see this mysterious, manmade marvel in person. I wasn't prepared for just how uncanny and, yes, haunting, the Ohio State Reformatory is in person.
Welcome to Only In Your State’s newest series, Rumor Has It, where we celebrate the local rumors – fact and fiction – that make America unique.
Also known as the Mansfield Reformatory or simply the Ohio Reformatory, the Ohio State Reformatory opened in 1886 and is nearly 130 years old.
Sarah McCosham/Only In Your State
This prison closed in 1990 and during its 100+ year tenure, 154,000 inmates called the Ohio State Reformatory home. Among its many claims to fame, the reformatory is home to the world’s tallest freestanding steel cell block: six tiers, 12 ranges, and 600 cells. A reformatory cell would have contained a desk, a stool, two footlockers, and two bunk beds, ephemera that can be viewed during a tour (more on that in a bit).
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First, the layout: you might notice that cells in the West Cell Block are slightly larger than cells in the East Cell Block; both eventually housed two inmates each due to overcrowding. Something you'll notice, as I did, is how much smaller the reformatory is in person. Don't get me wrong – it's a striking structure that certainly commands respect – but in person, the halls are tight and cells impossibly small. It's very difficult to imagine thousands of folks calling this place "home" at any given time.
The smallness of this space makes it all the more terrifying.
Sarah McCosham/Only In Your State
The reformatory was especially overcrowded in the 1920s (hello, Prohibition), and space became even tighter in the 1930s during the Great Depression. The highest committed crimes of inmates at the reformatory during this time period were robbery, burglary, larceny, and car theft. The average annual population in 1934 was 3,500 men; the prison was originally built to house 2,000 inmates, max.
Fitting so many men in a single area created a pressure cooker kind of situation, fueling tensions and sparking fights that ultimately led to inmate deaths. Violent, tortured deaths. The most infamous tale of the prison involves "the hole," a small cell wherein prisoners were held for three days as punishment. Several sources have reported that at one time, there were two inmates held in "the hole" – and by the end of the three days, one did not make it out alive.
Sarah McCosham/Only In Your State
Given its sordid history, it's no surprise the reformatory has captured the imaginations of many, including Hollywood. "The Shawshank Redemption" was famously filmed here, and Steven King's story couldn't have had a more appropriate setting.
Fast-forward to the 1980s, when these inhumane conditions finally forced the closure of the Ohio State Reformatory; remaining prisoners were moved to the nearby Mansfield Correctional Institution. Due to its age and crumbling condition, the future of the Ohio State Reformatory was uncertain, but in 1995, the Mansfield Reformatory Preservation Society was formed, opening the doors of this former prison to the public.
Today, film fans can explore the reformatory on a tour – guide-led or self-guided – and visit the official Shawshank Museum. The museum boasts five rooms of props, costumes, set pieces, and other treasures from the film: the safe in Warden Norton’s office, Red’s Parole Board room, Andy’s escape tunnels, and more. My film-loving partner was a big fan of the museum... I, however, found myself ruminating on the past.
Sarah McCosham/Only In Your State
Wandering through the halls and peeking into the cells was an unsettling experience. Having seen "The Shawshank Redemption," I was familiar with the building's layout, but the "mood" of the Ohio State Reformatory is something entirely different. If you're like me and you have an overactive imagination, be prepared to have your thoughts running amok and your mind playing tricks with you...
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What was that noise?
Did that light just flicker?
Were those footsteps behind me?
This brings me to why: Why visit the Ohio State Reformatory?
As with all of the adventures we share on Only In Your State, the experience is the why. We can describe a beautiful canyon or historic site, but there's only so much words and photos can convey. The feeling – that deep-in-your-bones, hair-raising unease – of a place like the Ohio State Reformatory; it's an experience.
I've lived in Cincinnati, Ohio, for most of my life. While I have an insatiable appetite for travel, my hometown is my happy place — and home base.
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Cincinnati is a humble little city that's a wonderful place to live. We have world-class attractions and a surprising number of parks, nature preserves, and forests. We have every sports team imaginable and the best, most loyal fans. We have charming neighborhoods, unique small businesses, and the kind of polite, Midwestern sensibility that includes a little Southern flair; I say "y'all," and I'm in good company.
The best thing about living in Cincinnati is what a hidden gem it is... but as a local, I don't want to gatekeep because it's pretty awesome here, y'all. Here are some of my favorite things to do in Cincinnati, Ohio:
Cincinnati Sports
I'm not a competitive person, and that's a good quality for sports fans here in the Queen City... because it's been a minute since a local team has made it to the postseason. When I was five, the Cincinnati Bengals AND Cincinnati Reds earned our town big bragging rights, and while the ensuing decades haven't quite delivered the same level of swagger, the unrelenting love and pride Cincinnati has in its teams is, frankly, inspiring.
Sarah McCosham/Only In Your State
Of course, the Queen City is also home to pro hockey and soccer teams, AND the college basketball scene here is fierce! (I'm a Muskie for life.)
The Cincinnati Art Museum. Or the Cincinnati Museum Center. Or the Taft Museum. Or...
Sarah McCosham/Only In Your State
If you're a big museum nerd, you'd be hard-pressed to find a city with more museums per capita than Cincinnati. Okay, that's my [very] unscientific observation, but I'm not wrong. The Cincinnati Art Museum isn't just a mecca for art (oh, and general admission to this awesome museum is always FREE!). It's nestled in cozy Mt. Adams, a beautiful 'burb perched on a hill with painted ladies and dazzling downtown views that display our town's most photogenic angles. One of my first dates with my now-husband was at the Art Museum and it remains at the top of my list of places that are always a good idea to visit.
Of course, this magnificent museum is one of many that call the Queen City home; definitely check out places like the Taft Museum, the Cincinnati Museum Center (a one-stop shop with multiple museums, y'all!), the Contemporary Arts Center, the Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame Museum, the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, the American Sign Museum, and... well, you get the point.
Cincinnati bookstores. And libraries. And...
I am an avid reader, and guess what? Cincinnati has been hailed as one of the best cities for book lovers. Not only are the Cincinnati and Hamilton County public libraries amazing resources for book lovers (I read every night and don't know what I'd do without Libby), but the volume and variety of bookstores — new and used — in Cincinnati are unrivaled.
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Sarah McCosham/Only In Your State
My favorite local bookstore is Household Books, a really cool space owned by a good friend and fellow bibliophile that boasts the most unique and artful curation of used and rare titles. Every visit to Household Books is an experience.
#TeamFiona
The Cincinnati Zoo has always been a must-visit attraction in town; I have fond memories of going to the Zoo with my grandma and younger brothers on hot, sticky summer days in the late '80s and early '90s. Back then, I got to ride a camel! Talk about a core memory.
Today, the Cincinnati Zoo remains a perennial favorite known for its interactive exhibits, conservation efforts, and stunning botanical gardens. Whether you're a mom with young kids, a couple going on a day date, or a photographer looking to sharpen your skills, the Cincinnati Zoo has something for everyone. (And, yes, Fiona and Fritz are every bit as adorable in person, but the giraffes are my all-time favorite.)
Kings Island
Kings Island (and Soak City) is kind of a big deal around here and for good reason. Whether you're a roller coaster enthusiast or more into a lazy river float, this epic destination in Ohio's Largest Playground makes for a very thrilling, very memorable day.
The arts - festivals, Broadway in Cincinnati, the Pops!
Cincinnati might not be Austin or Nashville, but that doesn't mean we aren't a (lowercase) music city. The Cincinnati Music Festival is one of the largest music festivals in the country, and Cincinnati's sports arenas and bevy of indoor and outdoor venues draw some of the biggest names in music. (Taylor Swift came to Cincinnati in 2023 for her Eras tour... we're kind of a big deal.)
Outside of popular music, the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and Cincinnati Pops are iconic, and if you're into the finer things in life, the Cincinnati Opera and Broadway in Cincinnati provide lots of opportunities for a dressy night out on the town.
Hometown Love
Cincinnati's suburbs are all absolutely adorable and charming: inner-ring neighborhoods like Oakley, Hyde Park, Madeira, Loveland, Pleasant Ridge, Westwood, Mt. Healthy, Mariemont... the list goes on (and on)! I was raised in Milford, a sleepy little 'burb 15 miles east of the city. Today, Old Milford is my favorite place to go; whether it's browsing packs of vinyl at Spiral Groove, grabbing the latest thriller from The Bookmatters, or enjoying a jalapeño margarita at Cincinnati Distilling's rooftop bourbon bar, I always have a good time in downtown Milford.
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Sarah McCosham/Only In Your State
Bonus: if you're up for a little, teeny tiny day trip, Lebanon is a delightful small town about 30 minutes north of town. Home to the Golden Lamb (Ohio's oldest continually operating business), an old-fashioned railroad, and one of the most cherished holiday festivals in Ohio, Lebanon is a slice of Star's Hollow in southwest Ohio! And if you're into antiques, you'll be in heaven browsing the many antique shops along Lebanon's Main Street.
Cincinnati Dining
So maybe I don't like Skyline Chili. Maybe I'm even a vegetarian... in Porkopolis. That's okay! The whole "all are welcome" mantra certainly applies to the Cincinnati dining scene. While icons like Skyline, LaRosa's, and Montgomery Inn might be no-gos, my plant-based family is very well-fed in Cincinnati. I love Northstar Cafe for pretty much any meal, and the Killer Veggie pizza from Dewey's is a thing of beauty. Green Papaya is a hidden gem for delicious Thai cuisine; the English Muffins from Blue Oven's stand at Findlay Market are anything but basic, and the ice cream from Hello Honey is my favorite thing ever.
The Cincinnati Nature Center
Cincinnati is an incredibly green city, and nowhere is this truer than the eponymous Cincinnati Nature Center (CNC). Despite the fact that "Cincinnati" is in its name, the CNC is one of those places that often falls off the radar of even longtime locals. Hi, I'm a Longtime Local, and every time I visit the CNC to hike or wander, I'm reminded of what an asset it is.
Sarah McCosham/Only In Your State
Old-growth forest, fields of pollinators, native plants and animals aplenty, tree-lined lakes and boardwalks with plenty of places to sit... the Cincinnati Nature Center is a fantasy come to life and someplace everyone ought to visit more.
Kayaking
Sarah McCosham/Only In Your State
Speaking of the outdoors, I love kayaking, and no summer is complete without a couple of paddles down the Little Miami. The waters are gentle enough for kids but fun enough for adults. My favorite kayaking excursion is five miles and flows past the Loveland Castle, a commanding castle hand-built by a local and real-life knight!
The Cincinnati Riverfront
Cincinnati is a river city, and the Ohio River is a proud and inextricable part of our town's identity and ethos. Happily, there are lots of ways to enjoy the Ohio River, whether it's a dinner cruise aboard BB Riverboats, the stands at Great American Ballpark, the swings at Smale Riverfront Park, or, my favorite, the Purple People Bridge.
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Sarah McCosham/Only In Your State
For me, there's nothing more comforting than driving over the Ohio River on my way home from CVG, my carry-on packed with souvenirs, and my heart full of memories from my latest adventure.
Downtown Cincinnati at Sunset and the Smale Riverfront Park along the Ohio River
