Formerly known as the Mansfield Reformatory, the Ohio State Reformatory is one of the state's most notoriously haunted places. The facility opened in the early 1900s but closed before the new century due to inhumane conditions. Countless tales of ghosts, paranormal spirits, and other chilling occurrences have been reported on the property, which is open to tours throughout the year. In fact, this abandoned prison might just be among the most haunted places on earth.
We've written about this infamous landmark several times, and for good reason. The stately Romanesque Revival landmark has quite a storied past.
Designed by Cleveland architect Levi Scofield, the facility accepted its first inmates in 1896. At that time, it was supposed to serve as an "intermediary" facility, serving those too old for juvenile prison but whose crimes were too minor for the main Ohio Reformatory.
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The goal of the Reformatory was just that -- to reform. Those who were sentenced to the institution would receive religion, education, and a trade. If progress was shown in 18 months, prisoners could be released; otherwise, they would be sentenced to another 18 months.
By the 1960s, conditions began to decline severely. The state took away its financial support and the facility was converted to a maximum security facility. Conditions were so horrible, in fact, that prisoners actually sued the state of Ohio.
The Reformatory is now one of the area's most popular tourist destinations, drawing upwards of 120,000 visitors annually. It's also home to the Ohio State Corrections History Museum.
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One noteworthy the the landmark has served is the setting of Shawshank Redemption. In fact, it's possible to take a special movie set tour of the grounds.
What really puts the Reformatory on the map, however, is its paranormal activity. Without a doubt, the former prison is considered to be the single most haunted place in Ohio.
The facility offers several ghost hunts, both for novices and professionals. It's believed that the horrible conditions, as well as the tragic mistreatment of inmates, are the reasons behind so much haunted activity. Some of the most famous locations include the former chapel, cell blocks, and, of course, solitary confinement.
Have you visited the Ohio State Reformatory? We'd love to hear all about your experiences there -- haunted or otherwise! For more information about planning your visit, be sure to visit the official Ohio State Reformatory website.
There is a surprisingly large collection of abandoned places in Ohio: buildings, homes, and entire towns. Over the years, we have covered several of them. Many have been reclaimed by nature and some are even thought to be haunted. Today, we’re featuring yet another eerie example of an abandoned neighborhood in Ohio that was once thriving but now sits completely empty. Perhaps what's most captivating of all is the fact that this town hasn't been long abandoned. In fact, as recently as 2019, some of the homes here were still occupied. The following photographs, captured by photographer Johnny Joo, showcase the hauntingly lonely neighborhood of Woodcliff, Ohio.
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Editor’s Note: Due to the nature of abandoned destinations, many of the places featured in this series are off-limits to visitors or have actually been demolished. We do not condone trespassing and other illegal activity but rather encourage readers to enjoy learning about these fascinating destinations.
With nearly 100 abandoned homes, the neighborhood of Woodcliff in Ohio is one of the most unusual in the state.
This site spans 36 acres and has been completely abandoned since 2019. Most of the homes, however, were abandoned long before then. So what exactly is the story behind this abandoned neighborhood in Ohio?
In 1953, Woodcliff was established as a very desirable place to live and work. A suburb of Columbus, the neighborhood quickly gained a reputation for being a peaceful place to live.
It was 2007 when things finally took a turn for the worse. The city and county both filed a health complaint after learning that condo association management was dumping trash in the swimming pool and then hiring contractors to clean it out on a monthly basis. The property was thus declared a public nuisance the following year.
Over the course of the next decade and a half, many property-code-violation complaints would be made about issues such as sewer back-ups, mold, and structural damage.
For more images of these abandoned homes in Ohio, you can check out Johnny Joo's website, Architectural Afterlife. What are your thoughts on this abandoned neighborhood in Ohio? Have you ever visited or heard of Woodcliff? I have always been fascinated with abandoned towns like Woodcliff and how they became dilapidated. They all have their own unique stories to tell.
To learn about even more spooky places and abandoned houses in Ohio, check out some of our state's most unique ghost towns. These abandoned places are living museums of Ohio's past, and are absolutely fascinating! However, if some literal ghosts are to your liking, these ghost tours in Ohio are sure to spook.
Almost frozen in time, Medina, Ohio is a picture perfect getaway just south of Cleveland. Fortunately for locals and visitors, it's just barely south of the snowbelt, too, meaning trips through town are pleasant and easy almost all year-round. With gorgeous architecture, local shops, and a pace of life that's more relaxed, no visit to Medina is uneventful. Pack just enough road trip snacks to keep you satisfied... you'll want to keep your appetite intact for the area's fantastic restaurants!
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When it comes to hidden gems in Northeast Ohio, Medina is a community that's worth writing home about. When the community was founded in 1818, early settlers wanted to pay homage to their New England roots. As a result, they immediately established a Village Green. Today, Historic Medina Square has blossomed around the green space at the center of town. Though an early fire reshaped the community and introduced locals to the gorgeous brick facades that now line its streets in the historic district, the old school New England atmosphere still permeates the town. Its atmosphere ironically shaped the personalities of many famous figures, from Amos Ives Root to Ryan Matthew Dunn.
Nikki Rhoades
When venturing into Medina Square, you'll likely come from State Route 18 if you take I-71 or I-77. If you do, you absolutely must stop by the Medina Antique Mall. With 52,000 square feet of space, you could truthfully spend almost all day in this one spot. Its various shelves are lined with treasures, ranging from ancient to vintage. You never know what you're going to find here! With solid concrete floors, though, you'll want to carefully select your footwear. The wrong shoes will have you feeling tired before you even get into town!
Whatever you opt for, make sure it's appropriate for hiking, too. The Medina County Park District serves this area, and Lake Medina is hidden just north of Route 18. It once provided water to local residents, but nowadays the 100-acre lake is simply a pretty hiking spot. It's almost never busy, so you might have the whole area to yourself! Its hiking trails are surprisingly sprawling, so it's also easy to spend a few hours immersed in nature here.
From Lake Medina, you'll only travel on State Route 18 for a short distance. You'll want to wind your way south to Smith Road, which will help you avoid the traffic and casual Sunday drivers that seem to love slowly cruising from stoplight to stoplight. On Smith Road, you'll find Sweets & Geeks. Part candy store, part collectable store, part toy store, this is one of those unique local businesses that has something for everyone. It's a great stop if you're looking for nostalgic and hard-to-find sweets, but they've got modern delicacies like dehydrated candies, too. You might want to set a budget for this spot... they've got so much food and merch that it's easy to go wild!
While you're on the south side of town, you might consider swinging by Black Cat Books & Oddities before you visit the Square. This cool local bookshop spans two full houses, and you'll find classics, modern releases, and local authors among their shelves. In addition to jam-packed bookshelves, you'll also find oddities, bookish merch, stickers, and bookmarks. There are two parking lots right at the two houses, so you won't have to carry your purchases too far.
Just up the street, the charming Medina Farmers Exchange beckons. If you've ever been to the West Side Market in Cleveland, you can envision this spot as a much more condensed version of that landmark. Nowadays, it's a cool market that focuses on local makers and growers. From fresh produce to Keller Meats and pierogies, you'll find all the ingredients needed for a hearty farm-to-table meal. Speaking of tables, this is the first stop on our trip where you can grab a bite to eat. There are a few restaurants on site, including a cafe and bakery if you're just looking for something light. While you're in the building, take some time to drink in the beauty of its architecture. The building has lived many lives since it was rebuilt in 1935, and it's amazing to see how its modern identity has maintained and celebrated its roots as the community's center of agricultural commerce.
From here, you'll venture into the most photogenic part of Historic Medina. On the south end of the Square, Castle Noel and Alien Vacation Mini Golf delight visitors of all ages. Oddly enough, they're two halves of the same business! While the mini golf storefront is exactly what you might expect, Castle Noel requires a bit of explanation. It's a Christmas museum that's open all year-round, and it features everything from intricate window displays to props from movies like Elf, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, and, of course, A Christmas Story, which was filmed up in Cleveland. If you're looking for another dose of nostalgia, these cool businesses belong on your bucket list.
Nikki Rhoades
In the Square, dozens of local businesses are awaiting your visit. Gift shops, jewelry stores, leather stores, snack centers... you name it, they've got it! I just love walking up and down the street and gazing into the old storefronts. The beautifully decorated windows will take you back to the era of downtown shopping sprees when every store felt beautiful and welcoming. There are also several incredible restaurants and breweries right in the area, so there's something delicious for every type of diner. If you're looking for a snack in the Square, I have to recommend a visit to Sully's. They have some of the best beer cheese in Northeast Ohio, and I'm very serious about my cheeses.
If your legs haven't given up on walking at this point, you have to take a trip out to Root Candles. With 20,000 square feet of shopping space, there's no shortage of locally-produced candles to choose from. And they're simply scentsational! Interestingly, the business is intrinsically tied with the city's identity. Its founder helped modernize the beekeeping industry, and in addition to fueling local industry, his passions also sparked a local love of honeybees. While they may be a coveted rarity in some communities, they're everywhere in Medina!
If you're looking to stay in town, the charming Spitzer House Bed and Breakfast is just a few doors down from Root Candles. (Hopefully you don't mind sharing your room... it's said to be haunted.) Corkscrew Saloon is just down the road, too, so you can admire more architecture while you dine. Truly, the architecture in Medina is next-level. It's gorgeous and indulgent, and it shines throughout and beyond the historic district. Once you get a full dose of it, you can spend some time in the great outdoors at Majestic Meadows' alpaca farm.
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Nikki Rhoades
All in all, Medina, Ohio is a gorgeous little town that's jam-packed with family-friendly things to do. You might even visit during a special event at the Square, and if you don't mind the foot traffic, they offer a great way to see all that the city has to offer. The community is picturesque and welcoming, so whether you visit for a day or decide to put down roots, you're going to love your time in Medina.
Looking for one more local attraction to add some oomph to your visit? Mapleside Farms is just one community north, and it's an autumnal wonderland.
