Ohio State Reformatory – Haunted Prison in Mansfield, Ohio
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Full Address: 100 Reformatory Rd, Mansfield, OH 44905, United States
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The Ohio State Reformatory in Mansfield is one of America’s most haunted prisons.
Once a place meant for rehabilitation, it turned into a house of pain and suffering. With a long history of violence, deaths, and despair, it’s now better known for its ghosts than its inmates.
Historical Background
- Year Built: 1886
- Original Purpose: Prison
- Significant Events:
Over 200 people died within its walls, including guards and inmates. Some were murdered. Others died by suicide. There’s even a warden’s wife who accidentally shot herself in their apartment on site. The prison officially closed in 1990 due to inhumane conditions.
Paranormal Activity Summary
Visitors report screams, cell doors slamming shut, and footsteps echoing down empty halls.
Cold spots are common. Some feel watched or even touched by unseen hands.
One of the most talked-about spirits is the warden’s wife, Helen, whose perfume scent still lingers near their old quarters.
By the way, have you visited this haunted place in Ohio State? Twin City Opera House – Haunted Theater in McConnelsville, Ohio
Ghost Stories & Reports
- The Warden’s Quarters: Helen is said to haunt this area. People have smelled roses—her favorite perfume—and seen a shadowy female figure near the closet where she died.
- Solitary Confinement: Prisoners once begged to be moved from this area. Paranormal groups have picked up growls and whispers.
- Cell 14: A former inmate hanged himself here. Visitors report intense dread and even physical nausea when standing in front of it.
- Chapel: Once a place of prayer, now a hotspot for spiritual encounters. Cold gusts, glowing orbs, and distant sobs are common here.
Urban legends claim that some prisoners performed occult rituals inside the chapel, which may have stirred up darker forces.
Speaking of haunted places, don’t forget to also check this place in Ohio State? Loveland Castle – Haunted Castle in Loveland, Ohio
Most Haunted Spot Inside
Solitary confinement is by far the most terrifying.
People report hearing voices in complete silence. Many leave in tears, shaken by an unseen presence.
The paranormal doesn’t stop here—this haunted place might also interest you in Ohio State? Collingwood Arts Center – Haunted Performance Space in Toledo, Ohio
Can You Visit?
- Open to the Public? Yes
- Entry Fee: Starts at $25 for self-guided tours
- Tour Availability: Daily tours and Friday/Saturday night ghost hunts
- Photography Allowed? Yes
- Visiting Hours? 11 AM – 4 PM (check for seasonal changes)
Best Time to Visit
Fall is the most active season. October ghost tours are always packed with activity.
Paranormal Investigations & Findings
The reformatory has been featured on Ghost Adventures, Ghost Hunters, and Buzzfeed Unsolved.
Investigators caught unexplained EVPs, shadow figures, and thermal images with no heat source.
Safety Warnings & Legal Restrictions
Certain upper levels are closed during winter for safety reasons.
Guests are warned not to go off-path during ghost hunts. Some areas are still structurally unstable.