the suite life of travel
a collection of worldwide adventures
Menu
Skip to content
  • #2801 (no title)
  • About Me
  • Blog Disclaimer
  • Blog Style 2
  • Contact
  • Photo Gallery

Tag Archives: paranormal activity

History and Hauntings at the Ohio State Reformatory, Mansfield

20 November 202122 September 2024

1 DSC_0205

Traveling down the long drive approaching the Ohio State Reformatory, the gorgeous, stone facade seemed more like a castle than a former penitentiary.  Designed by well-known Cleveland architect, Levi Schofield, the 23-acre prison was constructed in 1834 in the style of Victorian Gothic, Richardsonian Romanesque and Queen Anne architecture.

2 DSC_0212

Following along the beautifully manicured garden, I soon entered the parking area at the East Cell Block Lot.   Tour options for exploring the reformatory included a self-guided tour or an audio tour for an additional cost, both lasting a little over an hour.  In addition to its history, I also learned that there were tours focused on the Reformatory’s paranormal activity.

3 DSC_0058

Upon entering, visitors are first introduced to the Warden’s Quarters which are located on the second floor of the building.  It was common at that time for the warden and his family to live on the grounds of the reformatory.  Provided with separate living space apart from the prison, they conducted their normal everyday family activities while the warden was available to take care of any emergencies that may have occurred at the prison.

4 DSC_0061

Arthur Glattke was the last warden to live on the premisess during the 1950s.  Tragedy struck the family when Glattke’s wife, Helen was shot by a handgun which discharged as she was reaching for her jewelry box in the closet.  She died of pneumonia three days later due to complications of the gunshot.  Arthur continued his employment as Superintendent until 1959 when he suffered a fatal heart attack in his office.

5 DSC_0064

Visitors have claimed to see the ghost of a woman in the family bedroom of the Warden’s quarter.  Some have heard doors closing, furniture moving and even the piano playing.  Others have heard audible voices including instances of a woman insisting “I’m not dead” or smelling the scents of perfume or cigar smoke.

7 DSC_0072

Just around the corner is a replica of the electric chair.  During the time the institution was open,  the death penalty was carried out by electric shock until this method was deemed unconstitutional in 1972 by the US Supreme Court.  Surprisingly, prisoners were not executed at this location but rather at the nearby Ohio Penitentiary in Lucasville.

William Hoss, a convicted murderer and rapist, was the first Ohioan to be executed by the electric chair when he was only 17 years old.  Between the years of 1897 to 1963, there were 311 men and 3 women who would die by the chair in the state of Ohio.

8 DSC_0078

The tour continued downstairs where a separate room was set apart for entertaining dignitaries in addition to the Mayor, Governor or other government officials.  A small stage remains where vocal soloists or violinists would perform.

Visitors have also experienced paranormal activity here.  Some have seen the ghost of a small boy playing hide and seek or standing on the stage, yet no child matching the description of this boy has died here.  Sightings of a person’s shadow entering a nearby hallway have also been reported around this location.

9 DSC_0088

Walking through a corridor, I arrived at a re-creation of the Shawshank Redemption movie set for Brooks’ boarding house room.  Later in the movie, Red would also live in this very room once he had been released from prison.

According to the production crew of Ghost Hunters, a shadow darted into Brooks’ room at one point of their filming and levels of paranormal activity were recorded here.

10 DSC_0093

A short walk from the movie set and I arrived at the Chapel, which is where religious worship services were conducted for the prisoners.  Considered a low security area, appointed inmates could come and go into the prison’s church to perform their work duties, left alone by the chaplain.  That was until 1962, when three inmates unsuccessfully tried to break out of the institution by tunneling out through the storage closet.  They were sentenced to solitary confinement and additional time was added to their sentence.

The detection of ghostly activity includes shadows that enter the space from the cell blocks and the sight of a woman sitting on the chapel pew sighing, crying and sometimes laughing.

11 DSC_0102

I followed signs for the tour leading out of the chapel into the inmate cells.  A posted placard warns “Do not shut cell doors”.  I was a little creeped out by the idea of locking myself in one of the cells, especially if it would have been during a paranormal event, but I am sure that some would find it thrilling.

13 DSC_0108

I decided, against my better judgement, to go ahead and step into a cell block. I suppose it was based on curiosity, wondering what it would have been like to have spent time here.  The atmosphere was dark and the condition of the cells added to the fear of being locked in.   The framing was rusting away while the paint was peeling off of the steel.  Exploring the cells and what was inside, I wondered who could have been incarcerated here.  Was he young or old?  What was his crime?

Looking down from the row of cells, I realized that I was standing on the platform of the sixth level.  It seemed so far from the ground floor and my legs were beginning to feel a little weak as I felt a short fear of heights.

15 DSC_0117

Blocked off from the tour, but within view, was a passageway known by the prison guards as the alley.  The guards had the ability to enter this narrow lane where they could control the water supply to the prisoners’ cells and to eavesdrop on their conversations.

16 DSC_0120

Two inmates were assigned to each cell which left them with not much space to move around.  Furniture included a shared toilet, a sink and a small set of drawers for their belongings.  These cramped quarters were insane.  Hard to imagine anyone spending long periods of time in here.

In the 1970’s there was a federal lawsuit that stated that the number of inmates within the institution exceeded an amount deemed unconstitutional.  It was at the height of the reformatory when over 2200 offenders were imprisoned here at one time.  In 1983, conditions improved and there was a decision that the maximum number of prisoners would not reach amounts over 500 at a given time.

17 DSC_0178

Sightings of paranormal activity have been recorded in the East Cell block.  People have noted events where they can hear someone talking and snoring as well as feelings of being followed, watched and even touched.

18 DSC_0138

I crossed the long corridor of cell blocks and down a couple of flights of stairs until I reached the 3rd floor, east wing, which housed the prison hospital.  It had the reputation of providing better medical care than most of the hospitals on the outside where top doctors provided surgical care, physician services, anesthesiology, dentistry as well as ear, nose and throat therapy.  This area was later converted into a library once a new hospital was built in 1951.

19 DSC_0152

Entering the shower room, I was surprised by the small shower heads that lined the interior. Nicknamed the car wash, prisoners would start from one end of the pipes walking their length instead of standing underneath as one would in a normal shower.20 DSC_0189

With so many inmates, there was no doubt that the reformatory would require a kitchen and additional cooking space.  A granary, creamery, cannery, butcher shop and dining room were a part of the dining complex.  Two waiters were assigned per table and talking was not permitted during meals.  With an increase in population, the dining hall flowed outside referred to as “the yard”.  21 DSC_0195

Solitary confinement was punishment for those prisoners who did not conform to the reformatory’s rules.  When an inmate was sent to the “8 & 8”, he was required to stand for 8 hours in a closet sized room and then slept on the floor for the next 8.  Spending time in solitary confinement was considered “dead time”, which meant that the time spent in seclusion did not count towards time served.

When measuring paranormal activity, unusual sounds were recorded in this area.  People have also claimed that such strange events occurred where they were punched, smacked or had their hair pulled.  Some visitors felt an overwhelming feeling of illness.

22 DSC_0168

The mailroom was small with several boxes to collect mail.  Inmates were permitted to receive mail, but not before it was scrutinized by the guards looking for contraband.  During the war, prisoners were not able to access newspapers and relied on the guards to provide daily news of the outside. I imagine on the inside, it seemed like a completely different world with its own news and current events

Since its opening in 1896, it is amazing to think that in the 94 years the institution was in operation, 155,000 inmates passed through these doors.  The idea of prison reform remains controversial, but we can all agree that the system has come a long way since the 19th century with the improvement of current prison conditions.

Have you had the opportunity to visit the Ohio State Reformatory?  I would love to hear about your experience if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below!   Many thanks and Happy Travels!

What to See and What to Do: 

The Ohio State Reformatory
100 Reformatory Road
Mansfield, OH  44905
Telephone:  419 522 2644

  • Admission:  Self-guided tours for adults (18 & up) are $12 while guided tours cost $17.  Students (7 – 17), Seniors (age 60+) and College ID and Military are $10 for self-guided tours and $15 for guided tours.  Children 6 and under are free and there is an additional $5 cost for the audio wand.  NOTE:  Cash only, but there is an ATM machine provided.
  • Hours:  Winter Hours (February 2 to March 31) are from 11 AM to 4 PM, Friday, Saturday and Sunday only;  Spring/Summer Hours (April 1 to September 2) are from 11 AM to 4 PM, daily; Holiday Tours (November 24 to December 17) are from 11 AM to 4PM, daily
  • Amenities:  New for 2018, the reformatory will be open for abbreviated tours (September 4th – November 4th – Thursdays through Sunday only in October);  self-guided tours; guided tours offered regularly between June and August on Saturdays and Sundays;  Specialized guided tours include: History Meets Hollywood Tour, Beyond the Bars Tour, and the Inmate Tour led by Michael Humphrey who spent 14 months here in the late 1960s. This tour contains adult themes and is intended for mature audiences only.  Please contact the Ohio State Reformatory to confirm when this tour is available.
  • Scenic View:  There are several scenic views of the reformatory from the Warden’s Quarters and other locations throughout the prison.
  • Length of Visit:  For the basic self-guided or guided tour, allow 1.5 to 2 hours for your visit.  Depending on the number of guided tours you purchase, you will require additional time.
  • Tips for Your Visit:  Pay the additional fee for the audio tour which provides interesting information about the reformatory.  Admission is cash only but there is an ATM machine provided.  Wear proper shoes due to the condition of the metal stairs in the cell block.  If you think you can handle it, visit during the overnight ghost tour.

Where to Stay:

Wishmaker House Bed and Breakfast
116 Main Street
Bellville, OH  44813
Telephone: 419 886 9463

Where to Eat:

Malabar Farm Restaurant
3645 Pleasant Valley Road
Lucas, OH  44864
Telephone:  419 938 5205

I started my meal with the mushroom soup which was creamy and full of flavor.  As my main meal, I ordered the highly popular Reuben sandwich made of slow cooked brisket, kraut, marble rye, artisan Thousand Island and served with chips.  Blog post coming soon!

Where to Drink:

The Vault Wine Bar
29 W. Main Street
Shelby, OH  44875
Telephone:  567 292 9081
The Suite Life of Travel Blog Post

I had already eaten a big lunch and decided to order the stuffed dates at The Vault which are stuffed with bleu cheese, wrapped in bacon, baked and then drizzled with balsamic reduction.  I could have ordered two servings they were amazing!

What to Read: 

  • Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption, by Stephen King

100 DSC_0151

The Floor Level of the Ohio State Reformatory 

101 DSC_0157

Staircase of the Ohio State Reformatory

102 DSC_0165

The Cells of the Ohio State Reformatory

103 DSC_0208

The Ohio State Reformatory, Mansfield

6 DSC_0062

Inside the Ohio Reformatory in Mansfield

12 DSC_0104

Exploring the cells of the reformatory

Leave a comment
Share
  • Pin it
  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Share
  • Email
  • Print

A 1997 Tour of Savannah

3 July 201431 August 2024

I had just moved from Jacksonville, Florida to Raleigh, North Carolina and was missing my friend Ann.  We decided to meet somewhere in-between that would be convenient for both of us and agreed that Savannah, Georgia would be a perfect location.  Neither of us had ever been to this gorgeous southern gem, so we were excited to check out its fantastic architecture and southern-fried restaurants.  In preparation for our trip, I couldn’t resist reading Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil by John Berendt.  Based in the historic district of Savannah, this novel is full of scandal and outrageous characters.

The salacious story documents the true story of Jim Williams’ love affair with a local male prostitute whom he had allegedly killed at his home, Mercer House.  Danny Hansford, much younger than the antique dealer, was said to have frequented Williams’ mansion as rumors spread around town about their relationship.  Williams claimed to have shot Danny in self defense and after four trials between 1981 – 1989, he was acquitted.  Williams was instrumental in the restoration of many homes in Savannah which are referenced in Berendt’s novel, or as locals call it, “The Book,” so I knew I had to read it.

On the book’s cover is a photo of the Bird Girl statue from Savannah’s now-famous Bonaventure Cemetery.  Located along the Wilmington River, it is the resting place for many of the city’s most distinguished residents and considered one of the spookiest places in town.  The Mercer family, who owned the Mercer Williams house, has a family plot within the cemetery where singer Johnny Mercer is buried.

While the Bird Girl statue has been moved from the cemetery and relocated to Savannah’s Telfair Museums, the bench mentioned in the book as the location where “a Savannah grand dame and her guest drank martinis” remains in front of Conrad Aiken’s grave.

Located on Monterey Square is the infamous Mercer Williams House, mentioned in the John Berendt novel, Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil.  Once the residence of antique restorer Jim Williams, the historical home is now owned by Williams’ sister and is open to the public as a museum.

Tours of the Mercer Williams House boast of Jim Williams’ love of Savannah.  He is noted for preserving over 50 homes.  Shortly after restoring the Mercer Williams house, Jim moved to Savannah continuing his business in the carriage house on-site.  Williams was famous for hosting exuberant events at his home that included an interesting guest list of vivacious and shady characters, but it was the shooting of his lover Danny Hansford in 1981, that would bring him national fame.

Williams was eventually acquitted of murder after four jury trials.  Having returned back to Mercer-Williams house, Jim was found dead by his employee six months later in the study near the spot where Hansford was shot.  Williams had died from pneumonia and heart failure.

The Mercer-Williams house has a reputation for being haunted as Williams and Hansford were not the only two deaths which had occurred on the property.  In 1969, an eleven-year old boy, Tommy Downs tragically fell from the abandoned house landing on the wrought-iron fence.  Visitors today claim to have seen paranormal activity to include visions of Williams, Hansford and little Tommy Downs roaming the home.  Ghostly images have been captured in photographs of the Mercer-Williams home of a little boy with blond hair and have been shared quite frequently on the internet.  In addition to the sightings, voices and footsteps, reports of parties at the house have contributed to its reputation of being haunted.

While Jim Williams was one of the main characters of Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, one of my favorite leading ladies, was Lady Chablis, a transsexual performer at Club One.  With her eccentric, flamboyant personality, she was certainly a star in the movie adaptation directed by Clint Eastwood. Her part in the movie brought hundreds of guests to the club during the nights of her performances until her death in 2016.

My final film location to visit was the Bonaventure Cemetery located at 330 Bonaventure Road.  While the Bird Girl statue no longer stands within the park, I enjoyed exploring the grave sites of local  celebrities such as Conrad Aiken (writer), Johnny Mercer (singer/songwriter) and former Governor Edward Telfair.  While the cemetery plays a supporting role in the movie Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, you won’t find Jim Williams nor Danny Hansford buried here, but you may spot a ghost or two.

Have you had the opportunity to visit the charming town of Savannah? I would love to hear about your experience if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below.  Many thanks for reading about my day trip to Savannah and wishing you many Happy Travels!

What to See and What to Do: 

Bonaventure Cemetery
330 Bonaventure Road
Savannah, GA  31404

  • Admission Fee:  There is no charge to visit the cemetery
  • Hours:  Open daily from dawn to dusk
  • Length of Visit:  1 hour to browse the grave sites

Telfair Museums
207 W. York Street
Savannah, GA  31404
Telephone:  912 790 8800

  • Admission Fee: $20 for Adults, $18 for Seniors (65+) and $15 for Students (13-25, with student ID) and $5 for Children ages 6 – 12;  Museum members and children under 5 are FREE.
  • Hours:  Open Sunday and Monday from Noon to 5PM; Tuesday – Saturday from 10AM to 5PM.  Contact the museum’s website for holiday closures.
  • Length of Visit:  1 to 2 hours, or additional time for special exhibits
  • Tips for Your Visit:  Ensure that you have visited the website to confirm that the museum is open, as it may be closed for holidays or special events.

Mercer-Williams House Museum
429 Bull Street
Savannah, GA  31401
Telephone: 912 236 6352

  • Admission Fee: $12.50 for Adults, $8 for Students
  • Hours:  Open Thursday – Sunday from 11AM to 5PM; Closed Monday and Open on Wednesday from 11AM to 9PM.
  • Length of Visit:  1 to 2 hours, or additional time for special exhibits
  • Amenities:  guided tour and gift shop
  • Tips for Your Visit:  Ensure that you have visited the website to confirm that the museum is open, as it may be closed certain holidays.

Club One
1 Jefferson Street
Savannah. GA  31401
Telephone:  912 232 0200

  • Admission Fee: $10 for Adults for the weekend shows.
  • Hours:  Open Monday beginning at 5:30; Tuesday – Sunday from 5PM;
  • Length of Visit:  varies, depending on your experience
  • Tips for Your Visit:  Visit the website for special events such as bingo, topless karaoke, happy hour, drag shows and dance floor access.

Where to Stay: 

East Bay Inn
225 East Bay Street
Savannah, GA  31401
Telephone:  912 238 1225

Where to Eat: 

Mrs. Wilkes’ Dining Room
107 West Jones Street
Savannah, GA  31401
Telephone:  912 232 5997

Check out this historical restaurant’s menu with dishes to include fried chicken, black-eyed peas, cornbread dressing, okra gumbo and sweet potato souffle.

What to Eat:

  • Boiled Peanuts at roadside stands throughout Georgia
  • Chatham Artillery Punch is a cocktail made of champagne, brandy, rum and bourbon at Fiddler’s Seafood
  • Fried Green Tomatoes at Tubby’s Seafood
  • Peaches at roadside stands throughout Georgia
  • Pralines at River Street Sweets or Savannah Candy Kitchen
  • Shrimp and Grits at Tubby’s Seafood

What to Read:

  • Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, by John Berendt
  • Savannah Blues by Mary Kay Andrews
  • Savannah from Savannah by Denise Hildreth

Photo Guide for Savannah:  

  • Collins Quarter is a coffee bar on Bull Street
  • Forsyth Park and its famous fountain are a must-see in Savannah’s historic district
  • Historic District with its cobblestone streets is a great place for a stroll among the city’s most memorable mansions.
  • Leopold’s Ice Cream has been serving up delicious flavors since 1919 and is located on Broughton Street
  • The Paris Market located on Broughton Street offers coffees, sweets and Parisian pastries
  • Perry Lane Hotel‘s rooftop bar offers sweeping views of the city.
  • Rainbow Row is a collection of pastel row houses on Bryan Street
  • River Street‘s cobblestone streets lead to the Savannah River for beautiful views of the Savannah Belle ferries

Disclosure:   Please refer to our blog disclaimer tab for more information.

Leave a comment
Share
  • Pin it
  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Share
  • Email
  • Print

About Me!

I have had a passion to travel for as long as I can remember and landed my dream job at the age of 19 on a cruise ship. The Suite Life of Travel is about those experiences as well as my future endeavor to explore this amazing world!

Categories

  • 2016 Trip Out West (26)
  • Africa (3)
  • Arizona (10)
  • Asia (23)
  • Bali (13)
  • Belize (2)
  • California (24)
  • Caribbean (34)
  • Central America (18)
  • China (1)
  • Costa Rica (1)
  • Egypt (1)
  • Europe (31)
  • Florida (18)
  • France (1)
  • France (4)
  • Greece (11)
  • Israel (3)
  • Italy (8)
  • Jordan (3)
  • Las Vegas (18)
  • Louisiana (4)
  • Maine (4)
  • Massachusetts (2)
  • Mexico (6)
  • Michigan (21)
  • Middle East (3)
  • New York (1)
  • North Carolina (12)
  • Ohio (207)
  • Pennsylvania (9)
  • Philippines (6)
  • South Africa (3)
  • Tennessee (24)
  • Texas (2)
  • Travel Tips (14)
  • Turkey (6)
  • Turkey (6)
  • Uncategorized (5)
  • United Kingdom (7)
  • US travel (406)
  • Wineries (57)
  • World travel (107)

Recent Posts

  • Ohio Wine Month Featured Winery: Old Mason Winery
  • The Barn Inn in Amish Country, Ohio
  • Wishmaker House Bed and Breakfast

Instagram

Pins

  • Document Travel-Ways to Remember the Adventure - The Boho Traveller
Follow Me on Pinterest
Site made with ♥ by Angie Makes
Angie Makes Feminine WordPress Themes