MANSFIELD, Ohio, October 18, 2024 — As Halloween approaches, Mansfield, known as the Haunted Capital of Ohio, invites thrill-seekers and paranormal enthusiasts to explore four of the most haunted locations in the Midwest. These sites, celebrated for their ghostly activities, have been featured on various popular paranormal shows, including Travel Channel’s “Ghost Hunter” and Sci-Fi Channel’s “Ghost Adventures.”
A standout attraction is the Ohio State Reformatory, recently named one of USA Today’s top haunted destinations. Visitors can experience Blood Prison, an immersive haunted tour that plunges guests into the eerie depths of the facility. Each weekend leading up to Halloween, brave souls can navigate the terrifying confines of the prison, encountering maniacal inmates and distorted guards amidst Hollywood-level special effects.
“Only the daring descend into the suffocating blackness of The Hole, where the wailing of the Warden’s Widow echoes through the halls,” said a representative. The Blood Prison experience has been enhanced for 2023, adding even more spine-chilling characters and unsettling atmosphere.
Blood Prison tours run now through November 2, with hours on Fridays and Saturdays from 7 p.m. to midnight, Sundays from 7 to 10 p.m., and on Halloween night from 7 to 11 p.m. Due to high demand, advance online tickets are recommended, starting at $35. Options include timed general admission, an Ultra Lightning Pass for reduced wait times, and a Touch Pass that allows scare actors to engage directly with attendees. Food trucks will also be available on site.
In addition to nighttime frights, “Beyond the Scare” tours offer visitors a behind-the-scenes look at Blood Prison with the lights on, available daily from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The Ohio State Reformatory, built in 1886 and famed as the filming location for “The Shawshank Redemption,” has its own haunting tales. Legend holds that a former guard, killed in solitary confinement, still roams the halls, making his presence known to visitors.
Other haunted sites in Mansfield include the Mansfield Fire Museum, where employees and visitors have reported strange occurrences, and the Renaissance Theatre, known for ghostly sounds and sightings since a gruesome murder occurred there in 1929. Additionally, The Gill House, once home to a wealthy founding family, is said to be haunted by their spirits, with visitors experiencing unexplained phenomena.
For more information about tours, lodging, and the rich history of Mansfield, visit DestinationMansfield.com or call (800) 642-8282. This Halloween season, the city promises a unique blend of adventure and eerie exploration for all who dare to visit.
