Cuyahoga County Hauntings & Legends

Bay Village

Bay High School - Students of this high school hear bangs and can sometimes see knobs turning in the auditorium's light booth. The ghost makes lights flicker in the auditorium and messes with the sound switches. The occasional mysterious footsteps can sometimes be heard. The origin of the ghost is unknown.
Huntington Playhouse - The theater is haunted by two ghosts, one being Mr. Huntington (the man who owned the land where the theater was built). The other ghost is that of an electrician who likes to turn the lights on and off while there is a play or during practice.

Beachwood

Highland View Hospital - It is said that shades were pulled by ghostly hands, strange sounds were heard and doors locked and unlocked themselves. UPDATE: The hospital was demolished around 2010 to become the new headquarters of Eaton Corporation.

Berea

Baldwin-Wallace College - Originally built in the 1870s as a Methodist Children's Home, Kohler Hall is said to be haunted. A mysterious blue haze is commonly reported, especially in the older section of the building. It is said to press down on people while they're in bed and is seen in the hallways. Another ghost is known to pull the blankets off of sleeping students.

Broadview Heights

Broadview Developmental Center - Built in 1939, it was formerly known as the Broadview Veterans Administration Hospital. It was largely used to treat tuberculosis during its early years and was later converted to a developmental center, catering largely to the mentally challenged. Perhaps it is from those days when the ghost of the "Pink Lady" originated. She is said to roam the halls and is occasionally seen through the windows.

Brooklyn

Brooklyn High School - The high school's auditorium is said to be haunted by the ghost of someone who fell to his death from the second floor of the auditorium. Known as Clarence, someone must ask the ghost's permission to use the auditorium before performances. If they don't, Clarence will wreck havoc on the show. One year when someone forgot to ask, all the lights went off for no apparent reason. After everyone left and it was determined nothing was wrong with the lights, the came back on. The dark room used to develop students' photos is said to be haunted as well. Students often hear unexplainable noises in the room and have a feeling of being watched when they are alone. They occasionally hear laughing, giggling and cries from a young child.
Brooklyn Middle School - The middle school in Brooklyn is reportedly haunted by a ghost known as John. He is believed to have graduated over 75 years ago from the school. On his way home from the graduation ceremony, John was killed in a horrible accident. John was frequently picked on while in school. His ghost is said to watch out for the students who are bullied. His presence is mostly reported on the lower floors.

Cleveland

Aqua Night Club - Formerly Old Jim's Steakhouse on Scranton Road, the club is said to be haunted by Old Jim himself.
Bourbon House - Residents of this home, located down the street from the infamous Franklin Castle, have experienced odd events over the years. Particularly, a young child living in the home reportedly had conversations with the ghost of the man who built the house.
Collinwood School - Now a state monument, this school was the site of a huge fire in the early twentieth century. Over one hundred people perished because the doors in the school opened inward rather than outward, preventing escape. Residents who live near the school have reported seeing a light come on in one room, go down the hall and back to where it came. Police investigate, but no one is ever found in the building.
Davron Cemetery - Tombstones appear to be broken during the night, but are normal in daylight. Bright lights can be seen coming from the cemetery. Strange sounds, such as water trickling, screams and howls can be heard. The cemetery supposedly closed in 1886 due to poor maintenance.
Drury Mansion - This fifty-two room mansion was built in 1912 and has been said to be haunted since. Confusing hallways, huge stairways and a tunnel that connects the mansion to the Drury Theater across the street are notable. Originally built by Francis Drury for his family, the mansion was later converted into a halfway house. The ghost of a woman in old fashioned dress with her hair up in a bun has been seen near the top of the house. Doors and windows close without explanation and a presence can be felt when no one else is around. Once, when the place was abandoned, two police officers were stationed there to deter people from going in. They were reportedly so terrified that they stood back-to-back the whole night with their guns drawn.
Erie Cemetery - The cemetery is said to be haunted by the ghost of Sauk Chief Joc-O-Sot. He died on his way back from Europe from an old bullet wound from an earlier war. His wish was to be buried at his home in Wisconsin or Minnesota, but he only made it to Cleveland. His ghost is said to haunt the cemetery and the nearby stadium where the Cleveland Indians play.
Federal Reserve Bank - Located at the corner of Superior Avenue and East Sixth Street, this building is haunted by the ghost of an unknown woman.
Franklin Castle - Franklin Castle is rated the number one haunted house in Ohio in many people's eyes. Originally built in the mid-1800s by Hans Tiedemann, this 21-room castle has seen its share of tenants. Ranging from families to a doctor's office to a party house to bootleggers, none of them have stayed in the castle for long. The secret passageways around the fourth floor ballroom are said to be haunted by Karen, Tiedemann's illegitimate daughter. It is said that he had hang her in one of those passageways. Tiedemann is said to have shot his mistress Rachel because she wanted to marry another man. The sound of her choking to death can be heard in certain rooms. A servant girl was murdered on her wedding day in the servant's quarters for not accepting Tiedemann's advances. Tiedemann's wife died in the castle from a liver problem, his fifteen-year-old daughter Emma died in the house from diabetes, and three of his babies died there as well. The victim of an axe murderer is said to haunt the front tower and the ghostly voices of Nazis machine-gunned to death during a political dispute can be heard throughout the castle. In a small room near the rear of the castle, a pile of baby skeletons were found. Believed to be victims of an inept doctor, the cries of babies can be heard throughout the castle to this day. Families with children who have lived there report their youngsters would regularly play with "imaginary" friends and would find clothing from the early 1900s.
Grays Armory - The Grays Armory is said to be haunted by the sounds of ghostly footsteps and apparitions have been seen. The Grays were one of Cleveland's fighting forces in the Civil War, Spanish-American War and World War One.
Hamlin Hall - This building is rumored to be haunted by the ghost of a young man who died there after falling down a staircase. People have reported seeing a young man around who would mysteriously disappear. Cold spots are felt around the staircase where he died.
Johnny Mango's - This Cleveland restaurant is haunted by several ghosts. One is known as Margaret and it is believed she died when the trolley car she was riding in crashed into the Cuyahoga River in 1895.
Mason Court Apartments - Frightening phenomena once occurred at the apartment building. On one occasion, a witness reported seeing a trap door in his kitchen open, with two gray fingers reaching out. the building was demolished after standing abandoned for years.
Mater Dolorosa Cemetery - A ghostly white figure haunts this church cemetery. Michael Raleigh's 1874 tombstone is said to show his face within the marble design.
Mound Elementary School - This school is believed to be built atop an Indian burial ground, causing it to be cursed.
Mount Sinai Hospital - The old school attached to the hospital is the scene of poltergeist activity, ghostly footsteps, and flickering lights. Figures are sometimes seen out of the corner of a witnesses' eye. Sightings of ghostly children are also common there.
Punderson Hotel - The ghost of an old maid is said to haunt the hotel. Reports from the third floor have loud music coming from empty rooms and loud banging noises can be heard on the second floor.
Puratis Hill - In the 1960s, a roller coaster (The Cyclone) at Puratis Springs Amusement Park was said to have derailed and killed everyone on the ride. At night, when driving up the hill, one can hear the screams of the dead. Residents at the nearby apartment complex report hearing the sounds of a roller coaster. NOTE: After doing some investigation, the OES has determined The Cyclone had never derailed. The park actually closed after a fire in 1958 and the Cyclone itself burned down several years later. However, there were several accidents. In 1942 a man was ejected from the coaster and survived the 40-foot fall. In 1946 three women were injured within one month. Cleveland Police ordered the ride closed, but it reopened a short time later. Perhaps the screams that have been reported are those of thrill seekers who once rode what was said to have been the best ravine coaster in the country.
Renaissance Hotel - Many ghosts are known to haunt this downtown hotel. Employees refuse to go to the fourth floor alone at night. Toilets flush and sinks turn on and off by themselves. Lights flicker for no reason. One witness on the sixth floor reported seeing a black cloud-like formation moving away from him rather quickly down the main hallway before turning a corner. He tried to search for the odd formation, but was unable to find anything. (Credits: Joseph Irvin)
Saint Joseph Academy - This high school, founded in the 1890s, used to be a boarding school for girls. Dorms on the third floor have been converted to classrooms. Both teachers and students who have stayed late have reported the ghost of a nun roaming the third floor. Some have felt her presence while alone in third floor classrooms.
Squire Castle - This castle was built by Fergus B. Squire as a caretaker's home while he built his real castle. His real castle was never completed, so he lived in the caretaker's home. One night, his wife died at the bottom of the basement stairs with a broken neck. Everyone suspected that Squire had dome something, so he sold his land and left. The Cleveland metro-parks purchased the land and castle sometime later. They filled the basement with concrete and renovated some of the interior. It is said that one can still hear screams coming from the castle and a mysterious light can be seen passing the front windows.
Tree Bridge Hotel - The feeling of being watched has been reported at the hotel. Witnesses have also seen a gray lady wandering the halls.
Variety Theater - A figure in white has been seen on the first floor by the old water fountain. A man with red eyes has been seen in the upper balcony. Noises have been heard on the stage. The noises are rumored to be that of a man who fell off the scaffold and died on the stage.
West 25th Street Alley - This alley just off West 25th Street is said to be haunted by a ghost known as Mary Ann. It is said that back in the 1930s or 1940s, she was raped and murdered in the alley. It wasn't much later that people began to see her ghost dressed in all black staring at them. She has never spoken to anyone, but many feel that she is looking for her killer.

Euclid

Lakeshore 7 Movie House - The theater is believed to be built atop an Indian burial ground. People have stared into the mirror and seen Native Americans standing behind them. When they turn to look, no one is there.

Garfield Heights

Garfield Park Bridge - The ghost of a man who fishes off the bridge is said to whisper in people's ears while they're fishing.
Lotsa Pet Store Apartment - The apartment above Lotsa Pet Store along Turney Road is said to be haunted by those who died in a fight there. It is said that in the 1940s, two guys got into a fight, which turned into a brawl and many people were shot, stabbed or choked. Passersby often hear strange noises coming from the apartment. A former resident of the apartment actually witnessed the apparition of a little girl eating ice cream choke, fall to the ground, and vanish before her eyes. (Credits: Mike)

Lakewood

Great Lakes Theater Company - The building where the Great Lakes Theater Company is based was once a fire station. It is said to be haunted by the ghost of a firefighter who died in the line of duty.

Middlesbrough

Poole Hospital - Reports of feeling like you're being watched and odd anomalies showing up on film are common at the hospital.

Middlesburg Heights

Radisson Hotel - Ths hotel is haunted by a few spirits. A blue ball of light has been seen in the downstairs Ontario Ballroom. Employees who were setting up for a banquet reported that the blue light had moved towards them. The ghost of a woman who hang herself years ago haunts the third floor. She is seen quite often as there are many reports of people seeing her. (Credits: Charles)
Southwest General Hospital - At night while walking through the basement level, many staff members have felt as if someone was following them. The sound of footsteps can often be heard, but when you turn around, no one is there. Certain areas experience sudden cold spots, usually five to eight feet in length. On occasion, unexplained events happen in other secluded areas of the hospital, mainly the Old Park Medical Pavilion and the security office. Jackets hanging on chairs will fall to the floor and objects will be thrown off of desks. Doors and lockers also shut by themselves.

North Olmsted

Candlewood Suites Hotel - This hotel is haunted by several spirits. Lights turn on and off by themselves, mysterious cold spots can be felt in the hallways, and witnesses have seen shadowy figures out the corner of their eyes. An employee reported that she felt icy cold fingers brush the back of her neck, but no one else was there. One ghost in particular is believed to be a woman who committed suicide at the site. When the workers were clearing the woods to build the place, they discovered her body with a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.

North Royalton

North Royalton High School - At 4:25 PM every Friday in the hallway near the old gym, legend says you can hear the sounds of someone coming down the hallway dribbling a basketball. Shortly afterwards, you can hear the screams of a boy and banging on the lockers as if he were being attacked. It is said in the 1970s, a ninth grader was killed there before a rivalry football game during a prank pulled by two seniors.

Olmsted Falls

Chestnut Grove Cemetery - Also known as Witch's Hill, this cemetery is said to be haunted by a witch who is supposedly buried there. If you get too close to her grave (in a fenced area near a large old tree), something bad will happen to you. Mysterious lights have also been reported coming from the rear of the cemetery near Rocky River.

Parma

Normandy High School - It is said that a group of cheerleaders were hazing a new recruit when a tile fell from the gymnasium's ceiling, striking the recruit in the head and killing her. The cheerleaders didn't want to get in trouble, so they dumped her body in the woods behind the baseball diamonds. If one walks into the woods late at night, they can hear her ghost still practicing her cheers.
Pleasant Lake Nursing Home - The ghost of a little seven-year-old girl who drowned in the lake behind the nursing home has been seen in different rooms and hallways by several staff members and residents.

Valley View

Canal Road - A ghostly car is supposed to haunt the stretch of road between Valley View and Rockside Road. While traveling down the road, reports of headlights behind one's car mysteriously appearing and disappearing are common.
Edmund Gleason Farmhouse - This home is said to be haunted by an eccentric woman who lived there. She dressed like a man and raised pigs in the barn. Abandoned since 1987, strange lights are often seen in the upstairs area. In the summer of 2002, a young man killed himself inside the house.
Lockkeeper's Inn - Once called Sophie's Bar, Sophie herself was found dead there in May of 1956. Three shots had been fired from a gun, but only one hit her. The death was ruled a suicide, but many had their doubts. Sophie is now said to haunt the place, which is now abandoned.
Ohio-Erie Canal - The towpath on either side of the canal is said to be haunted by a Union soldier and his lover. Throughout the years, they've walked on opposite sides of the canal, never to meet again. The sightings of the lovers are most common near the Ohio-Erie Canal Museum, which is also said to be haunted.
Terra Vista Cemetery - Also known as Tinker's Creek Cemetery, this cemetery is said to be haunted and a hangout for the occult. Feelings of being watched, hearing children laughing and hearing branches breaking when no one is there are often reported.

West Lake

Clague Playhouse - The playhouse was built inside an old barn that the former property owner now haunts. Known as Walter, he moves things around, makes strange noises and performs other ghostly activities. He once left odd noises on a sound effects tape. Walter seems to become more active when changes are made to the playhouse.