Licking County Hauntings & Legends

Denison University

Chamberlain Lodge - The southwest dorm room on the second floor (technically the 5th floor) of this building is haunted. Residents of the room have reported being physically touched by unseen hands, as well as sudden drops of temperature. There is a large tombstone in the campus cemetery with the name Chamberlain inscribed on it. Maybe there's a connection between the haunting and the tombstone.
Slayter Hall - Many reports of ghostly activity 100 feet from the flag pole in front of Slayter Hall occurred during the 1960s-70s. It is unknown what caused the spike in ghostly activity there to occur.
William Howard Doane Library - The 7th tier of the library is said to be haunted by a shadowy woman in an old dress. Students who have fallen asleep have reported being woken up by her. The woman evidently has a serious problem with male students and will wake them by hitting them on the back of the head with some kind of rod or cane.

Granville

Buxton Inn - The oldest continually operating inn in Ohio is haunted by the inn keeper from the 1800s, Major Buxton, as does his former big black cat. The downstairs Tavern Room of the inn is haunted by former stage coach drivers who once stayed there. The Lady In Blue, Ethel (Bonnie) Bounell, was also one of the inn keepers. She died in Room 9 of the main building and is occasionally seen in that room wearing her favorite color, blue.
Denison University - A site of multiple hauntings, see above for details.
Sugarloaf Hill - The top of this hill is haunted by a baby buried under a large rock there. Cries are often heard at night. Other ghosts are said to haunt the hill as well.
Welsch Cemetery - Many spirits are said to lurk within this cemetery.

Hanover

Licking Valley Junior High School - It is said that the school was built atop a former graveyard. People have been seen walking at the end of a hallway, but when investigated, no one is there.

Johnstown

Union Lake - The lake was re-named by the locals in the 1960s to Hell Lake because of the numerous sightings of the apparition of a young boy who appears just before sunset floating from one end of the lake to the other.

Newark

Cedar Hill Cemetery - There is a mausoleum where when you put your ear up to the door, you can hear screams and knocking. there is also a tombstone with a baby on it and when you look at it, then turn back and look, it faces a new direction.
Newark Earthworks - These ancient Adena Earthworks are said to be haunted. Orbs are known to appear on photographs of the place.
Newark High School (B Building) - A custodian who accidently hung himself is said to haunt the school. On the night he died, reports say you can hear footsteps and him whistling his favorite tune.

Pataskala

Goonie House - This house, which is often occupied and sometimes abandoned, is said to be the home of retired circus folks. If one approaches the home, midgets with shotguns will chase you away. The house is also said to be haunted.
Swamp Road - Located just outside of Pataskala is Swamp Road. This road is haunted by the ghost of a young woman dressed in a white dress or nightgown, who crosses the road in front of motorists. Many people have witnessed this apparition and there have even been some incidents where motorists have wrecked their vehicles in an attempt to avoid hitting her. Known as Swamp Road Sally, no one knows why she haunts the road.

Reynoldsburg

Brown House - The ghost of this home apparently enjoys unscrewing light bulbs for no reason. Indian drums can occasionally be heard as well.
Nye's Place - Reports of extreme cold spots, even in the summer, are common from this abandoned home in Reynoldsburg. Ghostly figures have been seen and there is a general uneasy feeling while in the house.