Lucas County Hauntings & Legends

Grand Rapids

Nazareth Hall - Built in 1928 as a Catholic boarding school for boys, mysterious noises are heard and shadows are seen. A figure in the shape of a nun floats down the halls moaning at night. The bathrooms are also said to be haunted. Nazareth Hall stood vacant for some time after it closed in the 1970s, but is now open as a banquet hall.

Maumee

Chadwick Inn - Built by Levi Barbee in 1837, he turned the inn into a general store, post office, and feed store. Stagecoaches frequently stopped there for their passengers to shop. In the 1930s, it was converted to a brothel. It is said to he haunted by a woman who can be seen hanging from the rafters with a noose around her neck. The inn is also haunted by Levi himself, who loves to drink Jack Daniels.
Fallen Timbers - The Battle of Fallen Timbers took place on August 20, 1794. General "Mad" Anthony Wayne and his men defeated a group of Indians led by Blue Jacket, forcing the Indians to sign the Treaty of Greenville. Thirty-three of General Wayne's men were killed and the Indians suffered double the casualties. It is said that on certain nights, namely August 20th and story nights, the ghosts of the lost souls reenact their blood battle.
Lick Inn - Two ghosts haunt this inn. One is known as the Lilac Lady. She walks around the restaurant spreading the smell of lilacs. The other ghost is just the opposite, smelling like body odor.
Maumee Children's Home - This abandoned orphanage consisted of 18 buildings, 16 of which were connected by tunnels. Legend said that some children had been abused at the home and were sent to the boiler room for punishment. Small rooms, possible for solitary confinement, lined some of the tunnel walls. Cold spots were numerous in the buildings and there was always a feeling of being watched. The main building's attic was said to be the most haunted spot in the orphanage. Some witnesses had even reported seeing ghostly children watching them from the windows. NOTE: The area has been razed for a new housing development.
Pine Hall - Two elderly ghosts haunt Pine Hall, one male and one female. They are seen only on certain occasions.
Wolcott House - This house was built on the high bank of the Maumee River in 1830. Now a museum that displays what life was like in the pioneer days, ghostly hands touch visitors and workers on the shoulder. Sometimes a mysterious figure can be seen in the corner of one's eye, only to disappear. Creepy footsteps are heard inside the house as well.

Ottawa Hills

Joy Cemetery - The cemetery is said to be haunted by a lake-boat captain who limps around looking for his wooden leg.

Point Place

Rocky Shore - This haunted rocky shoreline is supposedly haunted by a young female ghost who appears almost every night at sundown. She walks across the rocky shoreline barefoot in a bright white evening gown. It is said that her lover sailed out to the lake a dusk, never to return. She now spends eternity waiting for him to return.

Sylvania

Gibbs Bridge - Reports of hearing squealing brakes to a car, high pitched sounds, giggling, and the sight of dark figures walking toward witnesses take place at this bridge.
Ravine Park Cemetery - This cemetery is said to be haunted by the ghost of a woman who is unhappy because her parents couldn't determine which of her three husbands to bury her with.

Toledo

Club Bijou - Once called The Esquire, the club served as an out-of-town hangout for the mobsters of Chicago and Detroit. Many murders are said to have occurred in the building during the days of prohibition and the mobs. Today a ghost known as Billy roams the building, appearing in the shadows. A pizza parlor used to sit next to the club when it was known as the Citi Theater. The two Mexican brothers who ran the pizza parlor are now said to haunt the club, one being a trouble-maker. (Credits: Chad)
Collingwood Arts Center - Once a convent, Catholic college, and a retirement home for nuns, the arts center has several ghosts inhabiting its rooms, stairways, attic, and auditorium. In the auditorium, a nun can be seen walking down the aisle from the balcony to a certain seat in the theater. She then sits down and promptly disappears. Witnesses feel a very negative and angry vibe when in her presence. A much nicer spirit is said to haunt the attic, spending her eternity sewing. The west hallway in the apartment building is haunted by the ghost of a bride who was left at the altar and later killed herself. One male entity is said to haunt one of the rooms in the basement, where he appears in all black. He generally gives off a very sinister vibe to those who witness him.
Commodore Perry Building - The old dance room and old restaurant above the new apartment living areas is said to be haunted by the ghost of a young girl. She appears on the steps of the room where a piano still sits from years ago.
Fall Meyer Elementary School - An unused locker room in the school is said to be haunted by the ghost of a basketball player. Unexplainable noises, doors opening and closing, and the sound of a basketball bouncing are some of the common reports.
Gunn Road - The true story behind this road's mystery remains unknown, but local legend states a young boy was killed on the road when hit by a truck. A chalk outline of his body can be seen on the road with the name "Chalkie" written in child-like handwriting written next to it. Witnesses have visited the chalk outline during rainstorms, where the chalk would stand. There also seems to be blood stains next to the outline. It has been said that if one drives down the road at night, the boy's ghost can be seen from the road. Furthermore, occult activity in the area several years back make the entire area very strange. (Credits: Brent Beaverson)
Jefferson Junior High School - Previously known as Whitmer High School, the sounds of a bell tolling can be heard in the middle of the night. The bell has been removed from the belfry for many years. A life-time janitor of the school, known as Oscar, is said to watch every school play from the balcony in his afterlife. The seat is reserved for him and he becomes angered whenever someone sits in his seat. He also gets upset if he hears that people don't believe in him.
Libbey Glass - VC Warehouse - Years ago a man hanged himself in the exterior of the warehouse. There has been odd happenings since then, such as things being moved around, objects being thrown, very cold spots inside the building, and ghostly apparitions.
Lucas County Public Library - The library is said to be haunted by a female ghost. She can be heard walking on the third floor, which is closed to the public, especially after hours. Footsteps that sound like high heels on linoleum have been heard.
Maumee Bay Brewing Company - Originally named the Oliver House, it was built in 1837 with a grand opening in 1859. President Abraham Lincoln was said to have slept in a room there. Injured soldiers from the Spanish-American War were treated in the upstairs of the building. The Pool Room is said to be the most haunted room in the building. The ghost is known as "The Captain" and is seen in full uniform. He likes to appear in a particular hallway. There is also a woman who haunts the building. During renovation, the ghostly activity soared. It is believed that the place was built atop an Indian burial ground. (Credits: Palmer Saylor III)
McCord Condo - Many unexplainable activities have been reported here. Lights turn on and off by themselves, doors open and close, toilets flush, faucets turn on by themselves, and a dramatic presence can be felt. Electronics regularly have trouble and apparitions have been seen. It is believed the ghost is that of a 17-year-old female named Emily who supposedly killed herself in the condo.
Riverview Inn - The inn is haunted by a woman who committed suicide in the Summit Bar and Grill years ago. She moves things around when the bar and grill is closed at night. The security camera in the pool area often picks up ripples in the water, even when no one was there. The ghostly woman is said to knock on the penthouse doors in the middle of the night and she often appears in photographs taken at the inn. Reports from witnesses say they have the feeling of a hand on their backs. One of the promotional pamphlets of the hotel is said to have the woman's facial outline and features in the pictures. Her reflection can often be seen in the window from where she jumped.
Rogers High School - Lights often flicker in the eastern half of the school and cold spots can be felt in the east gym on a regular basis.
Sherwood House - This three story house is said to be filled with friendly spirits. One of the spirits is that of a woman who hanged herself in the closet of one of the second floor bedrooms. The ghost of a young boy who died in a garage fire is often seen. Doors are always opening and closing by themselves. It is also believed that the house was built atop an ancient Indian burial ground.
State Hospital - The old state hospital in Toledo was said to be very haunted. Cell doors opened and closed by themselves and ghosts could be seen floating down the hallways. Shadows of people who weren't really there were seen. Moans were heard from a room on the second floor and all kinds of terrible things are said to have happened on the sixth floor, where lobotomies and electric shock therapy once took place. Too bad the place has fallen to the wrecking ball.
University of Toledo - The Carter West Dorm's first floor bathrooms are haunted. Water turns on and off in the sinks and showers when no one else is around. It often sounds like someone is washing their hands.
Walker Funeral Home - Mysterious sounds and eerie lights are seen here at night. A former worker of the funeral home who died there of a heart attack is said to haunt one of the rooms. A young woman in a dress is also said to haunt the property. The building is no longer a funeral home.
West Toledo Branch Library - Mysterious noises and bumps are heard in the area near a fireplace on the west wall. A ghostly man wearing clothing from the late 1930s to early 1940s has been seen there as well.
Whitmer High School - See Jefferson Junior High School above.
Wolfinger Cemetery - The graves of two parents and their three children line the wooded edge of the cemetery. They all died within days of each other. Ghostly children have been seen playing around the graves, particularly one girl who is about ten or twelve years old.
Woodlawn Cemetery - A ghostly woman wearing a white dress creeps along inside the cemetery at night, mostly around the gates. It is said she is looking for her lost daughter. Many have seen her in the daytime as well and have even been asked if they have seen her lost daughter.

Waterville

Columbian House Restaurant - This is the site of several hauntings. Many cold spots are felt throughout the house and on the grounds, which used to be a tavern and carriage inn. One ghost can be heard in the ballroom playing the fiddle. The ghost of a woman who was murdered in a second floor room is said to haunt the place. There is also a ghost named Jenny who moves furniture in the upstairs attic, pinches people, and plays pranks on the employees.

Whitehouse

Whitehouse Workhouse - Screams have been heard coming from the area of this old abandoned prison. Multiple people died at the prison, some reportedly murdered. Some people have reported getting severe headaches or burning back pain while in the area. The symptoms disappear once the workhouse is out of site. (Credits: Danielle Leach)