This is the hauntings list for Marion County. Remember that some of the places listed are merely legend or hearsay, but many are genuine and documented haunts. If you know of any more hauntings or legends for this county, please submit them to our Hauntings Submission Page.
Cardington
Salems Road - A man and woman were happily married, but were unable to have children. The happy day finally came when the wife got pregnant and had a baby. It was not too long after this baby was born that the wife became pregnant again and had a second baby. The family lived happily until a few years later when the parents got into a huge argument. It was then revealed by the man's wife that neither of the kids belonged to him. In a rage, he took the two children out to the barn and killed them. He went back into the house and killed his wife in the basement before killing himself. A strong presence can now be felt inside of the basement and is known to sometimes push people. In the barn, doors slam, screams can be heard, and there is an odd smell of sulfur. Some witnesses have also claimed to see a ghostly family approaching their vehicle near the house. At least one group of people recorded an EVP in the barn of a man's voice stating, "You shouldn't be here." A legend about the home states that if your name is written on the wall of the house, your vehicle will break down before turning off of the road. (Thanks to Sheila Hale for submitting this haunting and to Kortney Lewis and Sharon for the additional information).
Marion
East Lawn Manor Nursing Home - During the midnight shift, footsteps from a mentally ill lady that had died in the building could be heard coming down the hall, her slippers scuffling along. Sometimes she was seen walking up to a door and going through it. Sounds of slamming doors were heard frequently throughout the night. People who were confined to beds reported seeing her and watching their doors close by themselves. The nursing home was torn down in the fall of 2005 to make way for a new road.
Harding House - The former house of President Warren G. Harding is said to be haunted by the President himself. The antique clock in the home is supposed to stop on the same date and time that the President died, only to restart later on. The sails of a model ship that sets in his office atop a tall wooden chest is said to move back and forth by themselves. Harding's Tomb, also in Marion, is supposed to be haunted as well.
Marion Cemetery - This cemetery contains a tombstone that has a revolving ball. This ball sits on top of the tombstone and can actually be seen rotating. While this may be some sort of geological feat, many believe that it is of a spirit in the cemetery who cannot rest in peace. There is also a grave in the cemetery with an old wooden tombstone. It is said to belong to a gypsy who now haunts the cemetery and the nearby houses.
Marion City Prison - The prison is said to be haunted by a one-legged peddler that hung himself in the jail.
Marion Country Club - A young girl who worked at the country club was raped and killed by a cook who obsessed over her. He left her body laying on the golf course. He was caught recently and jailed for his crime, but her ghost is now said to roam the golf course and club house. This particular story has been featured on various television shows, such as Unsolved Mysteries.
Marion YMCA - The YMCA in Marion is said to be haunted by a few ghosts. Footsteps can be heard on the top floor track where boarding rooms where years ago. A few ghosts are said to haunt the swimming pool area as well.
Mongoid House - This property located on Salem Road is said to be haunted by the ghosts of a Civil War Soldier and his family. Apparently the soldier murdered his whole family and then hang himself inside the barn. While the house is not the original house where the murders took place, it is still said to be haunted. The barn where the soldier hang himself is the original barn and many report hearing strange noises there.
Prospect
North Street House of Terror - Some claim to feel as if they are being watched as they walk down the street. Some eyewitnesses have claimed to see a face pressing against the second story window of the house. They claim the face is somewhat darkened and hard to make out, but are able to see that the eyes appear to be bleeding, with blood streaking down the window. Locals say that a boy named Christopher was attacked and murdered in the house by an unknown assailant. His eyes were said to have been found ripped from the sockets when his body was discovered.
