This is the hauntings list for Muskingum 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.
Avondale
Sidwell House - This very well preserved brick house is said to be haunted by a family who was killed there. As the story goes, a husband who drank a lot snapped one morning as he watched his wife prepare breakfast. He went upstairs and retrieved his shotgun, came back down and shot his wife in the back. He then went back upstairs and killed his three children as they slept. At times, one can smell bacon frying in the kitchen. NOTE: This house is no longer standing. (Thanks to Brian Edwards for the additional information).
Beverly
Martin House - This house contained a very small, almost airtight, secret room in the basement that was used as part of the Underground Railroad. Family members that once lived in the now condemned house would not enter the basement because of it's mean feeling. An instant cold would surround you as you began to descend the stairway and you could feel the pent-up anger from something still down there. Witnesses have seen movement and forms of people there when they were alone.
Dresden
Saint Matthew's Episcopal Cemetery - Visitors of the cemetery often feel like they're being watched. The apparition of a man wearing coveralls and work boots is seen frequently. He will approach your vehicle, only to disappear before he makes it there.
Duncan Falls
Bridge Street Bridge - The Duncan Falls Bridge is supposedly haunted by three little kids who left their house after their mother passed away and was left with their abusive father. The three children went to live on one of the islands in the Muskingum River near the bridge. One night the river flooded and the children didn't survive. This scene is said to play out at midnight on certain nights. (Thanks to Becky Orner for submitting this haunting).
New Concord
Muskingum College - See Muskingum College below for details.
Private Residence - A private residence in New Concord is the site of a lot of paranormal activity. It all started when a large tree fell onto the house a few years ago. Appliances turn themselves on and off, a heavy television was moved from the TV stand onto the bed with tapes circling it and the front door of a VCR in the living room goes in and out on its own. A dark shadowy figure has been seen walking in the kitchen and standing next to the back door. Dogs in the home bark and growl at the fireplace and the air. One dog even hid under a bed after an episode and died a week later.
Norwich
Siesta Motel - This motel is haunted by an angry man who was killed there in 1994 by a robber. The man had been in an argument with his mother and had booked the room to get away. His mother called him later that night, enraging him either further. That night, a short time after he fell asleep, he was awakened by the sound of someone in his room. Assuming it was his mother, the man attacked the figure in the dark. The robber accidentally killed the man. Since that day, the man's ghost roams the entire building. He is known to slam doors, turn lights off, whisper vulgarities, hearing crying laughter, taking things and putting them in odd places, and some have even reported being hit by the dark haired man.
Stumpy's Hollow - First sighted in the early 1800s, the ghost of a man-faced dog haunts the hollow. He spooked horses and cattle in the are for a while, and tugged on a young girl's sleeve and ran away. She and her brother had a good look at him. Once he jumped into a carriage next to a doctor making a house call. There haven't been any recent sightings of the man-faced dog.
Muskingum College
Dean's House - It is said that on certain nights, one can stand in the middle of the outdoor theater and look up to the Dean's House, seeing a ghost looking back at you from the upper-most window.
Little Theater - This old, slightly run-down building, once served as the school's gymnasium when the campus only had three buildings. Creaking noises and footsteps from the beyond can often be heard.
Patton Hall - Several ghosts haunt this building. In one room where an RA committed suicide, it is always either too hot or too cold. The silhouette of the woman swinging can sometimes be seen in the window. Also, in a certain corner room, lights go on and off my themselves. The ghosts are also known to lock people out
The Hollow - This short, winding path that cuts through some woods at the college is said to harbor a few ghosts. Odd mists hang over the path at night and full-scale apparitions can sometimes be seen.
Philo
Philo Bridge - The bridge between Philo and Duncan Falls is supposed to be haunted by the cries of babies that were murdered there. Another version of the story of Philo's crybaby bridge states that a teenage boy was babysitting his infant brother while his parents were out. For one reason or another, he got into the family vehicle and took his sibling with him. The car went off the bridge and the baby was killed in the accident.
Roseville
Roseville Prison - This old abandoned prison just outside of Zanesville is said to be haunted. On some nights, the ghost of a woman dressed in white can be seen falling from the roof of the building in a reenactment of her suicide. Ghostly, shadowy images have also been reported peering out of the guard tower.
Trinway
Prospect Place - Built between 1856-57, this house is haunted by a few spirits. One is that of a girl who jumped out a window during a big dinner party. A mother and daughter who lived in the mansion during the 1860s also haunt the place. The daughter died during a very cold and long winter. Her mother caught pneumonia waiting for the ground to thaw to bury her daughter and died. They remain in the mansion to this day, mostly hanging out around the fireplace.
White Cottage
Bagley House - Various people have witnessed odd things at the house and the sound of laughter can be heard coming from the barn. The structure is not very sound, so use caution if you decide to check it out. (Thanks to Angela Martin for submitting this haunting).
Zanesville
Black Joe - The ghost of an old slave who died while escaping the South via the Underground Railroad is said to haunt the streets of Putnam (a section of Zanesville) and the building that he was buried under.
Cemetery Road Cemeteries - Ghostly figures are said to haunt the cemeteries on either side of this road. They are often seen during the night standing along the side of the road next to their graves, unaware that they are dead. Soon after they are seen, they disappear. (Thanks to Alyssa Peugh for submitting this haunting).
Chandlersville Road Residence - A home in the 2200 block of Chandlersville Road is thought to be haunted. A President Kennedy Plate has flown off the wall and into the burners when they were on several times. The sound of a cane hitting the floor can be heard and when investigated on, the sound stops. Attempts to record the sound have failed. (Thanks to Clarice for submitting this haunting).
Convent of St. Thomas - A ghostly nun is sometimes seed kneeling down at the altar in front of the tabernacle.
Ellis Bridge - This bridge stands above the northern lock on the Muskingum River. Below it is a bike path bridge that once was an old train bridge. Right after the Flood of 1913, which killed many local residents, had to mostly be rebuilt. Since then, mysterious lights have been seen gathered around the bridge at night.
James Madison School - Built in the 1850s, this school is supposed to have a haunted basement. It is speculated that the ghost could be that of Black Joe, who may have been buried there.
Moxahala Avenue - Ghosts of Civil War Soldiers and escaped slaves have been seen along this road and Putnam Avenue.
Moxahala Burial Ground - In the Putnam section of Zanesville, the cemetery is said to be haunted by the ghost of a woman named Miss Arnold. She had died at a young age and was buried there. Her body was stolen a short time later by Dr. Connant (a local doctor) and some of his students. The doctor's horse handler had found the body beneath a haystack on his property. When the town marshal went to retrieve the body, it had disappeared once again. Miss Arnold's ghost now haunts the burial ground, looking for her body.
Muskingum County Courthouse - Ghostly figures in colonial-period clothing are often seen walking along the riverfront near the courthouse.
Secrest Auditorium - Mr. Secrest is said to haunt the auditorium. Often times, he's seen in the balcony, on the stairs, and occasionally carrying a ladder. Though Mr. Secrest died in 1993, the auditorium was said to be haunted before then.
Senior Citizen Center - The ghost of John C. Hazlett, whose house once stood on the site, is said to haunt one of Zanesville's senior citizen centers. Hazlett had led volunteer troops during the Civil War from Zanesville to Stone's River, Tennessee, where he was killed by a musket ball during the battle. He was buried near his home, which was later built over by the church that is now the senior citizen center.
Sherwood Drive Residence - Lights turn off and on, and sometimes even explode, in a house on Sherwood Drive. The garage door will open and close and a man can be seen walking around. The first owner of the house reportedly died there.
Steven Guthrie House - Ghostly whispers can be heard in the attic of this house.
Stone Academy - This building is said to be haunted, and around Halloween, tours are given of the building.
Y-Bridge - The Licking River Ghost rattles windows in the homes around the bridge. The spirit of Dr. Isaac Fowler, whose horse missed the bridge and plunged into the river one foggy night, is also said to haunt the bridge. On foggy nights, he is said to repeat his ride to death.
Zanesville Community Theatre - During rehearsals, ghostly music and people talking can be heard from backstage. When investigated, nobody can be found.
