This is the hauntings list for Portage 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.
Aurora
Geauga Lake - Legend states that a little boy too small to ride the "Superman" ride flew out and landed on his head. He later died. It is said that if you sit in seat two in the last row at 5:26pm, you can hear the boy screaming and the thud of his head hitting the pavement. A ride called "The Hay Bailer" is said to be frequented by ghosts as are other areas of the park. Update: Further research has proven that there has never been a boy who has died on the Superman ride. There have only been two deaths at the park in recent years. One of the deaths was a girl who drowned in the wave pool and the other was a female employee who was working on the Batman ride when she fell to her death.
Brady Lake
Towners Woods Park - This park sets just off of Ravenna Road. At the end of a trail is an ancient Indian mound where an Indian princess is entombed. It is said that if anyone disturbs the princess' sleep, that a guardian of some kind will emerge from the woods, either hurting or killing the disturber. Local legend says that In the 1950s, local teenagers drove up to the Indian mound and fell asleep. When the woke the next morning, their vehicle was covered with claw marks. Park rangers are said to keep a close watch on the park now. (Thanks to Joan Madden for submitting this haunting).
Kent
Kent State University - A site of many hauntings, see below for details.
Masonic Temple - The former home of Kent's founding father Marvin Kent, his wife Kitty was burned alive by the kerosene stove on the third floor. Her ghost now roams the house, sometimes leaving scratches on the surface of a French mirror. The ghost of the first librarian of the Kent Free Library, Nellie Dingley, haunts the temple. She died in World War One as a nurse.
University Plaza Theater - The older part of the University Plaza Theater off the campus of Kent State University is haunted by a presence who sits in the seats after hours. Mysterious things reportedly happen in the projection room, and footsteps are heard when no one is around. Some patrons of the theater who have sat in the back row have reported popcorn and nickels being thrown on them from the rear, from beyond the wall.
Kent State University
Allyn Hall - The first floor of Allyn Hall is haunted by a little girl named Sarah. She roams the halls, tugging on bed sheets and asks people to play with her.
Clark Hall - Being attached to Allyn Hall, Sarah also haunts this building.
Englemann Hall - Built as an all-girl dorm in the 1930s, the ghost of a girl who was raped and murdered there in the 1940s-1950s is said to roam the halls at night. She sometimes appears as a reflection in the mirror behind you.
Koonce Hall - The building's namesake, Judy Koonce, is said to haunt the building. She died while saving a child in a flood years ago. Today her ghost opens elevator doors and is respectful towards people who she likes. She isn't friendly to those who are loud or destructive.
Moulton Hall - A ghostly blue light is often seen floating around on the third floor, causing police to respond multiple times.
Music and Speech Building - Room B-005 is said to be haunted by a presence. One known ghost of the room is G. Harry Wright, an original theater director at the university. When he is present, the smell of cigar smoke lingers, even though the facility has been smoke free for more than a decade.
Stopher Hall - This building is haunted by the ghost of a student who committed suicide. Students who get sick blame him. Objects move on their own and a figure can sometimes be seen out of the corner of your eye.
Stuart Hall - This abandoned dorm, not far from the student center, is said to be haunted. Windows are broken, bars secure the doors to discourage trespassing and vines grow up the side of the building. Strange noises are heard coming from the inside and light can sometimes be seen coming from a window, even though no one has been in the building for several years.
Van Campen Hall - This residence hall is full of ghostly activity. Giggling and laughter can be heard constantly at night, along with the sounds of marbles hitting the floor. Mysterious reflections have even been seen in bathroom mirrors.
Mantua
Streeter Road Forest - The woods along Streeter Road are known to be haunted. Screams, both low and high pitch, can be heard coming from the woods at all hours of the night. Witnesses have been chased from the woods by an invisible entity and some have seen red glowing eyes that quickly vanish.
Ravenna
Old Powder Mill Road - Years ago, back in the wooded area, stood a mill. In the 1950s-1960s, a young girl was raped at the mill. She had gotten away and the rapist chased her, caught her, and murdered her. It is now said that on warm summer nights (with no rain) neighbors can hear the girl running down the road, screaming for help. (Thanks to Joan Madden for submitting this haunting).
Portage County Administration Building - The building used to house Portage County's Administration once served as a hospital. Apparently some of those who died there have never left. A girl has been seen walking slowly down the halls in a hospital gown and the voices of children are heard at times.
Route 14 Farmhouse - This farmhouse is haunted by the ghost of a man who walks from room to room on the second floor every night. The ghost is also known to call out to people by name and has even yelled at a child for climbing on the furniture. (Thanks to Lynn for submitting this haunting).
West Branch State Park - The woods at this state park are said to be haunted by a woman who was killed by townspeople outside of Ravenna. Accused of being a witch, she was put to death by being pressed (placing a piece of wood on top of the victim and adding stones on top of the wood until the victim is dead). Her grave was marked by a mound of stones. Over the years, the stones marking her grave have been scattered, but a layer still remains that cannot be disturbed. The woman herself roams the woods of the park. There are reports of seeing her wearing a black flowing gown and scarf.
Rootstown
Ghost Hollow - This is the name given to the area near Rootstown by railroad workers. There once was a pond in the area where a boy named Chapman drowned. The pond was later filled in, but the boy's ghost still haunts the area. Conductors on the train line dread stopping the Ghost Hollow for any reason.
Suffield
Stairway To Heaven - In a cemetery near Suffield, it is said that if you walk up the long staircase, a large statue of Jesus will glow.
