This is the hauntings list for Tuscarawas 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.
Bolivar
Yesterday's On The Canal - This tavern located on Central Avenue in downtown Bolivar was once known as The Towpath Lounge and was owned by an individual named Charles Tomer, who killed himself in the upstairs of the tavern in 1961. The current owner and employees have reported having feelings of someone being in the building when there was supposed to be no one there, especially when in the upstairs area. They have also mysteriously found coins laying on the bar in the morning when they arrive for work, when there were none there the night before. There have also been apparitions seen at different times over the years by numerous witnesses. Locals say the spirit that still inhabits the tavern is known as 'Charlie.' Could it be the Charles Tomer who killed himself on the second floor of the tavern? (Thanks to George Baumgardner for submitting this haunting).
Dover
Dover High School - In the late 1960's, a man supposedly died in the auditorium, falling from the catwalks above the stage. It is said that on the anniversary of his death, his ghost walks the catwalks and repeats it's death. People who have stayed in the auditorium overnight have reported hearing screeching from the catwalks followed by a scream and then a dreadful thud. Another supposed haunting in the auditorium is that of a woman who was leaning over the balcony and fell to her death. Her ghost repeats the death on the eve of the spring musical. The site of a former pool in the basement is said to be haunted by the ghosts of three students who drowned there. The pool was filled in, but on the anniversary of their deaths, one can hear the sound of water splashing and frantic screaming coming from the basement.
Gnadenhutten
Gnadenhutten Memorial - The memorial at the site of the Gnadenhutten Massacre is said to be haunted by the 96 Christian Indians that were murdered there.
Midvale
Little Girl Creek - The ghost of a little girl wearing a Halloween Costume supposedly haunts a creek in Midvale where she died trick-or-treating. She is said to appear every Halloween night. (Thanks to Alison for submitting this haunting).
Newcomerstown
Postboy Hollow - The hollow surrounding Postboy Road is said to be haunted by the road's namesake. Back in the days when mail was delivered by foot or horse, the Postboy was on his way to a local tavern that served as a mail exchange point. While walking through the hollow, a thief emerged from behind a tree, murdering the Postboy and stealing the mail he was carrying. The thief/murderer was later seen at the tavern with the parcels before he disappeared for good. The ghost of the Postboy is now said to haunt the hollow. Many homes in the are report odd happenings that are attributed to the Postboy's ghost. There have also been recent reports of hearing unexplainable oldies music coming from the nearby woods.
Winding Stairs - A very narrow and winding road between Newcomerstown and Port Washington is home to several instances of paranormal activity and satanic rituals. There are reports of wind, thunder, and lightening along the road when there are no storms in the proximity. Dark figures have been seen rising from their graves in a cemetery along the road. Radios in vehicles traveling the road changes stations on their own and cell phones ring to have either a demonic voice speaking or a high-pitch crackling. Strange furry creatures have also been reported to run in front of vehicles along the road. (Thanks to Mary Ledsome for submitting this haunting).
New Philadelphia
Burger King - Employees have reported hearing their names whispered after closing. Some have smelled candles burning when no candles are in the building. At least one employee claimed to see a man standing at the counter when the restaurant was already locked.
Stone Quarry - Three ghostly lights can be seen at the quarry along the Tuscarawas River. Two of the lights are red, and one is white. They belong to the ghosts of a 1770s Mingo Indian chief, his Indian lover, and his white wife, who he left. The white woman tracked down the Indian chief and his lover, shoving them off the cliff, only to go down with them. Being refused a Christian burial, the spirit lights are forced to reenact their death every night. The three lights can be seen in what looks to be a struggle, falling off the cliff to the river below, where they disappear.
Warlock's Grave - There is said to be a warlock's grave in a cemetery near New Philadelphia. As the story goes, the townspeople cut of the man's head and buried it at his feet. Each year, his head moves up ever so slightly until he can reach it. When this happens he will return from the dead. A few people who visited the gravesite lit a little votive candle and found it still burning upon their return two days later. (Thanks to Robert Renicker for submitting this haunting).
Uhrichsville
Zachary T. Ghost - Currently a sub restaurant, this building used to be a tavern in the 1930s. It was in its tavern days that a man was murdered there, known as Zachary T., and he is said to haunt the place. Employees once opened the store to find lit candles, that had been extinguished at closing the night before.
Zoar
Books 'n Things - This bookstore is said to be haunted by a ghost of a tinsmith who once lived there. The aroma of coffee is often smelled when no coffee is being made. The ghost often rocks back and forth in a rocking chair and has been known to tuck in the store's owners at night.
Cedar Mills Bed & Breakfast - Formerly a cabinet shop, a worker in the mid 1800s reported that the ghost of an Indian visited him, giving accurate predictions about the Civil War. The ghost predicted the outcome of the Battle of Gettysburg and President Abraham Lincoln's assassination. It is not known if the Indian still visits the building.
Cobbler Shop - The ghostly figure of a man in a long, dark coat is said to haunt this 1800s building where shoes were made for the Society of Separatists of Zoar. Now a bed-and-breakfast, guests report hearing unexplained knocking on their door and ghostly footsteps in the hallway.
Cowger House - The ghostly voice of a man named PJ can sometimes be heard in this bed and breakfast. He is believed to be a former owner of the house.
Ghostly Farm Field - Mysterious balls of light, some several feet in diameter, haunt this ordinary farm field near Zoar just east of Route 212. It is said that if you get too close to them, they will chase you away.
The Inn on the River - A ghost by the name of George is said to haunt this inn, knocking objects off of shelves and causing other mischief. It is believed that he died when his boat sank in the canal. The mysterious sound of Patsy Cline music can also be heard, even though there is no Patsy Cline records in the building.
Zoar Historical Village - Several ghosts have been reported in this historic village. One being an old nursing home there where the elderly were abused by the matrons hired to look after them.
Zoar Hotel - Three ghosts are said to haunt the hotel of this historical village. Alexander Gunn, Mary Rouf, and an unknown woman are known to haunt the hotel. A ghostly party can sometimes be heard on the hotel's top floor. The sounds of glasses clinking and people talking can be heard when no one else is there.
Zoar Tavern - This building was once home to the village's first doctor. Many ghostly activities are known to occur in all parts of the tavern.
