Belmont County Hauntings & Legends

On this page you will find haunted locations and legends of Belmont County. Many of these are genuine and documented haunts, but others may be legend or hearsay. Remember, we do not condone trespassing. Always seek permission before entering private property. If you know of a haunting or legend not listed for this county, please submit them through our Haunting Submission Form.

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 Belmont 

Woods School – This school is said to be haunted by a headless horseman who asks for saddlebags from passersby. The ghost is believed to be one of three men who went missing in 1845 after making a large profit selling horses. In the 1920s, their three empty saddlebags were found in the woods.

 Holloway 

Egypt Valley – The valley has a large number of hauntings, including Salem Cemetery below. Reports of evil dogs from hell are scattered throughout the valley. Related: Contribution

 Martin’s Ferry 

Kroger – Employees in the deli have taken a photo of a mist that has a face, but no eyes or mouth…eerily similar to the mist seen at the nearby Wendy’s (see below). Deli employees have also reported the sink’s faucet turning on randomly and little things fall for no apparent reason. The presence of an old man and woman have been felt in the store as well. The man is most pronounced by the smell of his Old Spice cologne.

Scotch Ridge Cemetery – The tombstone of Thomas & Jane Mitchell is known locally as “the chair.” It carries the inscription “Thou shalt be missed, because thy seat shall be empty.” Legend says if one sits in the chair, they will die in either 7 days, 7 months or 7 years.

Wendy’s – The Wendy’s restaurant is haunted by the ghost of an older gentleman. Many employees have experienced paranormal activity there. One employee described seeing a gray face with no eyes and its mouth wide open, and later, a gray mist that went past him and through an exterior door. Others have reported seeing the full-bodied apparition wearing a yellow shirt. Some employees believe his name is Isaac. Before the location was a Wendy’s it was a Rax, and before that, it was a grocery store. Most of the sightings and strange sounds occur in the morning and late at night. (Credits: Luke)

Zane Mansion – The mansion was supposedly built atop an old cemetery that was moved because of flooding in the area. When the grave of Hannah Zane was to be moved, her body was missing from the casket. She is now said to haunt the mansion, having been seen walking the halls and dancing in the parlor. A child can sometimes be seen staring out of a stairway window and ghostly hands sometimes touch visitors.

 Matamoras Hill 

Farmer Apparition – The apparition of a farmer is said to chase people in the area around Matamoras Hill.

 Morristown 

Lady Bend Hill – Sometime in the early 1800s, a young woman, sometimes referred to as Lady Binn, was to be married. Her fiancé had to leave and as she went down the hill in her carriage to catch up to him, her veil somehow became caught in the spokes of the wheel, causing her to be decapitated. It is said that during the night, you may be able to see her ghost looking for her head.

Salem Cemetery – A woman named Louisa Catherine Fox is said to haunt the cemetery grounds along with the location of her death a few miles away. She was killed at age 13 by her fiancé Thomas Carr, who was angry that her father was making her wait two more years before they could marry. Carr slashed her throat with a razor. He later became the first execution by hanging in Belmont County. The old oak tree in the cemetery was used as the hanging tree for many years and is said to contain the souls of those hanged there. Salem Cemetery is also said to be haunted by witches who were buried there. Legend says if you walk around the entire cemetery six times, you will become invisible. NOTE: The cemetery was heavily vandalized in October 2009. Please call the Belmont County Sheriff’s office at 740-695-7933 with any tips.

 Shadyside 

Shadyside High School – Several students preparing for a sponsored haunted house spoof of Blair Witch filmed blue orbs and you could hear lockers shutting and people talking. None of these things were witnessed at the time of the filming. A new night janitor who was changing a fuse on the third floor was not sure which fuse to change. She made a guess when a hand touched her on the shoulder and a man’s voice told her it was the next one. She thanked the man only to turn around to see nobody there. The only other person in the building that night was on the other side of the building.