Mansfield, Ohio State Reformatory

"I keep getting the same error" I said, as I shook my video camera repeatedly. "Will someone come out in to the hall with me while I change my tape and battery?"
As I was squatted in front of a bench sitting in the hallway, fumbling with my video camera, Val says in an excited voice, "I just saw shadow legs cross in front of that light on the wall.” I turned around just in time to see the most amazing thing I've seen in my three years of being a ghost hunter, and possibly ever will see. It stood approximately 2-3 feet high, and was floating about 1 foot from the floor. This was definitely something paranormal! It seemed solid, but was somewhat transparent. Although it wasn't in human form, it had an intelligence like a human. Valerie tried to keep it in the beam of her light, but it moved quickly as though it was trying to escape from the light. It was pretty fast yet very graceful and floated like the stereo type ghosts you see in the movies. It suddenly dawned on me, that only the two of us could see this thing, yet the others were only feet away in the other room, so I called out for everyone to hurry up and see this. That's when the apparition, shot up the steps in front of us and out of site. Although this was my most memorable experience at OSR, it surely wasn't my only experience.

Ohio State Reformatory (OSR) also known as Mansfield State Reformatory, is definitely the most active place that our group has ever been to, and possibly one of the most haunted places in the United States. There is something about OSR that keeps us wanting to go back. No longer do we return from a hunt at OSR, than we are scheduling a new date to go back. With risk of sounding insane, I feel this place calls out to me. It's as though once you've been there, you become a part of it. And I can speak for other members of our group, because they claim to feel the same way.

Spirited Ghost Hunting has only been to OSR 2 times so far, and will be returning next month. I can say without a doubt, it won't be the last! OSR is full of paranormal activity, but even if it weren't, the historic aspect of the place is enough to keep you wanting to return. The building, regardless of the fact it held hundreds upon thousands of criminals, is utterly amazing and has a dark beauty about it. Even though the cost is $50 a visit, it's well worth it. The $50 goes to the restoration of the prison, which it's surely in need of.

The people that volunteer their time there, all seem to be very friendly and welcoming. One volunteer in general has won our hearts and we now consider him a part of our ghost hunting family. If you plan a tour there, be sure to ask for Scott! He knows the history of place, and has been volunteering tours there for years. I don't think there is a question we have asked him, that he hasn't been able to answer.

Although OSR is by far the best place to conduct a ghost hunt, there is one major setback, and that's the fact that we can't take bags into the place. Don't think about arguing with them, because their rules are set in stone! We said they could check our bags when we leave, but they won't hear of it. The manager said if they let one person do it, then they have to let everyone. So plan on being able to strap most of your equipment to your body. I fully understand that they don't want people walking away with pieces of the building, but if you can put a camera in your pocket, you can surely fit a good size artifact in there as well.

If you're thinking about planning an all night hunt at OSR, but aren't sure if you'll enjoy yourself, don't hesitate. I, as well as other members of our group, can say you'll have a great ghost hunting experience if not the best.

Rachelle

Copyright© 2004, Spirited, All Rights Reserved.