Monday, October 27, 2014

Remarkable Lake County -- A- Haunting We Will Go Part V- The Finale

As 'All Hollows Eve' looms on the horizon, our last installment of A-Haunting We Will Go looks at three sites in Painesville not quite as well-known as some of their Mentor Avenue counterparts.  However Mistress Suzanne and Mrs. Morley have nothing on these haunted spirits.  These three tales may or may not true - it depends on how you chose to explain these unexplained occurrences.

The Carroll Avenue Residence - Built in 1945 above a former Civil War encampment this home is said to be haunted by its former residents.  Mr. Olmstand met his untimely death in the bathroom.  Mrs. Olmstand met her fate on the cellar steps.  Mrs. Olmstand is known to haunt the attic sewing room and the kitchen stove area.  Mr. Olmstand can be seen in the proximity of the bathroom.  Additionally three Civil War soldiers have been seen in the basement.

Monroe Blvd. House - The house is reported abandoned but attic ghosts have been seen at night.  The ghosts are said to call to visitors and lights mysteriously go on and off on random nights.

North St. Clair Bridge -  Snake Bite Scroggs was an infamous local fisherman.  Known by the locals, he is reported to have killed a young couple on the bridge one day when they wandered too close to his fishing hole.  Fishermen and locals have reported their appearances over the years as they pass by the bridge.

Monday, October 20, 2014

Remarkable Lake County - A-Haunting We Will Go Part IV

The eastern half of Lake County is often under appreciated when it comes to reporting historical stories or other local lore.  Today's entry looks into the back stories of two Madison sites and their professed wayward spirits.

The first site is the Ohio Cottage in Madison Twp.  Located off of State Rt. 84 near Perry and Geneva, it began as a small frame house in 1847.  In 1859 a brick facade structure was added to the east side.  Its current appearance is circa 1891.  At first the residence served as a boarding school and was known as the Madison Home.  After the Civil War the home became the site of the Ohio Women's Relief Corps.  Their organization was an offshoot of the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) and served as a refuge for war widows, women abandoned or stranded and women of other needs.  The building remained dedicated to this cause thru 1904 when it was donated to a similar group.  From 1904 until 1962 the site remained a residence for women in need.

1962 saw a new chapter in the building's history unfold.  It became a residence for the mentally disabled and developmentally delayed.  This portion of its history was reportedly 'dismal' times.  The Lake County Board of Commissioners took over the property in 1975 and used it for county offices for many years.  In 1998 it was sold to John Cassell.  It remains unoccupied today and has been the alleged site of many ghostly sensory reports.  Spirits have been seen by locals and sounds eminate from the building lending credence to the theory that the melancholy women inhabitants left there from the past remain to this day.

Madison City Hall is the second so-called site of haunted residents.  The building served as a one time Civil War hospital and in later years an insane asylum.  It has been reported that the ghostly inhabitants rearrange furniture and disrupt camera equipment at the current City Hall site.  Some have even reported seeing the walkers or hearing them throughout the hallways as evening hours approach.

These poltergeist stories may or may not be true.  What is known is that both buildings have a past history that can be documented and events happen there that can not be explained.

source- gleaned from an article in cleveland.about.com titled Haunted Ohio Sites

Friday, October 17, 2014

Remarkable Lake County -- A-Haunting We Will Go Part III

As All Hallow's Eve draws nearer, we look at another part of local lore that is part of our county ghost stories.  Not as widely known as some county ghost stories, this one nonetheless is a tale worth examining.  Today we share the story of the veiled lady of Kirtland - Hattie Martindale.  Traditionally ghost stories fall into one of two categories, that of the wayward spirit or that of a haunted structure.  Our veiled lady moves between both.

Hattie has been known to frequent the Historic North Cemetery, the former Kirtland Mills Burying Ground (1830's) and a colonial blue-ish home on the top of the ridge near the Rt. 615 hill and corner of Baldwin Rd in Kirtland.  Her sister's old home is nearby the latter site too.  Records are scarce and much of the tale is hearsay at best but some basic facts are documented.  Hattie was born in Massachusetts in 1838 and death records report her passing in 1919.  Her tombstone is located in Plot Section B- Lot 59 #5 in the cemetery.  An 1862 document reveals her membership in the Young Ladies Literary Society of Kirtland.

Local lore has it that Hattie was jilted by her one true love, who may or may not have left her for her sister. Scared by this event, she never marries and lives a melancholy life till the end.  Through the years Kirtland locals and other paranormal visitors have reported seeing a veiled lady wander the cemetery at night near that gravesite.  Down the road in the home mentioned earlier, it is reported that furniture is moved at night and rumbling noises in the home have been heard.  The culprit according to those residents and alleged sitings - the veiled lady of Kirtland aka Hattie Martindale.

Monday, October 6, 2014

Remarkable Lake County -- A-Haunting We Will Go Part II

Today we look at one of the Western Reserve's oldest institutions for higher learning - Lake Erie College.  Founded in 1856, it was in 1859 that a Lake Erie Seminary accepted its first class of 137 women.  Since that date over 10,000 students have graduated from this Lake County college campus.  Some students though still remain on campus and have left their mark even to this day.  One wonders if Tiberius, the quiet four foot canine mascot has witnessed those who still frequent some of the campus buildings today.  Let's share the the ghost stories that are part of Lake Erie College lore.

College Hall - Stephanie, a student who attended in the 1800's is perhaps the most well known and oft-reported sighting on campus.  An affair with a campus professor left her in a family way.  Jilted by her lover, Stephanie hung herself from the fourth floor belltower.  She has been seen throughout the years roaming the top floor of the hall.  Not even ending all access to this upper floor has proven effective in diminishing her sightings.

Morley Music Hall - One of the college's signature buildings early on, it is said to be haunted by Mrs. Morley.  She has been seen in her white flowing gown on the stairs of the music hall by many former students.  It is even reported that College Hall's Stephanie visits through a parlor mirror at times.

Kilcawley Dorm -  Toilets flush themselves and sinks filled with water show reflections of a young woman's figure are the two most commonly reported occurrences in this dorm.

Fowler Dorm - A brown haired female who passed many years ago is often seen standing next to students in dorm mirrors.

Andrews Dorm -  Mary Evans, a former president is said to wander the site.  Her poltergeist rattlings and tossing items from shelves are still reported by students today.

Fine Arts Building -  A man with dark tough skin is said to frequent the theater's green room.  Students have reported feeling surrounded or uncomfortable as if someone invaded their space.

As with all things that go bump in the night, some events are proven to be genuine while others fall under the category of local lore.  Lake Erie College is just another chapter in the haunted history of Ohio's smallest county.  If you missed the ghostly campus tour today, remember to visit the Painesville campus next October when another evening tour of these supernatural tales is certain to be once again in the offering.

Thursday, October 2, 2014

Remarkable Lake County - A-Haunting We Will Go Part I

It's that time of year once again.  A time when documented haunts, local legends and hearsay all come together.  While some tales prove to be genuine, others have become a part of the fabric that is local lore.  This month will begin a series examining some of Lake County's forgotten past.  Today's blog seeks to test your Ghostly IQ as we explore ten Lake County hauntings.  See if you can match the story to the town or city it originated in.

1.  While not specific to just Lake County, Ohio the tale of 'cry baby bridge' resonates in this local community...name the town

2.  Lucretia walks the upstairs and is said to rearrange the tools in this famous NHS home.  Name the city and home if you can.

3.  Mrs. Morley is said to haunt this musical site and has been seen wearing her long white gown as she floats down the stairs.  Name the institution or city...

4.  This City Hall was once a Civil War hospital and insane asylum and is said to be haunted by some of its previous patients.  Name the eastern Lake County town...

5.  Snake Bite Scroggs killed a young couple for venturing too close to his fishing hole.  Name the site or city where this gruesome episode took place.

6.  They died in a tragic fire at this site and are said to be seen dancing on the premises still to this very day.  Name the event site or local municipality...

7.  She was killed by her third husband but Mistress Suzanne still haunts this local establishment.  A Civil War soldier is also seen waving from a window on the premises too!  Name the establishment or city.

8.  A feline may be more popular but Robbie Babcock's untimely death is another haunting story from this iconic 1825-1925 Lake Erie site.  Name the place or village where it is located...

9.  Hattie Martindale was jilted by her lover and is said to haunt the historic North Cemetery and nearby homestead on Baldwin Road.  Name the town where she lived...

10.  The Monsters of Little Mountain Road haunted children and families alike for many years.  The noises and cries seemingly came from nearby caves.  Name the locale most associated with this tale of long ago...

These stories and other well known lore will be presented on October 8 as part of the Fairport Harbor Historical Society's Ghost Stories of Lake County event held at the local lighthouse.  Deadline to sign up for the program is Saturday, October 4th.  Visit www.fairportharborlighthouse.org or leave a message at 440-354-4825.

answers-  1.  Kirtland    2.  Lawnfield in Mentor   3.  Morley Hall on the campus of Lake Erie College in Painesville     4.  Madison   5.  N. St. Clair Bridge in Painesville    6.  Lake County Fairgrounds in Painesville   7.  Rider's Inn in Painesville    8.  Fairport Harbor Lighthouse    9.  Kirtland    10.  Kirtland Hills