Used with permission, from tmrc54 on flickr.

The Jaite Paper Mill opened in 1909. It employed hundreds of workers, up to 250 at one point. The workers lived in the houses in the Town of Jaite. It also produced a lot of paper, up to 8 tons per day. In 1984 the mill closed simply due to competition.

The Fourdrinier Line

Built in 1927, partially from components used in the mill’s original 1905 cylinder machine, the Fourdrinier line is over 200 feet in length. The Fourdrinier is only thing left after the mill was demolished be the National Park.

Railroad Sidings

After the railroad spur crosses the bridge it devides into different sidings for different loading areas of the mill. Many tracks are scattered behind the mill fence in the back.

More bridge pictures in the Railroad Spur section.

Foundations

This is all that is left after the mill was demolished in the spring of 2006.

More to Come

I have hundreds of pictures to share as well as an interactive images map that will be coming soon.

Company Town

The Jaite Company Town currently serves as offices for the Cuyahoga Valley National Park.

The town is located at the intersection of Riverview and Vaughn Roads. The buildings were constructed between the years 1907 and 1917.

They were built to serve as housing and support facilities for the mill employees, which numbered some 250 at the peak of production in the 1930′s.

Sources and Related Links

• Illicit Ohio: Jaite Paper Mill
• Maproom Systems: Jaite Company Paper Mill

On a cold winter day, I headed to the Akron Christkindle Market with my German class. During my free time I stopped to take some pics of the civic theater.

One of the stories of the civic theater is that a janitor, named Fred, haunts the theater.

He died on the premises, but still tends to his duties, usually keeping vandals at distance.

Several people have even reported being attacked by Fred after they attempted to vandalize.

Another story is that a ghostly crying woman is sometimes seen along the canal that runs underneath the theater.

Sources and Related Links

• Dead Ohio: Akron Civic Theatre
• Forgotten Ohio: Akron Civic Theatre
• Ohio Exploration Society: Summit County Hauntings & Legends

The paper mill was a short distance from a railway line running between Cleveland and Akron. In 1907, the Jaite Company obtained right-of-way from the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad to construct a sideline to the mill.

Between 1907 and 1909 the spur was completed, with B&O Bridge No. 451/1 providing the crossing over the Cuyahoga River.

Trains used the railroad line until it closed in 1985. The track hasn’t been used since then. The switch to the spur was removed sometime in 2002.

Sources and Related Links

In 1920, Willis Hale built the Champion Electric Company near the ruins of the old gristmill.

Here he produced restaurant appliances until 1937, when his factory was destroyed by lightning.

These cinder block ruins are from the last industry in Brandywine Village.

Sources and Related Links

• Haunted Cuyahoga: Brandywine Falls
• Information is from the sign located at the site.

To legally access the road, you need to park at the Brandywine Falls parking lot and hike down the road from there.  If you go from the bottom, you can’t park there, you can only get there by hiking.

I didn’t need this sign to tell us that this was some rough road.

After walking a little farther, I found an old guardrail.

After that the road starts to get washed out, which is one of the reasons the road is closed.

Now the road starts going down hill a little.

Now the road gets really steep.

As we reach the end of the closed section it starts getting flat.

This section or the road doesn’t look too bad.

Now we arrive at the other end of the road. You might remember this if you visited the Helltown page.

Well that’s it for now! If you want to take a walk down the “Highway to Hell” you are welcome to but just look out for the “Cult Members” and “Killers” in the woods! You can read more about Stanford Road and Helltown here on the Helltown page.

Sources and Related Links

• Ohio Forgotten: Helltown

Hidden places are not only prime places for murder to take place, but also for the spirits that come from such horrifying experiences.

This small peaceful place is just one example.

About 20 years ago, a young adolescent girl was found strangled here. The the caution tape and police have left, but her spirit is said to be found roaming these woods near the falls.

Many people believe the strange blue orbs captured during daytime hours along the creek are her wandering spirit.

I have never seen any orbs in pictures of the falls, but if you have one please send it to me!

Sources and Related Links

• Haunted Cuyahoga: Blue Hen Falls
• Pictures submitted by Bob Borgen

This quarry was a major source of Berea sandstone in the northeast. Sandstone has been excavated here since the 1830′s. The sandstone was used to build and repair locks along the Ohio and Erie Canal. They were used during the construction of various buildings and houses as well.

A view from the top of the quarry.

A short track ran through the woods surrounding the quarry. Flatcars were loaded with sandstone blocks and millstones, then transported down to the Ohio and Erie Canal for shipment.

The Cleveland Stone Company eventually purchased the quarry. They faced little competition and basically held a sandstone monopoly in Ohio. This particular quarry was known as Quarry #15. Sandstone was excavated here one last time in the 1930′s. The stones were used during the construction of the local metro parks.

In 1879, Ferdinard Schumacher bought part of the quarry to make millstones for his American Cereal Works Company in Akron. Schumacher was known as the Oatmeal King. In the 1860′s, Schumacher introduced oatmeal to the United States by supplying the Union Troops during the Civil War. Schumacher’s company eventually became part of the Quaker Oats Company.

Schumacher’s Millstone Plant

Walking off the main hiking trail you come across the ruins of the Schumacher Millstone Plant.

You can find an old millstone on the path up there.

After walking a few yards you find poles sticking out of the ground.

Some old foundations sticking out of the ground.

When I was poking around on the ground I found some old bricks.

And last but not least a few random items for your enjoyment. They look like foundations and poles.

I really don’t know much about the Mill Stone Plant, so if you know something that I don’t please E-Mail Me.

Sources and Related Links

• Abandoned Ohio: Deep Lock Quarry
• Ohio Forgotten: Deep Lock 28

Rex’s Erection is what’s left of a big plan by the recently deceased Rex Humbard. Rex was a well known televangelist who once resided and practice his craft in the Cuyahoga Falls area. He had a television show and a Cathedral that was called the Cathedral of Tomorrow. The Cathedral sits 5,400 people and was where the show was filmed. He is known for having one of the first weekly televangelist shows.

Over time Rex’s show grew very big, and he eventually decided to expand in to other areas including the tower.

The tower was build in the late 60′s and was going to be a rotating restaurant. So why was the tower abandoned and what happened to Rex?

Well, after Rex began to build a rotating tower restaurant at his Cathedral of Tomorrow complex, it was also slated to hold a transmission tower for his TV station. He was given the opportunity to go on more radio stations throughout South America to spread Christianity. When this happened construction on the restaurant tower ceased and you can see what is left of it today.

Today, the tower looms over the Cuyahoga Falls area housing cell phone equipment and other communications equipment for Channel 55 TV. There was a fence all around it and because I was short on time I didn’t try to access the inside.

The rest of Rex’s complex has been run by the Ernest Angley Ministry since the 1990′s.

Birds Eye photo from Live Search Maps.

Sources and Related Links

• Illicit Ohio: Rex’s Erection
• Wikipedia: Rex Humbard
• Geocaching: Rex’s Erection

When you pull up the narrow stone driveway, you are greeted by huge red abandoned barn. After a turn to the left is the parking lot, and just after that is where the house was. The house was demolished in 2002. At night, this places is dark and spooky, little noise and little light.

Today, the barn is the only thing still standing. It was resided the 2003, a year after the house was demolished. The barn door is currently padlocked and it’s being used as a storage space for the Metro Parks. Around the back of the barn there is a cement bin like thing. I think it’s used for farming, but I sadly didn’t get a picture of it.

Some information on the house from Ohio Tresspassers:

The farm house is a Western Reserve farmhouse, circa 1820-1850. Records indicate that J. Hart owned the property as early as 1874. After that, it’s recorded that Emma L. Martin owned the estate in 1910, from 1942-1967 E. Reginald & Rhea Adam owned the land. The house served as their summer retreat for many years. They donated the house & 162 acres of ravines and hilltop farmland to the Metro Parks in 1967.

The story behind the barn and farm house is that a family who lived in the house was murdered. Who murdered them you ask? Well, there are a two different versions. One version is that the father of this family came home with an ax and killed his wife, daughter and son, then he proceeded to the barn where he slaughtered the horses and hung himself. Another version is that the farmer was thrown from his horse and then he killed the horse, his family, and then hung him self in the barn. People claim to have heard a woman crying from the house at night. Others have seen the shadow of a man walking from the house to the barn carrying an ax. People have also claimed to have seen lights coming from the barn, and heard the sounds of horses. However, no one really knows if this family has ever existed.

There is one story that says that the family was brutally murdered by a satanic cult.  Another variation is that the farmer was involved with the satanic cult.

It is also believed that the hill is actually part of a Native American burial mound, which is certainly not surprising in this area.  In fact, some believe that the Black Figure is not the ghost of the murderous farmer at all, but that of a Native American wraith who guards the place and chases off others who do not belong there.

Sources and Related Links

• Haunted Cuyahoga: Top O’ World
• Dead Ohio: Top O’ The World
• Ohio Trespassers: world

One of the most interesting, and eerie, cemeteries in this region. Hidden within the Cuyahoga Valley National Park just east of Peninsula, this abandoned Irish cemetery lies sequestered within the woods adjacent to the Happy Days Visitor Center on Route 303.

Established in 1869 as the burial ground for the Mother of Sorrows (“Mater Dolorosa”) Catholic Church, This very old cemetery attained a certain local status as belonging to an infamous “Satanic Church” in Peninsula. Before the church it was a tiny family plot belonging to Irish farmers, John and Mary Ann Doud, who left it to the First Bishop of Cleveland, who in turn gave it to the Mother of Sorrows Church. It’s hard to know when this essentially unremarkable Catholic church got its reputation as “satanic,” but the churchyard it left behind is constantly plagued by mysterious white figures of unknown origin.

A view of the gated Cassidy Family plot.

The cemetery seems large for its size – approximately 11 to 13 headstones. In actuality, at least 23 persons are known to be buried here. Upon a review of historical records, at least 5 graves remain unaccounted for.

Sources and Related Links

• Dead Ohio: Mater Dolorosa Cemetery

Alexander’s Mill mill has been in operation for over a century. The mill was originally built as a flour mill by James Alexander in 1855. It was powered by waste water diverted around the canal lock.

Its original owner is now buried at Northfield-Macedonia Cemetery.

Alexander has a difficult time trusting his descendants with the family business.

According to several sources he still wanders the mill and is keeping watch over its workers. He makes sure the business is run according to his high standards.

The mill’s wooden water wheel was replaced by a water turbine in the late 1800′s and remained in use until the 1970′s. Now just the metal part of the wheel is there.

I would love to see a picture of the water wheel in operation, if you have one please send it to me!

The mill is now a grain and feed store, but the original the original building remains much as it has been, aside from the water wheel.

When I went there, it was after a 2.5 mile walk from Crazy Man’s Hollow and the store was closed and I was unable to see inside. I might try to go back when I get some pictures of the canal lock farther up the canal.

Oh, and don’t forgot to check out Alexander Lock #37 on the Ohio & Erie Canal section of the site.

Sources and Related Links

• Haunted Cuyahoga: Alexander’s Mill

The house was built between 1825 and 1827 by Stephen and Mehitable Frazee. The build their lonely house on a hill that overlooks the old canal. Two bricks on the house still bare their hand-engraved initials.

It has was rumored to have been a tavern, but no evidence has been found to support it. It also may have served as a makeshift jail while the canal was under construction.

John Hynton purchased the house in 1863 for himself and his new wife, Elizabeth. Two years later Hynton passed away and he is buried at Tinkers Creek Cemetery. The last owners of the home were the Foote family, it was then purchased by the National Park Services in the 1970s. In the house was never updated with indoor plumbing and electricity.

As you can see the wall is bowing out and the house had a bar going through it.  I guess it is holding the house together.

Several paranormal legends are attached to this house. Stephen Frazee is believed to haunt the building and also one of the Frazee’s children who possibly passed away at a young age. There is also a story of a lynching on the property, when a canal digger was hung for his crimes.

Sources and Related Links

• Haunted Cuyahoga: Frazee-Hynton House

Love can transcend all logic and science. Sometimes love can even survive death.

A local legend talks about a Civil War soldier and his fiancee wandering opposite sides of the canal along Canal Road forever trying to reunite.

He left for battle and never returned alive.

Toady their spirits seek out the love they once shared by haunting canal road for one final hug!

Check out this forum post about someone witnessing something on the towapath while driving down canal road.

Sources and Related Links

• Haunted Cuyahoga: The Lost Lovers of Canal Road
• Moonspenders Forums: Canal road and surroundings

Station Road bridge is the oldest steel bridge remaining in the valley. It was built in 1881 and the road has long since been closed to traffic. Today the bridge is used to to cross the river to get to the towpath trail on the other side.

There was once a small railroad depot by the bridge and that’s how the road got its name.

The hillside on the canal side of the bridge was once used to store ammunition. The locals said that “you would have to be crazy to live there”. This is how it quickly became known as Crazy Man’s Hollow.

Today the National Park Service has built a replica if the station where the old one once stood.

Sources and Related Links

• Haunted Cuyahoga: Crazy Man’s Hollow
• Cleveland Memory: Station Road Bridge

The Eiffel Tower is haunted by a ghost named Johnny. He is often referred to as Tower Johnny and unexplained occurrences around the park are sometimes attributed to him.

Johnny was a high school senior who fell to his death on Grad Night. The date of this was May 13, 1983, which was of course FRIDAY THE 13! The day really is cursed!

Well, he climbed the fencing around the elevator shaft, on the 50-foot platform.

Legend says that he was cut in half by the cables, and that the cables are located in a pile behind the Beast. But, the cables are really suspension cables used on the double helix at the end of the coaster.

Used under a Creative Commons License from scott69 on Flickr

Look at the upper right of the picture, notice the cables on the helix.

Sources and Related Links

• Kings Island: Official Website
• Forgotten Ohio: Kings Island Hauntings
• Scary for Kids: Kings Island | Paramount Ohio
• Kings Island Central Forums: Tower Johnny?

This normal segment of tracks between Peninsula and the canal holds a secret still not known.

The ghostly appearance of a young man can be felt and heard pounding on the tracks in the narrow cut through the hill.

Above are some pictures of the sides of the tracks.

Whether he was a worker or hobo is still unknown. He pleads out to the living, maybe because he is hoping for them to stay and listen to him. Who knows?!?

EVPs

There is really nothing in this EVP. We were trying to do like another website were someone hummed and the railroad phantom sang along.

In this one, if you listen to the end it sounds like someone is hammering. The ghost is said to sometimes pound on the tracks.

Sources and Related Links

• Haunted Cuyahoga: Peninsula’s Railroad Phantom

The area currently known as “Beaver Marsh” was once owned by Charles Carter and his family. Cater was the son of a canal boat captain and he spent most of his life working on the canal. This is why he built his house at the nearby Pancake Lock.

His son, Darwin, built a house just to the north of the homestead, and helped his father after we went blind.

Above is a picture of one of the strange blue lights that people see!

Orb Chart from Moonspenders

When the canal was phased out and the family then opened a dairy farm on the property. Charles prayed for a rebirth of the canal, hoping to work on the boats once more, but his hopes were washed away with the flood of 1913. The flood destroyed the canal beyond repair. He then passed away the same year.

Both of the Carter homes have been demolished, the cow pastures became a junk yard until the site was cleaned up by the National Park Service. It was turned into a marsh once beavers were re-introduced into the region.

Many visitors have reported strange blue lights between the lock and the marsh, as well as footsteps along the boardwalk which stretched across the marsh.

Also, a shadowy figure wearing overalls has been seen running down the towpath. The towpath was once the Carter family driveway.

The above picture came our really weird. If you look at the left side it kind of looks like a person! Maybe it’s just me, I don’t know!

Today, it is believed that the spirit of Charles Carter is responsible for the activity. He must still waiting to see the canal restored to its former glory.

Sources and Related Links

• Haunted Cuyahoga: Beaver Marsh
• Ohio Forgotten: Pancake Lock (Lock 26)

During the spring of 1828, a flood caused the Furnace Run Culvert to fail and the canal to silt.

Several canal boats ran aground and were stranded at this canal lock.

As supplies ran low, canal passengers and the crew ate pancakes to survive.

Sources and Related Links

• The Johnny Apple Seed of the Ohio & Erie Canal: Lock 26
• Abandoned Ohio: Lock 26

Previous Lock :: Next Lock

This covered bridge is a replica of the old bridge that was built in the 70s. A series of floods leveled the original, but this bridge wasn’t always such a peaceful place.

As the story goes:

On the night of February 1, 1877, John Gilson and his wife tried crossing the creek approximately a mile north of this location. The horses bolted, tossing the wife out of the wagon, and charged into the bone-chilling creek, now swollen by rain. Mrs. Gilson was rescued, but her husband and the horses perished. John’s body was finally found 4 days later. There have been several accounts of possibly the restless souls still roaming, only this time, taking the safer route – the bridge.

Maybe if you’re passing the bridge late one night, you too will hear John in his wagon crossing the bridge, trying to make his way home one final time.

There is one more possibility to this story because immediately to the right of the bridge is what used to be Chamberlain (Everett) Cemetery. This was a private cemetery owned by the Chamberlain family. Several years ago, the cemetery was abandoned and only a few of the bodies were removed. Now, all of the headstones have disappeared and over a dozen graves still remain.

The spirits of the remaining dead may have become upset and roam the area surrounding the cemetery and bridge adjacent to it.

In the picture above there is a big white floater. (A.K.A. – Ghost Spot)

The picture above is a zoomed in view of the spot.  When that picture was taken there was nothing there and there was nothing on the lens.  Many of the other pictures on the page were taken after and show no spot.

Sources and Related Links

• Haunted Cuyahoga: Everett Cover Bridge

A Painesville master builder, Jonathan Goldsmith, built this house in Willoughby in 1831. He then lived there with his wife, Abigail, and their 10 children.

After Jonathan passed away, Abigail was determined to keep her home, so she turned the homestead into a boarding house and was then able to live comfortably off the rented rooms.

In 1887, Abigail was 100 years old and she passed away quietly in her home.

In 1973, the house was moved to Hale Farm.

Today, visitors have reported feeling the presence of Abigail Goldsmith. Her presence has been known to be a very welcoming, opening her doors for the weary traveler.

Sources and Related Links

• Haunted Cuyahoga: Goldsmith House