If you’re looking for someplace out of the ordinary to explore, consider investing the time in a few tours of the Mansfield Reformatory in Ohio — but be aware that this isn’t an experience for the faint of heart. While the exterior of the building may be hauntingly beautiful, the lonely cells and restless spirits roaming about inside are far from welcoming. If exploring haunted places and creepy museums is your thing, this is the one place in Ohio that has to go on your bucket list. It’s a historic treasure with a haunting backstory.
Take a look:
Formerly known as the Mansfield Reformatory, this historic prison first opened in 1886 and is nearly 130 years old.
Ohio State Reformatory MRPS/Facebook It’s a historic gem with one of a kind architecture. (As well as a dark, dark past.)
The facility officially closed in 1990. And despite its disturbing history, four major motion pictures were filmed at the reformatory, the most famous being the “The Shawshank Redemption” in 1993.
Fangirl Quest via Ohio State Reformatory MRPS/Facebook During your visit, you’ll likely be able to point out several sites that correspond with movie scenes.
Today, visitors can explore the reformatory via formal tours, ghost hunts and The Haunted Prison Experience in the fall.
Ohio State Reformatory MRPS/Facebook Self guided tours are $25 per person. Tickets for seniors, college students and students ages 7 - 17 are $23 per person. Guided tours are $30 per person. Tickets for seniors, college students and students ages 7 -17 are $28 per person. (Children 6 and under are free.)
The reformatory is known to house the state’s most violent ghosts. Spirits of rioting inmates who often fought each other to the death in overcrowded isolation cells are said to haunt the halls and cells of this former prison.
Ohio State Reformatory MRPS/Facebook No one could have anticipated the dark history to follow the facility, which was not even initially intended to function as a prison. Overtime, however, the reformatory officially transitioned into a high security prison—and with that transition brought more violent prisoners.
Walking through the halls of cells, many visitors can almost feel the frustration, rage and despair of former prisoners.
Ohio State Reformatory MRPS/Facebook The most infamous tale of the prison involves “the hole,” a small cell in which prisoners were held for three days when they were being punished. Several sources have reported that at one time there were two inmates held in “the hole”—and by the end of the three days one did not make it out alive.
Several guided tour options are available, depending on your interest in the museum: The History Meets Hollywood Tour, Behind the Scenes Tour and The Inmate Tour.
Ohio State Reformatory MRPS/Facebook There are also ghost hunt programs (both public and private) you can take to explore the darker side of this historic site.
To learn more about the different tours of the Mansfield Reformatory in Ohio, click here. The Ohio State Reformatory is located at 100 Reformatory Rd., Mansfield, OH 44905. Have you ever been here before? What was your experience like?
Ohio State Reformatory MRPS/Facebook
It’s a historic gem with one of a kind architecture. (As well as a dark, dark past.)
Fangirl Quest via Ohio State Reformatory MRPS/Facebook
During your visit, you’ll likely be able to point out several sites that correspond with movie scenes.
Self guided tours are $25 per person. Tickets for seniors, college students and students ages 7 - 17 are $23 per person. Guided tours are $30 per person. Tickets for seniors, college students and students ages 7 -17 are $28 per person. (Children 6 and under are free.)
No one could have anticipated the dark history to follow the facility, which was not even initially intended to function as a prison. Overtime, however, the reformatory officially transitioned into a high security prison—and with that transition brought more violent prisoners.
The most infamous tale of the prison involves “the hole,” a small cell in which prisoners were held for three days when they were being punished. Several sources have reported that at one time there were two inmates held in “the hole”—and by the end of the three days one did not make it out alive.
There are also ghost hunt programs (both public and private) you can take to explore the darker side of this historic site.
Are you fascinated by old jails? Explore yesteryear when you dine at Olde Jaol Steakhouse, a quirky restaurant in a building that was once the Wayne County Jail.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
Address: The Ohio State Reformatory, 100 Reformatory Rd, Mansfield, OH 44905, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
Tours Of The Mansfield Reformatory In Ohio June 21, 2020 Nikki Rhoades What are the scariest haunted attractions in Ohio? The Buckeye State might as well be called the Ghost State, because our landscape is full of landmarks that have a reputation for being haunted. Whether this just offers a glimpse into the persistence of Ohio local lore or actually hides locations where the veil between this world and the next is somehow thinner, it is undeniable that Ohio’s haunted places have a story to tell. The Ceely Rose House is regarded as one of the most haunted places in the nation, and it’s tucked amidst the beauty of farmland. Rider’s Inn in Painesville is the oldest and most haunted inn in Ohio, but your hosts are plenty welcoming… if you don’t mind that one is Suzanne, the dearly departed wife of the earliest innkeeper. What are the most popular ghost story in Ohio? Arguably, the most infamously haunted spot in Ohio is Franklin Castle. While the ghostly legends surrounding this castle-like mansion have been proven to be nothing more than mere legend, the surrounding neighborhood does have a reputation for ghostly activity. After all, much of Cleveland’s Ohio City is incredibly old! Though Franklin Castle is not regularly open to the public, you can stay nearby in the scenic Wallace Manor Bed & Breakfast. Are there any haunted hotels in Ohio? Can’t get enough of all things spooky? A bit of time in Ohio will do you well. The Buckeye State is full of haunted hotels and B&Bs, ranging from the extravagant Renaissance Hotel in Cleveland (which, let’s be real… who wouldn’t want to spend an eternity there?!) to the aforementioned Rider’s Inn. There are several places in Ohio where you can room with a ghost for the night… that is, if you dare.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Tours Of The Mansfield Reformatory In Ohio
June 21, 2020
Nikki Rhoades
What are the scariest haunted attractions in Ohio? The Buckeye State might as well be called the Ghost State, because our landscape is full of landmarks that have a reputation for being haunted. Whether this just offers a glimpse into the persistence of Ohio local lore or actually hides locations where the veil between this world and the next is somehow thinner, it is undeniable that Ohio’s haunted places have a story to tell. The Ceely Rose House is regarded as one of the most haunted places in the nation, and it’s tucked amidst the beauty of farmland. Rider’s Inn in Painesville is the oldest and most haunted inn in Ohio, but your hosts are plenty welcoming… if you don’t mind that one is Suzanne, the dearly departed wife of the earliest innkeeper. What are the most popular ghost story in Ohio? Arguably, the most infamously haunted spot in Ohio is Franklin Castle. While the ghostly legends surrounding this castle-like mansion have been proven to be nothing more than mere legend, the surrounding neighborhood does have a reputation for ghostly activity. After all, much of Cleveland’s Ohio City is incredibly old! Though Franklin Castle is not regularly open to the public, you can stay nearby in the scenic Wallace Manor Bed & Breakfast. Are there any haunted hotels in Ohio? Can’t get enough of all things spooky? A bit of time in Ohio will do you well. The Buckeye State is full of haunted hotels and B&Bs, ranging from the extravagant Renaissance Hotel in Cleveland (which, let’s be real… who wouldn’t want to spend an eternity there?!) to the aforementioned Rider’s Inn. There are several places in Ohio where you can room with a ghost for the night… that is, if you dare.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
The Buckeye State might as well be called the Ghost State, because our landscape is full of landmarks that have a reputation for being haunted. Whether this just offers a glimpse into the persistence of Ohio local lore or actually hides locations where the veil between this world and the next is somehow thinner, it is undeniable that Ohio’s haunted places have a story to tell. The Ceely Rose House is regarded as one of the most haunted places in the nation, and it’s tucked amidst the beauty of farmland. Rider’s Inn in Painesville is the oldest and most haunted inn in Ohio, but your hosts are plenty welcoming… if you don’t mind that one is Suzanne, the dearly departed wife of the earliest innkeeper.
What are the most popular ghost story in Ohio?
Arguably, the most infamously haunted spot in Ohio is Franklin Castle. While the ghostly legends surrounding this castle-like mansion have been proven to be nothing more than mere legend, the surrounding neighborhood does have a reputation for ghostly activity. After all, much of Cleveland’s Ohio City is incredibly old! Though Franklin Castle is not regularly open to the public, you can stay nearby in the scenic Wallace Manor Bed & Breakfast.
Are there any haunted hotels in Ohio?
Can’t get enough of all things spooky? A bit of time in Ohio will do you well. The Buckeye State is full of haunted hotels and B&Bs, ranging from the extravagant Renaissance Hotel in Cleveland (which, let’s be real… who wouldn’t want to spend an eternity there?!) to the aforementioned Rider’s Inn. There are several places in Ohio where you can room with a ghost for the night… that is, if you dare.
