On this page you will find haunted locations and legends of Marion 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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Cardington
Salem Road – Legend says a man and woman were happily married but were unable to have children. The happy day finally came when the wife got pregnant and had a baby. It was not too long after the baby was born that the wife became pregnant again and had a second child. The family lived happily for a few years until the parents got into a huge argument. It was then revealed by the man’s wife that neither child belonged to him. In a rage, he took the two children out to the barn and killed them. He then went back into the house and killed his wife in the basement before killing himself. A strong presence can now be felt inside the basement and is known to sometimes push people. In the barn, doors slam, screams can be heard, and there is an odd smell of sulfur. Some witnesses have also claimed to see a ghostly family approaching their vehicle near the house. At least one group of people recorded an EVP of a man’s voice in the barn saying, “You shouldn’t be here.” Batteries have quickly drained in the electronic equipment of other groups. Another legend about the home states that if your name is written on the wall of the house, your vehicle will break down before turning off the road. (Credits: Sheila Hale, Kortney Lewis, Sharon, and Anne Park)
LaRue
Clarks Bridge – Clarks Bridge is said to be haunted by the ghost of a teen mother and her baby. Legend says when the teen had the baby, she was overtaken with shame and threw the infant into the Scioto River from the bridge. After realizing what she had done, the mother jumped off the bridge and drowned. Her ghost is said to come back at midnight on certain nights to search for her lost child. (Credits: Jonathan Pendleton)
Marion
Center Street Residence – During the 1960s, strange yellow eyes were seen staring from the upstairs window of a two-story house near the corner of Greenwood and Center Street.
East Lawn Manor Nursing Home – The footsteps of a mentally ill lady who died in the building could be heard coming down the hall during the midnight shift, her slippers scuffling along. Her ghost was sometimes seen walking up to a door and going through it. Sounds of slamming doors were frequently heard throughout the night. People who were confined to beds reported seeing her and watching their doors close by themselves. The nursing home was demolished in the fall of 2005 to make way for a new road.
Elite Apartments – Formerly the Sawyer Sanatorium, these apartments are said to be very haunted. Residents have heard disembodied voices and one witness saw a ghostly hand outside his apartment door. At one point the building’s owner closed a section of the building due to the paranormal activity taking place there. (Credits: Shawn Belcher)
Harding House – The former home of President Warren G. Harding is said to be haunted by the President himself. The antique clock in the home is supposed to stop on the same date and time the President died, only to restart by itself later. The sails of a model ship that sits in his office atop a tall wooden chest are said to move back and forth by themselves. Harding’s tomb, also in Marion, is supposed to be haunted as well.
House of Evil – A home in the 1200 block of Bellefontaine Drive on the west side of town has a foreboding atmosphere. People have reported feeling an evil presence immediately upon entering the home and had to quickly leave. The home was foreclosed on and abandoned.
Lawrence Orchards – The ghost of the former farm owner, Mrs. James Gooding, is said to haunt both her family home and the orchards planted on her land. She had lost the farm to foreclosure in 1921 and it is said that she died in an insane asylum.
Marion Cemetery – This cemetery contains a tombstone that has a revolving ball. The ball sits on top of the tombstone and can actually be seen rotating. While this may be some sort of geological feat, many believe that it is attributed to a spirit in the cemetery who cannot rest in peace.
Marion City Prison – The prison is said to be haunted by a one-legged peddler that hanged himself in the jail.
Marion Country Club – A nineteen-year-old named Annette Huddle worked as a secretary at the country club in the early 1980s. She was raped and murdered in 1981. The country club’s cook, Paul Steven Mack (AKA Sean Paul Lanier), was suspected of her murder but was never charged. He was later imprisoned for another crime. Annette’s body was found in the Olentangy River. Annette’s ghost is now said to roam the golf course and clubhouse. This story has even been featured on various television shows, including Unsolved Mysteries and America’s Most Wanted, in addition to a book entitled Tainted Roses by Margie Danielsen. (Credits: Shelly Hickman)
Marion YMCA – The YMCA in Marion is said to be haunted by a few ghosts. Footsteps can be heard on the top floor where boarding rooms were years ago. A few ghosts are said to haunt the swimming pool area as well.
Mongoid House – This property located on Salem Road is said to be haunted by the ghosts of a Civil War soldier and his family. Apparently the soldier murdered his entire family and hanged himself inside the barn. While the house is not the original house where the murders took place, it is still said to be haunted. The barn where the soldier hanged himself is the original barn and there are many reports of hearing strange noises there.
Southland Mall – Also known as Marion Centre, a ghostly young girl carrying a Raggedy Ann doll roams the mall, sometimes asking patrons to find a big man with a beard. It is believed the man may have killed her and was never caught. Southland Mall was built atop a small family graveyard known as Barks Cemetery. The three graves were relocated to a cemetery in Michigan when the mall was built.
St. Mary’s Cemetery – There is an old wooden cross in the non-Catholic section of the cemetery that belongs to Ann Judge, more commonly known as Gypsy Queen Cleo. She died during childbirth on March 20, 1905, while traveling through Marion. Many believe she now haunts the cemetery and nearby homes. People often leave trinkets at her grave as a sign of respect and good luck. According to legend, those who remove items will be cursed.
Prospect
North Street House of Terror – Some claim to feel as if they are being watched as they walk down the street. Eyewitnesses have claimed to see a face pressing against the second story window of the house. They say the face is somewhat darkened and hard to make out, but are able to see the eyes appear to be bleeding, with blood streaking down the window. Locals say a boy named Christopher was attacked and murdered in the house by an unknown assailant. His eyes were said to have been found ripped from the sockets when his body was discovered.