On this page you will find haunted locations and legends of Vinton 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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Dundas
Beard’s Cemetery – Witnesses have reported seeing glowing grave stones and a dog with glowing red eyes and vicious teeth.
Lake Hope
Hope Furnace – One worker has never left his post at the Hope Furnace. Since the furnace was run 24 hours, watchmen were employed to oversee the furnace at night and to tend the fires. They used lanterns to guide them along on their rounds, which sometimes took them to the top of the furnace. One stormy night, a bright bolt of lightning temporarily blinded one of the watchmen as he was doing his rounds. Not being able to see where he was walking, the watchman fell into the furnace, the bubbling ore quickly melting his body away. It is said that a dark figure carrying a lantern can be seen walking around the top of the furnace on stormy nights until lightning strikes close by, at which point the figure disappears. Related: OES Visit
Moonville Tunnel – There are several legends and ghost stories surrounding the Moonville Tunnel. The first story is the most popular and familiar in relation to the tunnel. On a dark night in the late 1850s, a brakeman was killed by a train. He was intoxicated after playing cards with some others and attempted to stop a train by swinging his lantern back and forth as he walked through the tunnel. His attempt did not work and he was struck by the train, which decapitated him. His ghost is now said to haunt the tunnel, swinging his lantern back and forth for eternity. The second story is of a young lady who was on her way to visit her lover in Moonville. An oncoming train struck and killed her as she was crossing the creek on the train bridge. Her ghost was said to roam the bridge, looking for her head. The trestle is no longer standing, so we’re unsure if she still haunts the area. Perhaps her ghost floats where the bridge used to be or perhaps she can finally rest in peace. Related: OES Visit, Contribution
Zaleski
Stairway House – Located on North Broadway in Zaleski, the Stairway House is reputed to be haunted. According to long-standing local tradition, the stairway came from the Zaleski Castle, built in the 1850s for Peter Zaleski. Peter was the Polish count who helped finance the Marietta & Cincinnati Railroad, which later became B&O and CSX. Sadly, the count never visited the town named in his honor. When his castle fell into ruins, the furnishings and woodwork began appearing in local houses. Stairway House was the long-time residence of John and Mary Potter. When it became a bed and breakfast a few years ago, a medium claimed the ghosts of the former owners appeared at her bedside. One was a bald gentleman who leaned over to check on her and the other was a short elderly lady who sat down at the bedside and patted her reassuringly on the hand.