Investigation #05OJR70032
This paranormal investigation was conducted at the Athens Ridges, formerly an insane asylum, in Athens, Ohio on January 29, 2005.
General Information
A gentleman who occupied one of the graduate art studios in the main building contacted the OES about paranormal activity that he had experienced. His experiences included seeing figures walking down the hallway from his studio out of the corner of his eye when no one else was present, hearing music near the elevator that vanished upon returning to the location moments later, and seeing the figure of a man wearing a black coat in the reflection of the men’s restroom mirror when no one was there. A maintenance worker who was interviewed upon our arrival told us of several places where he had also experienced paranormal activity. His experienced included seeing and interacting with shadowy figures in the former activities area and witnessing the apparition of a woman wearing a yellow dress standing in a doorway in the same area. The OES toured the artist studios and the remainder of the accessible area.
Investigators Attending
- Jason Robinson – Ohio Exploration Society Founder
- Jason Colwell – Director of Paranormal Investigations
- Abraham Bartlett – Investigator
- MJ – Investigator
Equipment Used
- 2 Sony MiniDV Camcorders
- 2 Sony Hi8mm Camcorders
- 2 Digital Cameras
- 1 35mm Film Camera
- 2 Digital Audio Recorders
- 2 Microcassette Recorders
- 4 External Microphones
- 1 TriField Natural EM Meter
- 1 Infrared Thermometer
- 4 FRS Radios
Paranormal / Unusual Activity
During our tour of the basement area, we recorded electronic voice phenomenon (EVP) asking, “Would you help us?” Later on another floor, the team was inside a room that had once been a padded cell. We recorded the sound of a scream on our audio equipment that was not heard by those present in real time.
The OES team split in two crews of two during our investigation. Colwell and MJ reported to an area known as the “Blue Tile Room” on the same floor as the artist studios. Many people who have entered the room had reported uncomfortable feelings. Colwell took temperature readings and found a cold spot in the corner of the room. A cause for the cold spot was not immediately identifiable.
Robinson and Bartlett investigated the restroom where the reflection of a man standing behind witnesses had been reported. The two OES members recorded video and took multiple photos of the mirror, but nothing out of the ordinary showed up. Robinson and Bartlett then reported to the area in the hallway where music could sometimes be heard near the elevator. They tested the acoustics of the hallway finding that one could hear someone speaking on the first floor landing from the top of the stairwell. Sounds could also travel through the vent just above the location where music was sometimes heard. We do not discount reports of hearing the mysterious music, but made note that sound could carry easily in this location.
The two crews combined back into one team for a final tour of the accessible areas of the building. We took electromagnetic field readings and temperature readings throughout the accessible areas, along with photographs, but did not record anything unusual. All equipment was retrieved during this final tour. The total time of this investigation was approximately four hours.
EVP Recordings
| Screaming: We recorded the sound of someone screaming as we were looking into a formerly padded room. | |
| Would You Help Us: This voice saying, “Would you help us,” was recorded in the basement near a set of iron gates. | |
| Would You Help Us Edit: The same recording as the file above but edited to enhance the voice. |
Site Information
Athens Ridges
North Ridge Drive
Athens, OH 45701
740-593-1000
http://www.ohio.edu
SPECIAL NOTE: This investigation is covered in John Kachuba’s book Ghosthunters: On The Trail of Mediums, Dowsers, Spirit Seekers, And Other Investigators Of America’s Paranormal World; Chapter 13. Click Here to buy your copy today!