Plenty of ghost towns can be found in Ohio, a state rich in history. Each one has its an own tale of establishment, prosperity, and ultimate abandonment. Discover the transience of human pursuits and the lasting imprints they leave behind with this intriguing look into the past provided by these abandoned villages.
Boston Mills – The Prominent “Helltown” Founded in 1806, Boston Mills, also referred to as “Helltown,” was a prosperous village in Summit County. Due to its numerous enterprises and manufacturing facilities, it became well-known after the Ohio & Erie Canal was built in 1827.
The community was abandoned, nevertheless, when the US government forcibly removed its citizens in the 1970s to make way for the establishment of the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. An unsettling charm was added to the town’s ruins by the countless urban legends that were born out of this activity, including those about government cover-ups and Satanic operations.
A Town Forgotten by Time: Fallsville
Formerly the only corn mill in the region, Fallsville was established in the 1820s. The town never really took off, though, and by the time Andrew Payton, the last inhabitant, passed away in 1893, all traces of it had been removed. In the present day, hunters and adventurers frequent the town, especially its major Methodist church.
A Coal Mining Relic, Kings Station
Risen in the mid-1800s, Kings Station was a part of a network of coal mining communities. Cincinnati Railroad’s expansion was essential to its development, but the coal industry’s downturn caused it to disappear. Historic sites and hikers alike can now explore the remains of this hamlet, including the 1850s Kings Hollow Tunnel.
The mining town lost to time is called Moonville
An extensive network of coal mining villages included Moonville, which was located close to Kings Station. From the time it was founded in the 1800s, its population declined and accidents occurred due to its remote location and lack of roadways. Up until its total abandonment in 1947, the population was severely reduced by a smallpox epidemic in the 1890s.
The Unlucky Casualty of Development: Newville
A gristmill was at the heart of Newville’s creation in 1823. As railroads were developed, it started to deteriorate after growing during the 19th century. This once-thriving mill town was reduced to a few relics when a nearby dam was built in the 1940s, forcing the last of the population to relocate.
From Prosperity to Ruins at Oreton Station
Coal, iron, shale, and silver were the first commodities mined at Oreton Station. When the coal mine and train station closed, among other changes, it declined in the 1850s after it had reached its peak of prosperity. When the town’s post office closed in 1950, it was abandoned.
A Preserved Heritage in Shaker Village
An initial Shaker colony settled around 1824, creating Shaker Village, also known as Whitewater Shaker Village. Although the town was prosperous at first, strife among the leaders caused land sales and migration, which led to the village’s collapse in 1880. By 1916, it had been fully abandoned, but it is now a national historic site that protects Shaker’s legacy.
A spooky but intriguing trip through Ohio’s past can be had by visiting these abandoned communities. By enabling visitors to travel back in time and feel the echoes of bygone times, the relics of these towns provide a concrete link to history.
