October: Haunted Columbus – Glen Echo Ravine and Walhalla Road

It’s called the “Gates of Hell” by some. Have you ever taken a ride down the street off the ravine? Have you ever ventured down in the ravine itself? Over the years there’s been some interesting things happening down and around the Glen Echo Ravine. Located off of Indianola Ave, just north of The Ohio State University in the Clintonville neighborhood; people have been visiting and investigating the ravine for years. To me, it’s always been a relaxing place to go and get away from the city, but you know that you’re still within the city. However, some people believe that the ravine hides a secret, hidden gateway and portal to hell; hence the name ” Gates of Hell.” Ghostly figures have been seen in the creek by numerous people. There’s a man who sits on the edge of the creek, then when you get closer to him he disappears. The ghost of gothic girl who hangs out on or near the park’s bridge at the center of the park. The ghost of a homeless man who froze to death has been seen around the drain tunnel that runs beneath the Indianola overpass. That’s just to name a few. So what else goes on down in this quiet ravine?

There’s another area in the park known as “Ten Pin.” It’s a set of ten concrete barriers installed in the creek to stop large objects from clogging the nearby tunnel. It’s said that the spirit of a witch who used to conduct ceremonies at that location supposedly haunts the area.

One of the most popular stories of the ravine is the murder/suicide of a family who lived there in the early 20th Century, A man living in a house overlooking the ravine went horribly insane and chopped his wife and children to death in their beds. He lived in the blood-splattered house alone with the corpses for several days until neighbors came by and found the gruesome scene. He then fled into the ravine and hung himself from a tree. His ghost has been spotted wandering the ravine with an ax. Perhaps seeking new victims?!?

Let’s get back to this “Gates of Hell.” Another story talks of a death in the tunnel itself. The concrete area near the Gates is popular with skateboarders. They call it “The Blood Bowl.” Allegedly, a few years back, a skater had the bright idea to skate the length of the tunnel in the dark. His friends waited and waited but he never made it to the other side. The skater was found dead part way through the tunnel, with his skull caved-in. He’s said to haunt the depths of the tunnel just trying to find a way out. However, there are no records verifying this incident. To most of us, just walking by the drain is just a drain, but on certain nights when the stars are right it’s believed that the gate opens up to hell. For moments at a time, creatures and things can pass between life here and beyond. This “gate” is said to have been opened by hippies in the seventies or devil-worshipping, heavy metal teens in the eighties.

In November 2001, a human head showed up in the ravine. A couple walking through the ravine during the day noticed what looked like a skull near the path through the ravine. At first, they thought it was a left over Halloween decoration. They then took a closer look at it and it was proved to be true. The police were called and an investigation began. The head was old and almost, completely in skeletal form. It still had hair, coiffed and held in place with a rusty metal hat.  An anthropologist from Ohio State was called in to analyze the head and determined the skull was female of late middle age. The skull seemed to have been buried and then exhumed. A search of Union Cemetery across the river discovered no disturbed graves. A review of historical maps showed no pioneer graves that might have been disturbed by erosion. Apparently, someone had exhumed a skull from a grave and deposited it in the ravine. Nothing more was ever determined.

Most of the time, the drain is just a drain but on certain nights when the stars are right, a gate opens there to realms beyond. For brief intervals, creatures and things can pass between realities. It’s said to have been opened by occult-dabbling hippies in the Seventies or devil-worshipping, heavy metal teens in the Eighties.

And lastly, what’s up with Walhalla Road? Located not too far from Glen Echo Ravine, but far enough to hold its own secrets. Walhalla Road is one of the most unusual roads in Columbus. It looks at first, especially if traveling at night that you are driving to nowhere; so that’s spooky enough for me. They’re a few legends that surround this road. One is Mooney’s Mansion where Mr. Mooney reportedly murdered his family. It’s also said that when you get closer to the mansion it’s gets colder and colder; even on a hot, humid summer’s night. Reports say that if you go under the Calumet Street bridge at night, you can see the reflection of the murder victims in the water to the right of the road. Also said to haunt the area around the bridge is the ghost of an Ohio State student who supposedly hanged herself from the bridge years ago. People while walking or driving under the bridge have seen her figure swinging from the bridge at night. The most mysterious story is of a woman’s statue (supposedly of Mrs. Mooney, not confirmed who it is) somewhere on the ridge that bleeds in places where she was axed to death. That would freak me out! There have been reports of ghostly dogs and vehicles chasing people away who stop along the road. Excuse me? Needless to say…I have no intention of traveling down Walhalla Road.

I post these stories and I really don’t know what to believe. I do however think they’re interesting. If any of my homies want to go investigate, let me know. Not saying that I’m going, but……..LOL!