Haunted Columbus: “The Hallow” in the Scioto River

In the past I have discussed haunted lore stories from Columbus, Ohio’s past as well as well documented haunted locations throughout the Central Ohio area. Man…they were off the hook. They did some shit that makes today’s crimes look like they were done by amateurs; just sayin’! Regardless if you believe in hauntings, ghosts, spirits…whatever, you have to admit that they are pretty interesting. It’s the middle of the month, but better late than never…I guess.

So let’s talk about some BS real quick. We will first start with the traditional good ol’ fashioned way of educating the good people. We all know that the Scioto River is one of the most popular landmarks in Columbus. When Franklinton became a settlement, many people who were new to the area lived and worked along the Scioto River. For many, it was the first point of contact with their new home. Passing through what is now downtown Columbus, the Scioto River in the late 1790s was considerably narrower and much deeper than it is today, and was filled with sandbars and sporadic islands throughout the river. A large Indian mound, about 40 feet tall, towered above the high ground on the eastern side of the Scioto River and was hidden in what looked like a forest was later named Mound Street which of course still exists today. Besides a few cabins here and there along the river, still, at this time there weren’t many people living in the central Ohio area. The only signs of life a little more on the outskirts of the Scioto were the remnants of a Native American encampment near what is now the intersection of Neil Avenue and Spring Street in the Arena District.

Fast forward to 1834, the National Road (now Main Street) and The Ohio Canal had come to central Ohio and the population of Columbus more than doubled to 5,000 residents. The borough of Columbus finally became the city of Columbus. Now, remember, Columbus was still a developing city and there wasn’t a lot of money coming into the city. For fun, people spent much of their time along the river. It was a place to swim, to fish, and to find a nice place to spend a little quiet time. It also was a place to have a party from time to time. The numerous islands in and along the Scioto River provided an accessible place for people to have a little fun away from the city. Some of the people seeking privacy on the islands were simply looking for a nice place away from it all. However, there was also a sinister side to what was perceived to be innocent, well-deserving fun for the new hard-working residents of Columbus Ohio.

Speaking of critical race theory. Oh…no one said critical race theory? Well, let’s talk about it anyway and get right into the realness of it all. Some people had little to no choice of where to get their party on. These some people were former slaves who had acquired their freedom. They came to Columbus for the same reasons most everyone else did. They wanted to find a new life and new opportunities in this new growing town. Little is known about the migration of former slaves to Central Ohio, but don’t you worry…I will educate you all in another post. Anyway, after the founding of the new capital city, a settlement of freed black people began to settle in the large ravine that ran down to the Scioto where Interstate 70 passes through downtown today. It also helped that this part of the river was rumored to be part of The Underground Railroad. This was called “The Hollow” and other names that were less complimentary and I’m sure racists as hell, but don’t you worry…I will expose those as well after further research. The early black community was located near the place where tanneries, distilleries, and other businesses with noxious byproducts were beginning to be built as well. The land was cheap and few people wanted to live there, so of course, it was perfect for black people. (sarcasm)

Like pretty much everyone else in town, black people in early Columbus looked for a place to entertain themselves. They found it on the “island.” The island was more of an extended sandbar that ran in a narrow strip from what today is Broad Street to Main Street along the east side of the Scioto River. The good ol’ white folks back then called the island “a favorite dancing place for the manumitted slave population.” I guess that was supposed to be a nice description of it. So after all of this, I’m sure you all are saying damnit, get to the haunting and gore! Well…here it goes…

This part of the island is said to have been haunted for centuries and the black community wasn’t the first inhabitants of “The Hallow.” Here and nearby was also British Island also known as “Bloody Island.” So how did it get the name “Bloody Island” you ask? Well…the British came through and slaughter thousands of Native Americans who were the original residents of the island. Killed them and threw their bodies in the water…yes, that would be in the Scioto River. Native American men, women, and children…so of course a part of the island was named after the British murderers…of course it is because why not!?! Over the years people would say that they would hear screams, crying, and water splashing; you know like people are being thrown into the river, screaming and swimming for their lives. Just like that! When others came and tried to settle on the island, the haunting noises would drive them away. Hundreds of years later, the new black community moves there and probably doesn’t know anything about the sordid history. Even if they did, where else would they go at this time? But wait…it doesn’t stop there. You know the saying…”History repeats itself,” well ALLEGEDLY it did. Guess who the victims were this time. Yep…black folks. One night while minding their business and just partying after a long week of work and dealing with racism, a fight broke out between some black people and white people. Black folks were allegedly shot, killed, and thrown in the Scioto River like our Native brothers and sisters before us. ALLEGEDLY! To this day, there are still rumors of hearing screams, splashing, and other BS around the same area of where these islands once laid. Even though today, every single one of these islands in the Scioto is gone after more than a century of flooding, and of course the development of downtown Columbus. Today, all that remains are the legends and an occasional story about eerie sounds that sometimes echo along the river. Some say the sounds are only the wind. Who knows? There’s no evidence that any of this happened, but can’t we see it happening? Not once, but twice! Yes…I can.