Tag Archives: Prospect Place

Paranormally Speaking

By Tina R. McSwain

Prospect Place – Trinway, OH

This is one creepy place. The highlight of our trip here was getting locked out of the building by the ghostly inhabitants. Once we went outside to investigate the barn and the cellar (which could only be accessed from outside), I guess the ghosties had had enough of us, and locked us out! The door was very hard to shut in the first place, and the lock was turned to the locked position. Quite the experience.

The Bissman Building & Ohio State Reformatory – Mansfield, OH

After leaving Prospect Place around 10am in the morning, we journeyed to Mansfield just ahead of a thunderstorm. We went through Mount Vernon, OH and had our curiosity piqued by all the 5-pointed stars displayed on the houses. (We later found out this is an Amish tradition for good luck.)

After checking in to the hotel and grabbing a much needed shower, we set out for the Mansfield Fire Museum (reportedly haunted) and took part in an impromptu historical and paranormal tour.

Leaving there, we set out for the Ren Theatre (another reportedly haunted location). We had quite an interesting experience, in of all places, the Men’s Room. Some EMF Meter hits as well as a knock at the door and no living person around to have done the knocking. We conducted an EVP session here as well.

Last but not least, we headed for the Bissman Building, our original Saturday evening destination. This family owned food distribution business has quite the sordid history. From rumors of illicit liquor and mafia influences, to the tragic murder of a young girl, and the vigilante justice handed out to her murderer by the company’s employees. Three of our team members had an uneasy feeling on a certain floor, and two had to leave the area entirely. The rest of us carried on with our tour. This is one location we want to visit again!

Sunday was our day (and night) for the Ohio State Reformatory. Just as we did at Prospect place, we deployed 8 stationery night vision cameras, 2 stationery full spectrum cameras, and several motion detectors strategically placed throughout. Our teams covered this imposing structure from (literally) top to bottom. As you can imagine, we have hours and hours of video and audio to review for any possible evidence captured.

Leave a Comment

Filed under Tina R. McSwain

Paranormally Speaking

By Tina R. McSwain

On the road again…

This time to Ohio.  My CAPS team members and I are off to our first haunted destination, Prospect Place in Trinway, OH.  We should arrive for our investigation around 7pm Friday evening.  This family mansion is quite imposing as it sits alone on a hilltop.  A most foreboding and outright creepy place.  It was built in the 1850’s and was used as part of the underground railroad, offering the escaping slaves a safe haven as they made their way to Canada and true freedom.  It is reported to be the ghostly home of the lady of the house, as well as a young girl.  The barn is said to harbor a more sinister presence, a bounty hunter who found himself on the end of a hangman’s noose in a mock trial followed by swift local justice.   We’ll try our best to capture some evidence of the spirit world.  Maybe the essence of a fleeing slave or an injured passenger from a horrible train wreck that occurred nearby. 

We’ll then make our way on Saturday to Mansfield, OH and investigate the Bissman Building in downtown Mansfield.  This family owned business has a few ghost stories of its own.  A mysterious ghost girl named “Ruthie”, as well as an unfortunate gentleman who lost his life on his last day of work at the building.  On the day of his retirement, he had forgotten an item and got back on the elevator to return to his office to retreive it.  The elevator malfunctioned and fell, beheading him. 

There’s an old theatre just across the street, and we’ve been told we’ll get a shot at it too.  Almost every old theatre you hear of is said to be haunted.  This one is no exception.

Finally, we’ll end our “Ghosts of Ohio” tour at the Ohio State Reformatory in Mansfield. OH.  For some of us, this will be our second trip to this infamous prison.  I for one, had an encounter in the Assistant Warden’s living quarters.  I heard footsteps coming from the room to my left, then they walked right up to me.  I also saw a series of lights near the ceiling of the room for which I have no explanation.  This is the facility that was used in the filming of The Shawshank Redemption.  Prisons are famous for their paranormal activity.  Hopefully, we have a few new experiences of our own.

Stay tuned for our results…

Leave a Comment

Filed under Tina R. McSwain