While driving down Franklin Boulevard in the city of Cleveland, you might pass what’s considered to be Ohio’s most haunted house without even knowing it.
If you’ve ever heard creepy legends about a house called Franklin Castle, you should know that at least some of them are true. So much more than a historic home, this Gothic mansion is known for its sorrowful tales, secret passageways, hauntingly beautiful architecture and, (of course), ghosts. Ohio’s most haunted house is arguably one of the most haunted places in America. Check it out:
Partly hidden behind trees at 4308 Franklin Boulevard, the recently renovated and infamous Franklin Castle (also known as the Hannes Tiedemann House) still houses a dark past.
Cricchetti/Wikimedia Commons Built in the late 1880s for German immigrant Hannes Tiedemann, the historic home still stands four stories high with more than 20 rooms. The house is full of secret passageways and hidden rooms, and is rumored to have seen its fair share of death and tragedies.
Legend has it, Tiedemann built secret passageways within the house. He also added a ballroom, turrets and gargoyles to the house, giving the home an even more pronounced castle-like appearance.
Tabitha Kaylee Hawk/Flickr People speculated that the construction of the hidden rooms provided places for Tiedemann to commit possible crimes, such as murder and/or bootlegging during the Prohibition. Speculation grew when the Tiedemann’s buried three children over the course of three years.
By 1908, the entire Tiedemann family had died with no one to inherit the house. It remained un-unoccupied until the late 60s when the Romano family purchased the castle and moved in.
Jeri Holland/Flickr The family reported several encounters with ghosts in their new home and even attempted a few exorcisms and paranormal investigations. By 1974, the Romanos left the house and it was sold to several different individuals over the years who attempted to restore the house with little to no progress.
While the facts surrounding the hauntings and strange occurrences remain unclear, the sinister appearance of the house is undeniable.
Tim Evanson/Flickr The creepiest part about the house’s history? Human remains were once uncovered here. In 1975, partial human bones were uncovered after a wall was knocked down during renovations. Why and how the bones were placed within the wall remains a mystery.
In March of 1982, Franklin Castle was added to the National Register of Historic Places. Today, the castle stands partly renovated, privately owned and is under video surveillance.
Patty Marvel/Flickr Currently, it is not open to tours or public observation and it is unclear as to what the house will be used for in the future.
Have you ever seen Franklin Castle before? Did you have any ghostly encounters during your visit? Share your photos and experiences with us!
Cricchetti/Wikimedia Commons
Built in the late 1880s for German immigrant Hannes Tiedemann, the historic home still stands four stories high with more than 20 rooms. The house is full of secret passageways and hidden rooms, and is rumored to have seen its fair share of death and tragedies.
Tabitha Kaylee Hawk/Flickr
People speculated that the construction of the hidden rooms provided places for Tiedemann to commit possible crimes, such as murder and/or bootlegging during the Prohibition. Speculation grew when the Tiedemann’s buried three children over the course of three years.
Jeri Holland/Flickr
The family reported several encounters with ghosts in their new home and even attempted a few exorcisms and paranormal investigations. By 1974, the Romanos left the house and it was sold to several different individuals over the years who attempted to restore the house with little to no progress.
Tim Evanson/Flickr
The creepiest part about the house’s history? Human remains were once uncovered here. In 1975, partial human bones were uncovered after a wall was knocked down during renovations. Why and how the bones were placed within the wall remains a mystery.
Patty Marvel/Flickr
Currently, it is not open to tours or public observation and it is unclear as to what the house will be used for in the future.
For more haunted destinations in Ohio, check out our previous article: This Haunted Road Trip Will Lead You To The Scariest Places In Ohio.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
