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Ohio Folklore

Ohio Folklore

Melissa Davies

Hello and welcome to Ohio Folklore. I’m your host, Melissa Davies, and I’m delighted to serve as your guide through some of Ohio’s most treasured, and often misunderstood, folk legends. We’ll explore locations that have inspired a sense of wonder, awe and mystery. We’ll scour historical facts to lay out what can be known. We’ll explore oral histories from local people who’ve had first hand encounters with the places and legends themselves. And, lastly, we’ll consider the unexplained, the unresolved, the missing pieces. What keeps a legend alive is a mix of critical ingredients. You’ve got to have a sense of uniqueness, of being out of place. You’ve got to have an element of significance, of a message that speaks deeply in its universal truth. But lastly, and most importantly, you’ve got to have that feeling of curiosity, of a puzzle with a few vital pieces missing. Our minds want to fill it in, to make it whole. And that, my friends, is where folklore is born. It’s is a collection of stories we humans tell about the places and events that seem bigger than ourselves; that seem too fantastical for history books; that seem too mysterious for museums. Many of the stories we’ll cover in this podcast will say as much about the storytellers as the subject matter itself. The teller and the story cannot be separated. Sometimes, what’s conjured up to fill in the gaps, tells us more about ourselves than we realize. The legends we’ll cover will address our deepest fears, our most heartfelt wishes and our most ardent desire for something beyond our mundane lives.
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Top 10 Ohio Folklore Episodes

Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best Ohio Folklore episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to Ohio Folklore for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite Ohio Folklore episode by adding your comments to the episode page.

Ohio Folklore - Ghosts of McClure

Ghosts of McClure

Ohio Folklore

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03/19/19 • 31 min

When it comes to ghost stories, there’s nothing more cliché than a haunting in a cemetery. This episode focuses on two cemeteries outside the small town of McClure, Ohio. They're known as Olive Branch Cemetery (Carrie's Grave) and Crybaby Hill. These strange places hold truths that have been lost to time. Join us as we take a trip behind the ghost stories. You never know what you'll discover when you take a closer look...Find Ohio Folklore on Facebook at facebook.com/ohiofolklore
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Museums are known for holding all sorts of important objects. Some museums, however, hold something not usually visible... something of the spiritual realm. These places are fertile grounds for folklore to take root.

Such is the case with the United State Air Force Museum in Dayton, Ohio.

Come hear the personal experiences of famed author of Ohio ghost tales, Ms. Chris Woodyard. Her renowned 5-part series, Haunted Ohio, introduced many Ohioans to folktales which spring forth from our backyards. In today’s episode, she offers keen insights into the ghostly sightings at the largest military aviation museum in the world.

Come hear the heart wrenching true tale of a group of men, who gave all they had in support of our freedom. Many believe their spirits can still be found near parts of the wreckage of their WWII B-24D bomber.

We owe all veterans and active military members a debt of service. Let us remember their sacrifices as we approach Veterans Day on November 11.

If you enjoy this episode, please rate, review and subscribe to Ohio Folklore on your chosen podcast platform. You can also find Ohio Folklore at:

Ohiofolklore.com

Facebook.com/ohiofolklore

And as always, keep wondering...

A special thanks to author Chris Woodyard for her participation in today’s episode. You can find her extensive collection of ghostly tales at her website here: http://hauntedohiobooks.com/

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Ohio Folklore - Battle of Buffington Island
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05/08/22 • 40 min

When most of us think of the Civil War, we picture grand Southern plantations and epic battles with names like Gettysburg and Antietam. Even many Ohioans fought in the conflict, no actual battles happened within our borders, right?

The ghosts of the Battle of Buffington Island may beg to differ on this question.

Come hear the historic saga of one rogue Confederate general who led a raid through southern Indiana and Ohio. His reign of terror was the stuff of legend. It apparently still haunts some Ohioans today.

Come hear the story of one Donny Jones, interim chairman of the Buffington Island Battlefield Preservation Foundation. A Civil War reenactor himself, he shares personal experiences of what it’s like to encounter shadows of those who’ve gone before us.

For some lost souls, the battles rage on.

If you enjoy this episode, please rate, review and subscribe to Ohio Folklore on your chosen podcast platform. You can also find Ohio Folklore at:

ohiofolklore.com

facebook.com/ohiofolklore

To make your donation to help save the Buffington Island Battlefield through the American Battlefield Trust, click here: https://www.battlefields.org/give/save-battlefields/help-preserve-311-acres-four-historic-battlefields#

To connect with the Buffington Island Battlefield Preservation Foundation, click here: https://www.buffingtonbattlefieldfoundation.org/

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Ohio Folklore - Bloody Bridge of St. Mary's
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09/06/21 • 38 min

Bridges represent so much to us. They make the impassable, passable. They connect us to the wider world. Yet in folklore terms, bridges are magnets for ghosts. Countless “crybaby bridges” dot the landscape of our great state. We share and reshare tales of disembodied voices and misty shapes rising over the water.

So you might think this episode is just another trite tale of a haunted bridge. Thank again.

Come hear the tale of the Bloody Bridge near St. Mary’s. This legendary story has been published in local newspapers for more than 160 years. It’s been written into a high school musical. This wrenching narrative, a love triangle turned lethal, has captured the imaginations of Ohioans for generations.

Locals believe the tortured spirits of those lost, remain. They erected a plaque, set in stone, to proclaim a history still very much alive.

Special thanks to Ms. Alysia Hatfield and Mr. Warren Bowery for their personal insights on the subject.

If you enjoy this episode, please rate, review and subscribe to Ohio Folklore on your chosen podcast platform. You can find Ohio Folklore at

Ohiofolklore.com

Facebook.com/ohiofolklore

And as always, keep wondering...

Covert Affair - Film Noire by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100795

Artist: http://incompetech.com/

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Ohio Folklore - Gilboa's Haunted Cholera Cemetery
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04/18/21 • 42 min

Feeling weary of our never-ending pandemic lives? The fatigue was well known to our ancestors, who suffered infectious diseases with even less knowledge and fewer treatments than we have available today.
The tiny town of Gilboa, Ohio in Putnam County holds key information as to how just one small community confronted the unseen microbe causing Cholera, an intestinal illness leading to dehydration and death. Come hear the tales of one ordinary 19th century cemetery said to contain a mass grave of child victims of the disease. Hear the story of one local resident, Nancy Kline, and the disembodied words she heard while investigating the place.
Come hear the historic and epic tale of one immigrant physician, Dr. Gustavus Thatye, and his valiant attempts to save those who couldn’t flee the village. He gave all he had, including his life, in support of the country to which he didn’t yet belong.
Our fight against infectious disease has been going on for ages. Come learn what the spirits of yesteryear have to teach us.
If you enjoy this episode, please rate, review and subscribe to Ohio Folklore on your chosen podcast platform. You can also find Ohio Folklore at:
ohiofolklore.com
facebook.com/ohiofolklore
And as always, keep wondering...
To make a generous donation to the Gofundme account which raises funds for Dr. Thatye’s new tombstone, click here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/tombstone-for-dr-gustavus-thatye

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Ohio Folklore - (Rebroadcast) Moonville Tunnel
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08/20/22 • 39 min

Come listen again to one of Ohio Folklore's most popular episodes!
One monument to an era gone by once laid hidden in the overgrown hills of Ohio’s Vinton County. Thanks to the efforts of countless local enthusiasts and state ODNR officials, this antiquated railway tunnel is now easily reached. In fact, it’s handicap accessible.

All who dare can now visit the Moonville Tunnel. However, it’s not just the living who answer its beckoning call. Claims of ghostly apparitions at this desolate location began in the late 1800’s, and persist yet today. With the multitude of violent rail deaths that have been documented through the years, it’s no real surprise that perhaps some lost souls are still waiting for the next train.

Come hear the story of Mr. Rich Dahn, historian for the Moonville Rail Trail Association. He’s been visiting the site for more than 40 years, and still can’t get enough. Come hear the ghostly tales and the documented history of this legendary spot left yet untouched by modern civilization.

So come on aboard this episode, revealing a sparkling jewel of Ohio’s railway folklore.

If you enjoy this episode, please rate, review and subscribe to Ohio Folklore on your chosen podcast platform. You can also find Ohio Folklore at:

Ohiofolkore.com

Facebook.com/ohiofolklore

And as always, keep wondering...

Special thanks to The Rarely Herd for their permission in using their song “Moonville Brakeman” as part of today’s episode. Find them on Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/The-Rarely-Herd-113910075327852/

To learn more about the Moonville Rail Trail Association, click here: https://vintoncountytravel.com/parks-and-recreation/moonville-rail-trail/.

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Ohio Folklore - Piatt Castles

Piatt Castles

Ohio Folklore

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07/17/21 • 39 min

Among Ohio’s many tourist destinations, the Piatt Castles situated in Logan County are truly treasured. Their native limestone blocks and intricately painted ceilings transport visitors to another time. Some come for the history, some come for the aesthetics. Few expect to have the kind of deep experience that leaves a person altered.

Come hear the tale from the museum’s director, Ms. Margaret Piatt. A descendant of the original owner, she offers an inside view of the historic space. Yet more than that, she shares the personal story of how she’s developed a fuller appreciation for the land on which it sits.

Come hear the compelling legend attached to one unassuming boulder located near the property. On separating fact from fiction, we come to learn a bit more of who we were, and perhaps who we might yet become.

Native tribes were forced from this region a long time ago. Along with them, let’s not lose the truth of their struggles, their hopes, their wisdom.

If you enjoy this episode, please rate, review and subscribe on your chosen podcast platform. You can also find Ohio Folklore at:

Ohiofolklore.com

Facebook.com/ohiofolklore

And as always, keep wondering...

Plan your visit to the Piatt Castle, Mac-A-Cheek by clicking here: https://piattcastle.org/

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Ohio Folklore - Cincinnati's Music Hall
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06/20/21 • 37 min

Cincinnati’s Music Hall, a venerable art institution known for wowing audiences with beauty and talent, is also a known for its other-worldly reputation. Patrons and staff alike have sighted ghosts for more than 150 years. All this has cemented the building’s role in Ohio’s folkloric history.

Come hear the tale of one veteran paranormal investigator, Mr. Dan Schneider, who captured his most dramatic unexplained experience there in the fabled freight elevator.

Come hear the tales of the site’s macabre history, dating back long before its original construction. One piece of its tragic history stands out among the rest, a manmade explosion killing scores. Their unidentified graves remain beneath the building’s foundations.

Perhaps the spirts linger there for the heavenly music wafting through its halls. Come linger yourself and discover the hold this place has on both the living and the dead.

If you enjoy this episode, please rate, review and subscribe on your chosen podcast platform. You can also find Ohio Folklore at:

Ohiofolklore.com

Facebook.com/ohiofolklore

And as always, keep wondering...

Special thanks to Dan Schneider, of Ohio Gothic. This Facebook group can be found at facebook.com/ohiogothic

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The crown jewel of professional golf in Ohio is the Memorial Tournament, held every spring at Dublin’s Muirfield Village Golf Club. This renown course, designed by Jack Nicklaus himself, has long been rumored “cursed.” More often than not, it seems, this storied contest suffers inclement weather, the kind of which leads to delays and shortened holes.
Is there any truth to this lore? The allegation is that the spirit of long dead Chief Leatherlips of the Wyandotte Nation is not happy about the course’s location near his grave. It’s said that he commands the heavens each year to plague the tournament once again.
As is true with most Ohio Folklore episodes, the history behind the legend is more telling and profound than any supernatural claims. Come hear the tale of one man, a Native leader, who inspired not only his people, but White settlers alike.
His example guides us yet today. More than any golf game, or the weather on any given day in May, what matters is our integrity.
He died for his.
If you enjoy this episode, please rate, review and subscribe on your chosen podcast platform. You can also find Ohio Folklore at:
Ohiofolklore.com
Facebook.com/ohiofolklore
And as always, keep wondering...

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Ohio Folklore - Ceely Rose House at Malabar Farm State Park
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10/03/21 • 44 min

Come hear an Ohio folktale that springs forth from true crime history. The spirits of those murdered, and the murderess herself, is said to linger in this unassuming, modest farmhouse. It still stands in a state park. You can walk up to the stoop for yourself and peek in the windows. Perhaps the souls of those lost there yearn to have their story heard.

In 1896, Ceely Rose was a developmentally disabled young woman. While her mind was underdeveloped, her heart craved the love of a romantic partner. She wanted a family of her own, just as others her age were acquiring.

She would have it at any cost.

Come hear the tales of one writer, Mr. Mark Sebastian Jordan, and his nearly lifelong interest in the story. It inspired him to write a play and book on the subject. It’s inspired countless others to ponder the meaning of this history, and the hauntings which continue, 125 years later.

It seems Ceely is still looking for love...

If you enjoy this episode, please rate, review and subscribe to Ohio Folklore on your chosen podcast platform. You can find Ohio Folklore at

Ohiofolklore.com

Facebook.com/ohiofolklore

And as always keep wondering...

Special thanks to Mark Sebastian Jordan for his contributions to today’s episode. His book The Ceely Rose Murders at Malabar Farm can be purchased here: https://www.amazon.com/Ceely-Rose-Murders-Malabar-Crime/dp/1467146188/ref=sr_1_fkmr3_1?dchild=1&keywords=celia+rose+murders+mark+sebastian+jordan&qid=1633270527&sr=8-1-fkmr3

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FAQ

How many episodes does Ohio Folklore have?

Ohio Folklore currently has 62 episodes available.

What topics does Ohio Folklore cover?

The podcast is about Society & Culture, History and Podcasts.

What is the most popular episode on Ohio Folklore?

The episode title 'Cincinnati's Music Hall' is the most popular.

What is the average episode length on Ohio Folklore?

The average episode length on Ohio Folklore is 40 minutes.

How often are episodes of Ohio Folklore released?

Episodes of Ohio Folklore are typically released every 21 days, 3 hours.

When was the first episode of Ohio Folklore?

The first episode of Ohio Folklore was released on Feb 24, 2019.

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