HELLTOWN OHIO

 HELLTOWN OHIO

The Dark History Of Helltown, Ohio, Lives Up To Its Name

From the vacated buildings to the deserted streets, ghost towns are plenty creepy. But few ghost towns could match the sheer terror and mystique surrounding Ohio’s infamous Helltown. Since being abandoned by its citizens, the place has earned a dreaded reputation. Was it really home to murderous Satanists? Or how about deadly mutants? This is the perfect time to learn more about the aptly named Helltown.

The dark origins of Helltown

The town’s history can be traced all the way back to 1758. At that point, the area was populated by swathes of Native Americans. The tribespeople who lived here were

But barely two decades later, whatever peace that existed in the community was shattered by bloody infighting. The tribes turned against each other after some of them partnered up with nearby colonial settlers. It led to a horrifying massacre.

A past of brutal battles

The bloodshed didn’t end there, either. The settlement was also sitting right in the middle of a “tribal war trail,” which was littered with brutal conflicts between the Native Americans and the colonials.

Countless people lost their lives as a result, and the town became awash with burial grounds. The worst conflict was the Gnadenhutten massacre of 1782. It was a tragically grim period, to say the least.

You'll find it in Boston... Ohio

After the fighting ended the area was eventually repopulated in 1806. At this point, the locale was given a new name. No, the new citizens didn’t go with Helltown! That moniker came much later.

Instead, they opted for Boston — not to be confused with Massachusetts’ capital city. From there, the people in the community lived a peaceful existence for close to 170 years.

The moment everything changed

On a broader note, no other town in Ohio’s Summit County could match Boston’s age. So you certainly couldn’t accuse the place of lacking history. But everything changed in 1974.

Suddenly, a mass evacuation of the community was ordered, forcing the locals from their homes. Just like that, it became a ghost town — a husk of what it had once been.

Terrifying theories about what went down

So what had actually happened here? Why was the town forcibly abandoned? Those questions have generated some truly bizarre theories in the years since, each more terrifying than the last.

Terrifying theories about what went down

Could they be accurate, though? Well, it’s time to summon up your bravery, folks. We’re going to take a deep dive into the nightmarish stories that birthed Boston’s infamous Helltown nickname.

“The Mother of Sorrows”

To kick things off, let’s focus on one of the centerpieces of Helltown. 

This was an eye-catching Presbyterian church known as “The Mother of Sorrows.” Now, from the outside anyway, it didn’t really seem all that scary.

Other than being abandoned, “The Mother of Sorrows” just appears to be a normal house of worship. Yet the building’s origins were the subject of spine-chilling tales shrouded in darkness.

A Satanic church?

Rumors have suggested that the church was constructed by a group of Satanists living in Helltown prior to the evacuation. That sounds pretty out there, of course, but we are dealing with conspiracy theories here...

However, certain architectural details did lend credence to the theory. For instance, the appearance of the crosses outside was a major red flag to some folks: they seemed to be upside down.

Signs of the occult?

In case you weren’t aware, upside-down crosses have developed a reputation that ties them into the occult. As for the church’s interior, many horrific tales have emerged about what the Satanists allegedly got up to.

The most mortifying theories claimed that people and animals were brutalized as part of some dark rituals. Others also stated that these evil individuals still roamed Helltown long after it had been abandoned.

Busting the myth

On top of that, the interior aesthetic was said to be dripping in “occult imagery,” too. So is that why the town had been evacuated back in the ’70s? To escape the murderous clutches of a widespread cult?

In truth, the rumors surrounding the church were just that — rumors. It turned out that the Mother of Sorrows was a normal Presbyterian site, with scant evidence of any ritualistic killings.

The crosses give it a Gothic look

The upside-down crosses were a stylistic choice that fits in with the church’s Gothic-revival aesthetic. As for all the scary imagery inside, it’s reported that trespassers were responsible following the evacuation. 

But this won’t be the last we’ll hear of Satanic rumors in Helltown. There are a few more unsettling stories on the way — including about the "haunted" school bus and a monstrous snake.

The abandoned school bus is haunted

In fact, that brings us neatly onto the abandoned school bus. Much like the church, this vehicle developed a terrifying reputation in Helltown over the years, fueled by theories of murder and the supernatural.

You might be sensing a pattern here... Even so, the stories surrounding the "haunted" bus had enough power to potentially leave any visitors to the area quaking in their boots.

Was it the actions of a crazed killer?

It’s said that all the kids who were riding on that bus were one day killed by a crazed murderer. To add to the chilling tale, the culprit was rumored to still be lurking around Helltown after everyone had left.

But that awful story did vary, depending on who you asked — making us suspect that it perhaps isn't quite true... Others claimed that the “local” Satanists were to blame for the apparent tragedy.

People saw ghostly visions

The rumors get even creepier, too. If you braved getting close to the bus and looked through its windows, it was claimed that you’d spot the ghostly spirits of the children still sitting inside. Freaky stuff, right?

Yet it begs the question: was any of it true? Well, the story about the killings is something of an urban legend. As far as we know, no one was murdered in the vehicle.

The truth behind the rumor

How does that explain the claimed ghosts, then? Why were spirits said to be lurking in the abandoned space? In truth, there was a presence inside the bus following Helltown’s evacuation. But it wasn’t supernatural.

As it turned out, a nearby family had made a temporary shelter of the vehicle while their own property was getting revamped. So there was no need to call the Ghostbusters!

The “End of the World” road

Helltown’s abandoned buildings and vehicles weren’t the only things to gain notoriety, either. There was another part of the area that continued to spook folks for decades. We’re referring to the ominously named “End of the World” road.

That very much sounds like the last place you’d want to go — or the very last place you could go! So what’s the story here? More supernatural rumors? Well, not quite.

Watch your back on this road

The stretch of road had been part of Helltown since the settlers had made it their home back in the early 19th century. It had been surrounded by trees and greenery.

It was a far cry from the busy streets of modern suburbia. Yet that landscape had done travelers no favors in the past. Using the woods as cover, robbers and other criminals had often been known to pounce.

A deadly hiding spot?

Now, perhaps unsurprisingly, those recorded tales went on to feed Helltown’s growing list of rumors after it had been abandoned. Again, some reckoned that Satanists were involved — but we kind of expect that by now.

They said Satanists were hiding in the surrounding woods next to the “End of the World” road, and other paths, looking to grab passers-by. But while claims like that can be disputed, the same can’t be said for this detail.

It was certainly a dangerous path

Simply put, the road itself was always hazardous. As it stretched deeper into the woods, the path seemingly disappeared when looking from a distance. But as Obi-Wan Kenobi once said, this was only true "from a certain point of view."

In reality, there was just an extremely steep dip to contend with. People described the feeling as akin to plunging off a mountain. Or indeed, falling off the edge of the world.

The road had more than one problem

That wasn’t the only issue with the road. At a certain point, it featured the sharpest of turns, which was tough enough to deal with during the day. But at night? With very little available light? Oh boy.

It was the furthest thing from safe. Still, that wouldn’t have been enough to abandon the town — especially if Satanists weren't involved. How about the presence of mutant creatures, though?

The chemical spill rumor

In perhaps the craziest of the Helltown theories, it was rumored that the citizens had been forced to leave due to a horrifying mishap. A toxic chemical had supposedly spilled in the area.

This had apparently caused humans and animals alike to mutate into scary monsters. A snake was said to be among their number, and it had grown enormous thanks to the chemicals. That’s proper nightmare fuel!

Beware the Peninsula Python!

A word of warning to anyone with ophidiophobia: it gets creepier. According to urban legend, the snake stayed around Helltown after the evacuation took place. It was later dubbed the “Peninsula Python.”

Now, we probably have a good idea of what you’re thinking. Where on Earth did this theory come from? Even when compared to the other stories we’ve looked at, it’s out there!

Another chilling twist

Well, in a chilling twist, harmful chemicals were actually being thrown away close to Helltown, at the Krejci Dump. The discovery was made in 1985 when workers started to get sick as well as finding blemishes on their skin.

They didn’t turn into mutant creatures, though! Yet uncovering that particular secret means these unnerving rumors haven’t faded away. After all, some of the scariest tall tales do have ties to reality.

What actually happened

If it wasn’t mutant monsters or deadly Satanic cults then, what was the actual cause for Helltown’s sudden abandonment? Surely there’s a logical explanation here?

In a sense, the answer to that is yes. But the real truth behind what happened to that community is arguably scarier than any urban legend doing the rounds. So let’s head back to the ’70s now.

A growing national fear

During that period, America was dealing with a rampant concern that only seemed to get worse with time. The nation’s forests and woodlands were — and still are — vanishing at an alarming rate. 

The U.S. government knew that something had to be done to stem the deforestation, of course. So, President Gerald Ford made the boldest of calls — unsurprising given that he was the only park ranger to ever become president of the United States.

Saving the forests, but at what cost?

Ford decided to sign off on a piece of legislation that enabled the National Park Service to really flex its muscles. The government agency now had the power to seize any plot of land around the country to save the remaining forests.

It was among the very first bills the new president signed, and it was called the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act of 1974. The purchased areas would subsequently become new National Parks — and Boston was soon on the radar.

Helltown residents were kicked out

Thanks to the town’s woodland surroundings, the National Park Service believed that it was the perfect candidate to form part of Cuyahoga Valley National Park. So the agency started to purchase all of the buildings in Boston.

This included buying its domestic residences. And shockingly, there was nothing that any of the citizens could do about it. While it was morally questionable, no laws were being broken.

There was palpable anger from the residents

Unsurprisingly, the locals were both heartbroken and furious. One troubled former resident even went so far as to write on the side of a building “Now we know how the Indians felt.”

Yet all that negativity didn’t stop the National Park Service from gobbling up the rest of the properties. Before long, the community was completely deserted. Boston, Ohio, as people once knew it was essentially 

But what happened next made the whole thing even worse. Quite simply, the National Park Service couldn’t keep up with its schedule. This meant that Boston was basically left abandoned.

For years, it looked as though the mass evacuation had been for nothing, as former residents watched the slow decay of their old town. However, a significant development did finally arise in 2016.

At that stage, Boston was flattened. Most of the properties and areas that fed into the Helltown urban legends were no more, as the abandoned land was joined with Cuyahoga Valley National Park.

So yes, you can visit the place today — just don't go expecting a "hell town." It may not carry the same spooky vibes as years past, but nothing can wipe away its crazy histo

While Helltown's reputation—and name—precede it, some ghost towns are actually desperately trying to sell themselves to prospective visitors. It sounds almost too good to be true: a beautiful mountain town littered with rustic cabins has offered people the chance to live there without paying a dime.

But if you’re considering applying to move there, you might want to consider one of the possible reasons why bedding down here is free of charge.

A small town sits tucked away in the mountains of Granite County, maybe 20 miles east of Missoula, Montana. Accessed by 11 miles of dirt track, Garnet enjoys a picturesque location surrounded by forest — 6,000 feet up from sea level. Yet nobody lives there.

Yes, there’s something amiss about this town. Behind bare windows and open doors, the rooms are empty and show signs of decay. Once-proud establishments and homes are replete with this haunted quality. The only people are curious past

Kelley’s Saloon, a bar that once hummed with laughter and music, sits quietly gathering dust, while the Wells Hotel still stands but hasn’t seen a guest for many years. And although you can still pay a visit to Davey’s Store, you might be waiting a while for service.

Why? Because Garnet is the best-preserved ghost town in Montana — and one of the most intriguing in the whole country. Abandoned for some 70 years, it offers a fascinating insight into an important era of America’s 

Montana’s Garnet Mountains first started attracting miners in the 19th century. Moving northwards from spent mines in places such as Colorado and California, the prospective workers were drawn to the area by the presence of gold-carrying quartz veins running through the hills.

Then, in 1895, a mill for crushing ore was erected in the First Chance Gulch valley. Soon, a small town grew up around it. While it was initially named Mitchell, after the mill’s founder, Dr. Armistead Mitchell, the town was rechristened Garnet in 1897. Incidentally, it took its new name from the valuable red stones found in the regio

And not long after the town was founded, local miner Sam Ritchey struck gold. What’s more, by January 1898 business was booming – and Garnet was home to almost 1,000 folks seeking their fortunes.

With the people came all of the facilities and amenities needed to support a community of that size. There were four hotels, two barber shops, a school, a doctor’s office, four stores, and an impressive 13 saloons — as well as countless other buildings erected almost overnight

But as the 20th century rolled around, things began to change. Gold was becoming harder and harder to come by, and many mines were leased out. Around 1905, many of the mines had been deserted entirely, and as few as 150 people were left living in the town.

Then, in 1912, disaster struck: a fire raged through the wooden town, destroying many of its dwellings. But instead of rebuilding, many residents chose to move away. Garnet became a ghost town.

Cabins were left empty of their inhabitants — but with all their furniture left intact inside, as if the owners had stepped out on an errand one day and never returned. Only Davey’s Store remained open, catering to an ever-dwindling number of customers.

Even today, one of the signs posted at Garnet reads, “Through boom and bust, Frank A. Davey steadfastly believed in Garnet’s future. As owner of the general store, hotel, and the stage line, Davey was Garnet’s most prominent resident."

Interestingly, though, the town experienced a brief resurgence in 1934 when the government doubled the price of gold. Another generation of would-be miners took over the empty cabins of Garnet, hoping to make their fortunes in the hills.

However, this new popularity was cut short by changes brought about by America’s entry into the Second World War. So the residents once again left Garnet, this time never to return. And the old buildings of the town were left to rot 

Still, thanks to the work of the Garnet Preservation Association, this fascinating slice of American history has been maintained for future generations to enjoy. The non-profit has managed to keep a number of the buildings intact, too, including the saloon, the hotel, and the general store.

Today, Garnet is open to visitors all year round — although those hoping to see it during winter will need a snowmobile or skis. That said, during the summer, many people take the U.S. Bureau of Land Management up on its offer to stay in the town for a small fee. And some have even gotten it free of charge — despite a creepy catch.

You see, a team of volunteers moves into the ghost town each year to maintain and look after the tourists who arrive each day. In return, these volunteers may well get the opportunity to live in one of the historic cabins free of charge and even have a food allowance provided. But is it too good to be true?

Many locals believe that anyone spending the night in the ghost town could end up dealing with some spookily real spirits. These residents claim that Garnet is haunted by some of the numerous souls that have called the town home over the years.

According to historian Ellen Baumler, various people have reported ghostly experiences in the town, including witnessing a mysterious woman in a window of the hotel. She also claims that visitors have seen transparent figures walking the streets, not to mention footprints that enter but do not leave doorways.

Other reports refer to piano music and unexplained voices that can be heard echoing through the empty rooms. And although there is no mention of the hauntings on Garnet’s official website, the stories are apparently well-known throughout the local  colunteer positions are currently filled, those wanting to experience a real ghost town can hire a cabin during the winter months. This gives visitors a unique opportunity to experience a ghost town in all its spooky glory.

After all, ghost towns in the U.S. are few and far between — and even those that are accessible are not always worth the risk.