Deep in the rolling hills of Athens, Ohio, shrouded in dense woodland and cloaked in mystery, lies one of the Buckeye State’s most storied and allegedly haunted locations: The Ridges. Once known as the Athens Lunatic Asylum, The Ridges is now part of Ohio University’s campus. It’s a place where chilling tales and historical significance converge — a magnet for historians, ghost hunters, and curious travelers alike.
If you’re drawn to abandoned buildings, haunted spots, and rich history tinged with mystery, The Ridges is a must-visit. Whether you’re in it for the ghost stories or the intriguing past, this place offers a unique experience that blends the paranormal with the historical. Strap on your hiking boots, grab your EMF detector, and follow along as we take a deep dive into the legends and legacy of The Ridges.
The History
Origins as the Athens Lunatic Asylum
The Ridges began as the Athens Lunatic Asylum, a psychiatric hospital opened in 1874. Designed following the Kirkbride Plan—a method that focused on moral treatment and grand therapeutic architecture—the asylum was a self-sufficient institution that aimed to heal through structure, routine, and pastoral surroundings.
The original buildings were constructed in a beautiful Victorian Gothic style, ornate and imposing, echoing the hope and promise of curative psychiatric care. The hospital sat on over 1,000 acres and had its own farms, orchards, dairy barns, patient-staffed workshops, and even a carriage shop. Over time, the asylum became a bustling community of its own.
Patients and Treatments
The Athens Lunatic Asylum was not unlike other 19th-century institutions in its early treatment methods. Patients with epilepsy, postpartum depression, anxiety, alcoholism, or even menopause were often admitted. Unfortunately, as patient numbers grew—peaking at over 2,000 in the 1950s—the original therapeutic vision gave way to overcrowding and controversial methods.
Some of the more infamous treatments included electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), hydrotherapy, insulin shock therapy, and lobotomies. Long-term institutionalization became the norm rather than the exception. This era of the asylum’s history is dark and deeply unsettling, and it’s perhaps this turbulent past that contributes to the location’s haunted reputation.
Decline and Closure
By the 1980s, changes in mental health care and mounting concerns over patient rights led to a significant decline in asylum populations across the U.S. The Athens Lunatic Asylum officially closed its doors in 1993. Soon after, a large portion of the property was transferred to neighboring Ohio University.
The university has since repurposed several of the buildings. Some structures now house the Kennedy Museum of Art, university offices, and storage facilities, while others remain vacant, their broken windows and echoing hallways a stark reminder of their tormented past.
The Haunt
For those who believe that trauma leaves a psychic imprint, The Ridges is ground zero. With nearly a century and a half of pain, suffering, treatments-gone-awry, and unexplained disappearances, it’s little wonder that the site ranks as one of the most haunted places in the U.S. Let’s explore the most chilling paranormal claims that have transformed The Ridges into a haven for ghost hunters and paranormal investigators.
The Mysterious Stain
Perhaps the most infamous tale associated with The Ridges is the story of Margaret Schilling, a patient who vanished in December 1978. Over a month later, workers discovered her body in a sealed-off part of the hospital. Although she had died of natural causes, what shocked everyone was the detailed outline of her body permanently stained into the concrete floor.
No amount of cleaning, sanding, or removal efforts has erased the stain. This ghostly imprint remains today, and some staff claim it alters in appearance and even changes position. Paranormal enthusiasts have long claimed this to be a psychic remnant—a residual haunting echoing Schilling’s final, lonely moments.
Apparitions and Shadow Figures
Visitors and ghost hunters report sightings of translucent figures wandering the darkened halls, especially near the old wards and the lobotomy suites. Shadowy shapes, quick movements out of the corner of your eye, and distant cries are frequently documented by overnight paranormal teams, some of whom have captured inexplicable anomalies in photos and EVPs (Electronic Voice Phenomena).
One frequent sighting is that of a woman in white believed to be Margaret Schilling herself. Witnesses have described her peering from windows of abandoned wings — rooms supposedly inaccessible to the public.
Ghostly Sounds and Electric Interference
Several investigators report sudden drops in temperature, flickering electrical devices, and inexplicable EMF spikes in and around the abandoned buildings. Disembodied voices, doors creaking or slamming shut, footsteps echoing in hallways, and strange knocking sounds are commonly reported phenomena.
The sense of being watched is overwhelming in certain areas, especially near the old hydrotherapy wing and morgue, where ghost hunters claim to have heard screams and whispers despite being alone.
The Cemetery on the Hill
No haunted location would be complete without a cemetery — and The Ridges has three. With more than 1,900 patients buried in unmarked graves, many only identified by numbered headstones, the graveyards add an extra layer of sorrow and spectral potential.
Many of the buried were institutionalized for decades, and in many cases, their families never claimed them. Reportedly, investigators and psychics have experienced overwhelming emotions here — bouts of sadness, physical exhaustion, and even nausea. Some believe these are psychic impressions left by the restless dead, eager for acknowledgment and peace.
Plan Your Visit
Despite its haunted reputation, The Ridges is open to the public year-round. Several hiking trails wind their way through the former asylum grounds and surrounding forests, providing a scenic—albeit eerie—exploration option. The Kennedy Museum of Art, housed in one of the renovated asylum buildings, offers a stark contrast to the abandoned wings, providing a glimpse into how the space has been rejuvenated.
Ohio University occasionally offers ghost tours and historical presentations about The Ridges, often during the fall months and Halloween season. For seasoned paranormal investigators, some access to the grounds is available with permits or arrangements through the university or local heritage organizations.
Remember: many of the buildings are structurally unstable and closed to the public. Always respect posted signs, and never trespass on restricted areas — not just for your safety, but to avoid fines or legal issues.
Why Paranormal Enthusiasts Should Visit The Ridges
If you’re a paranormal investigator or simply someone who’s fascinated by places that straddle the line between history and hauntings, The Ridges is practically a rite of passage. The combination of its dark past, documented phenomena, and atmospheric location makes it one of the best ghost-hunting hotspots in the Midwest.
From EMF surges in decomposing hallways to chilling spirit voices in forgotten rooms, The Ridges offers numerous opportunities for serious paranormal research. The layered history—the shift from optimism to abandonment—only adds to its mystique. Even if you walk away without a single ghostly experience, the gravity of its past will linger with you long after you leave.
Bring your recording equipment, flashlight, and a healthy dose of respect. Many spirits, some say, still linger—waiting to be heard.