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Check out some unique investigations with the Hocking Hills Investigation Team (HITS) in conjunction with Hocking Hills State Park and Lake Hope State Park!

 

Haunted Ohio-Conkle's Hollow

Conkle's Hollow is under the direction of Ohio Division of Natural Areas and Preservers. The area is well known for its unique rock formations, high cliff overlooks and dotting of recess caves.

 

In the 1790’s, the Hocking Valley was much different than it is today.  There is an old saying . . . “a squirrel could start in West Virginia and make its way from tree top to tree top without ever touching the ground all the way across Ohio to Indiana.”  Although it would have been quite an amazing squirrel to travel so far, it is a good illustration of the vast and ancient forest covering the majority of what was to become Ohio in a few years. 

This is the region a man by the name of William Conkle traveled to in the name of exploration and discovery.  He came to trade with the native Shawnee and Wyandot and fell in love with this vast wilderness.  Along with a beautiful and mysterious forest, there were animals such as bear (both black and grizzly), bobcat, elk, bison, and even a melanistic (all black) version of the mountain lion.  Life in the wilderness of the old northwest was hard. However, it was a great adventure and the few settlers making it to this country poured their heart and soul into every part of their life.  In William’s travels,  he fell in love with a windy, steep sided hollow and even took the time to carve his name in the wall for future adventurers to find. 

It is said his love was even strong enough to pass the shrouded veil of death.  How he passed is still not clear but it does not appear to be by any nefarious means.  It is said his spirit still roams the hollow that bares his name.  His ghost is said to watch over the hollow and he can appear as a friendly spirit watching from the trailside in his early 1790’s dress or a voice of reprimand to those who would do his home harm.


 A few years after William’s death, life began to get a little tougher here in the Hocking Valley.  The settlers began to pour in from the far side of the Appalachian Mountains.  The land the Native Americans freely roamed was becoming cramped with too many people. Leaving their homes was not a realistic option for the Shawnee, Wyandot or Delaware - there really was no friendly territory to the west was not already occupied.

 As their homeland became fuller and fuller, everyday life became harder and harder.  The people became much more desperate.  A small band of three Shawnee made their way down to the Ohio River and actually boarded and raided the settlers traveling down the river in a paddle boat to their new homes.  They collected a good amount of silver and other treasures in which they made off into the dark forest of hills of southeast Ohio.  They were not the first to raid passing boats and the settlers decided to follow this small band and apprehend the desperate natives and their ill-gained booty. 

The posse chased the natives for over two days right into the Hocking region and right into the dead-end walls of Conkle’s Hollow.  In desperation they came up with a plan to hide their loot high up into a small “hominy hole.”  They had to cut over a Hemlock tree to lean against the high cliff wall to climb up to their lofty perch and hide the treasure into tiny recess.  They then climbed down and pushed over the tree to complete their hiding place.   The idea was to return later, chop another tree to lean against the wall and retrieve their stolen silver.  Unfortunately for this small band, they were captured just outside of Conkle’s Hollow and were hanged for their offenses before they could tell were they hid the loot. 

It should still be there…somewhere.  It is said that these same native Shawnee defend their treasure with ferocity.  If they can’t have it…none shall.  You can still here their shouts and chants within the narrow hollow walls, and if you get on the track of the loot they will appear to change your mind.


 

A little more time went by and the Southeastern region became populated and most of the settlers had begun to clear the forest and make a rather ragged attempt to farm the hill country.  Then the War of 1812 broke out and the need for iron & gunpowder became a high priority as trade for European gunpowder became almost impossible.  The Appalachian Hills may not be good for traditional farming but they did have all the ingredients for iron and gunpowder.  Just down the road from Conkle’s Hollow is a second preserve known as Saltpeter Cave.  The name tells it all.  This deep recess cave has a large deposit of saltpeter, a prime key ingredient to gunpowder.  Production went into high gear and 20 Native American slaves were brought in to help mine the precious mineral from the cave.  Work continued at a furious pace and safety regulations were still far into the future.  What happened next was almost inevitable.  A large section of the roof gave way and crushed to death over half of the native workers.  Their screams and sad spirits still roam the valley.    

 

 


Take State Route 374 and turn on to Big Pine Road. From there, follow the signs to Conkle's Hollow where you will travel a dead-end drive back to the parking area and trail head.

When you get on the trail, head toward the Upper Rim Trail designated by the many steps. Since this is a preserve, you must stay on the marked trails! Also a word of caution-the upper section of Conkle's Hollow is over 200 feet in the air in some places and the trail is along the edge. Don't take kids here and certainly, use your common sense.

Please note: Always check with park staff to see when and where you can hunt for these ghosts. Because of the danger of many areas like the cliffs at Hocking Hills after dark, the trails close at dusk.

 

Copyright  © 2003-Haunted Hocking-Heart of Hocking-Discover the wilder side of Ohio. The information provided is correct to the best of our knowledge. Ohio State Park hiking trails are closed from dusk to dawn. Please always call before you visit for changes in times or prices. Rates may vary and may only be listed as base rates. Site Design: 21 Crows / Heart of Hocking

Check out these sites for more information on Ohio and exploring its wilder side:  Heart of Ohio   Hocking Hills Cabin Rentals   Hocking Hills Visitors Guide  Hidden Hocking Hills   Ohio Weddings  Hocking Hills Weddings  Kid Friendly Places  Ohio Cabins  Cabin Adventures in the Hocking Hills Lake Erie Travel  Hocking Cabins   Old Man's Cave