Ohio Haunted Places
Moonville Tunnel

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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-Moonville Tunnel

Moonville Tunnel: Moonville was a small mining and railway town that cropped up during the 1800's iron boom and eventually disappeared just a little over 150 years later. This photo was taken with a Canon Digital EOS modified to shoot infrared.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Like many of Vinton and Hocking County iron boom towns that waned to nothing more than grassy fields over the last century, little is left to show humans ever dwelled here at all. Moonville is no exception- aside from an old well, a few shards of old  teacups found in Raccoon Creek once in a while and three well-hidden foundations, nothing more remains.

It has long been said that the tunnel is haunted by a railway brakeman, but few ever hear of the Lavender Lady of Moonville Tunnel. However, many have crossed through the tunnel to the other side, taken the short trail off the old gravel path and caught the scent of stale lavender. Where does this smell come from even in the middle of winter when the snow is nearly knee deep?

Local Stories pertaining to Lavender Lady:

It is said that a woman from Mineral  was crossing the train trestle, she was struck and killed by a train. Rumor has it that her ghost still walks the area where her broken body had plunged after being hit from the train-directly where the scent of lavender still lingers in the air.


Moonville Ghosts-The Background Research

 

So were there actually any deaths near the tunnel which would add any credence to the ghost of Lavender Lady? Actually, there was a short reference in the Athens Messenger in 1873. Below is a short excerpt from the newspaper:


 

Reference: Athens Messenger, 10/16/1873

Death occurred on October 12, 1873


 

 

 

 


Directions to Moonville Tunnel

From State Route 93-Take State Route 56 to State Route 278 south-following the signs toward Lake Hope State Park. You will pass the iron furnace on the right and then the park lake. After the lake, make the first left on to Wheelabout Road. Almost immediately, the road will fork-veer to the left side of the fork. Follow this road until you get to a metal, one-lane bridge crossing over Raccoon Creek. Just before the bridge and on the left, you will see a pretty well-worn dirt trail that will lead along the bottomland and then up a gravel incline to the old tracks. The Moonville Tunnel is on the left. Watch out for poison ivy all along the trail!

 

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