If you’ve ever heard of Gore Orphanage Rd. and rumors of an actual orphanage in the area of Vermilion, Ohio, you’re not alone.

The popular urban legend is based on an orphanage that once existed in the area called Light of Hope Orphanage, which closed its doors in the early 1900s. Details of the legend vary and the facts themselves are unclear, however, strange noises and ghost sightings in the area leave room for speculation about what actually happened along Gore Orphanage Rd. The most popular version of this chilling tale goes like this:

This legend starts and ends with Gore Orphanage Road. According to Weird Ohio, there once was an orphanage along this road in the late 1800s.

Screenshot via Google Maps Supposedly, a mysterious fire burned down the orphanage and Old Man Gore lost his license to run an orphanage, so a new orphanage was never built. Many speculate that an angry old man who lived in the surrounding woods started the fire because he hated the noise of the children. It is unclear if a fire is what closed the orphanage or not, though.

Legend has it, just like the Gore Orphanage, the nearby Swift Mansion was mysteriously burned down.

JoshH21/Wikimedia Commns Today, remnants of the mansion’s foundation are rumored to still be there.

Pictured is what is supposedly the driveway marker of the former mansion. Brave explorers have reported distant screams of children in the area…

JoshH21/Wikimedia Commns …as well as children’s hand prints mysteriously appearing on their cars.

Ghostly encounters have even been reported at the nearby North Ridge Road bridge, which spans over the Vermilion River.

Nicholas Eckhart/Flickr This legend even inspired a 2015 film called “Gore Orphanage.”

To view the movie trailer of Gore Orphanage, watch the video below:

Screenshot via Google Maps

Supposedly, a mysterious fire burned down the orphanage and Old Man Gore lost his license to run an orphanage, so a new orphanage was never built. Many speculate that an angry old man who lived in the surrounding woods started the fire because he hated the noise of the children. It is unclear if a fire is what closed the orphanage or not, though.

JoshH21/Wikimedia Commns

Today, remnants of the mansion’s foundation are rumored to still be there.

…as well as children’s hand prints mysteriously appearing on their cars.

Nicholas Eckhart/Flickr

This legend even inspired a 2015 film called “Gore Orphanage.”

Have you ever heard of this chilling Ohio legend, or visited the remains of the Gore Orphanage itself? If so, what were your experiences like? Please share your spooky tails with us in the comments!

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The OIYS Visitor Center

Spooky Places In Ohio December 23, 2022 Steven Reitz What other places in Ohio are haunted? When you’re in the mood for spooky spots while visiting the Buckeye State, try checking out a few of these infamous ghost towns. From the brick shell of an abandoned mill to an entire town whose residents were driven out by pollutants from a nearby power plant, there’s plenty of abandoned places to search for the ethereal. Just remember these places are usually abandoned for a reason, so be sure to bring protective equipment if you plan to go exploring. And don’t forget to bring your crucifix and holy water too! Can I visit multiple haunted towns in one day? If you are visiting Ohio and want to take a drive to see the what the state has to offer when it comes to haunted locations, you should definitely check out this haunted road trip. It will take you to some of the spookiest spots in the state, including the ironically named Utopia and the extremely haunted Moonville train tunnel. There’s even the charming town actually called Ghost Town, a fun tourist attraction that has probably drawn a couple ghosts to it based solely on its name. Now, remember to pack a lunch if you do plan to take the the entire ten-hour trip in one day. You don’t want to get lured into a “retro-style” diner and trapped by vengeful ghosts for all eternity! Where is the most haunted place in Ohio? If you’re a traveler trying to find a place with small-town charm, but still wants to get all of the spooks they can handle, you should visit the village of Waynesville. It’s rumored to be the most haunted town in the state, with more than thirty buildings and locations that boast a ghost or two. Sure, during the day it’s known as the “Antiques Capital of the Midwest”, and if you visit at the right time you can enjoy one of the biggest Renaissance Festivals in the midwest. But if you walk the streets at night you’re almost guaranteed to see a floating specter in a window or hear a sorrowful voice calling their loved ones on the wind.

The OIYS Visitor Center

Spooky Places In Ohio

December 23, 2022

Steven Reitz

What other places in Ohio are haunted? When you’re in the mood for spooky spots while visiting the Buckeye State, try checking out a few of these infamous ghost towns. From the brick shell of an abandoned mill to an entire town whose residents were driven out by pollutants from a nearby power plant, there’s plenty of abandoned places to search for the ethereal. Just remember these places are usually abandoned for a reason, so be sure to bring protective equipment if you plan to go exploring. And don’t forget to bring your crucifix and holy water too! Can I visit multiple haunted towns in one day? If you are visiting Ohio and want to take a drive to see the what the state has to offer when it comes to haunted locations, you should definitely check out this haunted road trip. It will take you to some of the spookiest spots in the state, including the ironically named Utopia and the extremely haunted Moonville train tunnel. There’s even the charming town actually called Ghost Town, a fun tourist attraction that has probably drawn a couple ghosts to it based solely on its name. Now, remember to pack a lunch if you do plan to take the the entire ten-hour trip in one day. You don’t want to get lured into a “retro-style” diner and trapped by vengeful ghosts for all eternity! Where is the most haunted place in Ohio? If you’re a traveler trying to find a place with small-town charm, but still wants to get all of the spooks they can handle, you should visit the village of Waynesville. It’s rumored to be the most haunted town in the state, with more than thirty buildings and locations that boast a ghost or two. Sure, during the day it’s known as the “Antiques Capital of the Midwest”, and if you visit at the right time you can enjoy one of the biggest Renaissance Festivals in the midwest. But if you walk the streets at night you’re almost guaranteed to see a floating specter in a window or hear a sorrowful voice calling their loved ones on the wind.

The OIYS Visitor Center

The OIYS Visitor Center

When you’re in the mood for spooky spots while visiting the Buckeye State, try checking out a few of these infamous ghost towns. From the brick shell of an abandoned mill to an entire town whose residents were driven out by pollutants from a nearby power plant, there’s plenty of abandoned places to search for the ethereal. Just remember these places are usually abandoned for a reason, so be sure to bring protective equipment if you plan to go exploring. And don’t forget to bring your crucifix and holy water too!

Can I visit multiple haunted towns in one day?

If you are visiting Ohio and want to take a drive to see the what the state has to offer when it comes to haunted locations, you should definitely check out this haunted road trip. It will take you to some of the spookiest spots in the state, including the ironically named Utopia and the extremely haunted Moonville train tunnel. There’s even the charming town actually called Ghost Town, a fun tourist attraction that has probably drawn a couple ghosts to it based solely on its name. Now, remember to pack a lunch if you do plan to take the the entire ten-hour trip in one day. You don’t want to get lured into a “retro-style” diner and trapped by vengeful ghosts for all eternity!

Where is the most haunted place in Ohio?

If you’re a traveler trying to find a place with small-town charm, but still wants to get all of the spooks they can handle, you should visit the village of Waynesville. It’s rumored to be the most haunted town in the state, with more than thirty buildings and locations that boast a ghost or two. Sure, during the day it’s known as the “Antiques Capital of the Midwest”, and if you visit at the right time you can enjoy one of the biggest Renaissance Festivals in the midwest. But if you walk the streets at night you’re almost guaranteed to see a floating specter in a window or hear a sorrowful voice calling their loved ones on the wind.