Gore Orphanage - Lorain County, Ohio

Today we visited a place that in my 35 years of living in Ohio I never got around to seeing. Gore Orphanage. Legend says that the orphanage, which began life as the Swift Mansion and later, the Light of Hope Orphanage, burned to the ground killing many children and young adults (and at least one adult). According to local authorities, the orphanage never existed as named (the name borrowed from the nearby road), and the story as it stands is most likely combined from multiple locations and unrelated incidents. The ruins are so popular with the local teens, that the local sheriff oftentimes shuts down access to the road, particularly around Halloween. Regardless of whether any of the stories are true, there is an eerie vibe to it that makes one wonder what really happened at Gore Orphanage.

The Mansfield Reformatory - Mansfield, Ohio

This is the big one, the Mansfield Reformatory. An imposing sight, the Reformatory is best known for appearing in numerous films, music videos and TV programs. Hollywood blockbusters such as SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION, AIR FORCE ONE and TANGO & CASH all utilized this amazing landmark to lend authenticity to their multi-million dollar productions. The income from these films, and other sources, is being used to renovate the Reformatory to its former splendor, dark as it was. Tours, both normal and paranormal, are open to the public during the renovation, with surprisingly little of the property off-limits (though we were told repeatedly not to take photos out windows that faced the new Reformatory located next door).

Besides its Hollywood pedigree, the Reformatory (pictured in our banner) is also famous (and infamous) for its various haunts and hauntings. Locations said to be most haunted include the East and West Cell Blocks, the Chapel and Solitary Confinement (aka: The Hole). Many murders and suicides took place in these locations over the years, no doubt adding to its haunted legacy. You can really feel it the minute you step foot in the building. The atmosphere is different, empty and cold.

As we were only able to take part in a daytime public tour (about three hours all told), we had to make the most of the opportunity given. We found ourselves taking as many detours as possible and sneaking into hidden places to take photos, videos and EVP sessions free of public interference. All told, we were able to amass hundreds of photos, a handful of videos and as much audio as we were able under the conditions.

We will be scouring over the materials we gathered for some time, as we've already found some very promising images among the many photos that were taken. Below is just a small sample, but as always, there are many, many more on our Facebook page (here, here and here).

Collins Cemetery - Collins, Ohio

Checked out our second cemetery in as many days, this one being the Collins Cemetery in Collins, Ohio. As with the Five Points Cemetery, there didn't seem to be much activity, but we did take several hundred photos and about a half hour of audio. Our friend Barb also accompanied us on this investigation.

Five Points Cemetery - Huron County, Ohio

While on vacation, BAD MOON PARANORMAL did a quick investigation of a small cemetery in Huron County, Ohio called Five Points Cemetery. The location, not far from my parents house, failed to give up its secrets, but it did give us an opportunity to give our friend Barb a few pointers on investigating.

Basin Park Hotel - Eureka Springs, Arkansas

BAD MOON PARANORMAL spent the weekend of June 8-11 in famously haunted Eureka Springs, Arkansas, at the equally famous Basin Park Hotel. We had some interesting readings and interactions in our hotel room with our EMF meter and a pendulum we purchased (and used for the first time) in town. We had several photos, including a set of three taken at MITCHELL'S FOLLY ANTIQUES & FINE ARTS, that were interesting enough to warrant further investigation, as well as audio that still needs gone over. It was a great experience in a town that feeds off its long history of paranormal activity, and definitely begs to be revisited.

We have several more Oklahoma investigations scheduled for later in the summer, and will no doubt return to Eureka Springs in the not to distant future.

Update: The MITCHELL'S FOLLY photos have since been adequately explained with the help of the owner's wife, Quinn.