Franklin Castle in Cleveland Ohio is considered the “most haunted house in Ohio.” Are the rumors of hauntings legitimate? Could the ghosts of the original owner’s family still be haunting the halls of the famous Victorian mansion?
The Ghostly History of Franklin Castle: Hauntings of Cleveland, Ohio
Franklin Castle, located at 4308 Franklin Boulevard in Cleveland’s Ohio City neighborhood, is often referred to as “the most haunted house in Ohio,” and for good reason. This Victorian house, which was built in the late 1800s, purportedly has a colorful and violent history, beginning with its original owner, Hannes Tiedemann. According to local legend and supposed eyewitness accounts, Franklin Castle is inhabited by a number of ghostly spirits, including several members of the Tiedemann household and several other specters of potential historical significance.
Visitors and former residents of the house have reported hearing the ghostly sounds of babies crying throughout the night, footsteps, and screams echoing throughout the home’s hallways. Ghostly figures have been seen traveling throughout the house, and witnesses from outside have reported seeing a woman wearing black staring out through the front tower window. Could there be any truth to these alleged hauntings?
While I am a Cleveland-area native, I have not had the privilege of being able to actually tour the inside of the house, as the current owners are not welcoming to visitors. Though Franklin Castle is currently not accessible to the public, local visitors can still see the house from the street and sidewalk. Perhaps if you’re lucky, you may even catch a glimpse of one of the ghosts that allegedly haunt the halls of the home through the tower window.
