Historic Architecture and Ghosts O'Plenty at The Buxton Inn
Looking for a haunted inn to stay at? Have you seen your share of T.A.P.S. - Ghost Hunters on the Sci-Fi channel and want to get a taste of the real deal? The Buxton Inn, located in Granville, Ohio, is one of the most notorious in the great state of Ohio. Originally built in 1812 by Orin Granger, The Buxton Inn is the oldest continuously operated Inn in Ohio. The building itself originally served as a post office and stagecoach stop between Columbus and Newark.
The Inn's namesake, Major Horton Buxton, operated the Inn from 1865-1905 and his picture hangs in the lobby to this day. Major Buxton's image has been claimed to have been seen in various parts of the Inn. Then there's Ethel Bounell. She was the innkeeper from 1934-1960 and she died in room #9. Guess what?! Yes...she's been seen, too...ahem...after her demise. There are more ghosts in the basement where the help used to dine and sleep. I had a couple of beers in the basement tavern and didn't see a darn soul (Ha!) except the friendly barkeep. OK...I'm not a believer of ghosts and paranormal activity...normally. That's just me. Other folks would argue their case, until they turned blue in the face, claiming that this place is haunted.
It is said that you'll have a better chance of "seeing or hearing" something if you stay in room #7 and/or room #9. Go for it!
How Did I Come Across this Haunted Inn?
Totally by accident...that's how! It wasn't until I picked up a pamphlet in the gift shop that I found out about the "hauntings". Wicked!!!
In a recent post I mentioned that I went to my grandma's 90th birthday party back in 2002 in Newark, Ohio. This was a solo car trip for me because the kids were in school and Sandy, my wife, graciously stayed behind to see that the kids got to school and all that jazz.
I didn't want to stay in one of the chain hotels/motels during my stay in Ohio. I wanted to make it a little more interesting so I got on the web and found (don't remember how) the Buxton Inn in nearby Granville. The rates were reasonable and it wasn't a chain. Bingo! I booked a room and made my way to my destination from Georgia. I arrived and walked into the lobby and found that the girl at the front desk was decked out in old timey clothes. OK...cool, but I don't get it. She gave me my key and told me that my room was next door and off I went.
My room was in the Warner House next door to the original Inn building itself, facing East Broadway in beautiful downtown Granville. The Buxton Inn "complex" consists of several historic buildings side-by-side and every one of them has been renovated. It's a beautiful place to stay. I was there in early fall and the leaves had just begun to turn.
It's About Architecture...Not Ghosts!
I had a different appreciation for the place. Plain and simple. There were several different types of historical architecture all squeezed into one tiny block with beautiful formal gardens wedged neatly in the center of it all to meander the evening hours away after dinner. I had an hour or two to kill at one point so I made use of my trusty Canon EOS 650 and fired away. These buildings and homes have been renovated most recently by the current owner/operators, Orville and Audrey Orr and they've done a magnificent job of it.
It has been duly noted by hundreds of the Inns' guests that this place will give you the creeps (if you can believe it).
Links to Stories of Encounters with Ghosts at the Buxton Inn
* AllStay.com
* About.com
* OhioGhostHunter.com
* GraveAddiction.com
* PrairieGhosts.com
Here's a List of Haunted Inns Located Throughout the U.S.
And finally...this post would not be complete without a link to the Buxton Inn itself...
Ok sorry Randy.I was wondering if that was wrong.Anyway has anyone heard about a ghost at Newark High School? I was security there at nights over 20 years ago and had some real strange things happen and saw someone in a room once that wasnt there and later I heard it was haunted but havent found any info on it
Tom...I deleted your email address. Folks can chime in here to find you if they care to. Just protecting your privacy, man.
Im not sure if I can post my email but will try and hope its not a no no.
Keep in contact with me and anyone else thats interested.Im a amatuer at this ghost hunting stuff but its fun.I also want to know if anyone has heard of the ghost at Newark High School?
Also the people that work at the Buxton are all very nice and the food is the best.The bread is the greatest.Maybe the ghost stay for the bread.lol
Tom...
I'd like to hear about your stay and what you find on your A/V equipment. Cool!
Stayed there June 1st but no ghost but we have room#9 booked in Sept.I have been in room#7 =Major Buxton's room and in room#9 before but never stayed in either.I will be setting up cameras in room 9 in Sept and we will see if there are ghost.Anyone interested just let me know and I will update you.
I agree with your parents, Megan. Comfortable, unique and historic. What's not to like??!!
My parents stayed at the Buxton Inn before for their anniversary. They loved it and recommend it!
Christina,
Which photo is it that you are talking about? If you count the photos (starting at the top of the article) going left to right, top to bottom, which number would this photo be, that you're speaking of?
If you enlarge the pic above of the front of the hotel..you can see was looks like a ghostly image to the left of the door! Cool:)
my friend went to the hotel and she told a picture on her phone andthey was a lady or a men in a white shirt . and she felt he cat on her leg .
Interesting!! Excellent post on this subject!