She had removed her clothing, stacked them neatly in a corner and laid down on the cold concrete floor to die. 3. Back when it was a psychiatric hospital, men lived in one wing while women lived in the other. In all, in the last 7 years, OU has poured nearly $30 million into renovating and repurposing these exquisite Kirkbride buildings that are inextricable from the history of Athens or the university, and are one of less than 20 Kirkbride campuses . . 5,679 were here. All of the doors in this ward were metal as opposed to the wood doors of the other wards. Description. Turn to the left and (watching for cars) follow the brick road. The 700 acres of land this trail is on was first owned by the Athens Asylum, where its tenants tended to the fields, orchards, and the cattle that resided there. The Ridges is a common place for students to look for paranormal activity, and is commonly referred to as one of the creepiest places in Athens. Our last photo of the graffiti did not take. Pamela Gaboury climbs up the ziplining tower at the Challenge Course at The Ridges. The Ohio University acquired the former insane asylums campus in the 1990s. . - Skulls and Kittens, Your email address will not be published. Below is a photo taken from the Ridges Trail looking back at the parking area. The Athens Lunatic Asylum - US Ghost Adventures The tour also offers insight into the universitys impressive art collection and beautiful grounds, with stunning views of Athens County from atop one of its towers. Whether youre planning a day tripor just want to see whats nearbyyoull be inspired to get out and enjoy all that Ohios rich heritage has to offer. Join the 365 Society. Enroll as a student Obviously, this is not the most likely scenario, but students do have access for a few spots on campus up here. . Sadly, Epilepsy was actually considered one of the major reasons for admitting patients to the asylum in the early years. Heres a list of its names: Because the institution was in operation for so long, it was involved in a number of cutting edge treatments that have since been discredited, such as hydrotherapy, electroshock, lobotomy, and psychotropic drugs. https://www.ohio.edu/athens/greens/theridges.html. The main building had two towers and three outdoor balconies. We love student groups at the Southeast Ohio History Center, and we love coming to visit, too! Complete the following sentence by typing either real or spam: We didnt hike the Ridges Cemetery Nature Walk, but if you look at the map above, there are three purple markers showing the locations of the cemeteries. Lydia L. Mihalik, Director of Department of Development. Visitors can explore the architecture, history, and culture of The Ridges in a safe and socially-distanced manner. School organizations provide tours of the facility around Halloween time each year. If I wanted to follow the Ridges Cemetery Nature Walk, that trail is to the left of the parking area and descends into a hollow. The Ridges Asylum: A Chilling Walk Through Ohio's Dark Past Nearly all of Ohio University's buildings on the West Green are said to be haunted because they were allegedly built on top of an Indian burial ground. educational programming, and special tours. The cemeteries on site have sad stories of their own. The Ridges now also houses the OHIO Museum Complex, the OHIO Observatory, and The Ridges Land Lab. The most well-known story of The Ridges involves a female patient whose body left a permanent stain. - Love Nature, "Experience the Chills and Thrills of Spending a Night at the Haunted Buxton Inn - Are You Brave Enough to Stay?" At least the curtains were nice! From learning about the architecture to discovering hidden gems within the grounds, these tours offer something for everyone. The Ridges is a district of Ohio University centered around the former Athens Insane Asylum. It also boasts beautiful gardens and nature trails that are open to the public year round. The Ridges - Hocking Hills Historical You will explore two sculptures while walking around The Ridges and enjoying nature. A lobby area in the former patient ward near the padded cells. If you want to see the buildings from the outside you are free to do that, and once youve finished, there are a few walking trails that you can take to see more of the outskirts of the property and cemeteries. The Child Development Center adventures off into a scavenger hunt on sustainability. amzn_assoc_ad_mode = "manual"; More than likely, this was a utility wash area. By Conor Morris Jun 7, 2017 1 Students from Perry County toured the outside of the old Ridges Asylum buildings Tuesday. The original name for this place was the Athens Lunatic Asylum. In 1868 this institution was founded to provide compassionate care for the mentally ill. The more violent and severe patients were housed near the ends of the buildings sings, farthest from the buildings entry/exit. -Gallery Hours are: M F: 10am 5pm, TH: 10am 8pm, Sat Sun: 1pm 5pm. We had to walk down this long, dark, foreboding, narrow hallway to exit the basement. OurHome page lists our latest park reviews, nature articles, and other related information. The city of Athens itself is situated among several rivers, including the Hocking River and Shade River, as well as many creeks. It wouldnt be until the 1960s when drugs took over as the main form of treatment. 69 votes, 16 comments. But it wasnt just epilepsy that was considered a cause of insanity. Commonly referred to as The Ridges, this large campus was once a thriving mental health institution overlooking Athens from a high ridge on the south side of town. amzn_assoc_asins = "B079J4ZQ6S,B0086GYPLU,B07G4L72NS,B076JJGMSY"; At the top of this staircase there is a sign announcing that this is the trailhead for the Ridges Cemetery Nature Walk. Experience the Chills and Thrills of Spending a Night at the Haunted Buxton Inn Are You Brave Enough to Stay?. It wasnt until January 12, 1979, when a maintenance worker was moving some boxes in abandoned Ward N 20 that Margarets body was found. Continued advances made the technology on Radar Hill seem more and more dated. The graffiti begged for an unknown audience to vote Kennedy for President. of self-portraits. The Ridges - Home | Facebook The Nature Walk leads from one to the next following the low areas. beings of elegance, power and existentialmeaning. Butterfield Self-Guided Tours University Observatory Occasionally we saw some small, cultivated plots of land in areas to the side of the trail. The Ridges, located at 1 South Green Drive in Athens, Ohio is a historic building and former psychiatric hospital. There are several opportunities to visit The Ridges in Athens, Ohio, ranging from a hike in the beautiful nature of the area to educational opportunities to learn about the facility's history, and more. In the map near the top of this article, it would be the northern-most cemetery. The Ridges (Ohio University) The Ridges is both a large building complex and an open space area, all of which was established as a lunatic asylum and accompanying working farm. Please check the box below if you are not a robot. impeccable details to represent the anatomy of a horses body. This is the infamous stain on the floor left by Margaret Schilling's decomposing body. This area has long been inhabited by various Native American tribes, who were attracted to the wealth of natural resources available here. OHIO Museum Complex Gallery opens at the Kennedy Art Museum near The Ridges. Youll pass the Dairy Barn on your left. Many were also subjected to experimental treatments, such as lobotomies and electroconvulsive therapy, which were considered to be controversial at the time. It is now known as Lin Hall / Kennedy Museum of Arts. This large hole in the wall now serves as an entry to an otherwise sealed-off courtyard. Participants run up and down the hill during the O'Bleness Race for a Reason Mud Run to complete and after completing the old Army ROTC training course located at The Ridges. We are lucky to live in a region so passionate about its history. We took the left (westward) fork which led to Radar Hill. Many of the historic buildings at The Ridges have been renovated for a variety of uses by the University, including classrooms, research labs, cultural facilities and more. The Southeast Ohio History Center hosts engaging outdoor walking tours of the historic asylum grounds, where you can learn about the history of the facility and mental health treatment. 740-593-1304. The History Center makes available high-quality digital files for many artifacts in its collection. Ridges Hiking Trails Self-Guided Tours mAppAthens, a self-guided app, has several tours around the land at The Ridges that you can explore any time by following your location on your phone as you travel around the area. Here is theirmenu. More recently, Ohio University consulted with Community Building Partners/Buckeye Hills Regional Council to develop a Ridges Development Strategy to implement external investment and non-university use elements of the Framework plan. Since I was visiting this part of the Ridges in autumn, there were colorful leaves everywhere. amzn_assoc_region = "US"; The Ridges | Athens OH - Facebook The Ridges formerly known as the Athens Lunatic Asylum was a formal mental health hospital and it has a place were they buried the deceased patients. The asylum had over 2,000 patient beds and employed hundreds of staff members to care for them. If time allows and you want more haunted spots to check out, visit Lake Hope Furnace and theMoonville Tunnel! The Ohio University in Athens, Ohio is perhaps the most haunted campus in the world. The Ridges - Wikipedia Many of these beautiful old buildings are now being repurposed. His art includes both abstract and figurative styles, and Deming ALL ASYLUM The rich history and preservation of place inspired those efforts as well as the community collaborative engagement on an in-depth Framework Plan that prioritized preservation, highlighted building and land compatibility and use and recommended a mixed use environment facilitated by external investment. This is a Y-shaped trail. Space will be limited. An Ohio.gov website belongs to an official government organization in the State of Ohio. On January 9. My comment is The Cemetery Trail takes you alongside the asylum cemetery containing numerous marked and unmarked graves. All rights reserved. Members of the Athens, Ohio chapter of NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, have worked to restore the three graveyards located on the grounds of The Ridges. The least disturbed patients were housed near the center of the building to encourage socializing and human interaction. Weds - Fri: 10 am - 4 pm, Sat: 12 pm - 4 pm, Tues - Fri: 10 am - 4 pm, Sat: 12 pm - 4 pm, Hope Taft and Frances Strickland: Kindness and Friendship in Leadership, Outdoor Walking Tour of the Historic Athens Asylum, Tom OGrady: A Voice for Voiceless History. Although the newer stones had names, births, and deaths, the older stones that remained had not been replaced until recently. They have an art museum, an auditorium and even classrooms! Governor Lydia L. Mihalik, Director of Department of Development. Appalachian Studies Assoc. on Instagram: "46TH ANNUAL APPALACHIAN Patients shared bunks intended for one person and were often restrained. This fire hose attached to a riser almost looked brand new. This is just dust kicked up from the attic's very dirty floor. This long, dark hallway was in the basement of the main Ridges building. The grounds were expanded several times during the asylums history, adding many outbuildings including a tuberculosis ward, dairy barn, and gymnasium. Margaret had free reign of the grounds and often wandered throughout the building. All tours start at 9:00 AM with an orientation session before heading out for a day full exploration! But who owns these ridges? A ghost named Mary is said to walk the halls late at night, as do many other former patients. The Ridges are located on Ohio Universitys grounds off of North Ridge Drive in Athens; Athens County. It is not a regular circumstance to be invited inside these old buildings, unfortunately. Miniature golf course at the City of Athens South Side Park near the Ridges in Athens, Ohio. This tour showcases the iconic Ridges Building, which was built in 1895 and has been home to many of Ohio Universitys most famous alumni. While there are some private owners of small parcels of land, most of this area is owned by the state of Ohio or by local government entities such as Athens County and the City of Athens. Southeast Ohio A to Z explores the unique attributes of our region through the letters of the alphabet! The last option is the hardest to snag, but sometimes, once per year, the historical society offers a historical tour around Halloween. This post may contain affiliate links that at no additional cost to you, I may earn a small commission. The cemeteries on the grounds had become unkempt, but back in the year 2000 the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) took over their upkeep and restored their appearance. Our round-trip hike was about 2.5 miles. There are large wings extending on both sides of this portion of the building. - Skulls and Kittens, Travel More, Spend Less: How this Travel Platform Helps You Save Money on Your Trips, Point Pleasant, WV: A Hotspot for Mothman Sightings and Paranormal Activity, The Ridges Asylum: A Chilling Walk Through Ohios Dark Past, Point Pleasant, WV: A Hotspot for Mothman Sightings and Paranormal Activity - Love Nature, The Ridges Asylum: A Chilling Walk Through Ohio's Dark Past - Love Nature, Discover the Fascinating History and Mystery of the Abandoned Longaberger Basket Building - Love Nature, Would You Visit the Notoriously Haunted Moonville Tunnel at Night? The U.S. Army built a defense radar station on this hill during WWII. However to this day the state of Ohio allows descendants of those interred here to replace the numbered stone with one of their own, or to add a marker with that persons name, as seen below. amzn_assoc_ad_type = "smart"; Athens, Ohio is home to many beautiful ridges and hills that give the city its unique landscape. Athens Area Outdoor Recreation Guide: The Ridges (Ohio University) The fire must not have been too large since there were no signs of fire nearby. So, if youre ready for a truly unique and unforgettable experience, come and check out the Ridges with me! You will explore two sculptures while The homeless would use the institution for temporary shelter. walking aroundThe Ridges and enjoying nature. If youve been looking for an outdooractivity that will get you This I-beam was signed by Tommy Irwin in 1934. Kennedy Museum of Art. The university makes use of a number of buildings on this land to house administrative offices, an art gallery and an art museum, among other things. The date on the building reads "1868," the year construction began. for a littlephysical activity. Locals say that there are two or three asylum cemeteries at the Ridges. However if you follow it for just a short ways, you can stop and get a nice view of Athens. 2023 Ohio University. When the asylum finally closed, the buildings and grounds were left abandoned, and the site became a popular location for urban exploration. In a previous article on Strouds Run and Sells Park, we discussed hiking a different portion of the Athens Trail. However the glory days of Radar Hill were soon to come to an end. Throughout its history, it became renowned for its progressive treatments such as occupational therapy, art therapy and hydrotherapy. One possibility is the eastern wing of the main building visible behind the students and at left. enjoys making sculptures of dogs and abstract bouquets. All questions regarding The Ridges, including tours, should be directed to the S All in all though, owning ones own ridge in Athens would be quite a feat! Its obvious from the graffiti that there are young people who are breaching the buildings barriers. Many of the headstones were left in disrepair, with hundreds left uprooted and broken. At a later date a building was constructed to house residents who had tuberculosis. At the light turn left onto Richland Avenue. The trail (shown as red lines) follows the ridgeline of this hills in this area. We turned back before making it to the tower and retraced our steps back to the car. Once you passthe first cluster of trees and bushes, you should see the sculpture in the grass opening. Find travel inspiration for your next trip, get the latest Ohio news & An outdoor fire escape scaled the side of the building. The Ridges - See Ohio First The Forgotten Ohio Ridges site gives a general overview of the history of the Ridges and some of the public's perceptions of what its history is. John J. Kopchick assists students in an on-campus lab. Would You Visit the Notoriously Haunted Moonville Tunnel at Night? TrekOhio is an Amazon affiliate. The Athens Lunatic Asylum, now a development known as The Ridges, was a mental hospital in Athens, Ohio. The Ridges Lunatic Asylum, Athens | Roadtrippers Visit The Ridges | Athens | Ohio University Browse the educational experiences available at The Ridges! Tom OGrady is the Southeast Ohio History Centers Director of Outreach and Director Emeritus. The George V. Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Affairs is also located at The Ridges, in a set of three separate buildings across the area. Ohio University, Athens, OH 45701, USA. If youre looking for an unforgettable experience in one of Ohios most beautiful and unique settings, look no further than The Ridges Athens Ohio Tours 2022. The procedure involved drilling holes into the patients skull and severing connections between different parts of their brain. After the hospital was decommissioned, the state of Ohio and Ohio University did a land swap, and Ohio University acquired ownership of the land. Six years earlier, in 1868, construction had begun on the magnificent building, designed by Levi Tucker Scofield, who also designed the Ohio State Reformatory. Cancellation will take place only if dangerous weather such as lighting storm or high winds are active. 2023 Ohio University. The number of allegedly haunted places on the site is quite impressive and they are added to the numerous . SOHC closes at 3:30pm so please plan to visit us before the asylum tour! The Cemeteries at the Ridges are full of history and mystery. 2020 Ohio Department of Development, TourismOhio Mike DeWine, Governor Jon Husted, Lt. Since we just wanted to explore the Ridges Trail during this visit, we retraced our path back to the fork and took the other branch of the Ridges Trail. 5,690 were here. Former patient Margaret Schilling was said to have roamed the attics when not in her room. But in 2000, the Athens, Ohio chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) stepped in to help restore the cemeteries to their original state. 1874, the Athens Lunatic Asylum opened its doors on more than 1,000 acres on the former Coates farm. Reminder: this is a two hour outdoor walking tour, so please plan accordingly. Walking Tour of the Historic Athens Asylum - Explore Hocking Hills The Olde Dutch Restaurant and Banquet Haus. During its operation, the hospital provided services to a variety of patients including Civil War veterans, children, and violent criminals suffering from various mental disabilities. It now serves as part of Ohio Universitys campus and hosts museums, galleries, laboratories, classrooms and more on its 500 acres of land. Haunted Hype: the Best Scary Places in Athens - WOUB Public Media The Ridges, formerly called the Athens Lunatic Asylum, was a mental hospital operated in Athens, Ohio from 1874 until 1993. After climbing to the top of the hill, we could have continued onward to the northwest on the Athens Trail or to the northeast on a connecting path that leads to the River Valley Nature Trail. Would You Visit the Notoriously Haunted Moonville Tunnel at Night? We will update the list above as tours sell out. I know seeing the inside is usually the best part, but its rare to get inside these buildings unless youre a student here. They do take you through the interior, but youve got to be fast to snag these tickets. The Ridges Trail in Athens, Ohio | TrekOhio document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Copyright SkullsandKittens 2016 -2023 - All Rights Reserved. If youre interested, I have been cataloging dragonfly species as I come across them here. An OES member walked down the hallway of a ward that housed the least-threatening "normal" patients. The Southeast Ohio History Center, located in Athens, Ohio, will be offering historical tours of The Ridges, formerly known as the Athens Lunatic Asylum, from now and throughout the end of October. Inside one of the padded rooms, but the pads had been removed long ago. Among them are the Ridges Trail, the Athens Trail, the Ridges Cemetery Nature Walk, and the River Valley Nature Trail. When the campus ceased operation as an insane asylum, the entire complex was bought by Ohio University, who owns the property today. The mistreatment was terrible in itself, but even in death many of these people didnt get the respect they deserved until many years later. The fields next to the trail were perfect for spotting butterflies. It was apparently painted in the 1960s. MASKS ARE ENCOURAGED, but not required. The tours are guided by experienced professionals who have a deep understanding of the history and culture of the area. What's referred to as The Ridges is over 1000 acres of land owned by the Ohio University in Athens, Ohio. The Southeast Ohio History Center provides monthly tours of the district for $15. OhioHumanities.org541 West Rich StreetColumbus, Oh 43215614.461.7802. With its diverse population and culture, Athens provides residents with plenty to explore within their own backyard! During its tenure, the hospital provided a wide variety of services to many different types of patients including Civil War veterans . An old lighting fixture in the lobby area. Patients spoke out by carving messages, such as, I was never crazy, in the sandstone and wood trim. The property has the potential of harboring spirits, having been home to thousands of patients at the Athens Insane. Or go there directly by typing the countys name after trekohio.com/, for example, https://trekohio.com/hocking. Although the various trails are on Ohio University property, they are open to the public. West Green (Ohio University) Sapienna/Wikimedia Commons. While it was believed that this could help alleviate symptoms like aggression or depression, the practice has since been largely abandoned due to its dangerous side effects and lack of efficacy. Witnesses have reported seeing darting shadows and people standing behind them in mirrors when no one else is there. The Ridges is an approximately 700-acre property owned by Ohio University sitting across the Hocking River from the University's campus core in Athens. Unfortunately, women were often institutionalized for unnecessary or outright fallacious reasons. Lin Hall, known more familiarly as Kennedy Museum, is at right. What Really Happens When You Visit the Haunted Mansfield Reformatory at Night? In addition NAMI developed the Ridges Cemetery Nature Walk. Athens Ridges - Ohio Exploration Society Right after passing the buildings, you should see the second sculpture in the grass off to the right. Space will be limited. moving, thewalking sculpture tour at The Ridges will be perfect The address is: Ohio University, Lin Hall, 100 Ridges Circle, Athens, OH45701, If youre coming from out of town here are a few places to, If time allows and you want more haunted spots to check out, visit Lake Hope Furnace and the. President Ronald Reagans de-institutionalization process was the final nail in the coffin for Americas mental institutions. We Preserve, Share, & Champion The Unique History & Culture of Southeast Ohio. amzn_assoc_tracking_id = "free086-20"; Visitors will be able to learn about the buildings rich history, including its time as an insane asylum in the late 19th century and how it became part of Ohio University in 1949. Moderate 4.4 (367) Athens, Ohio. (Same as the walking tour above! It is incredibly important to remember and learn from the past, and thats why places like The Ridges are worth visiting and understanding their history. All rights reserved. Stand on the front steps, facing away from the museum (towardthe road/parking lot). Tours are scheduled for the third Sunday each month between March and December. As you can see from the embedded terrain map below, it is a very apt name. Several hiking trails and walkways are available for public use at The Ridges, including Radar Hill the highest point in Athens County where you can enjoy the beautiful rolling hills and thick forests. In the mid 90's the ridges was open to tours by apt. Deborah Butterfield has been creating sculptures of horses Keep going up the hill. Before you travel, and once youre there, be sure to See Ohio First! Have a particular travel date, place to visit or interest already in mind? The Renovations at the Ridges : r/athensohio - Reddit Experiences Walking Sculpture Tour, At the Ridges Walking Sculpture Tour, At the Ridges If you've been looking for an outdoor activity that will get you moving, the walking sculpture tour at The Ridges will be perfect for a little physical activity. In winter months, if there is a level 2 or 3 snow emergency, the tour will be canceled as well. All rights reserved. This is a popular interpretive walking tour that always fills up quickly - so be sure to reserve your spot right away! Student working on school work at an on-campus building. During the early years of the asylum, the treatment of patients was considered to be progressive and humane. The living conditions werent much better. The Dairy Barn is to the north of the open-space area. Since the trail is wide with gentle slopes, it made for a very easy hike. A dark room with nothing more than a single vent. The building was being used by Ohio University art students at the time of our visit. Copyright 2000-2023 Ohio Exploration SocietyReproduction without explicit permission is prohibited. And the above critters naturally attracted insect-eating birds like the Eastern Kingbird pictured below. Read more. It eventually reaches the River Valley Nature Trail. 6,022 were here. Ticket Prices: SOHC Members: $15; Non-members: $18; Students: $10; Children 12 and under: Free This is a fan page. There is talk of opening some of the interiors for tours, too. The last patients of The Ridges left the institution in 1993. Ive posted an update to the article. Learn about the history of mental health treatment, from the Kirkbride Plan to the present day, as well as Georges personal anecdotes.