The Ghosts of Sprucevale

This is a guest contribution from Dusty Davis. Learn more about him in the About section below.

From Bigfoot, to UFO’s, to frogmen, Ohio is home to several legends and hauntings. There are several just within the abandoned ghost town of Sprucevale, Ohio.

The canal town was established in 1837 by the Hambleton brothers, who built a stone grist mill, a general store, locksmith, and a woolen factory. The Sandy and Beaver canal were constructed on their property.

Once known as the largest pottery industry in the world, Columbiana County is now known for some of the strangest occurrences in the state.

Gretchen’s Lock

One of the most famous locks in the area is known as Gretchen’s Lock. As the story goes, Edward G. Gill immigrated from Ireland with his wife and infant daughter. The Gill family was plagued with misfortune from the beginning of their journey though, as Mrs. Gill fell ill during the trip and passed away. She was buried at sea.

On August 12, 1838 Edward Gill’s daughter, Gretchen contracted malaria and died. The young girl was entombed by her father in lock #41 until he could take her back home to Ireland to be properly buried.

In 1852, the long awaited trip back to Ireland took place. Edward Gill removed his daughter’s body from the lock and set sail. Misfortune continued to follow the family as the ship ran into a storm and was sunk. The family was buried at sea together.

As the legend goes, if you visit the lock, you can hear the voice of the little girl calling out for her mother. That was her dying prayer to be with her mother again.

Bride at the Bridge

Another haunting that takes place within the area of Sprucevale is the bride at the bridge. The tale is the classic woman in white urban legend. As the story goes, Esther Hale was scheduled to be married to a man whose name has been lost to history. Unfortunately, he never showed up. Heartbroken, Esther would roam around the town wearing her wedding gown, refusing to take it off. She soon died and the townsfolk found her in her home surrounded by wedding decorations and a yellowing gown.

Legend has it that Esther Hale can be seen on the anniversary of her wedding date, August 12th. (Coincidently the same day that Gretchen Gill was said to have died.) Esther is said to haunt the Beaver Creek Bridge and the nearby Hambleton Mill, one of the two buildings that still stand in the forgotten town. Esther appears as a hideous spirit, but if she touches you, she becomes young and beautiful again, causing you to die.

Esther Hale isn’t the only ghost hanging around the old mill though. A white, misty figure said to be a Quaker preacher is seen floating around the area. Some argue that the apparition is Esther Hale herself. Legend states that on Christmas Eve, the ghost will write the word “come” on the stone walls of the mill.

Beside the mill, the only other structure that is left is a brick building where a young boy hanged himself. They say that he doesn’t like visitors and if you take a picture of the building, it will not turn out right.

Gangster Death Mask

In addition to ghosts, Sprucevale was also known as the place where the infamous bank robber Charles Arthur “Pretty Boy” Floyd was shot and killed on October 22, 1934. The field that he was killed in was only a mile and a half away from the Hambleton Mill. T

he bank robber’s body was held on display in the nearby town of East Liverpool. His death mask still resides in the Sturgis House. A Bed and Breakfast that was converted from the funeral home. Old embalming supplies are also on display at the house.

So when you want to have a nice day at the Beaver Creek State Park, know that your friends and family might not be the only ones that show up. A young girl searching for her mother, or a bride to be still looking for her groom just might pay you a visit.

About

Dusty Davis is a horror writer living in East Liverpool, Ohio. When he is not frightening his readers, he can be found at home hanging out with his wife and two children. Readers can follow Dusty at facebook.com/dustydavis21 or @dustydavis21 on Instagram and Twitter. Most of his work can be found at www.amazon.com/author/dustydavis.