AAT - The Ridges

The Ridges

Photos From Forgottenoh.com

The Adventure...

On January 9, 1874, a state-of-the-art psychiatric hospital opened on the Ridges in Athens. “The Athens Lunatic Asylum,” as it was originally named, featured grandiose buildings surrounded by elaborate landscaping with ponds, fountains and parks.

The theory was that, in a beautiful setting, patients would improve if not be cured. Unfortunately, mental health during the time was not nearly as advanced as it is today and once admitted, most patients remained until death. The hospital soon created its own cemeteries to serve as a final resting place for patients who were not claimed by their families. With few exceptions their graves were marked only with a number. Gravestones with names were purchased by family members of the deceased. These cemeteries have recently been restored and are part of the Ridges Cemetery Nature Walk.

The most famus haunting is of a patient named Margaret. On December 1, 1978 a female patient disappeared from her ward. Some say she wandered off, playing a game of hide and seek from the hospital staff. Several weeks later a hospital maintenace man made a grim discovery. He found Margaret's body on the floor of a room in an abandoned ward on the 4th floor. Her body was decomposing under the warm rays of sunlight shining in through a nearby window. The official cause of death was heart failure, perhaps because that section of the hospital was unheated. Legend has it she couldn't call for help because she was a deaf mute. Whatever Margaret's last moments were like, one can only imagine...one thing is for certain - she won't let anyone forget it. No matter how hard they tried the hospital staff could not wash away the mark left behind by Margaret's decomposing body. Maybe one day the stain will wash away, but it still remains today. Legend has it Margaret and other troubled spirits who died there still wander the halls today.

- Discription from Athens County Convention and Visitors Bureau

Learn More…

Athens County CVB
667 East State Street
Athens, Ohio 45701

Athens County CVB:
800.878.9767
740.592.1819

Websites:
www.AthensOhio.com
www.forgottenoh.com

E-Mail: info@athensohio.com

Getting There’s Half the Adventure…

From US 33, take the SR 682/Ohio University Exit. Turn left onto Richland Avenue. Take your first right onto Dairy Barn Lane, turn right into the Ridges.

Click HERE to View the Map

Nearby Adventures…

Art & Culture
Kennedy Museum of Art - Athens, Athens County
Passion Works Studio – Athens, Athens County
Stuart's Opera House – Nelsonville, Athens County
Nelsonville Historic Square Arts District – Nelsonville, Athens County
The Dairy Barn Arts Center – Athens, Athens County
Ohio University's Performing Arts Series – Athens, Athens County
The Art Barn – New Plymouth, Vinton County
Fur Peace Ranch – Near Darwin, Meigs County

Historic Sites & Places
Robbins Crossing – Nelsonville, Athens County
Hocking Valley Scenic Railway and Museum – Nelsonville, Athens County
Hope Furnace – Lake Hope State Park, Vinton County

Parks, Forest, & Outdoor Activities
Wayne National Forest – Athens County
Strouds Run State Park – Athens County
The Hockhocking Adena Bikeway – Athens County
Burr Oak State Park – Athens County
Buckeye Trail (New Straitsville Section) – Athens County
Trimble Wildlife Area – Athens County
Desonier State Nature Preserve – Athens County
Fox Lake Wildlife Area – Athens County
Zaleski State Forest – Vinton County
Lake Hope State Park – Vinton County
Waterloo Wildlife Area – Athens County