Even though it no longer operates as a prison, the Ohio State
Reformatory in Mansfield still manages to attract attention. Even
before the Reformatory existed, the area was home to Camp
Bartley, a Civil War camp that trained an estimated 4,000
soldiers for battle.
In September of 1896, when it opened, building was originally
known as the Intermediate Penitentiary, as it was to serve as
home to "middle of the road" criminals; those too old for the
Boys Industrial School in Lancaster and not "hardened" enough for
the Ohio Penitentiary. Its purpose was to attempt and reform
these young male prisoners before they ended up in the Ohio Pen.
As with any correctional facility, the Ohio State Reformatory has
seen its share of violence. Over the years, several officers have
been murdered in the line of duty, including Frank Hanger, who
was beaten to death by prisoners during a 1932 escape attempt.
However, the harshest acts of violence were often associated with
the area known as "the hole": solitary confinement. Stories
abound of prisoners attempting (and in some cases, succeeding) in
hanging themselves inside the cells.
In 1957, in response to a prison riot, an estimated 120 prisoners
were given 30-day sentences in "the hole", which was only
equipped with 20 cells. This incident gave rise to the story of
two inmates being forced to share the same isolation cell and
only one emerging alive. It is no small wonder that the area
known as "the hole" is alleged to be haunted. Over the years,
footsteps and muffled voices have been heard, even though there
is no one else in the area. The most popular ghost story
surrounding the Ohio State Reformatory centers on Warden Glattke
and his wife, Helen. In November of 1950, Mrs. Glattke was found
dead in the Warden's living quarters on the property. According
to the report, Mrs. Glattke was reaching for a box on a shelf in
the closet. The Warden had hidden one of his guns in the closet,
and when the box was moved, the gun fell to the floor and fired,
striking and killing Mrs. Glattke. Mrs. Glattke is rumored to
still haunt the penitentiary to this day.
Ghosts
Paralumun New Age Village