The Ridges at Night

Here is a list of articles compiled over the years about supposed hauntings and other supernatural events in and around Athens.

We have given you links to online versions of the articles when available.  (Note that links to the Athens Messenger articles in Newspaper Archive will not go directly to the article; you’ll need to search for the title of the article there to find the full text.)  In other cases, you’ll need to check ALICE, the library catalog, to find out where to get a print or microfilm version of the magazine or newspaper you need.  Most importantly, remember to ask a librarian if you have trouble finding any of this stuff!

• “UFO Spotted over Athens.” Athens Messenger, March 29, 1966, p. 1.  (search for this article at Newspaper Archive)
• “Winged, Red-Eyed Thing Chases Point Couples Across Countryside.”  Athens Messenger, Nov. 16, 1966, p. 1.  (search for this article at Newspaper Archive)
• “Monster Returns to Mason.” Athens Messenger, Nov. 17, 1966, p. 1.  (search for this article at Newspaper Archive)
• “Monster No Joke for Those Who Saw It.”  Athens Messenger, Nov. 18, 1966, p. 1.  (search for this article at Newspaper Archive)
• “Mason Monster Spotted Again.”  Athens Messenger, Nov. 25, 1966, p. 1.  (search for this article at Newspaper Archive)
• “Gigantic, Fuzzy Bird Chases Auto in Storm.”  Athens Messenger, Mar. 21, 1967, p. 5.  (search for this article at Newspaper Archive)
• “UFO, Monster in Rendezvous.” Athens Messenger, May 24, 1967, p. 8.  (search for this article at Newspaper Archive)
• “Where the Waters Mingle.”  Athens Messenger, Nov. 16, 1967, p. 8.  (search for this article at Newspaper Archive)
• “Spooks Haunt Area Hills and Valleys.” Athens Messenger, Oct. 26, 1969, C-11.  (search for this article at Newspaper Archive)
• “The Legend of Peach Ridge.”  Athens Magazine, Spring/Summer 1972, p.34-5.
• “Strange Tales of a Strange Town.”  Athens Magazine, Fall 1973, p. 6-9.
• “One More Strange Tale.” [story of Nicodemus]  Athens Magazine, Fall 1973, p. 9-11.
• “Spiritualists wrong, Mt. Nebo not closest to God.” Athens News, May 17, 1975.
• “Mayhem in the Rural, Parts I & II.”  [cattle mutilations] Athens News, March 25, 1978, p.6 and Apr. 6, 1978, p. 6, 8.
• “Watchman May Still Walk Rounds.”  Athens Messenger, Oct. 31, 1978.
• “What Haunts Wilson Hall?”  The Post, Oct. 31, 1978, p. 4-5.
• “The Mothman of Point Pleasant.”  The Post, Jan. 10, 1979, p. 4, 6.
• “Mason Monster Sighting Reported.”  Athens Messenger, Feb. 28, 1979, p. 1.
• “Big Foot Search.”  Athens Messenger,  Sept. 15, 1980, p. 1-2.
• “Trolls, Ions Account for Psychic Presence.”  Athens News, Oct. 30, 1980, p. 12.
• “The Ghost of Moonville and Other Ohio Spooks.”  Columbus Dispatch Sunday Magazine, Oct. 25, 1981, p. 8-10.
• “Mountain Is Rich in Occult Tales.”  Columbus Dispatch, Oct. 28, 1984, B-1.
• “Indian Legend Tells Story of Shawnee Brave, Waupee.”  Athens Messenger, Oct. 28, 1981, p. 9.
• “Haunted Athens.”  Athens News, Oct. 28, 1993, p. 1+.
• “Apparitions still at home in hills of Vinton County.”  Athens Messenger, Oct. 31, 1993, A-1+.
• “Anybody Out There?” The Post, Oct. 26, 1995, p.6.
• “Wilson Hall Has History of Paranormal Activity.” The Post, Oct. 27, 1995, p. 9. (link to this article)
• “Runaway Slave, Nicodemus, Haunts AOPi Sorority House.”  The Post, Oct. 27, 1995. (link to this article)
• “Restless Spirits Supposedly Haunt Area Cemetaries.”  The Post, Oct. 27, 1995. (link to this article)
• “Ridges Patients Leave Strong Impression in Body and Spirit.”  The Post, Oct. 27, 1995. (link to this article)
• “Athens Makes Fox’s List of Scariest Places.” Athens Messenger, July 30, 2000, A-1+.
• “Local Statue Provokes Folklore.” The Post, Oct. 30, 2000.
• “Winged-beast Terror Close to Home.” The Post, Jan. 29, 2002, p. 5.
• “Reporters Investigate Ghosts, Mysteries.” The Post, Oct. 27, 2003. (link to this article)
• “Greek Houses Provide Myths.” The Post, Oct. 28, 2003.  (link to this article)
• “Ghost in Cutler Tower?” The Post, Oct. 29, 2003.   (link to this article)
• “Five Athens Cemeteries Form Lopsided Square.” The Post, Oct. 30, 2003. (link to this article)
• “Reporter Uncovers True Story Behind the Ridges.” The Post, Oct. 31, 2003.  (link to this article)
• “Catch Me.” The Post, Oct. 26, 2006.  (link to this article)
• “The Truth Behind Haunted Athens.”  The Post, Oct. 27, 2006.  (link to this article)
• “Ohio Alumnus Dedicates Book to Athens’ Ghastly History.”  The Post, Oct. 23, 2007.  (link to this article)