When aficionados of ghost
stories in Ohio get together there is one story that is always mentioned--the legend
of Gore’s Orphanage. This story takes place in Vermillion, Ohio. It is often listed in
the top ten most popular ghost stories in Ohio.
As mentioned the story of
Gore’s Orphanage is only a “legend” but at the end of this post I will share
the true story of why this area might possibly be haunted.
This legend starts with a
tragic fire. It is stated that a man by the name of Gore ran an orphanage in
the 1800s. He didn’t particularly like children and it is stated he often
abused the chargers that were entrusted to his care.
In one version of this tale
Gore wanting to collect “insurance money” decides to set the orphanage on
fire. He callously stands by and watches all the orphans perish in the fire.
Other tales state that it was
a “disgruntled employee” of Gores who actually set the fire in order to exact
revenge on his former boss. Or it is stated that the culprit was a “crazy
neighbor” who was tired of all the children’s noise.
Yet another reason sometimes
told is more benign in nature. It is stated that an orphan actually knocked a
lantern over which set the barn on fire. Then the flames quickly spread to the
orphanage’s main building.
All these versions mention
that all the orphans perished in this fire.
It is stated that the
neighboring townsfolk not wanting a reminder of this terrible tragedy razed the
remaining burnt shells of the buildings leaving only the corner foundations.
But this tragedy was not so
easily forgotten for soon after the fire the locals started whispering that at
night strange activity occurred near the site where the fire occurred.
Some reported seeing the
ghostly shapes of the dead children playing in the woods.
Other tales included more
dramatic sightings. Witnesses stated they saw these poor orphans still on fire
running and screaming for help.
Yet other sightings included
tales of bright lights that were seen bobbing and weaving through the trees.
Many felt these lights must be these children’s spirits.
One darker tale started to be
circulated. A tall dark ominous figure was seen standing near one of the corner
foundations. It was believed this figure was probably the person that was
responsible for setting the orphanage on fire.
Many witnesses over the years
have seen activity in this area but not for the reasons listed above.
The Gore Orphanage never
existed. A road in the area is called “Gore Orphanage Road” because of two
other reasons. Early surveyors named the road after a “gore” which is a word
they use to denote a wedge-shaped piece of land.
Later the word “Orphanage”
was added when the Orphanage of Light and Hope took ownership of the property
in 1903.
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| Gatepost at Old Swift Mansion |
It was at the height
of the Spiritualism movement and the Wilburs overcome with grief tried to
communicate with their deceased great-grandchildren by holding a series of
séances at the mansion.
In 1895 the Wilbur family
sold the mansion to the Sutton family, 7 years later they sold the property to
the Rev. John Sprunger in 1903 to be used as part of the Orphanage of Light and
Hope that he and his wife founded.
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| Location of Swift Mansion Photo: JoshH21 |
This orphanage closed down in
1916 and the old Swift Mansion left abandoned burnt to the ground in 1923.
It was at this time that the rumors about the hauntings started to be reported.
In 1992 the old Swift mansion
site and 1500 acres of the Vermillion River Valley were purchased by the Lorain
County Metro Parks.
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| Swift Mansion |
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