Shawnee, Ohio - Ohio's Still-Living
Ghost Town
Explore a part of Ohio's mining town past in this
tiny town tucked into a steep hillside. Considered one of Ohio's few
remaining ghost towns still in existence, Shawnee has unique
features certainly worth taking a drive to see. You can get a good
gaze
of the past -
Shawnee has a whole main street full of old, beautiful buildings, many abandoned, that look as if folks from the early 1900s could come right out of the doors to wave hello as you pass by. But there are also a few antique shops around and even a restaurant to grab a bite to eat. Just outside the village proper is a playground with a picnic area and shelter house if you are looking to picnic with the kids.
It
is fondly called one of the Little Cities of the Black Diamond,
black diamond being the riches of coal found in the region more than
a hundred years ago.
Founded in 1872 as a mining town, Shawnee's initial population of 1500 people doubled by the 1900s. But as the riches of southeastern Ohio were depleted, many of those in Shawnee and the surrounding community left for jobs elsewhere. But the town still remains, a pretty picture of the past still visible to the eye.
The town is still very much alive today. There are a handful of antique shops and a restaurant to visit.The Tecumseh Theatre is right in town. It is said to be haunted. . .
Four stories high, it sticks out from the rest of the buildings by sheer stature. Oh, and of course its ghosts. The building is said to be haunted by the many actors and guests who have come to visit over the last one-hundred years.
Built in 1907 by the Fraternal Order of
Red Men, an organization promoting patriotism, it was initially
called the Indian Theatre. Over the years following, the building
was not only used as a theatre, but also for sporting events such as
boxing matches and basketball games and even dance shows.
Today, it is in the process of being
renovated. You can speculate the changes happening to the dusty
walls and worn stage floors will bring out those long gone who are
curious about the modification. Or maybe it is simply those
who disagree with the process. Yet it might be the ghosts of
those who can once again show their skills on the stage because it
is said apparitions have appeared on the old stage and footsteps can
be heard throughout the building.
Tecumseh Theater - Located at Rt. 93 and St. Rt. 155 in Historic Shawnee. The theater is Perry County's tallest building. Call 740-394-2278 for more information.
Directions to Shawnee: 39.603539,-82.210929
From Logan, Ohio, take State Route 93 North approximately 15 miles.
