By now, you’ve probably learned that Ohio is home to several bizarre urban legends that have the potential to keep you up at night. The legend of Swift’s Hollow and Gore Orphanage is no different―except for the fact that it’s about a thousand times creepier.
If you”re feeling brave, you can travel to Vermilion, Ohio yourself to discover the very few physical remains of this local legend. Check it out:
This legend starts and ends with Gore Orphanage Road. According to Weird Ohio, there once was an orphanage along this road in the late 1800s.
Screenshot via Google Maps
Supposedly, a mysterious fire burned down the orphanage and Old Man Gore lost his license to run an orphanage, so a new orphanage was never built.
Sinister Doppleganger Photography/Flickr Many speculate that an angry old man who lived in the surrounding woods started the fire because he hated the noise of the children.
Today, the area is home to Mill Hollow Reservation, but the area was once informally referred to as Swift’s Hollow because of the wooded area’s Swift Mansion, which is no longer in existence―but also has a similar sinister tale surrounding it.
Nicholas Eckhart/Flickr Other versions of the legend speculate that the orphanage was made up of a series of buildings, which included the Swift Mansion.
Legend has it, just like the Gore Orphanage, the beautiful mansion was mysteriously burned down. Today, remnants of the mansion’s foundation are rumored to still be there.
JoshH21/Wikimedia Commns
Pictured is what is supposedly the driveway marker of the former mansion. Brave explorers have reported distant screams of children in the area, as well as children’s hand prints mysteriously appearing on their cars.
JoshH21/Wikimedia Commns
Ghostly encounters have even been reported at the nearby North Ridge Road bridge, which spans over the Vermilion River.
Nicholas Eckhart/Flickr
Have you ever heard of this urban legend before? If so, have you ever explored the area for yourself? Let us know what you think!
Screenshot via Google Maps
Sinister Doppleganger Photography/Flickr
Many speculate that an angry old man who lived in the surrounding woods started the fire because he hated the noise of the children.
Nicholas Eckhart/Flickr
Other versions of the legend speculate that the orphanage was made up of a series of buildings, which included the Swift Mansion.
JoshH21/Wikimedia Commns
And for more urban legends in Ohio, be sure to check out our previous article, 8 Urban Legends In Ohio That Are Strange, Disturbing And Terrifying.
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