Haunted House Histories

Posted on October 18, 2018

by Gayle H

Are you curious to determine the source of those things that go bump in the night within your abode? Like many cities, Toledo has its fair share of places reputed to be haunted, or if you prefer, places that have at least some residual paranormal activity. House histories aren’t necessarily readily available, a possible deterrent for many of us that are used to instant information. However, if you’re willing to spend a little time sleuthing, a wealth of information is available in the Local History and Genealogy Department at the Main Library. Our librarians can assist you by guiding you to the tools we have here and/or give suggestions of other agencies that can provide needed details.

A few of our resources are listed below, and many of them can be used singularly or in conjunction with one another to help put the pieces of a home’s history together. By using the Lucas County Auditor’s website, it is possible to put together a list of a property’s owners within the last sixty or seventy years. Getting those names would allow a researcher to then use “The Blade” Obituary index, census data, and a variety of records to determine the individuals and families who lived or possibly died there. Remember, you can still visit our department during Main Library’s closure! Please just call ahead for an appointment (419-259-5233), and we will be happy to accommodate you.

Resources Available online and in the Local History and Genealogy Department:

  • “The Blade” on microfilm:
    • From 1835 through the present
  • “The Blade” Obituary Index
  • Lucas County Auditor online:
    • Property search for listing of previous owners (AREIS Online)
  • Toledo City Directories:
    • From 1858-1935 on microfilm
    • Hard copies from 1935-present
  • Census records and city directories:
  • Ohio birth, marriage and Ohio death records:

Ohio Ghosts and Historic Haunts

There are many books written about Ohio hauntings and haunted places (and local references are made in several of them).

Ohio's historic haunts : investigating the paranormal in the Buckeye State / James A. Willis
Haunted Ohio : ghostly tales from the Buckeye State / Chris Woodyard
The big book of Ohio ghost stories / James A. Willis
Ohio's haunted crimes : an exploration of ten haunted crime scenes / Kat Klockow
Haunted Ohio : ghosts and strange phenomena of the Buckeye State / Charles A. Stansfield Jr. ; illustrations by Heather Adel Wiggins
Ghosthunting Ohio / John B. Kachuba

Local History and Genealogy Department

*Hours of Operation

Mondays 11:00 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.

Tuesdays – Saturdays 9:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.

*By appointment only during Main Library’s renovations. To make an appointment, call 419.259.5233.

Did you like this blog post? Keep up to date with all of our posts by subscribing to the Library’s newsletters!

Keep your reading list updated with our book lists. Our staff love to read and they’ll give you the scoop on new tv-series inspired titles, hobbies, educational resources, pop culture, current events, and more!

Looking for more great titles? Get personalized recommendations from our librarians with this simple form.