Explore 5 of Dayton’s most haunted locations

Hills and Dales Lookout Tower

The Hills and Dales Lookout Tower in Kettering had numerous reported hauntings and suspicious deaths.

**Hills and Dales Castle that is now blocked off from going inside.** DAYTONUNKNOWN.COM

Nicknamed “Frankenstien’s Castle”, the 56-foot tower was built in 1941 as a project by the National Youth Administration.

The building is allegedly haunted by Peggy Ann Harmenson, who died inside the tower in 1967. Harmenson and her boyfriend took shelter in the tower during a bad storm. A lightning bolt struck the tower, killing Harmenson and badly injuring her companion.

The inside of the building is sealed off to prevent trespassers, but the tower is still visitable inside the Hill and Dales Park located at 2655 S Patterson Blvd, Kettering, OH.

Air Force Museum

The National Air Force Museum has had many alleged hauntings, usually associated with the exhibits the museum houses.

One of the most infamous stories involves the Sikorsky CH-3E helicopter, a.k.a. “The Black Maria,” used in the Vietnam War. Disembodied voices and alleged apparitions of a young Vietnamese boy have been reported after hours.

**The Sikorsky** **CH-3E also known as ‘The Black Maria’**. NATIONALMUSEUM.AF.COM.

The “Black Maria” exhibit and the National Air Force Museum are located at 1100 Spaatz St, Dayton, OH, and the museum is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Browse-A-While Books

The small, unassuming bookstore within the historic town of Tipp City has been alleged to have been haunted for decades. Residents speculate that the bookstore is home to at least 15 spirits.

Stories include a woman being slapped whilst attempting to shoplift a book, and apparitions of a young boy nicknamed “Caleb.”

Browse-A-While Books has been investigated by numerous paranormal groups trying to document the otherworldly happenings at the small store.

Browse-A-While Books is open to the public from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. except weekends and is located in Tipp City, OH, at 118 E Main St, Tipp City, OH.

The Amber Rose

One of the most famous haunted locations in Ohio, the Amber Rose has reports of ghostly experiences for decades.

Built in 1910 as a general store by Polish immigrant Sigmund Ksiezopolski, it was then bought and renovated to become the Amber Rose during the 90s.

Workers and patrons have witnessed seeing another reflection in mirrors, images of people in windows and glasses flying of shelves.

The Amber Rose is open for public dinner hours during the weekdays and is located at 1400 Valley St, Dayton, OH.

Building Seven

The place where Sinclair students grab a book or a bite used to be the site of Dayton’s gallows. Condemned criminals were hanged at the location until 1877.

Building Seven has had malicious reports of hauntings. Reports include loud noises, fire doors closing on their own and the meows of cats echoing throughout the halls of Building 7.

Building Seven at Sinclair is open to students. Building Seven is located at 444 W Third St, Dayton, OH 45402 and is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

From ghostly apparitions to unexplained noises, Dayton’s haunted history has plenty of stories to keep visitors looking over their shoulders. Whether these tales are the work of restless spirits or simply local legends, these five locations prove that some of the area’s most chilling stories can be found closer to home.

Carter Cousino, reporter

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