18 Oct 2026
The Dark History of the Ridges Asylum
The Haunting History of The Ridges
This week on Spectre Sisters, Blue, Nyx, and Bri head to Athens, Ohio, to explore the dark and unsettling history of The Ridges, formerly known as the Athens Lunatic Asylum.
Opened in 1874, The Ridges was intended to provide care and treatment for people suffering from mental illness. But as the patient population grew, at times reaching more than 2,000 people, the reality inside the institution became much darker, with overcrowding, experimental treatments, neglect, restraints, isolation, and other disturbing practices.
The hospital remained in operation until 1993, leaving behind more than a century of history, tragedy, and countless stories. Today, The Ridges is part of Ohio University, but many believe that the spirits of those who suffered there never truly left.
The Hauntings
The sisters dive into reports of:
Phantom footsteps echoing through empty hallways
Voices calling out the names of former patients
Screams coming from supposedly empty rooms
Shadow figures disappearing into walls
Objects moving on their own
Doors opening and closing by themselves
Unexplained cold spots
EVPs captured by paranormal investigators
Apparitions appearing in the surrounding grounds
The feeling of being watched
Strange lights appearing inside buildings
A mysterious child crying and a fading lullaby
Visitors reporting unexplained touches and breathing sensations
The episode also explores some of the locations said to be particularly active, including the West Hall, rooms 7, 8, and 12, and Ward N20.
The Story of Margaret Schilling
One of the most disturbing stories connected to The Ridges is the death of Margaret Schilling, a patient who disappeared in December 1978.
Six weeks later, her body was discovered in an unused upper-floor ward. According to the story discussed in the episode, she had removed and neatly folded her clothing before lying down on the unheated concrete floor, where she eventually died from exposure.
What makes the story even more unsettling is the claim that a human-shaped stain remained on the concrete where her body had been—and that attempts to clean it were unsuccessful. The sisters also discuss the reports of a woman in a pale gown who is sometimes seen near an upper window, with some believing the apparition could be Margaret.
Firsthand Experiences & Reddit Stories
The episode also takes a look at firsthand accounts shared online, including a story from an Ohio University student who claimed to encounter a small, featureless shadow figure near the abandoned tuberculosis ward.
Other stories include a mysterious flash of blue light appearing inside a dorm room and a flashlight that allegedly stopped working inside the Ridges—only to turn back on once the group made it outside.
Remembering the People Behind the Stories
Beyond the ghosts and legends, the sisters take time to talk about the human history of The Ridges.
The property contains three historic cemeteries, including graves associated with patients who died at the hospital and whose remains were reportedly left without their names on the grave markers. The episode reflects on how disturbing it is that some people were remembered only by numbers.
The sisters emphasize that, whether listeners believe in ghosts or not, the people who lived and died at The Ridges deserve to be treated with dignity and respect.
Visiting The Ridges
The episode also discusses what visitors can legally access today. The grounds, walking trails, and historic cemeteries can be visited during appropriate hours, while many of the older, unrestored buildings and wards remain off-limits.
The Kennedy Museum of Art, located in the restored central building, provides one legitimate way to experience part of the historic property. The sisters encourage listeners to respect posted restrictions and avoid trespassing or entering unsafe areas.
Have You Experienced the Ridges?
Have you visited The Ridges? Have you experienced something strange there, or heard a story we didn't cover?
Spectre Sisters wants to hear from you! Send us your paranormal experiences, creepy encounters, strange stories, or information about The Ridges. You might even end up hearing your story on a future episode.
And, because no Spectre Sisters episode would be complete without a little chaos, the episode wraps up with the sisters announcing their partnership with Holy Poly Isopods because apparently talking about haunted asylums wasn't weird enough.
CHECK OUT HOLY-POLY: https://ab3c9a-3.myshopify.com/?ref=blue_heckel_
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Listen now and step into the halls of one of Ohio's most infamous haunted locations.
