APS Case File #065

West State Street Cemetery

Location
City: Athens
County: Athens
State: Ohio

History
One of Athens' many ghost stories belongs to the cemetery on West State Street. This graveyard covers several hundred feet and contains stones dating all the way back to the early 1800s. Near the front gate there is a stone angel statue which commemorates the many unknown soldiers buried here. Legend has it that the statue sometimes moves and, more frequently, sheds tears.

The statue looks very sad, with its eyes downcast and its shoulders slumped. It's easy to see how a legend like this could get started, especially since the angel stands so close to the front and can be see just by driving by. As for real tears, I can't say; I visited in the daytime, in September 2002, and wasn't lucky enough to see anything happen.

Although the angel is the focal point of the ghost stories, people do say that the cemetery as a whole is haunted. It's littered with broken and unidentifiable stones, but of the ones that can be read some have interesting life stories printed on them.

It's definitely an interesting and creepy cemetery; I'd expect no less from Athens. From what I hear it's open all night, so if you want to check it out sometime I don't think it would be very difficult.

Comments
An investigation is planned for 2008.
-John Albrecht Jr., Lead Investigator

Notes
This location is open 24 hours.

Status
Case Open

Souce: www.forgottenoh.com