Let me know what you think, and you'll be posted.  Assuming you've a clean message!

Check back in a day or two and I should have a heady reply.

Hey Everyone!  Now you can post a message without email!

It's a guest book really, and it's here.

 or you can always email me

Keep in mind these testimonials are unsolicited [I think that goes without saying if you read them].  Just kidding, most are very good.  And all are appreciated.

 

01.21.04 Message Hello Justin, Just to let you know I think your site on the ridges rocks. I have one question. I was wondering if there is a certain person that I can get in contact with about seeing the inside of the ridges? Are the special tours that are set up? How did you get all of your footage? I have been buying every postcard I can find and reading as much as possible on this awesome place. I think some people see it on the hill and they may see it as an eye sore but I see it as an enchanting place. No hurry on a response. Thanks alot, C

01.29.04 Response Hey C, Thanks! Unfortunately I don’t have any contact inside the ridges. I’ve been fortunate to get my pictures by running into friendly university employees, and a year ago I dated a girl who worked up there and had access to a set of universal keys. So basically luck and persistence. It really is a great place. There used to be a similar facility in Columbus, but it was torn down decades ago. It almost looked more creepy than the one in Athens. So you’re the one buying all the postcards! I never try to out bid anyone because I’m poor. Haha, thanks for the interest. Talk to you later. Justin

 

01.20.04 Message Hey Justin! Thanks for writing back, I really appreciate it. That's really a shame about the TB ward; I was relying to find a space to enter from, and explore. But having a tour would be cool, too, from an expert point of view, who knows the buildings inside and out. It'd probably be more safe than jumping into a tiny hole, anyway; who knows if I'd even find it again trying to get out? Where exactly do you find the custodial staff at The Ridges? The archives? What is that? Is that one of the buildings? I guess I'll just start talking to one of them, asking them if they've ever been inside the buildings, what it's like, etc., and hopefully, they'll offer a tour. Do you suggest doing it one-on-one, or would it be okay to bring a couple of friends? Of course, I have to wait until Canon repairs my digital camera; it'd be pointless to go without any souvenirs! It should be soon, it'll give me something to look forward to. Once again, thank you for the tips, that was really nice of you. J

01.29.04 Response Hey J, When I’ve run into the custodial staff, it’s just kind of happened randomly. I’d say “hi” or something and just ask if they’ve got a few minutes to show me around. Yeah, when I was in the TB ward, it was iffy trying to find the exit; the building is bigger than it looks. I’d say one on one, maybe with another friend, but the smaller group the better. They don’t really want to be tour guides, but they’ll help you out just to be nice. I hope your camera gets fixed and isn’t too $$$. My Sony is about a year and a half old and I’ve got nearly 6,000 pictures out of it! But no zoom, maybe next camera purchase. Hey, I’m going to be in Athens this weekend if you want to head up to the Ridges. Shoot me an email back if you want to. Catch you later. Justin

 

01.18.04 Message   Hey Justin,   My name is J, and I'm a freshman at OU. I've been dying to get inside one of the old, unrestored buildings in the Ridges. I've been told the tuberculosis ward is the most accessible. Anyway, looking at your photos (which were really cool, I loved the angles you took them at, and the lighting - it gave them the eerie / creepy effect) I saw you managed to get inside one of the buildings just a few months ago. I'm curious: which one is it, and how do I get inside? Is there a hole in the building somewhere? If so, where?   Thanks, J

01.20.04 Response Hey J, Thanks for the email. The Ridges is great isn’t it? It’s kind of hard to get into the buildings and the University tries to keep people out of them. The TB ward used to be very accessible, but the hole in the wall (to the left of the fence on the open end) was boarded up a couple years ago. But I suggest trying to get into the buildings legitimately. The custodial staff up there is generally very nice. They don’t get a whole lot of attention so they are talkative. The last time I got in, I just started a conversation with a facilities woman, and she took me around for about 20 minutes. I was around back by the post office. Those most recent pictures were taken inside the main complex around back. I hope that helps. Also check out the archives on the 5th floor of Alden. There’s a “spook file” up there along with some more info about the Ridges and its history. They make you sign a register when you go in, but it’s no big deal. The same rules apply to the people who work in the archives as the custodians; a smile goes a long way. You can get a lot of information if you investigate it a little. Good luck with winter quarter, college only gets more fun from now on (if you can believe that!). Let me know how your explorations go. -Justin

 

10.29.03 Message Justin, Hi, my name is J and I'm here in Nelsonville. I've recently became fascinated with the Moonville tunnel in Zaleski and unfortunately, the rest of the paranormal world along with it. I was wondering if you knew the next tour date for the Ridges. My friends and I want to check it out sometime but we don't want to be illegal about it. Do you know where the five cemeteries are surrounding Athens that form a pentagram? Thanks for the info on your site!

10.31.03 Response Hey there J, Thanks for checking out my site! I wish I still lived around the Athens/Nelsonville area; it's a great location for seeing creepy places. I still haven't been to the Moonville tunnel, got to get there some time. I haven't heard anything recently about a tour inside the Ridges. The last time I was inside, I was up there taking pictures of the buildings and I started talking to a maintenance worker, and she took me around for a few minutes. However, I wouldn't suggest hanging around the Ridges at night this weekend because the police will arrest people for trespassing (just to stop vandalism and people breaking into the buildings). The cemeteries that form the points of the pentagram are: Simms, Haines, Snowden, Cuckler, and Mansfield If you're feeling "creative" with the map, an inner circle can be drawn with: Hocking, Littler, Gilham, Basset, Mc Cole, Pruden and Hunter It's an interesting idea, but there are so many small cemeteries in the Athens area that you could draw any kind of shape to connect them. So my best advice as to getting inside the Ridges is to run into a maintenance worker and politely ask them for a few minutes of their time. Thanks again! Justin P. S. What's that old creepy run down brick building in the middle of Nelsonville? It looks like it's about four stories tall, covered with ivy, not too far off Canal Street. Did it used to be a school or something?

 

07.28.03 Message Justin, Thank you for writing me back, I know you've been busy. I am currently working on a book of haunted places and I am trying to collect eyewitness accounts. It certainly makes the tales more credible. The story of the Ridges just happens to be one I want to include. I know you have had some strange experiences at The Ridges and I would very much like to hear about them. In fact as I recall you once had a paper you wrote for a freshman english class and posted on your site. I remember that it included some experinces at The Ridges. I would be greatly appreciate it and be quite honored if you would consider sharing you accounts with me and giving me permission to use them in my book. Please consider it. Thanks for your time and take care! ~scottishmoors~

10.31.03 Response Scottishmoors, How's the book coming? You have my permission to use the paper I wrote. I can either give you a word document, or you can just pull it off my webpage. The only other truly strange occurrence I have encountered was up on top of the water tower hill on the Ridges grounds. Now, this was several years ago and much of the Ridges were still not renovated. I was with a friend, and we were out running, we probably ran up to radar hill and back. So anyway, we were hanging around the building up there, the old TB ward, when a door slammed inside. It was a completely still day, no wind. No one else around, not a leaf stirring on a tree. We were standing right next to the wall, and the slamming noise came clearly from inside the building. It was the middle of the day, but we still quickly found our way down the hill and away from the building. We actually got into that building later that year or the next, and it's plenty creepy inside, no pictures [sorry]. Hope that's useful. Talk to you soon, Justin

 

07.17.03 Message Hi Justin, cool Website! My name is R. My boyfriend & I will be leaving for Cleveland, Ohio( from New Orleans) by car on the 25th! We've never been before and recently heard about the old Asylum. Well, we would LOVE (our lives are consumed by the Macabre) to visit the Ridges and take a few pictures of the place! Are there any renovations being done? Is it trespassing to enter (not that it would stop us)? What advice would you give to two people who do not know the area @ all? Please respond a.s.a.p. Thanks alot! - R

07.24.03 Response Hey R, Sorry I didn’t write sooner, I’ve been out of the country for the past month.  Yeah, the Ridges is a great place, plenty interesting and extra creepy.  There are some renovations going on, and it used to be in more disrepair.  It is trespassing to enter some of the buildings, but occasionally you can sneak in, but not all the time (“they” keep an eye out for that stuff).  I’ve got to get to a meeting now, but I can give you some more info later today.  Email me back if you have specifics you want to go over.  Thanks! -Justin

 

07.09.03 Message Hello My name is M in Columbus Ohio. I love your web site and found it very interesting. I was watching the Sci-Fi channel last night and they had a story on Ohio University and the hauntings. They interviewed a young man that gives tours of the buildings. I have searched the Internet and have found nothing on it. Do you have any info or could help point me in the right direction to taking the tour. Thanks so much for your time, M

07.24.03 Response My apologies, this among several others should have been sent two days ago. Sorry it took so long, I didn’t send the inbox on my laptop.  -Justin Well M, I don’t know of anyone who gives tours on a regular basis.  I’ve given an impromptu tour of the grounds before, but access to the inside is very limited.  I’ve only been inside buildings a handful of times.  RA’s routinely give students walking tours of the grounds on cold nights in October, but anyone can go up and look around.  The pictures on my webpage capture some of the more exciting sections, as most are completely empty, but still fascinating.  I wish I could be more helpful, but getting inside the buildings is really discouraged by the University, and the police enforce it.  I’m down here in Athens for another month so let me know if you’d like any more info. -Justin

 

06.26.03 Message I've been visiting your site for well over a year now. I posted a message last January as a matter of fact. I love your site, I've been to The Ridges... twice now. I'm extremely drawn to it...I know that might sound strange. I've found quite a few links with some information about The Ridges as well. I've been doing some research. The last time I was there I got some great shots of the exterior of the main building and of the cemetary. I had some interesting experiences while I was on the grounds, if you care to hear about them let me know. I've yet to have the chance to go inside the building though. Anyhow, just thought I would drop you note. Keep up the good work on the site and take care. ~scottishmoors~

07.24.03 Response Scottishmoors, Thanks for the email. Sorry I didn't reply more quickly, but I've been out of the country. I'm glad you like the site, it's been a while since I've added anything though. I remember your last message. The Ridges is a great place, I've been back in Athens for three days now and I'm ready to head back up there and take some pictures. What were your "interesting experiences" while you were up there? I don't have a steady contact that can get me into the buildings, but there are a few people I could talk to. Thanks for writing, hope things are going well with you. Justin

 

09.01.02 Message hi justin. i live in northeast ohio, and i have a lot of acquaintances who go to OU. Everyone always talks about how its so haunted and how halloween is just out of control there. (i was supposed to go last year, but couldn't make it.) I've been to OU once last summer. I stayed at the Ohio University Inn, so i didn't get to experience much of the campus. But from what i saw, it was very quaint. When it comes to haunted houses and things of that nature, i am such a junkie. I can't get enough of it. And, as you seem to express, i love to scare the crap out of myself and explore. I did a whole research paper on urban legends and haunts in my area, and trust me, there a re a lot of them!! Anyways, I guess i should get to the point..... Last night, I was talking to someone who goes to OU, and i was asking her about the history and stuff. I always knew it was haunted and stuff, but for the first time, i learned about the Ridges, and was absolutely FASCINATED!! I spent a little time looking up websites on the history, and i must say, your website impressed me. you have great pics, and i liked your "Lines in the Floor" story... very interesting. Speaking of which, i know you probably get asked this a lot, but did you ever get those developed? i would  love to see them. Anyways if you have any other further info on the Ridges, id love to read it. Thanx for taking the time out to read this. ~J~ P.S.- i hope you get expansions on this web page, i think you should b/c it's awesome!!!

09.02.02 Response Dear J, You're letter is fan mail [or at least I'd like to think it is]!  I'm glad you like my site.  More material is forthcoming, as usual.  I really need to track down those pictures and see what became of them.  Otherwise, perhaps take some new ones. The Ridges is a very interesting place with an even more enthralling history.  The following are required In order to properly experience Athens: Visit the Ridges Make it to at least one Halloween [this will be my sixth] Any other assorted spooky thing [cemeteries, stories or just out after dark] Spend a whole afternoon under a tree up on the College Green Shoot pool at Baker Center, just because you can't bowl anymore Lastly, have a good time uptown or at parties Well, there are really a whole lot more things about Athens but they escape me at present.  What sort of things did you uncover about Northeast Ohio?  I'm curious.  My links carry most of the substantial material about the Ridges.  I try not to duplicate too much.  However, I do have limited access to some materials others do not.  What would you like?  Historical records?  Old pictures?  Cemetery records?  Interior pictures [I have none at the moment, not to say I never will]? Ok, well I'll shoot you an email and we can swap spooks.  Glad to hear from you. -Justin