Mystery and Murder at Prospect Place

The network of secret routes and homes known as the Underground Railroad was used to aid slaves as they fled north towards freedom.  Many abolitionists sympathetic to the plight of these individuals opened their homes at their own risk.   George W. Adams was an example of just such a man.  After inheriting his father’s plantation, Adams freed the slaves, sold the plantation and moved to Ohio.  One of his sons, George, would maintain his father’s abolitionist beliefs, and would, consequently, allow his home to be a safe house on the Underground Railroad.  After the death of his first wife and upon marrying his second, George Adams would go on to build Prospect Place.  From the murder of a bounty hunter to the disappearance of George’s son-in-law, the history of the Adams family and their descendants holds all the drama and intrigue of an epic historical novel.   

Prospect Place has garnered somewhat of a national reputation.  The television shows Ghost Hunters (SyFy Channel) and Ghost Adventures (Travel Channel) have held investigations at the site.  In addition, a visit to their website will demonstrate how those responsible for restoring Prospect Place are capitalizing on its reputation.  They offer both public as well as private tours and overnight stays for ghost hunters.  The site also provides videos from previous ghost hunting expeditions.   On the evening of Thursday, July 7, the authors of this article will perform their own expedition.  Real time updates, pictures and videos will be posted on this blog as they occur.  Depending on what unworldly beings are waiting to greet the two authors as they arrive, posts will begin around 8:00 p.m.

Below, ghost fans, are some additional pictures and information as well as video clips from one of the television shows that have visited Prospect Place.  Very dramatic history behind this place.  The first set of pictures is from the G.W. Adams Educational Center website.  The property/business manager of the site and, I believe, a major catalyst in bringing Prospect Place back to life is none other than George J. Adams.  The name is not coincidental.  So, without further ado..

Awe, Nothing like a romantic getaway.  We can't wait!

   

                                                                          

We love old pictures like this.  19th and early 20th century photos could be of the sweetest, old couple of the time and still feel a bit creepy.  This one, in particular, is interesting, however.  The subjects of photos of this period are often looking blankly and somberly into the camera.  Here, we see family members staring at others in the picture; the two in the front seem to be casually speaking to one-another; and, our favorite, the woman who is referred to simply as "unknown woman" is grinning mischievously.  What has she done?  In addition, the lone picture on the left wall appears to be askew, possibly a reflection of the photo as a whole.  Though, in fairness, it also looks to just be leaning out from the wall.  But, where is the symbolism in that?

Also, you can go to the Grave Addiction site, which we referenced in an earlier article, to see some additional photos taken by the creator of that site, Beth.

And, on a final note, here is a clip from the Travel Channel television show, Ghost Adventures.  This is the first of four clips.

Well, that is all for this session.  We will periodically offer additional information about Prospect Place and its history as we draw closer to the site visit.  Thanks, everyone, for stopping in.  Make sure to enter your email to receive updates when we have new posts and click on the follow tab to, as you might guess, follow this blog.  And, of course, read our article on the Examiner site to help promote us.  We will typically post every Wednesday, but that could expand depending on site expeditions and, more importantly, moods.

Thanks!