Tinker's Creek Cemetery

Tinker's Creek Cemetery

Overview

Tinker's Creek Cemetery, located off Tinker’s Creek Road near the Walton Hills and Sagamore Hills area in Cuyahoga County, Ohio, is a small historic burial ground. The site is largely secluded, requiring a walk up a hilly gravel road through wooded terrain. It is referenced in Vicki Blum Vigil’s Cleveland Cemeteries. In addition to its historical significance, the cemetery is associated with a reported encounter involving a tall, pale-faced figure with wing-like appendages.

Location

• Address: Off Tinker’s Creek Road (near Canal Road)
• City/County: Valley View / Cuyahoga County
• Public Access: Yes (unofficial, no lighting, foot access only)

Haunting / Legend Summary

A local individual reported that on the evening of May 3, 2003, while visiting the cemetery at sunset, they observed a tall man-like figure standing at the edge of the woods. The figure appeared to be wearing a cape or robe, which seemed to move as though it were wings. The witness described the face as extremely pale, with dark, empty eyes. Upon turning toward the witness, the figure induced intense fear, prompting the witness to flee. As they reached the gravel road, a loud, “blood-curdling” scream was heard from the cemetery’s direction, and a large shadow passed overhead. The encounter has been interpreted by the witness as possibly supernatural, though they acknowledged the possibility of a human presence.

Historical Background

• Construction date: There is not enough available information for this section.
• Original purpose: Burial ground for early settlers in the area.
• Notable events:
  • Cemetery documented in Cleveland Cemeteries by Vicki Blum Vigil.
  • Some gravestones have been vandalized over the years.
• Key timeline moments:
  • Unknown founding date.
  • Active burials at an unspecified period in the 19th and/or early 20th centuries.
  • Ongoing vandalism in modern times.

Reported Phenomena

• Apparitions: Tall, pale-faced humanoid figure with apparent cape or wings.
• Cold Spots: N/A
• Voices/EVPs: Loud, unusual scream heard from the cemetery area.
• Physical Touches: N/A
• Object Movement: N/A
• Malfunctions: N/A
• Poltergeist Activity: N/A
• Shadow Figures: Large shadow passing overhead.
• Time Anomalies: N/A

Skepticism & Alternative Explanations

Possible rational explanations for the reported encounter include:

• Misidentification of a person wearing a costume or long clothing, especially in low light.
• Visual distortion caused by diminishing daylight, which can exaggerate shapes and movements.
• Natural wildlife sounds—such as fox calls or owl screeches—that can resemble human screams.
• Heightened emotional state and isolation contributing to perception of threat or supernatural presence.
• The overhead “shadow” may have been a large bird or simply an impression created by environmental lighting changes.

Visitor Information

• Visiting Hours: Not officially designated; daylight recommended.
• Fees or Costs: None
• Contact Info: N/A
• Warnings/Restrictions: Cemetery is unlit, in wooded terrain, and not maintained for night visits; vandalism has been reported.

Citations / References

• Personal account posted by "renfield8888" to the Ohio Research Society Yahoo Group, May 27, 2003.
• Vicki Blum Vigil, Cleveland Cemeteries (Gray & Company, 2004).