Historic Stoner House

Historic Stoner House

Overview

The Historic Stoner House in Westerville, Ohio, is a mid-19th-century structure known for its dual legacy as both a stop on the Underground Railroad and a site of reported paranormal activity. Built around 1852 by George Stoner, the building originally operated as an inn and tavern along the local stagecoach line. It later became an important station on the Underground Railroad, where runaway slaves were hidden in a concealed basement room before continuing their journey to freedom. Today, the Stoner House remains a preserved landmark and a symbol of Westerville’s historical ties to abolitionism and the Prohibition era.

Location

• Address: 133 S. State St.
• City/County: Westerville, Franklin County
• Public Access: Yes – Open to the public

Haunting / Legend Summary

The Stoner House has developed a reputation among locals and visitors for alleged hauntings connected to its long and complex history. Reported phenomena include:

• A shadowy figure entering through the back door on the second-floor porch.
• Unexplained mists and flashes of light, one reportedly captured in a photograph.
• Disembodied voices heard and recorded in various areas of the structure.
• Bells ringing in the basement, near the concealed “hidden room” once used to harbor runaway slaves.
• A full-bodied apparition of a woman emerging from a room, witnessed by a student during a class.

Some claim these manifestations are the lingering spirits of those who once sought refuge in the home, or of former residents tied to its long history of hospitality and social change.

Historical Background

• Construction Date: Circa 1852
• Builder: George Stoner
• Original Purpose: Built as an inn and tavern serving travelers along the local stagecoach line.
• Underground Railroad Station: The Stoner House served as a critical stop on the Underground Railroad. A hidden room in the basement reportedly provided shelter to runaway slaves seeking freedom in the North.
• Historic Significance: The Stoner House is a key part of Westerville’s historical identity. In addition to its abolitionist history, it is linked to the city’s role in the Prohibition movement, including the Westerville Whiskey Wars and its association with the national Anti-Saloon League.
• Modern Status: The structure has been preserved as a historic site. References to ghostly sightings and light anomalies have circulated online, including on social media platforms such as Pinterest.
• Cultural Context: The building stands among other historic landmarks in Westerville that represent the city’s deep ties to social reform movements of the 19th and early 20th centuries.

Reported Phenomena

• Apparitions: Shadow figure near the second-floor porch; apparition of a woman emerging from a room.
• Cold Spots: N/A
• Voices/EVPs: Disembodied voices heard and recorded throughout the house.
• Physical Touches: N/A
• Object Movement: Bells in the basement reportedly ring on their own.
• Malfunctions: N/A
• Poltergeist Activity: N/A
• Shadow Figures: Dark silhouette entering through the second-floor back door.
• Time Anomalies: N/A

Skepticism & Alternative Explanations

While the Stoner House is steeped in history, many of the reported paranormal experiences can have natural explanations:

• Environmental Factors: The house’s age and wooden structure may create drafts and settling noises that mimic movement or whispers.
• Lighting Conditions: Passing vehicle headlights, reflections, or dust particles can cause light anomalies in photographs.
• Acoustics: The basement’s low ceilings and hard surfaces may distort sound, leading to perceptions of disembodied voices or bells ringing.
• Psychological Influence: Visitors aware of the house’s Underground Railroad and Prohibition-era past may be more prone to interpret ordinary events as paranormal due to expectation and suggestion.

Visitor Information

• Visiting Hours: There is not enough available information for this section.
• Fees or Costs: There is not enough available information for this section.
• Contact Info: For more information about the Stoner House and other local historic sites, visit the [1] Westerville Public Library] or the Westerville History Center.
• Warnings/Restrictions: Visitors should follow all posted guidelines and respect the site’s preservation status.