I don’t know about you, but I’m starting to get pretty fidgety with this whole COVID and social distance thing. Like, a lot.

So allow me to introduce you to the Social Distancing Series! I’m getting back to travel the best way I’m able to right now — day trips that allow for social distancing. Even if you can’t get to the same locations I’m exploring, maybe these outings will inspire you to get out and explore close to home as well.

My first trip took me to the Fairfield County Infirmary in Lancaster, Ohio. Allow me to set the stage for you…

The Fairfield County Infirmary’s History

The first county infirmary was a wooden structure built just north of town in 1828. In 1840, that building was replaced with a brick building. Later, outbuildings were added, as well as a farm across the road to help feed and sustain those living there.

At its peak, the infirmary housed 82 “inmates” in 1903. Many of the residents were there as a result of drunkenness or mental or physical health concerns.

In the mid-1960s, the farmland was sold to Ohio University, where they built a satellite campus. The county closed the infirmary in May 1985, and its remaining 16 residents were transferred to foster and nursing homes.

In 1986, the building had a makeover with some modernizing additions and was rechristened the Clarence E. Miller Building. The building then housed the county health department. But in 2013, the building was quite literally falling apart, to the tune of $4 million in repairs. With the county unable to afford the repairs, the county moved the health department to another location.

The building was in danger of being torn down. But in recent months, the property was bought by Adam Kimmel Adam is the owner of the Madison Seminary in Madison, Ohio, as well as the creator of “Resident Undead.” In 2019, the building starred on the Travel Channel’s show “Destination Fear.”

Each wing of the building has a room with a caged door to contain those residents who get out of hand. I’m outside the door looking in as a fellow tourist shines his flashlight around the room.

But Is It Haunted?

Maybe it’s just me, but I feel like former poorhouses are haunted by default. It just goes with the territory.

As with many poorhouses, a number of the residents died during their stay, and a cemetery was established on the grounds. The dead include residents whose bodies weren’t claimed by family, unknown travelers, and those too poor to buy a cemetery plot. The Ohio Exploration Society claims there are 400-500 bodies on the grounds. Our guide and the owner of the property, however, has evidence of more than 1200 bodies buried just within the designated cemetery. He believes there are even more bodies buried throughout the rest of the property.

There are a number of reported hauntings, ghosts, and creepy happenings. A ghostly woman wearing 1800s style clothing has been seen multiple times in the building. One woman working late saw a young girl in the doorway, only for her to disappear when asked if she needed help. Two workers from the Ohio Exploration Society, as well as others, have smelled lavender perfume when there was no one else around and no air fresheners. A ghost named “Willy” supposedly haunts the 2nd and 3rd floors of the building.

Tales from the Health Department

My sister coincidentally works for the health department, though she didn’t start until after the department relocated. She thus doesn’t have first-hand experience with the hauntings, but her coworkers have told stories.

The housekeeper showed my sister a picture of the old infirmary building, and what appears to be a person standing in the window. This was as the housekeeper left for the night, and no one else was inside.

My sister also heard tales from the administrative assistant. She had been working late and making copies while alone in the building, yet she heard footsteps on the floor above her. And several health department workers have heard children laughing, even though no children were in the building

Twisty’s Bus from American Horror Story is parked on the grounds of the infirmary. Ya know, cuz its history isn’t creepy enough as is.

And you wanted to explore this place at night with a flashlight???

Hey, we all get our kicks somewhere, alright?

I’m not a ghost hunter kind of person, but I’ve always been fascinated by old, decrepit buildings and haunted houses! I grew up watching Unsolved Mysteries and shows about haunted places in the US. It all intrigued me!

That said, I was also way too scared in elementary school to look into a mirror and say “bloody Mary” three times. So, ya know, I’m not claiming to be overly bold with this whole ghost thing.

But hey, I’m game for a flashlight tour of a haunted place at 10pm on a Friday night. Especially four months into a pandemic when some of us are getting a little stir crazy…

How did it go??

The Fairfield County Infirmary tour was fantastic! Though only an hour long, it was jam-packed with history and documented stories about the infirmary. Some of the stories and treatment of people sound outlandish. It’s almost unfathomable to think these were common practices only 100 or 150 years ago.

For example, back in the day women could be sent to infirmaries such as this for the slightest reason, including “hysteria.” Adam spoke of a 15-year-old girl who had had a miscarriage and was so distraught that her husband sent her to the infirmary. Nowadays her condition would be called post-partum depression. She lived out her days at the infirmary, dying in her mid-50s.

The building itself is incredible, with its original wooden door and tin ceilings. Many of the original wooden floorboards are still in place, and era-appropriate furniture, pictures, and newspaper clippings abound.

I didn’t see or hear any ghosts during my tour, though that’s certainly not to say they’re not around.

Despite well over one thousand bodies being buried on the grounds, there are very few grave markers. These are the main markers with a couple others scattered over the cemetery.

Moving Forward by Honoring the Past

Adam is clearly passionate about the work he does, not only in the paranormal but also in the preservation of these sites. While some of the stories about the residents are difficult to hear, I think it’s also important to preserve these sites to serve as a reminder of we’ve been so we don’t repeat the past and treat people that way in the future.

Not to mention that there are so many people buried on the grounds that the property really can’t be used for much or else those bodies have to be removed.

This was the first event of its type at the Fairfield County Infirmary, though Adam has no intention of it being the last. Ghost Hunts USA is holding an event on September 4th and 5th, where you can explore the building with professional ghost hunting equipment till the wee hours of the morning. Adam hopes to continue this where groups of ten people can be locked in the infirmary till 4am in order to have their own ghost-hunting party.

Adam is also planning to further restore the building to its Victorian Era glory in regards to furniture and décor. He wants visitors to truly get a feel for what the building would have looked like in its heyday, and to help honor its undead residents.

If you are interested in visiting or booking a tour of the Fairfield County Infirmary, you can find the Fairfield County Infirmary and Madison Seminary on Facebook.

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Historical sources:

https://www.ohioexploration.com/cemeteries/fairfieldinfirmarycemetery/

https://www.ohioexploration.com/structures/fairfieldcountypoorhouse/

http://www.asylumprojects.org/index.php/Fairfield_County_Infirmary

https://www.ohioexploration.com/structures/fairfieldcountypoorhouse/