Location: Lancaster, Fairfield County Map
Constructed: 1870s
Mudhouse Mansion was a historic but enigmatic structure located in Pleasant Township, Fairfield County, Ohio, just east of Lancaster at 4730 Mudhouse Road. Known for its Second Empire architectural style, eerie reputation, and status as a local legend, the mansion attracted ghost hunters, urban explorers, and thrill-seekers until its demolition on September 21, 2015. Despite its destruction, the site remains steeped in mystery, with tales of hauntings and tragedy fueling its enduring fascination.
Mudhouse Mansion’s exact construction date is
uncertain, with estimates ranging from the 1840s to around 1900. Its
Second Empire style, characterized by a mansard roof, tall windows, and
ornate detailing, suggests the 1870s as the most likely period, as this
style was popular in the U.S. during that era. The mansion was built on
a 270-acre property in rural Fairfield County, an area known for its
rolling hills and agricultural heritage. The land was originally
purchased by Christian and Eleanor Rugh in either 1839 or 1852 from
Abraham Kagy and Henry Byler, though it’s unclear if they built the
mansion or if it was constructed later.
In 1919, the property was
acquired by Henry and Martha Hartman, marking a significant chapter in
its history. After Henry’s death in 1930, their daughter Lulu Hartman
inherited the mansion and land. Lulu married Oren Mast, and the property
remained in the Mast family, often referred to locally as the “Hartman
Place” or “Rugh-Mast House.” The mansion was inherited by Lulu and
Oren’s son, Nigel William Henry Mast, and his wife, Jeane Ruth Wolfe,
with their son, David Michael Mast, owning the land at the time of
demolition.
The mansion fell into abandonment in the 1930s,
possibly due to economic pressures from the Great Depression or the
family’s decision to reside elsewhere. Over the decades, it became a
derelict structure, plagued by vandalism, trespassing, and structural
decay, including smashed windows and a fire that damaged the main floor.
Despite its neglect, the mansion’s imposing presence and mysterious aura
made it a focal point for local lore and national curiosity.
Mudhouse Mansion was a striking example of Second
Empire architecture, a style inspired by French Renaissance designs and
popular in the U.S. during the late 19th century. The three-story brick
structure featured:
Mansard Roof: A steeply sloped roof with
dormer windows, typical of Second Empire buildings, giving the mansion a
distinctive silhouette.
Tall, Narrow Windows: Large windows that
allowed natural light into the interior, though many were boarded up or
broken by the time of its abandonment.
Ornate Detailing: The roofline
included elaborate cresting, some of which was salvaged and sold after
demolition.
Seven Bedrooms: The spacious interior was designed for a
large family or to accommodate guests, reflecting the wealth of its
original owners.
Hilltop Location: Built into a hillside, the
mansion’s elevated position enhanced its imposing presence and offered
views of the surrounding countryside.
The mansion lacked modern
plumbing, though some rooms had electricity, indicating it was built
before widespread adoption of these utilities. Its sandstone blocks and
railings, also salvaged post-demolition, underscored its robust
construction. By 2015, however, the structure was deemed unsafe, with
buckling walls and extensive damage from neglect and vandalism, making
restoration financially unfeasible (estimated at $1–3 million for a full
renovation).
The Mast family, particularly Jeane Mast, faced
significant challenges managing the property due to its reputation as a
haunted site. Trespassers frequently broke in, drawn by ghost stories,
leading Jeane to patrol the grounds herself, sometimes armed, or hire
informal guards. Neighbors, like Cindy Herd, assisted by reporting
intruders to the Fairfield County Sheriff’s Office. The constant
vandalism, including a fire and smashed windows, compounded the family’s
burden.
By 2015, the Mast family decided to demolish the mansion,
citing safety concerns and the prohibitive cost of restoration. On
September 21, 2015, Kull Excavating razed the seven-bedroom structure in
about two hours, reducing it to rubble. David Mast, Jeane’s son, watched
the demolition, describing the mansion as “just a farmhouse” and
expressing indifference to its ghostly reputation. Salvaged items, such
as roof cresting and sandstone blocks with handrail fragments, were sold
online, preserving pieces of its legacy. The land remains in the Mast
family’s possession, but no new structures have been reported on the
site.
Mudhouse Mansion’s cultural significance stems from
its status as one of Ohio’s most infamous “haunted” houses, attracting
ghost hunters, photographers, and urban explorers from across the
country. Its eerie appearance—isolated, dilapidated, and surrounded by
“No Trespassing” signs—fueled a plethora of ghost stories, many of which
lack historical verification but added to its mystique. The following
are the most prominent legends:
Post-Civil War Slave Owner Tale:
One story claims a government official lived in the mansion after the
Civil War, illegally keeping slaves locked in an outbuilding. A slave
allegedly dug a tunnel, escaped, and murdered the official and his
family. This tale is highly improbable, as Ohio was a free state, and no
evidence supports slavery at the site.
Mass Suicide or Murder: A
popular urban legend describes a family moving into the mansion
(sometimes dated to the 1890s) and disappearing after unloading their
belongings. Neighbors reportedly saw a woman in white at a second-floor
window for days, prompting a police investigation. Officers allegedly
found the entire family hanging from the ceiling, dressed in white
nightgowns, suggesting either mass suicide or murder. No historical
records confirm this event, and the story’s details vary widely.
Bloody Mary Connection: Local folklore links the mansion to the “Bloody
Mary” legend, claiming a woman who killed her children (or whose husband
killed them) haunts the house. Children in Lancaster called it the
“House of Mary,” believing that chanting her name in front of a mirror
would summon her spirit. This tale, like others, lacks credible
evidence.
Paranormal Reports: Visitors reported hearing shrieks,
groans, and footsteps, particularly on the third floor, even when the
mansion was empty. In 2001, an explorer named Colleen described hearing
a group of people moving on the third floor, only to find it deserted.
Neighbors also claimed to hear strange noises from the vacant house.
These stories, while unverified, made Mudhouse Mansion a magnet for
paranormal enthusiasts. Social media, including a dedicated Facebook
page with over 3,200 likes, and posts on platforms like Reddit,
amplified its fame. Photographers, such as those from Unearthed Ohio,
were drawn to its haunting aesthetic, comparing it to the gothic
illustrations of Edward Gorey.
The mansion’s reputation placed a significant burden
on the local community and the Mast family. Trespassing peaked in
October, coinciding with Halloween, as thrill-seekers sought to explore
the “haunted” site. Neighbors, tired of the intrusions, frequently
called the sheriff, and Jeane Mast’s vigilance became legendary, with
stories of her waiting in a lawn chair to deter intruders. The constant
break-ins led to vandalism, including a fire that caused structural
damage, further justifying the family’s decision to demolish the
mansion.
Local residents had mixed feelings about the mansion.
Some, like David Mast, dismissed the ghost stories, viewing it as an
ordinary, dilapidated farmhouse. Others, including neighbors who stopped
during the demolition, shared fond memories of its imposing presence and
the stories it inspired. The demolition marked the end of an era, but
the site continues to evoke curiosity, with some suggesting it could
have been a bed-and-breakfast if restored, though costs made this
impractical.
Mudhouse Mansion’s name is tied to Mud House Road, which itself was named after an earlier structure known as the “Mud House.” This original Mud House, built before 1864 by the Austerman family, stood at the intersection of Pleasantville Road (Route 188) and County Road 354. Constructed using fieldstones and low-grade lime mortar, it was a two-story building used as a tavern and dance hall. Its grayish mortar led to the “mud house” moniker, and the road adopted this name. The original Mud House was demolished by 1959, and its cemetery, the Mudhouse Cemetery, remains nearby. Mudhouse Mansion, built later, inherited the road’s name but was unrelated to the earlier structure.
Since its demolition in 2015, the Mudhouse Mansion
site has remained vacant, with no reported plans for redevelopment. The
Mast family still owns the 270-acre property, but the absence of the
mansion has diminished its draw for trespassers. The grounds are said to
retain a haunted reputation, though no specific paranormal activity has
been documented post-demolition.
The mansion’s legacy lives on
through photographs, salvaged artifacts, and online discussions. Items
like roof cresting and sandstone blocks are sold on platforms like eBay,
marketed as relics of Ohio’s “most haunted house.” Social media posts,
such as a 2021 Reddit thread, recount personal experiences and dreams
about the mansion, while others lament its loss as a historic and
cultural landmark.
The ghost stories surrounding Mudhouse Mansion are largely urban legends, lacking primary source documentation. The slave owner tale contradicts Ohio’s history as a free state, and the mass suicide/murder story resembles classic horror tropes without corroborating records. The Bloody Mary connection is a common folklore motif, not unique to the mansion. These tales likely arose from the mansion’s abandoned state, imposing architecture, and isolation, which invited speculation and storytelling. The absence of verified tragedies tied to the Rugh, Hartman, or Mast families further suggests the stories are fictional, amplified by local youth and paranormal enthusiasts.