Summary of Haunted Marietta: History and Mystery in Ohio's Oldest City by Lynne Sturtevant

Dive into the eerie tales of Marietta with Lynne Sturtevant's 'Haunted Marietta', where history meets haunting in Ohio's oldest city.

Welcome to Haunted Marietta, where Ohio's oldest city has more ghost stories than a Halloween party gone wrong! In this captivating exploration, author Lynne Sturtevant guides us through the cobweb-laden alleys and slightly sinister tales of Marietta, a place that seems to thrive on the paranormal.

Let's kick it off with the history, because what's a little haunt without some dusty old files? Marietta was founded in 1788 and has a past that would give even the bravest souls some serious goosebumps. From its early days, this river town has seen its fair share of drama, including settlers, wars, and the occasional unsolved mystery-perfect fodder for spectral shenanigans!

As we delve into the book, our resident ghost-hunting guide rounds up various haunted hotspots, each more spine-chilling than the last. From decaying mansions to eerie cemeteries, every location has its own quirky backstory. Imagine a ghostly presence watching over you as you sip your morning coffee. Talk about a buzzkill, right?

A major highlight (or lowlight, depending on how you view it) is the Mound Cemetery. Sturtevant shares tales of the famous and infamous buried here, all while lightly haunting your thoughts about your own final resting place. Spoiler alert: it's not as serene as you might think! You don't just go to a cemetery to pay respects-often, you leave with a sense that someone is hovering nearby, keeping an eye on your every move.

We also meet the spirit of the "Lover's Lane," where local legends abound regarding Bridget, who possibly had a love life as dramatic as Romeo and Juliet. Yet, instead of getting a happy ending, she sadly got a ghostly one. The lady's still looking for her happily ever after, sifting through potential suitors like she's swiping on Tinder-all while sporting some serious ectoplasm.

Sturtevant further serves us spine-chilling anecdotes about the Dunham Tavern, a space that's been around long enough to see it all, including debauchery, betrayal, and, of course, spirits (both kinds)! The tavern is allegedly home to several mischievous apparitions who might just pull a classic "Oops! Did I touch you?" when you least expect it.

Of course, the best part about this book is that you can read it without the fear of getting haunted yourself-unless, of course, you start hearing whispers while reading alone at night. You might find that your own home feels a little less... inviting.

So, if you're itching for a mix of spooky tales and local history packaged in a delightful read that ensures you'll never look at old buildings the same way, then Haunted Marietta is the ideal ghostly guide. Strap in for the ride, and remember: ghosts are just people with unfinished business!

Maddie Page

Classics, bestsellers, and guilty pleasures-none are safe from my sarcastic recaps. I turn heavy reads into lighthearted summaries you can actually enjoy. Warning: may cause random outbursts of laughter while pretending to study literature.