History Mystery, Mayhem & Murder Lantern Tour at Woodland Cemetery

History Mystery, Mayhem & Murder Lantern Tour at Woodland Cemetery

The sun sets a little earlier, the wind rustles the dying leaves, and there's a definite chill in the air.  With Halloween fast approaching, the nights are getting a tad bit spookier and if you're someone who likes to spend these eerie autumn evenings at the cemetery after hours, you'll definitely want to check out the History, Mystery, Murder, and Mayhem Lantern Tour at Woodland Cemetery.

The tour starts at the entrance of the cemetery where the tour guides pass out lanterns and talk a little about the cemetery.  They warn that the walk can be strenuous - keep in mind that Woodland Cemetery is situated on a hill so a good portion of the tour is technically an uphill trek.  They take you off the beaten path among the gravestones you've probably never stopped to look at.

This is not a tour to see the Wright Brothers or Paul Laurence Dunbar.  This tour relates the actual accounts of murders that took place in Dayton.

Who confessed on their deathbed of murdering pretty 18-year-old Christine Kett? Did Rose Shafor really dress up as a man to help her lover commit a crime? Who killed Julius Kruse? And was the “Cincinnati Ripper” living in Dayton? These stories and more are told in this walk to the grave sites of a victim or perpetrator of a crime. Please keep in mind that graphic details are given and may not be appropriate for all audiences.

The lanterns definitely come in handy towards the end of the tour because it gets almost completely dark by then.  It's pretty spooky seeing all of the headstones reflecting the lantern light and honestly, I can say without hesitation that this was my first time in a cemetery after dark and this is the perfect time of year for that new experience!

**This 2-hour tour may be deemed strenuous by some and is not recommended for children or elderly patrons or those who may have trouble walking long distances through hilly and uneven grassy areas.** All tours require a reservation and there is a suggested $10 donation per reservation. See our website for full details and to register.  Link below.

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Woodland Cemetery and Arboretum

History Mystery, Mayhem & Murder Lantern Tour at Woodland Cemetery is taking place at Woodland Cemetery and Arboretum, which is located at 118 Woodland Avenue in Dayton. Woodland Cemetery and Arboretum - One of the nation's five oldest rural/garden cemeteries and a unique cultural, botanical and educational resource in the heart of Dayton, Ohio.