Haunted Ohio: Hill Grove Cemetery in Miamisburg

Hill Grove Cemetery in Miamisburg - Photo from Amber N, on Find A Grave

Hill Grove Cemetery is a landmark in Miamisburg, Ohio. I've been there multiple times and even visited and took photos for my book Haunted Miami Valley. From everything I heard, it also looks like it's one of the most haunted places in the Dayton area.

Also known by its official name of Hillgrove Union Cemetery, it was one of the first burial grounds in southern Dayton. Established in 1863, the cemetery saw Dr. John Treon purchase its first plot. Treon was one of the founders of Miamisburg and a prominent member of the community. Getting his seal of approval went a long way toward helping the cemetery grow.

An odd addition to its history was when the city's biggest cemetery shut down. Located on Central Avenue, the cemetery was running out of space for burials. It didn't help that it was in a part of the area the town wanted to expand. Miamisburg closed the older cemetery and renamed it Library Park, leaving locals responsible for paying to remove their loved ones and bury them again in Union Grove.

Legend says that a few families grew tired of waiting for spots to open up. Though Miamisburg announced the cemetery in 1863, nearly two decades later, space was still limited. Some families moved headstones to Hill Grove and never moved their loved ones. Others – hoping to save some money – moved multiple into one grave. Is it any wonder that some of these ghosts aren't happy?

One of the common spirits is a young woman. The woman was so distraught when her mother passed away that she came to her grave every day to talk with her. When she passed, she continued to return to the spot. Multiple people spotted the woman and stopped to ask if she needed help. They watched in shock as she looked at them and then disappeared in the blink of an eye.

Not far away is the ghost of another teenage girl. The daughter of one of the region's biggest preachers, she grew up listening to his sermons and believing every word he said. Once she grew up and learned the ways of the world, she started acting out in the same way so many other preacher's kids do. The man was furious and demanded she listen to him. When she refused, the man disowned her, cut her off, and expelled her from their family home.

Though she tried to convince him to forgive her, her father claimed he could no longer stand the sight of her. Upset, she committed suicide. Her father arranged for her burial in Hill Grove Cemetery and chose a large headstone in the shape of a Bible. Legend says if you look at the Bible, it will appear broken one moment and fine the next.

Every time I visit this Ohio cemetery, I don't see any ghosts, but I do feel slightly uncomfortable. While the cemetery is beautiful and has a peaceful atmosphere, it just seems almost wrong for some reason. Even my boyfriend didn't want to hang out any longer than possible.

Hillgrove Union Cemetery is at 1002 E. Central Ave. in Miamisburg, Ohio. Visit and let me know what you think.