Columbus Ohio
Kelton House
Kelton House is still the treasured home of the original family, now in spirit form.
A variety of spectral personalities are experienced.
Better mind your manners on the Kelton House Mansion tours!
DESCRIPTION
The Kelton House Museum, built by Sophia and Fernando Kelton in 1854, is a step back into the past lives of members of the Kelton family, how they lived, with their furniture, personal affects and belongings on display for visitors taking the tours of this fully restored forever home.
It is a large, two-story brick Victorian Greek Revival Victorian Victorian townhouse, practical and roomy. It was the perfect place for Sophia and Fernando to raise their four sons: Charles, Oscar, Frank and Edwin, and two daughters, Anna and Ella, though two of their sons died.
While the outside of the house is a well done, simple brick structure, with a decorative wrought-iron balcony, the inside reveals their social prominence with an upper-class, Victorian-style decor, expected by visitors in the 1900s, not over the top, but tempered instead.
The first floor is where all the common rooms are located. The parlors, the dining room, the library, the pantry and the kitchen preparation area. The second floor was full of bedrooms for this large family. The garden is still quite big
The basement is dedicated to the Underground Railroad, as the Kelton House was an active member, protecting escaped slaves.
HISTORY
Sophia was the petite matriarch of the family, and was an organized, frugal homemaker, a wise mother, supportive wife and a lovely hostess. She kept the family books, ran the household, managed the servants, entertained guests and stayed one step ahead of her children, finding ways to guide their steps away from trouble and activities deemed not suitable.
When her teen-aged sons were tempted to go to the drinking and gambling parties of their peers, Sophia put a billiards table in one of the front parlors, to keep them home and occupied.
Though the Keltons’ oldest daughter Anne had long dreamed of literary achievement and accomplishment, her social standing wouldn’t allow her to do so. Instead, she kept a detailed scrapbook of her thoughts, her favorite poems and probably programs of events she attended.
Sophia and Fernando Kelton lived their faith and beliefs, and were known to take action when it was needed. They both had big hearts.They were active members of the anti-slavery society, and often hid slaves in their barn and cistern, probably as part of an underground railroad. Sophia found a sick, ten-year-old slave girl in the yard’s bushes, and not only nursed her back to health, but also gave her a home for ten years. The young woman married the Keltons’ cabinet maker in the front parlor.
Forces of the outside world did intrude though. Eldest son Oscar went against his parents’ wishes and joined the Union Army, by enlisting in the 95th Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He did what he was taught: live your convictions and beliefs. He unfortunately was killed at the age of eighteen in June of 1864, on the battlefield at Brice Crossroads at Guntown, Mississippi, fighting the Confederate Army. His buddies buried him under a tree, and marked his grave with a sign on the tree.
Eighteen months later, Fernando Cortez Kelton found out where his son was buried, and took action. Fernando retrieved Oscar’s body from its informal burial site. On the way to the train, to take the body home, an accident overturned the cart, spilling the remains on the road. Emotionally shaken and hurting from a bad bump on the head, Fernando managed to gather the remains up and get them home to Columbus for a proper burial.
Fernando never quite recovered from seeing the grisly remains of his son, and his head injuries left him with terrible headaches, dizziness and weakness. In 1866, Fernando suffered a dizzy spell in his office in downtown Columbus. When he went to the window for some air, he fell three stories down to the street. He was carried to his home where he died.
Sophia had more than her share of losses in her lifetime. She lost two sons; a two-year-old son, Charles, and eighteen-year-old Oscar. Her husband died in a tragic fashion. While she had no control over the death of so many of her loved ones, she was always in control of what was happening in her home, which continued to be a source of comfort for her.
After Sophia died in 1888, the family home was inherited by their son Frank and his wife. However, Frank and his brother Edwin swapped houses, because Edwin and his wife had five daughters, and this branch of the family would put the roomy Victorian Victorian townhouse to good use. Eventually, the home passed down to one of their daughters, Grace.
Grace Bird Kelton, who was quite different from her Aunt Anne, flouted the expectations of women at the time, and was a trailblazer. She never got married, but became a professional interior designer, when it wasn’t popular for women to have a career outside the home.
She was traditional in one aspect; she kept the family home just like it was during her grandparents’ era. She worked hard on the upkeep and restored the decor of the Victorian townhouse and lived here until her death on Christmas Day in 1975. Though she never had a family or spouse of her own, she dearly loved this townhouse, and focused with diligence and dedication in keeping it clean, historically correct and in good shape.
In the 1970s, it must have disturbed her to see how old homes were being turned into apartments or boarding houses, destined to decline, or simply torn down for a parking lot or other purposes. Grace willed her beloved family home to the Columbus Foundation, with the stipulation that they find someone who would offer to the community a house museum for educational purposes. If no one could be found, the townhouse was to be torn down and turned into a park..
After three generations of the Kelton family living in this treasured Victorian abode, the Columbus Foundation found someone to restore it into a house museum, offering tours to the public, and raising funds by hosting weddings, receptions and events, which would please the Keltons as well.
HISTORY OF MANIFESTATIONS
The spirits of people who die unexpectedly before they are ready, sometimes like to stay in a favorite place that was welcoming and comforting.
Duff Green Mansion, MS (The spirit of Mary Green has moved back into the family forever home, along with the spirits of her husband and three children, all of whom died before their time. Now, they are spending their afterlives together).
The Bowman House, VT (Members of the Bowman family died before Mr. Bowman could build their dream home. After he died, the entire family of spirits moved back inside to spend their afterlife together).
The Morgan House, MA (The Morgan family, while alive, had their share of pain suffered from early deaths in their household, but are together in their afterlife in their favorite place to be).
Kelton House Museum, OH (The spirits of Oscar and his dad Fernando died suddenly, and now find comfort in their family forever home).
It is hard to let go of a favorite place in this world when it was your sole comfort while alive. Matriarchs sometimes choose to stay and continue on in their role.
Longwood, MS (The spirit of Julia considers herself the head supervisor of the staff. She reminds the docents of their accidental omissions they make when they forget their tour script).
McRaven House, MS (Besides loving their forever home, the spirits of Mr. and Mrs. Murray also want to stay near the spirits of five of their children: two little sons, one grown son and daughters Ella and Annie).
Stranahan House Museum, FL (The spirit of kind Mrs. Stranahan has decided to stay in her forever home to continue to be the matriarch, who takes care of the spirits in her family who stay, and be a hostess to the docents and visitors who tour the home).
Kelton House Museum, OH (Sofia Stone Kelton, who suffered the loss of two children and her husband, found comfort and support in living in the family house. Her spirit is spending her afterlife here, along with the spirits of those she lost, while enjoying being in her house, a source of support for many years).
Sometimes when a spirit puts their all into a structure while alive, they don’t always trust the living to take care of it, so they stay to supervise and help the living to do so.
Bullock Hotel, SD (The spirit of Seth Bullock came out of retirement when the owners acted like dolts and put slot machines in the lobby of his hotel! He is the active spectral owner, keeping a close eye on the guests, and the staff, and will step in to take action or help when needed).
Eldridge Hotel, MO (The Spirit of Col. Shalor Eldridge has been clearly seen by staff and guests alike; keeping a friendly eye on the living). (Shows hospitality)
Hotel Colorado, CO (The spirit of the first owner is still front and center, even correcting decor mistakes).
Kelton House Museum, OH (The spirit of Grace Bird Kelton sticks around as supervisor and helper, making sure that her beloved Victorian townhouse stays as a successful house museum).
MANIFESTATIONS
Energy given off by the people in tours and events, vitalizes the spirits who still call this place their home.
The Spirit of Sophia Stone Kelton
Still practices hospitality and good manners.
A docent was saying good night to the house before he left, and a female voice said in his ear very kindly, “Good Evening.”
Sophia’s Personal Appearances
Her slightly see-through and small form, dressed in black mourning clothes, has been seen watching the staff leave from her upstairs window, like she was saying good-bye.
After a tour, another male docent saw her milky form, wearing a long dress, floating in her room.
She has been recognized going down the back staircase, and walking through the dining room.
The Spirit of Fernando Cortez Kelton
Fernando likes to get his entertainment from the living.
He has been known to whisper to guests for chuckles.
He likes to have the living bump into his presence in the hallways.
A young female tour guide walked into his unseen presence. From this hidden encounter, she identified this presence to be that of a taller male wearing a soft shirt, identified by her feeling it.
Another tour guide once walked into an older gentleman, wearing a flannel shirt, who immediately disappeared, much to his shock.
The Spirit of Grace Bird Kelton
Her spirit wears the many hats of a spectral supervisor.
She is still the ball of fire that she was while alive, wanting everything to be done right.
She has been known to look after the staff, check up on their efforts and support them.
Her Eye is on Paperwork and General Orderliness
Office workers find that their files are put back in the drawer, out of place, like someone was looking at them.
Everything has its place. Items have been reported missing, and found in odd places, like a locked cabinet.
Grace tries to keep her standards of decorum: If furniture is rearranged in a room which doesn’t meet her standards, the staff will find the furniture moved back to their original positions.
It Must Be Clean!
The cleaning staff must meet Grace’s expected standard of cleanliness.
If the cleaning chores aren’t done to her satisfaction, the staff will find cleaning materials left out for them the next day.
Takes The Tours
The spirit of Gracie likes to take the tours, appearing in a solid form to blend in with the living.
Her solid presence once broke off from one tour. A staff member followed what she thought was a real person, only to be shocked when the woman disappeared before her eyes.
Respect My Staff!
The living who disrespect the staff and tour guides have been disciplined by the spirit of Gracie herself.
A male friend of one of the docents thought the existence of ghosts was poppycock, razzing his female friend who worked as a tour guide.
He went up to Grace’s room, and was scared when a really cold spot went right through him.
One tour guide had a pair of women who talked all the way through her tour until they came to the dining room.
As they yakked away in front of the china cabinet, the cabinet door suddenly swung out, hitting them both on their rear ends!
The Spirit of Oscar Kelton
His apparition has been seen in the house, dressed in his Union uniform.
His spirit also enjoys smoking in the garden area and likes to stroll the grounds.
Other Appearances
Footsteps have been heard, coming from the attic area.
The spirits of Sophia and especially Grace like to attend weddings and receptions of the living, which take place here.
Sophia loved to plan social events. Attending them would be the polite thing to do as the matriarch.
As Grace never got married, perhaps she has regrets, but is happy to enjoy other couples’ special days.
PARANORMAL FINDINGS
Since the museum was opened to the public, staff and some misbehaving visitors have experienced regular paranormal activity. The Kelton House Museum is part of the “Ghosts of Town-Franklin Tour” which has been sponsored by Columbus Landmarks for more than thirty years. (https://keltonhouse.com/dispatch-tour-of-haunted-downtown-mansions-offers-ghost-stories-goosebumps/)
The tour’s focus is on the historical homes in the Town-Franklin area, admiring their architectural styles and learning about the history of the families who lived there. The spirits who live in the houses are described as well, though the tour doesn’t seek contact with something supernatural.
Columbus Landmarks volunteer Kylie Smith explains, “I would always say it’s kind of like the thinking person’s haunted tour,” Smith said. “If you see a ghost, it’s like an added bonus.” (https://keltonhouse.com/dispatch-tour-of-haunted-downtown-mansions-offers-ghost-stories-goosebumps/)
The Kelton House Museum acknowledges in this manner that spirits reside here. No paranormal groups are allowed in to investigate because this might upset the apple cart with the spirits, especially Grace, the no-nonsense spirit whose main focus is the smooth running of the museum and its maintenance.
STILL HAUNTED?
Yes indeed!
These four spirits aren’t willing to go to the other side, still wanting something in this world.
Sophia enjoys being the matriarch, involved and in control in her home.
Grace can’t let go of this world because she wants to be sure that the living take care of her beloved home. She wants to be sure that her dream of having her home become a house museum continues with her help, as she doesn’t quite trust the living.
Oscar cannot rest in peace because he probably promised his family that he wouldn’t be killed, because he couldn’t imagine this happening to him. Also, his grave was disturbed, and he looks for comfort and peace in being in his old family home.
Fernando Cortez Kelton was killed in a dumb, accidental fall. He had other things to do and accomplish, and all of this was cut short.
The Kelton House Museum has four strong spirits residing, which would be problematic if it was a private home, but works well as a house museum. The spirits have their forever home to themselves when the museum is closed, but have the activities of the living to enjoy and supervise during its operating hours.
LOCATION
586 East Town Street
Columbus, OH 43215
The Kelton House Museum & Garden can be found on East Town Street, just 1 block or so west of the 71 Fwy. Cross streets are S. Washington Avenue and Lester Drive.
SOURCES INCLUDE
Dispatch: Tour of ‘haunted’ Downtown mansions offers ghost stories, goosebumps
(https://keltonhouse.com/dispatch-tour-of-haunted-downtown-mansions-offers-ghost-stories-goosebumps/)
Ghost Hunter’s Guide to Haunted Ohio
by Chris Woodward – pg. 167-175
Kestrel Publications – 2000
Kelton House on ForgottenOhio.com
Kelton House on PrairieGhosts.com
Our Haunted Paranormal Stories are Written by Julie Carr
Our Photos are copyrighted by Tom Carr
Visit the memorable… Milwaukee Haunted Hotel
