About This Location
Thurber House is the former residence of beloved American author and cartoonist James Thurber, who lived here with his family from 1913 to 1917. The Victorian home now serves as a literary museum and center, hosting writing programs, readings, and events. The property sits near the site of the former Ohio Lunatic Asylum, specifically adjacent to the State of Ohio Asylum for the Insane cemetery, which may contribute to its supernatural reputation.
The Ghost Story
The house gained notoriety through James Thurber's own humorous ghost stories, including "The Night the Ghost Got In," based on his experiences living there. However, staff and visitors report that the hauntings are no joke. Footsteps are heard on stairs when no one is present, doors open and close on their own, and strange shadows move through rooms. Some have reported seeing a figure resembling Thurber himself, still wandering the halls of his former home. The proximity to the old asylum cemetery has led some to speculate that restless spirits from that dark period of medical history may also visit the property. Whether the ghosts are figments of literary imagination or genuine supernatural presences, Thurber House maintains its reputation as one of Columbus's most haunted locations.
