The Lafayette Hotel at Front and Ohio streets, pictured in 2018, is one of the haunted destinations on TourismOhio’s list, Haunted Ohio: 24 Must-Visit Places. (File photo)

Two Marietta hotels have made a list of must-visit haunted Ohio destinations.

TourismOhio, which according to its website is a part of the Ohio Department of Development, on Friday released its Haunted Ohio: 24 Must-Visit Places, a list of unique haunted destinations.

“This Halloween season, TourismOhio invites thrill-seekers and ghost enthusiasts to explore 24 haunted locations across the state,” the media release said. “From eerie state parks to historically haunted hotels, Ohio is brimming with paranormal hotspots waiting to be discovered.”

The list contains 24 entries from across the state, including Marietta’s Hackett Hotel and Lafayette Hotel.

The Lafayette Hotel, which is situated at the confluence of the Ohio and Muskingum rivers at the corner of Front and Ohio streets, has stood at the site for more than 100 years. Originally the Bellevue Hotel, which was built in 1892, was at the location but it burned down in 1916. The Lafayette Hotel was built on the ruins of the Bellevue Hotel in 1918.

The Hackett Hotel, located on Tiber Way and Second Street, pictured in 2017, is one of the haunted destinations on TourismOhio’s list, Haunted Ohio: 24 Must-Visit Places. (File photo)

“There’s no shortage of haunted hotels in Ohio and the historic Lafayette Hotel definitely makes the list … iconic views of the Ohio River greet guests, as well as a few ghosts,” the ODD website said.

There have been strange occurrences reported at the Lafayette, including footsteps and voices being heard in empty rooms and hallways, appliances turning on and off by themselves and doors opening and closing on their own, according to the website.

“Some visitors even claim luggage and furniture have been moved away from rooms, as well as misty apparitions,” the website said. “And the ‘Do Not Disturb” sign might not deter the ghostly maid wearing a black dress that’s been seen roaming the halls of this haunted hotel.”

It is even said that the ghost of Durwin Hoag, who owned the hotel from 1931 to 1973 and died in 1982, occasionally haunts on the second floor of the hotel and the Gun Room restaurant.

The Lafayette Hotel even holds a paranormal convention every year.

Learn more about the Lafayette Hotel at https://lafayettehotel.com/.

The building that makes up the Hackett Hotel, which was built by oilman John H. Riley in 1899 and is located on Tiber Way and Second Street was renovated in the 1980s and then the Hackett Hotel opened in the building in 2012, according to the ODD website.

“The boutique hotel provides guests with a unique stay where they can experience the Mid-Ohio Valley region,” the website said. “But there’s more than antique charm lining the walls of the Hackett Hotel. Another one of Ohio’s most haunted hotels, the Hackett Hotel has reported ghost sightings throughout the building.”

Overnight guests have reported seeing spectral figures, according to the release, but this is nothing compared to the presence that haunts The Galley restaurant in the building, according to the website.

“Housed in the old Hackett Hotel, The Galley is a top restaurant known for its food and atmosphere in the heart of historic Marieta,” the website said.

Once the restaurant was opened in the 1980s after renovations were made to the building, the ghosts made themselves known, according to the website, and this ghostly activity has continued including bottles crashing to the floor, glasses flying off shelves and chairs screeching across empty rooms.

“The spectral incidents are so frequent, many staffers have come to believe it’s the work of the same ghost – one they’ve named Charlotte,” the website said.

Learn more about the Hackett Hotel at https://www.thehacketthotel.com/.

“TourimsOhio’s extensive list of haunted locations is always popular, regardless of the season,” ODD Director Lydia Mihalik said. “Whether you’re seeking thrills or looking for a more family-friendly option, this list showcases many unique Ohio destinations.”

More information about the haunted destinations on the list can be found at https://ohio.org/travel-inspiration/articles/haunted-ohio-must-visit-places.