A wealthy man built a grand stone mansion for his wife, and she reportedly lived there only a short time. Some people believe she never really left.
The house sits high on a hill in southeast Ohio. It has a tower, sweeping views, and a long list of reported ghostly encounters.
Guests can even add ghost hunting gear to their visit.
I love that this place is still being brought back to life. You can see the restoration work happening floor by floor.
The history and the spooky stories share the same address.
Between its imposing stone walls, ongoing restoration, and decades of reported paranormal activity, this Ohio landmark offers an unusual mix of history and mystery. Visitors can explore its remarkable architecture while hearing the stories that have made the old hilltop home a favorite among ghost enthusiasts.
A Mansion Built On A Hill With A Story That Starts With Love
Completed around 1859, the Italianate mansion was built for Douglas Putnam Jr. and his wife, Eliza, overlooking the historic river town of Marietta. The Anchorage, also known as Anchorage Mansion, still stands proudly in Marietta, Ohio.
Putnam came from a well-known local family tied to the early settlement of the Northwest Territory. He wanted a showplace, and he got one.
The house was finished around 1859 and built in the Italianate style. Its sandstone walls and tall tower made it one of the most striking homes in town.
Here’s the bittersweet part of the story. Eliza reportedly lived in the house only a short time before she passed, according to the house’s history.
That detail shapes almost everything people say about the place today. Many visitors connect her name with the reported activity inside.
The home later passed through other owners and uses over the years. It even served as a care facility at one point before sitting empty for a long stretch.
Plenty of old houses fade away after that kind of neglect. This one held on, and that alone makes it worth a visit.
Knowing the backstory first makes the tour much richer. You’ll look at every window a little differently once you know who it was meant for.
Climb Up And Find The Address That Started The Legend
Finding the house is part of the fun. The Anchorage sits at 424 George St, Marietta, OH 45750.
The mansion overlooks the town from its high perch. That spot helps explain why it caught so many eyes when it was built.
Marietta itself is an old river town where the Ohio and Muskingum rivers meet. The town carries a deep sense of history, and this house fits right in.
The historic property has been preserved through local restoration efforts, while guided tours and paranormal experiences introduce visitors to its architecture and reported hauntings. Their work has turned a struggling old building into a destination again.
Getting there feels a bit like a small pilgrimage for history fans. You leave the busy streets behind and head toward a house that seems to watch the valley.
Plan your visit around booked tours or events rather than just showing up. Tours and investigations are scheduled, so a little planning goes a long way.
Bring comfortable shoes for the slope and the stairs. You’ll be doing plenty of looking up, and some climbing too.
Once you arrive, take a moment outside before heading in. The full stone face of the house is worth a slow, quiet look.
The Tower Might Be The Best Part Of The Whole Tour
Few things beat a mansion with a real tower. At The Anchorage, guided tours can take you up into that tall feature.
The tower is one of the home’s signature Italianate touches. From outside, it gives the house its unmistakable silhouette against the Ohio sky.
Inside, it becomes a highlight of the visit. Tour guests often call the tower climb the cherry on top of the whole experience.
Why does a tower feel so thrilling? Maybe it’s the narrow climb, or maybe it’s knowing generations stood there before you.
Either way, it gives you a new angle on the house and its setting. You get a sense of how proud Putnam must have been of his creation.
Tours are led by guides who share both history and ghost stories. The spooky tales tend to be more fun than frightening, which suits mixed groups.
Keep your camera ready but watch your footing. Old stairs deserve respect, no matter how brave you feel.
If you only remember one moment from your visit, the tower is a strong bet. It’s the kind of spot that turns a nice tour into a story you’ll retell.
Ghost Gear Is Available, So Go Ahead And Play Investigator
Most historic homes ask you to keep your hands to yourself. This one will actually lend you equipment to hunt for ghosts.
Guests can add ghost hunting gear to their reservation at The Anchorage. That turns a regular visit into a hands-on paranormal investigation.
Tools like EMF meters are part of the experience. Some guests report the devices lighting up during their time inside.
Not every moment depends on gadgets, though. Many people describe shifts in the mood of a room that are hard to explain.
Investigations offer a chance to explore with fewer distractions. Some options let small groups stay a little longer to investigate on their own.
Go in with an open mind and a sense of humor. You may catch something strange, or you may just enjoy a creaky old house after dark.
A few tips help a lot. Stay quiet, take notes, and don’t blame every noise on Eliza.
Old houses settle and pipes knock all the time. Part of the fun is sorting the ordinary from the odd.
Whatever you find, you’ll leave with a fresh respect for the people who do this regularly.
Who Might Still Be Wandering These Halls
Ghost stories need a main character, and this house has one. Eliza Putnam is the name most often linked to the reported hauntings here.
Her short time in the home she was promised gives the tale its emotional pull. People wonder if she’s still enjoying the house she barely got to know.
The Anchorage has gained a reputation as one of the more talked-about haunted spots in Marietta, Ohio. Paranormal fans travel to experience it for themselves.
Guides share reported experiences during tours. The stories are told in a way that feels curious and lighthearted, not terrifying.
That balance matters. You can bring a nervous friend without worrying they’ll sprint for the car.
The house also spent years in other roles, including use as a care home. Some believe those years added layers to its reported activity.
Of course, nobody can prove what’s really going on. That’s part of the appeal for skeptics and believers alike.
You get to decide what you think after your visit. Maybe you’ll feel a chill, or maybe you’ll just admire the woodwork.
Either outcome still makes for a memorable night in a home with a big heart.
Restoration You Can Watch Happening In Real Time
Rescuing a giant stone house is no small job. The Washington County Historical Society has been restoring The Anchorage step by step.
What’s neat is that the work isn’t hidden away. Visitors can see upper floors still in progress during their tour.
That gives the visit a rare behind-the-scenes feel. You’re not seeing a frozen museum, you’re seeing a comeback still underway.
Restoration takes money, time, and patience. Every tour ticket and shop purchase helps keep that work moving forward.
I like how this approach invites people to be part of the story. Coming back later lets you notice what has changed since your last trip.
Watching an old place heal can be surprisingly moving. Each repaired room brings the house a little closer to how Putnam first imagined it.
It also shows how much effort preservation truly requires. Many historic buildings across Ohio were lost because nobody stepped in.
Here, a dedicated group chose to fight for the house. That choice is a big reason the mansion survived its long stretch of hard years.
Visiting is a small, fun way to support that mission. Your ghost hunt helps fix the floors the ghosts walk on.
Save Room In Your Bag For The Curiosity Shop
Spooky souvenirs are half the fun of a haunted house trip. The Anchorage has a curiosity shop that makes a great final stop.
The shop carries items that fit the mansion’s eerie personality. You might find themed attire and gifts for the ghost fan in your life.
Picking up something here does more than fill a shelf at home. Sales help support the ongoing care of the historic property.
It’s a smart place to grab a gift for friends who couldn’t come. Nothing says I thought of you like a ghost-themed keepsake.
The shop also lets you linger a bit longer after the tour. Sometimes that’s the best moment to swap stories with your group.
Did someone feel a cold spot? Did the meter blink at the wrong time?
Those conversations tend to get livelier once everyone relaxes. Browsing gives everyone time to compare notes and laugh about the jumpy moments.
Keep an eye out for anything tied to local history too. Marietta has deep roots, and a little reminder of your visit can spark future trips.
A small purchase becomes a fun conversation starter at home. Guests will ask, and you’ll get to tell the whole tale again.
Pair Your Visit With More Of Hidden Marietta
One haunted mansion is great, but a whole spooky town is even better. Marietta, Ohio, has plenty of history to explore beyond the mansion’s front steps.
The Washington County Historical Society also offers programs that look at the town’s lesser-known stories. Hidden Marietta experiences pair nicely with a trip to The Anchorage.
Marietta was the first organized American settlement in the Northwest Territory, founded in 1788. That long timeline means stories are tucked into nearly every street.
The riverfront makes a lovely place to stroll before or after your tour. The meeting of the Ohio and Muskingum rivers gives the town its classic look.
Plan your day so you can enjoy both daylight history and evening mystery. Starting downtown and ending at the mansion gives the trip a natural build.
Families can keep things light with history in the afternoon. Thrill seekers can save the ghost investigation for later in the evening.
Check schedules ahead of time, since special events vary by season. Fall often brings extra interest in ghostly happenings across town.
With a little planning, Marietta becomes more than a quick stop. It turns into a full day of stories, scenery, and maybe a goosebump or two.
Book Ahead And Go In With The Right Mindset
A little prep makes your trip far smoother. Tours and investigations at The Anchorage are scheduled, so reserve your spot in advance.
Choose the experience that fits your group. History lovers might prefer a guided tour, while bolder friends may want investigation time.
Remember to add equipment when you book if you want it. Showing up ready to investigate beats wishing you had a meter later.
Dress for an old house that’s still under restoration. Sturdy shoes and layers make sense when exploring stairs and drafty rooms.
Bring a phone or notebook to record what you notice. Even small details can become the best part of your story later.
Respect the house and the guides who care for it. This is a historic landmark, and gentle handling keeps it standing for future visitors.
Go in with patience and curiosity rather than demands. Ghosts, if they’re around, don’t exactly perform on cue.
Most of all, enjoy the setting itself. Anchorage Mansion survived decades of change, and simply standing inside it is a treat.
Whether you catch something strange or not, you’ll leave knowing Ohio a little better. And Eliza might just appreciate the company.
