Our Visit to the Hower House

On the morning of March 25, 2026, we made the drive to Akron, Ohio, for a medical appointment. Like many of our travels, the day carried a mixture of uncertainty and hope. We had no idea how the appointment would go, but we had already decided that if things went well, we would turn the trip into more than just another drive across Ohio. One thing we have learned over the years is that some of the best adventures happen unexpectedly. Occasionally a day that begins with stress and worry can slowly transform into exploration, storytelling, and memories that stay with you long after the trip is over.

Before leaving home, we started searching for haunted locations around Akron. We have done this countless times before. No matter where we travel, we constantly try to see what historic places, haunted legends, forgotten cemeteries, or abandoned buildings may be nearby. Akron has a deep industrial history, old neighborhoods, beautiful architecture, and plenty of stories tied to the city. As we looked through locations online, one place immediately stood out above the rest. Sitting just a few miles from the medical appointment was the Hower House.

The Hower House was exactly the kind of location we are naturally drawn toward. Historic mansions always seem to carry a certain atmosphere around them. They are reminders of another era, standing quietly while the world changes around them. The Hower House looked elegant, mysterious, and full of history. The more we read about it, the more we wanted to see it for ourselves.

The mansion is a beautifully restored home now owned by the University of Akron. Built during Akron’s industrial boom years, the home reflects a time when architecture openly displayed wealth and craftsmanship. Large historic homes like this always seem to pull us in. Every room, hallway, staircase, and window feels like it could hold a story that someone is waiting to tell. Even before we arrived, we knew it would become the centerpiece of our day in Akron.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HClM-0vv7jY

One thing about our adventures is that we rarely know exactly what to expect. We often take risks when visiting locations. Sometimes museums are closed. Sometimes private tours are unavailable. Sometimes buildings are completely inaccessible. Other times we arrive and unexpectedly gain full access to places we never imagined we would see. That uncertainty is part of the excitement. The unknown is one of the reasons we love exploring haunted and historic locations in the first place.

As we drove through Akron, the city itself felt layered with history. Old homes lined certain streets while churches, industrial buildings, and older neighborhoods reminded us how important Akron once was during the rise of manufacturing and the rubber industry. There is something about older cities in Ohio that always feels atmospheric. The weather that day only added to it. The sky hung gray overhead, creating the perfect backdrop for a haunted road trip.

On this particular adventure, we also had some brand new equipment with us. We had recently picked up a new video camera and microphones that we were eager to test out in the field. Anytime we add new equipment to our setup, there is always a learning curve. Every location becomes part investigation and part practice session. We spend a lot of time experimenting with camera angles, audio quality, and filming techniques while trying not to lose the natural feeling of the experience itself.

When we finally arrived at the Hower House, the grounds immediately caught our attention. The mansion stood proudly against the cloudy Akron sky, its architecture both elegant and imposing. Even from outside, it was easy to understand why the location has become such a beloved landmark. Historic homes have a way of feeling alive. The craftsmanship, the windows, the stonework, and the details all combine to create something modern buildings simply cannot replicate.

Hower House

Unfortunately, when we arrived, the house was closed. There were no employees onsite and no visitors walking the grounds. For a moment, we wondered if the stop would turn into a disappointment. We had hoped for the chance to step inside, explore the rooms, and perhaps experience the atmosphere of the mansion firsthand. But instead of leaving, we decided to take advantage of the situation.

That decision ended up shaping the entire experience.

We spent the next couple of hours onsite, filming outside the mansion and recording as much history and folklore as possible. Over the years, we have learned that even when access is limited, documenting a place still has value. Sometimes simply standing outside a historic building can tell a story. The atmosphere, the architecture, and the surroundings all become part of the experience.

We walked around the property carefully gathering footage from different angles. The quietness of the grounds actually added something special to the visit. Without crowds or distractions, the mansion almost felt frozen in time. There were moments when the only sounds were distant traffic, birds overhead, and the wind moving through the trees. It created the kind of environment that allows you to slow down and truly absorb a place.

Marianne did an incredible job presenting the history of the mansion. One of the things that makes filming onsite interesting is that there are no second chances once the camera is rolling. Unlike a studio environment, outdoor filming means dealing with weather, noise, distractions, and sometimes nerves. Marianne handled the historical portion naturally, delivering the information smoothly while standing in front of the mansion.

Shawn, on the other hand, struggled a little more with the paranormal section. That happens occasionally. Filming ghost stories onsite can be surprisingly difficult. Unlike historical facts, paranormal stories rely heavily on atmosphere and storytelling. Trying to explain legends while standing outside a closed mansion with cameras and microphones can feel awkward at first. Still, despite a few stumbles, the recording session went well overall.

One thing we always appreciate about these adventures is how authentic they are. We do not stage perfect conditions. We show the real experience. Sometimes equipment acts up. Sometimes words get mixed up. Sometimes locations are closed. But those imperfections are part of what makes exploring haunted places exciting. Real adventures are unpredictable.

As we continued filming around the mansion, we discussed how much we would love to someday return and tour the interior. Historic mansions always reveal an entirely different personality once you step inside. Grand staircases, antique furniture, narrow servant passages, old portraits, and original woodwork can completely transform the atmosphere of a location. We could only imagine what stories might exist inside those walls.

The Hower House itself carries a fascinating history. Built in the nineteenth century, the mansion became associated with wealth, influence, and Akron society. Homes like this often become symbols of an era. They reflect both the success and ambitions of the families who lived there. Over time, many historic mansions also gather legends and ghost stories. Whether those stories are true or not, they become woven into the identity of the location.

There is something about old mansions that naturally inspires paranormal folklore. Perhaps it is because they have witnessed generations of life and death. Families celebrated inside those walls. They experienced loss, illness, triumph, and heartbreak. Over decades, buildings absorb memories. Even skeptics sometimes admit that certain historic places simply feel different.

Standing outside the Hower House, I found it easy to understand why paranormal stories have become connected to it. The mansion had presence. Even closed and quiet, it seemed to command attention. Large windows overlooked the grounds while shadows gathered around portions of the structure. Every angle looked cinematic.

As we continued gathering footage, we experimented with the new microphones and camera settings. Outdoor filming can be challenging because wind noise, passing cars, and environmental sounds constantly interfere with audio quality. We spent time adjusting settings, repositioning ourselves, and replaying footage to ensure everything sounded right. Testing equipment during actual investigations is often the best way to learn.

One of the most enjoyable parts of filming haunted locations is simply spending time together exploring places most people overlook. Some travelers visit beaches or amusement parks. We discover ourselves wandering cemeteries, historic mansions, and forgotten streets, searching for stories. There is something rewarding about preserving history while also documenting the folklore that is tied to these places.

Eventually, after wrapping up filming at the mansion, we decided to continue the adventure by visiting Glendale Cemetery.

Cemeteries are often among the most peaceful and historically rich places in any city. They tell stories in a way textbooks cannot. Names carved into stone represent real lives, real families, and real moments in history. Walking through historic cemeteries often feels like stepping into an outdoor museum.

Glendale Cemetery immediately impressed us with its beauty and atmosphere. Large trees, winding roads, and historic monuments stretched across the grounds. Cemeteries from the nineteenth century were often designed almost like public parks. Families once visited them regularly for reflection and remembrance.

Our goal there was to locate the graves of the Hower family and record a biography of John Henry Hower. Connecting the cemetery visit to the mansion added another layer to the story we were documenting. It allowed us to move beyond simply talking about architecture and folklore. Suddenly the people behind the mansion became real.

Finding historic graves can sometimes take patience. Large cemeteries are filled with winding sections, hidden family plots, and weathered stones. We spent time driving slowly through the grounds, watching carefully for the names we were searching for. Eventually, we located the gravesites connected to the Hower family.

Standing before those graves created a different emotional feeling than standing outside the mansion. The mansion represented wealth, status, and legacy. The cemetery represented mortality. No matter how grand a home may be, eventually every story leads to places like this.

We recorded a biography of John Henry Hower while standing near the graves. Onsite biographies always feel more meaningful because you are physically connected to the history you are discussing. Rather than reading facts from a book, you are standing where history rests. The environment becomes part of the story.

As we filmed among the monuments and trees, the cemetery remained incredibly quiet. There is a calmness in historic cemeteries that is difficult to describe. Even in cities filled with traffic and noise, cemeteries often feel separated from the modern world. Time slows down there.

Places like Glendale Cemetery also remind us why we enjoy combining history with paranormal folklore. Even if someone has no interest in ghosts, the historical value alone makes these locations worth visiting. Every monument and grave marker represents an individual whose life contributed to shaping the community around them.

The more we travel to locations like these, the more we realize how important preservation truly is. Without restoration efforts, places like the Hower House could easily disappear. Historic mansions across America have been demolished, neglected, or forgotten over the years. Seeing the mansion preserved and cared for by the University of Akron was genuinely encouraging.

Too often, historic buildings are viewed only as old structures instead of cultural treasures. Yet once they are gone, they can never truly be replaced. Modern buildings may serve practical purposes, but they rarely carry the personality and craftsmanship of nineteenth-century architecture.

The Hower House also reminded us how deeply connected history and storytelling really are. A building is never just a building. It becomes meaningful because of the people who lived there, the stories that unfolded inside it, and the memories attached to it over generations.

Paranormal folklore naturally grows around places that already possess emotional and historical weight. Whether someone believes in ghosts or not, there is no denying that historic locations can create strong emotional reactions. Walking through an old cemetery at dusk or standing outside a silent mansion naturally sparks the imagination.

One of the things we enjoy most about these trips is documenting not only the legends themselves but also our personal experiences exploring the locations. Every adventure becomes part travel diary, part historical documentary, and part paranormal exploration.

Looking back on the day, it is interesting how everything unfolded. What began as a trip centered around a medical appointment slowly transformed into an unexpected adventure through Akron’s history. Those are often the best kinds of trips because nothing feels forced.

Had the appointment gone differently, we may have skipped the exploration entirely. Instead, the day became filled with filming, storytelling, history, and discovery. It became another reminder that adventure can appear almost anywhere if you are willing to look for it.

There is also something rewarding about visiting locations without perfect conditions. Social media often presents travel as carefully planned and flawless, but real exploration is rarely like that. Sometimes locations are closed. Sometimes weather interferes. Sometimes equipment malfunctions. Yet those imperfect moments often become the most memorable.

Even though we were unable to tour inside the Hower House, the experience still felt worthwhile. We gathered footage, practiced with new equipment, explored Akron history, visited Glendale Cemetery, and created content that captured the spirit of the day.

The mansion itself remains one of those places we hope to revisit in the future. We would love the opportunity to someday walk through the interior rooms, learn even more about the Hower family, and experience the atmosphere from inside the building itself. Historic mansions often feel entirely different once you cross the threshold.

Perhaps one day we will return during a special event, guided tour, or paranormal investigation. Until then, the memory of that quiet March afternoon remains with us.

Trips like this also remind us why we continue doing what we do. Exploring haunted and historic locations is about far more than chasing ghost stories. It is about preserving memories, learning history, documenting forgotten places, and experiencing the atmosphere of locations firsthand.

Every road trip becomes a story.

Every cemetery visit becomes a connection to the past.

Every mansion becomes a doorway into another era.

The Hower House may have been closed that afternoon, but in many ways the experience still felt alive. The mansion gave us an opportunity to slow down, appreciate history, and spend time together doing something we genuinely enjoy.

There are countless famous haunted locations across America, but sometimes the smaller unexpected stops become the most meaningful. A few hours outside a quiet mansion in Akron turned into an experience we will remember for years.

As the day continued and we eventually left Akron behind, we talked about the footage we captured and the stories we recorded. We discussed improvements we could make with the new equipment and laughed about some of the awkward moments during filming. Those conversations are part of the adventure too.

Every trip teaches us something new.

Sometimes it is about history.

Sometimes it is about storytelling.

Sometimes it is simply about enjoying the journey itself.

For us, March 25, 2026, became more than a medical trip to Akron. It became another chapter in our ongoing exploration of haunted history across America. Even without stepping inside the Hower House, the experience left an impression on us.

The mansion still stands quietly in Akron, filled with history and mystery, waiting for future visitors to walk its halls and hear its stories. And hopefully someday, we will return to finally experience the interior for ourselves.