Woodland Cemetery and Arboretum
PANICd#: 2142
Woodland Cemetery and Arboretum (200 acres), located at 118 Woodland Avenue, Dayton, Ohio, is one of the oldest garden cemeteries in the United States.
118 Woodland Ave
Dayton , OH 45409
Phone: 937-228-3221
Open to the public: Yes
Lat: 39.743242
Lon: -84.179608
Database Summary:
Demographic Rank: 0
History: 1
Stories: 1
Claims: 6
Evidence: 0
Resources: 5
Retrievals: 70
Vistor Rating: 5.0
Votes: 1
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History
History information is some background and history about the location. This is meant to be a basic summary. Below the history records you will find sources in which you can click on to find out more information. There may be multiple history records per location.
For more than 180 years, Woodland Cemetery has stood as a hallowed sanctuary for eternal peace, safeguarding the remains of over 112,000 individuals. It serves as the final resting place for many of Dayton’s illustrious citizens, including aviation pioneers the Wright brothers, celebrated humorist Erma Bombeck, renowned poet Paul Laurence Dunbar, and inventive genius Charles Kettering.
Established in 1841 on what was then the periphery of Dayton, the cemetery was created to meet the burgeoning city’s growing demand for burial spaces. Through the decades, Woodland Cemetery has remained a steadfast beacon of memory and solace for the people of Dayton. Looking forward, it is committed to the diligent preservation of its rich heritage and ensuring its continuity. With thoughtful foresight into adapting to the community’s evolving needs, Woodland is poised to maintain its relevance and accessibility well into the future, seamlessly integrating with both new developments and rejuvenation projects.
Click on the image to enlarge/zoom Added by: sdonley on 02/01/2025
DB#:673
Source(s):
https://woodlandcemetery.org/history/
Stories
Stories are just that. Stories and personal accounts that have been reported about the location. This section could also contain research notes as well.
Click on the image to enlarge/zoomFive-year-old Johnny Morehouse (1855-1860) lived with his mother, Mary Margaret, and father, John, in the rear of the family shoe repair shop along the Miami & Erie canal near what is now Patterson Boulevard in Dayton, Ohio. On a hot August 14th day in 1860, Johnny was playing along the canal. He fell into the dark depths and his dog repeatedly tried to save him, but by the time he pulled the boy to the side of the canal, Johnny was dead.
After Johnny was buried in Woodland Cemetery, his dog refused to leave his grave, staying by his young master even after death. Stories tell of visitors to the cemetery who saw the dog and left treats and food for him. The tradition still continues. Trinkets are left on the grave to honor the loyal pup. The ghost of Johnny and his dog are seen playing at the cemetery and a dog's playful bark can be heard at night.
Added by: sdonley on 01/31/2025 DB#: 1639
Source(s):
https://www.facebook.com/ohioghoststories/posts/fi...
Paranormal Claims
Here are the paranormal claims for this location. These have been found through Internet research, reports from members, or reports from personal interviews. To add a claim, please contact PANICd.com, and we will review and add your information.
| Claim # | Added | Added By | Claim |
| 3546 | 02/01/2025 | sdonley | The apparition of Johnny Morehouse and his dog have been seen roaming the cemetery. |
| 3547 | 02/01/2025 | sdonley | A dog's playful bark can be heard at night. |
| 3548 | 02/01/2025 | sdonley | The apparition of a small girl dressed in white tennis shoes and blue jeans have been seen sitting on the head stones and speak to those who pass by her. |
| 3549 | 02/01/2025 | sdonley | Apparitions in period clothing have been witnessed walking along the clothing. |
| 3550 | 02/01/2025 | sdonley | The spirit of a young girl has been reported by the main gate. |
| 3551 | 02/01/2025 | sdonley | Shadow have been reported throughout the grounds. |
Additional Resources
This is a collection of Internet resources for this location. This section will house links to other websites that contain information related to history, claims, investigations, or even the location's website.
| Wikipedia Entry
Added: 01/31/2025 By: sdonley |
Wikipedia entry for this location. |
| Who you gonna call? Dayton ghost stories on and around campus – Flyer News: Univ. of Dayton's Student Newspaper
Added: 01/31/2025 By: sdonley |
Blog post that talks about paranormal activity at the cemetery. |
| Facebook Page
Added: 02/01/2025 By: sdonley |
Facebook page for this location. |
| Ghosts of Woodland Cemetery – The Pennsylvania Rambler
Added: 02/01/2025 By: sdonley |
Grave of Johnny Morehouse, Dayton One of the first articles written for The Pennsylvania Rambler was and out-of-state venture to visit the resting place of Johnny Morehouse. When five-year-old Johnny Morehouse drowned in the Miami and Erie Canal in August 1860, his tragic death would be the basis for a legend that is still a… |
| Haunted Woodland Cemetery, Dayton, Ohio
Added: 02/01/2025 By: sdonley |
Information in regards to the paranormal activity at the cemetery. |
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