THE STORY
Reported Haunting
Operating since the early nineteenth century, the Taverne of Richfield is believed to be haunted by former owners and patrons. Staff and guests have reported ghostly figures, unexplained footsteps, and mysterious activity throughout the historic tavern.
We have had numerous sitings at the Taverne. The building was built in 1886 in Richfield Ohio as a hotel/stagecoach stop. We have 3 ghosts. The original ghost is Baxter Wood who opened a hotel called the Center Hotel in the building which now houses local watering hole, the Doug Out. He later built and opened a new hotel across the street, the West Richfield Inn which is now called the Taverne of Richfield. He is described as a tall man in a suit and top hat with an “Abraham Lincoln” beard. He hangs out in the Ballroom, presumably since it’s the most originally structured room, not much has been altered in that room since the building of the Taverne. Our other 2 ghosts are Mrs. Rebecca Akers and her son, Elijah. Rebecca mostly resides in the stairwells often holding people’s hands as they walk up and down the stairs. Although we caught a picture of her dancing in the ballroom. Her son Elijah is a feisty poltergeist who runs through the ballroom and says “Hi There.” These two came only recently along with the stained glass windows that were purchased in 1996 from a burnt down church in Dayton Ohio. Rebecca died an older woman but her ghost is her as a young lady. It’s rumored that Elijah died as a child so Rebecca’s ghost reverted to when he died and they stayed together in the church posthumously. The stained glass windows memorialize Rebecca’s name. Activity of ghostly happenings include doors opening and closing by themselves, glasses flying off the bar and tables, orbs appearing in pictures, chilly drafts, chairs scooting away from the bar by themselves, tables being unset. Recently, a patron and former employee from the 70’s informed us that when he worked there they had a big wedding to set up for in the ballroom, They stayed late the night before and got all the tables, chairs, silverware, glassware, napkins and everything all set up. The next morning when the florist arrived they instructed her to go up and start setting up everything is ready for her. Much to everyone’s shock (and dismay) the whole room was empty. Every table and chair stacked in a corner, every piece of silverware back in the drawer, every linen neatly folded and put back in the linen closet. But that’s just the stories, check it out for yourself!