Helltown: A True American Horror Story in Ohio

In Ohio, there is a fascinating and mysterious story centered around a town once known as "Boston Mills." This town, now famously referred to as "Helltown," was subjected to a dramatic and controversial event involving the U.S. government. The story goes that the government, through a series of questionable actions, essentially “abducted” the town and transformed it overnight into what is now known as Helltown.

The transformation of Boston Mills into Helltown remains shrouded in mystery and controversy. The abrupt and poorly handled nature of this incident has led to various theories and speculations. Some believe that the Helltown event might be a result of a government cover-up, while others think it could involve supernatural elements. Despite these theories, the true story of Helltown reveals a complex saga of governmental land acquisition, where the U.S. government "purchased" land from its citizens at remarkably low prices, creating an abandoned town almost overnight.

This area, now part of the Cuyahoga Valley and Cuyahoga Valley National Park, holds the remnants of this intriguing chapter in Ohio's history. In this video, we dive deep into the true story of Helltown, exploring the historical facts, government actions, and the ongoing mystery surrounding this abandoned town. Join us as we uncover the details of Helltown’s eerie transformation and examine the myths and realities that have captivated many for decades.

Credits:
Old photos of helltown were retrieved from Flickr under their creative commons license, taken by Andrew Borgen.

Music:

Thumbnail Credit:
Photos of “Helltown” retrieved from Flickr under their creative commons license, taken by Andrew Borgen.

[thespaceace]

The whole Helltown story, I think, kind of highlights how American folklore often isn't quite historical but there's usually some truth and sincerity behind it. I believe some of the Helltown legends are allegorical commentary on people's experiences during the eminent domain ordeal. Others might've been made up to entice people to come see for themselves just what the government had done to their town, and a few may have still been simple old-fashioned legends from many years ago.
Despite the sad reality of how CVNP came to be, I do encourage everyone to go visit the Boston/Peninsula/CVNP area. Many of the structures there are still very old, and there is plenty of rich history and natural beauty to be found there. It has a lot of character and takes you back in time to an important bygone era of Ohio. I'm not really a believer in ghosts, but I still think people who are into "haunted" places and whatnot will find the area intriguing just due to how old and sometimes eerie the place feels, even if many of the legends are easily disproven.

[Funky-Glad-Man]

I really like that you you were super honest and didn't sensationalize the story for views. Subscriber earned.

[michaelcenkere]

Oh, thank God. Somebody finally made a video about the truth of Helltown, aka Boston Mills. The only thing I will say is that Stanford Road has two sharp turns, yes but not a winding road. The road kinda looks like the letter "L" on its side. It used link Boston Mills to the Village of Brandywine. In the last ten years, more or less, the road has become part of a walking path. My wife and I have walked it many times. My wife and I both agree. The creepiest thing about walking the road. When you get to the Boston Mills side of the road, everything becomes absolutely silent. You don't hear birds. You don't hear bugs. It's creepy, but at the same time, it's absolutely stunning in the spring and fall.

[loganpollock]

As a lifelong resident of the area, I appreciate a factual account of the Helltown story. In Furnace Run, under the Everett road bridge, there is a lot of snakes in the creek bed when it turns cold. I guess they hibernate there. I have hiked, rode my bike and rode horses down there a lot in the last 48 years. More recently I have seen Otters and Bobcats, but not the Bears that are supposed to be down there. No cryptids, no witches, no ghosts. If they are there, I would have seen them! Great video!

[milesdurst]

T coming in with another extremely high quality story/video. Keep up the good work. One of the most underrated channels in this space right now imo. I wouldn’t be surprised if you’re sitting at over 500k+ subs at the same time next year.

[straightforward]

This happened to an Aunt & Uncle (and their many children). They were robbed! They weren't paid a fair price, at all. And, it took them a long time to recover.

[rachelrock]

One of the best Helltown videos that I have watched. I love that you show as many actual photos and video clips that you can and that you don't use AI photos ❤ nothing is better than the original. Thank You 👍

[kevanmccutcheon]

I live in Boston and the tourists and ghost hunters that come here can be quite a nuisance, rudely trespassing, and occasionally destructive to the historical gravestones. So I resent the many sloppy and sensationalistic Youtubers who capitalize on these legends. But yours is an unusually good quality and responsible post! Thanks. I was surprised that you missed the Krejci toxic dump that was indeed in Boston township and was a famous story of the government making corporate polluters pay the bill of cleaning it up. Thanks anyway, you got a good style.

[ckssrzf]

Lived here all my life and all I've ever heard about was "cry baby bridge" if you stopped on the bridge you could supposedly hear a baby crying, just a fun way to scare people when we were drinking

[yunekoVT]

seriously underrated channel, keep it up i hope you get bigger

[cherylcampbell]

I appreciate your alignments and approach in the your videos I've seen.

[shadowhawke]

Why did they have to buy back their land? Should of been given back and paid for burning the houses

[caranconarroe-pearson]

Very informative and insightful . Let this be a reminder about the government's abilities in our great free country . I am born and raised in Ohio - I wonder what the outcome would be today ? My father built our home in 1961 in a still nice middle class neighborhood which I inherited the house. Can y'all imagine receiving a notice of eminent domain ? You would be shut down and put out still today . Seems like several years ago it was on the news about a fiesty lady in her nineties being forced out of her long time home sandwiched between two skyscrapers and her attorney son fighting to keep her home and parcel of land from eminent domain . Thank you - New subscriber and looking forward to more videos !

[BruceWalther-sl]

I grew up in the suburbs of Cuyahoga (Ky-uh-hog-a) County closer to Lake Erie and I had NO idea a National Park construction (so close to Blossom Music Center, where I attended many a rocknroll concert from Jimmy Buffett; to Elton John and the Beach Boys; to Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers) would force people out of their homes ... and with no compensation? At all? WTF!
Anyways, great video history of Boston Mills, et cetera, by T's Storytime.
The Park story is more horrific and just about as unbelievable as the Urban (Boston Mills, Cuyahoga Valley) legends.

Question: I had a school field trip to Hale Farm and Village when I was in 1st grade. It must have been April, 1974. Was Hale Farm part of the 3 Townships that were "obliterated" in 1976?

[caseyrobinson]

As someone who lives in the area, I am very impressed with and appreciate the way you presented this history. Real people and policies are scarier than any lore. Also, i havent ever hear anyone pronounce Cuyahoga the way you do, but i love the way it sounds when you say it.

[hamboneneurosis]

My great grandparents lived there. Government bought it. They were allowed to rent their property out until they passed away. I know how to get to their place still, it's just important to be careful. So many wells. Still not a damn park

[pedeyw]

Great video. The upside down cross isn't actually satanic anyway. It's the cross of St. Peter. I feel like most "satanic" rumours are down to either over active imaginations or teenagers trying to be edgy.

[Patti-Labellarte]

My Dad told us kids all about how the government came into his section of Tennessee and just took homes and property to make a bridge or something. They too, had no rights and had to move like it or not. His parents were share croppers help in high esteem for their honesty and hard work. They were not happy about it, but had no recourse at all. I forget what section number he was in someone here might know what I'm talking about. I believe it would have been in the early 40's. He's no longer here to clarify for me... But he said it was a horrible feeling even as a kid.

[taylor]

Describing a man's farm that has sustained him and his family, and likely multiple generations of his family, as a "hobby" to his face is unimaginably cruel. I have lived my entire life in cities but I wish more urbanites and bureaucrats understood how much of the very fabric of our society is dependent on farmers big and small. Food shortages are still a common fact of life in much of the world. Not so long ago the vast majority of Americans lived just like that man.

[derekelliott]

B&R in Kent/Brimfield. Grew up going to Kendall, Brandy Wine, etc. Later moved to Merriman and spent more time up and down the towpath. In Mentor now. Have the lake enjoy now.