OU ridges

The Ridges holds a special place in the hearts of Athenians, Ohio University, and every amateur and professional focused on the history of psychiatry in the US. A gorgeous campus of buildings overlooking the Hocking River, OU and the town, this Kirkbride campus is one of the few still standing in the entire country. People are protective of it. And it’s difficult when things change, especially when people may feel those changes are a threat to the integrity of The Ridges.

Looking for a fun way to kick off the pumpkin-spice-latte-and-ghosts-and-stuff season? The Hills Have Eyes is always a good choice for movie night. But if you’re looking to get out of the house and go somewhere that’s just naturally creepy, The Ridges is where it’s at. And this year on 23 September, you can find a very unique and supernaturally-inclined arts fair there – The Hill Has Eyes Paranormal Psychic Fair. 

For Ohio University and Athens at-large, The Ridges, a complex of buildings that sits on the ridgetop overlooking campus, is one of the most recognizable images in Southeast Ohio. Built in the late 1860’s and opened in 1874, The Ridges, while no longer a psych ward, is still a pretty… interesting place.