The Twisted History of Bihl Manor

On a quiet, tree-lined street in Fremont, Ohio, sits Bihl Manor — a once grand and majestic Victorian-era mansion whose rooms and spaces now sit vacant, silent and in various states of disrepair. One glimpse of the outside will tell you this is a house with a history — but not of the quaint, charming and friendly variety HGTV enthusiasts are familiar with. More than just stately and antiquated, Bihl Manor is the source of considerable mystery, speculation and fascination. It is reputed to be one of the most haunted houses in America.

In terms of appearance, it's what you might imagine from such a dwelling: large and imposing, age-worn, crumbling — an enduring monument to a former and now-fading opulence. Deteriorating Corinthian columns, a wraparound porch with a stone surround and a single high-peaked roof gable offer a chilling and formidable look (and provide foreshadowing of the secrets and mysteries lying within). This is a house whose past is rife with accounts and rumors of suffering, misfortune and demise, as well as more recent witness accounts relating to strange and unexplained occurrences on the grounds. In recent years, it's even become the site of numerous paranormal studies and investigations.

An HGTV Renovation

It's inside this tortured abode that six talented (and courageous) designers and renovation specialists will spend 31 days. The goal: turn all the angst into something fresh, renewed, beautiful and welcoming. That home renovation, along with any hurdles and obstacles (normal or paranormal) encountered along the way, is documented in HGTV's new six-episode series, A Very Haunted Renovation.

The series host is actress Anna Camp, who has appeared in the HBO series True Blood, the Oscar-nominated 2011 film The Help and Scream 7, the latest installment in the wildly popular horror franchise.

Anna is joined by design expert Michel Smith Boyd, known to HGTV viewers for his series Luxe for Less and two wins on Rock the Block. Michel acts as mentor to the contestant designers and evaluates each phase of the renovation. Also participating are a number of guest judges, each of whom possesses credentials of their own when it comes to horror, the supernatural and the unexplained. The guest judges for Season 1 include paranormal investigator Jack Osbourne, production designer Hannah Beachler, horror film director Eli Roth and horror actors Billy Porter, Cassandra Peterson and Lulu Wilson.

The six fearless designers braving the experience of living in the manor for the duration of the reno — and who are competing for a $50,000 cash prize — are SK Stokes Kennedy, Patrick Peel, John Ryan, Bershan Shaw, Logan Wright and Diana Vogel.

Bihl Manor: A Haunted History

Built in the 1890s by Toledo, Ohio, native Jerome Bihl, the house sits directly across from Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Library at Spiegel Grove in Fremont, Ohio — just a short distance from Fort Stephenson, which became the site of an important American victory during the War of 1812. Bihl was a prominent figure in the Fremont area and owned several businesses, including a jewelry store and a piano shop. In the 1920s, the Bihl family relocated to Minnesota and sold the manor to Clarence and Daisy Wolfe. According to the website, the Wolfe family allowed the home to be used periodically as a venue for funerals and memorial services. In 1942, Clarence died in the home, followed by his wife, Daisy, who also passed away in the home, in her bedroom, in 1966.

The manor was later purchased by the Lucas County Children’s Services, which converted it into a children’s group home. During that time, the house provided care for mentally challenged and seriously ill children. According to one historian, a tragic incident may have occurred there involving a boy who either died accidentally or by suicide. After the facility closed in the 1990s, the home was purchased by a couple who transformed it into a bed-and-breakfast that operated until 2009, when the property was sold again. The family who purchased it at that time lived in the home for about a year before eventually moving out for reasons that are still not known.

Strange and Curious Occurrences

Various spaces within the home have been the sites of unexplained phenomena over the years. Ghosts are said to roam three floors of cold, eerie spaces. In the manor's basement, two cryptic entities known as "Biter" and "Scratcher" have been encountered. Among investigators and visitors, thus far, four men and four women have reported the sensation of being bitten or scratched in this room.

The spaces on the ground-level main floor have been associated with disembodied voices, frequently described as sounding like a man and a group of children talking. In these areas, visitors have also heard footsteps and slamming doors. Nearby, a piano sits alone in a room and, according to investigators, can be heard playing of its own accord. And, in what was once Daisy's bedroom, visitors have reported seeing objects suddenly thrown from an abandoned rocking chair.

The second floor comes with its own distinctly strange and disconcerting atmosphere. Shadowy figures have been seen running down hallways. Voices along with heavy footsteps echo through the empty spaces. Visitors frequently describe feeling an intense, uneasy feeling. Neighbors and other people outside the house have reported seeing a man standing at one of the second-floor windows gazing out.

Finally, the attic is also the site of a number of unexplained happenings. Multiple people have reported catching fleeting glimpses of a red-haired boy there and have heard what sounds like children laughing and heavy, shuffling footsteps.

The home's current owners are committed to keeping the house and making improvements to repair damage and make upgrades, but they've had difficulty finding contractors or renovation professionals who are willing to work in the house, knowing its reputation. "Everybody knows it's haunted," says one local builder. "You always feel like you're not alone. You just feel like someone's there watching you."

But now six designers, with the help and supervision of some paranormally gifted individuals, are willing to take their chances and face the unexplained and the ineffable — and hopefully, in so doing, conjure up some positive vibes and happy spirits.

How to Watch A Very Haunted Renovation

A Very Haunted Renovation premieres on HGTV Tuesday, September 15 at 8|7c. Each new episode will be available to stream the day following its premiere on HBO Max beginning September 16.