Trivia: Think you're a Halloween expert? Put your local knowledge to the test

Jeff Suess, Cincinnati Enquirer
·6 min read
  • Oops!
    Something went wrong.
    Please try again later.

It's spooky season, and what better way to celebrate than by looking at frightening facts from out past?

To get into the Halloween spirit, we raided The Enquirer’s “morgue” – that’s newspaper jargon for the archives – to dig up the creepiest, spookiest trivia from the annals of Cincinnati history. You can test your knowledge of the macabre or be treated to some tingly tidbits of arcane history by taking our quiz below.

We promise it’s more treat than trick.

Spooky Cincinnati trivia

Spiritualist and medium Laura Pruden of Price Hill was noted for her slate writing, in which she claimed to communicate with the dead.
Spiritualist and medium Laura Pruden of Price Hill was noted for her slate writing, in which she claimed to communicate with the dead.

1. Laura Pruden, a famed medium living in Price Hill, was noted for her slate writing in which she claimed to communicate with the dead. In 1922 and 1923, Pruden performed seances with which famous author and believer in spiritualism?

2. Pruden’s son, Albert Carter, was inspired by her slate-writing to create the novelty Syco-Seer pocket fortune teller in 1944. It evolved into what popular toy?

3. In the early 20th century, Cincinnatians would gather each Halloween for a Mardi Gras-like party at what local site?

4. Dick Von Hoene portrayed what orange-haired horror movie host, known for his trademark “Bleah, bleah, BLEAHH!” on WXIX-TV’s “Scream-In”?

5. What noted writer was known for translating legends and ghost tales from Japan, including “The Boy Who Drew Cats”?

6. Evel Knievel, that death-defying daredevil in the white jumpsuit, performed his biggest stunt at Kings Island in October 1975, jumping his motorcycle over what objects?

Evel Knievel at the scene of his planned leap across the Snake River Canyon, near Twin Falls, Idaho in 1974. He performed his biggest stunt at Kings Island in October 1975.
Evel Knievel at the scene of his planned leap across the Snake River Canyon, near Twin Falls, Idaho in 1974. He performed his biggest stunt at Kings Island in October 1975.

Spooky season:What would a true Ohioan wear on Halloween? Here are 11 costume ideas no one asked for

7. On Oct. 31, 1864, actor James E. Murdoch was honored at Pike’s Opera House on Fourth Street, where he gave the first public reading of what acclaimed Civil War poem that was written just that morning?

8. Flush from the success of its "Star Wars" toys, Cincinnati-based Kenner Products signed on to create more movie tie-ins, but not all were successful. Kenner had to recall its 18-inch figure from what R-rated horror film after parents complained it was grotesque?

9. In one Halloween ritual during the Victorian age, maidens would peel an apple, whirl the peel three times and drop it on the floor, where it would take what form?

10. What Green Township road got its spooky name for the jagged cliff running up from Muddy Creek?

11. What Halloween candy was popularized by the Goelitz Confectionery Co. in Cincinnati in 1898?

12. What 1950s television star was intended to be buried in Spring Grove Cemetery, but there was no room for the planned mausoleum on his family’s plot?

13. Pearl Bryan's headless body was found on a farm near Fort Thomas, Kentucky, on Feb. 1, 1896. The gruesome murder was notorious and mysterious, even sung about in murder ballads. The killers had taken the head to keep the 22-year-old Indiana woman from being recognized, but officials identified her and caught the killers by tracing what important clue?

14. Filmmaker Steven Spielberg, who was born in Cincinnati, is best known as a director, helming such frightful films as “Jaws” (1976) and “Jurassic Park” (1993). He also wrote what classic horror film?

Director Steven Spielberg is on the phone while filming "Jaws" in 1974. Spielberg was born in Cincinnati.
Director Steven Spielberg is on the phone while filming "Jaws" in 1974. Spielberg was born in Cincinnati.

Halloween in Cincinnati:13 spooky movies with Cincinnati connections 😱🎬

15. You could say Harry Andrews came back from the dead. As recounted in “Haunted Cincinnati and Southwest Ohio” by Jeff Morris and Michael A. Morris, while stationed at Fort Dix, New Jersey, during World War I, Andrews was afflicted with cerebrospinal meningitis and declared dead. Hours later on the dissection table, he was revived with an adrenaline shot. He made a full recovery and the antibodies in his blood were used to help prevent the spread of the disease. Andrews later settled near Cincinnati, where over a period of nearly 30 years he built what local landmark?

16. Lafcadio Hearn began his journalism career writing lurid details of the gruesome Tanyard Murder for The Enquirer in November 1874. Hearn enlisted which two of his artist friends to illustrate the story?

Was the Dent Schoolhouse originally a real schoolhouse?
Was the Dent Schoolhouse originally a real schoolhouse?

17. True or false? The Dent Schoolhouse, the popular haunted house attraction in Green Township, was once an actual schoolhouse.

18. On Oct. 22, 1844, more than 2,000 Cincinnatians ascended to the summit of what is now Fairview Park to witness the return of Jesus Christ and the coming apocalypse as predicted by Baptist preacher William Miller. The world did not end that night, and The Enquirer called the estimated 500,000 Millerites “deluded fanatics of this most ridiculous religious humbug.” The national Millerite movement is known historically by what sad name?

19. The Serpent Mound is the most famous of the effigy mounds in Ohio. Archaeologists credit the earthwork to what ancient peoples?

20. What Cincinnati park was built atop 19th-century Presbyterian and Episcopal burial grounds?

21. What local politician’s body was stolen from his grave and then was found hung up in the Medical College of Ohio on Sixth Street in 1878?

22. Frances Trollope, who created the ill-fated Trollope’s Bazaar, also suggested the popular “Infernal Regions” exhibit at the Western Museum at Main and Columbia (later Second) streets in 1828 that depicted scenes of hell from Dante’s descriptions of Inferno in “The Divine Comedy.” Moving wax figures of phantoms, Lucifer and Minos, the judges of hell, were created by what local sculptor who later went on to international fame?

23. Music Hall has a reputation as one of the most haunted places in Cincinnati. Nameless remains buried in a potter’s field were unearthed at the site when the hall was under construction in 1876, as well as during the recent renovation in 2016. Many of the bones were from those killed in what famous disaster in 1838?

Silent movie actress Theda Bara graduated from Walnut Hills in 1903. She was cast as the lead in “A Fool There Was” (1915), portraying a seductress who would popularize the term “vamp.”
Silent movie actress Theda Bara graduated from Walnut Hills in 1903. She was cast as the lead in “A Fool There Was” (1915), portraying a seductress who would popularize the term “vamp.”

24. Theda Bara, the silent film star who introduced the screen “vamp” in such films as “A Fool There Was,” “The Devil’s Daughter” and “The Vixen,” was born in Avondale in 1885 under what name inspired by a historical figure?

25. What legendary amphibious creature that has reportedly been spotted in Greater Cincinnati since 1972 is also the subject of a musical?

Answers

1. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, creator of Sherlock Holmes.

2. Magic 8 Ball.

3. Fountain Square.

4. The Cool Ghoul.

5. Lafcadio Hearn.

6. Fourteen Greyhound buses.

Evel Knievel soars over 14 Greyhound buses in the longest jump of his career.
Evel Knievel soars over 14 Greyhound buses in the longest jump of his career.

7. “Sheridan’s Ride” by Thomas Buchanan Read. (Although several sources say the poem was written on Nov. 1, the event and the poem’s debut the previous night were reported in the Cincinnati Daily Commercial on Nov. 1.)

8. “Alien” (1979). The action figures are now highly collectible.

9. The initials of the man she would marry.

10. Devils Backbone Road.

11. Candy corn.

A box of Goelitz recipe candy corn in a bed of Brach's candy corn in 2018. Goelitz popularized the candy in 1898.
A box of Goelitz recipe candy corn in a bed of Brach's candy corn in 2018. Goelitz popularized the candy in 1898.

12. Superman actor George Reeves.

13. Her custom-made shoes.

14. “Poltergeist” (1982).

15. Chateau La Roche, better known as Loveland Castle.

16. Frank Duveneck and Henry Farny.

17. True. It was the Dent Public School from 1894 to 1949, but there were no reports of missing schoolchildren or a homicidal janitor.

18. The Great Disappointment.

19. We’re not sure. Archaeologists have found evidence pointing to either the Adena culture (800 B.C.-A.D. 100) or the Fort Ancient culture (1000-1650), but more study needs to be done.

20. Washington Park. Some remains were found during the 2010 renovation of the park.

Washington Park in Over-the-Rhine in June. The park was built atop 19th-century Presbyterian and Episcopal burial grounds.
Washington Park in Over-the-Rhine in June. The park was built atop 19th-century Presbyterian and Episcopal burial grounds.

21. John Scott Harrison, a member of the U.S. House of Representatives as well as the son of President William Henry Harrison and the father of President Benjamin Harrison.

22. Hiram Powers.

23. The explosion of the steamboat Moselle near Cincinnati’s riverfront.

24. Theodosia Burr Goodman, named for the daughter of Aaron Burr, the vice president who dueled with Alexander Hamilton.

25. The Loveland Frogman.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Think you're a Halloween expert? Here is some spooky Cincinnati trivia