Did you know that the oldest juvenile detention center in the entire United States is located in Ohio? No, it’s no longer in operation – it’s stood abandoned for over a decade now – but its halls still echo with the stories of young adults housed here thanks to a variety of offenses. It opened in 1931 in downtown Cleveland, and today, it’s an eerie reminder of the darkness of our justice system. The Cuyahoga Juvenile Detention Center is equal parts intriguing and eerie, and its story is worth telling. When it comes to abandoned places in Ohio, this one might just take the cake for the creepiest.

Highlighting the beautifully eerie work of Cleveland-based photographer Johnny Joo, discover more fascinating abandoned locations across America in our Vacant Series. These unique man-made structures have been left abandoned and are slowly being reclaimed by nature.

Editor’s Note: Due to the nature of abandoned destinations, many of the places featured in this series are off-limits to visitors or have actually been demolished. We do not condone trespassing and other illegal activity but rather encourage readers to enjoy learning about these fascinating destinations. 

Do you know anyone who spent time at this facility? Do you know of any other eerie but interesting abandoned places in Ohio? Let us know in the comments!

Special thanks to Cleveland-based photographer Johnny Joo of Odd World Studio for the photos used in this article. For more images, check out his website, Architectural Afterlife. Discover even more spooky places in Vacant: Inside 13 Eerie and Fascinating Abandoned Locations Across America

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