02/17/2026
A Forgotten Chapter of Massillon’s Early History
(Then Known as Kendal)
When people hear stories about unexplained activity in certain Massillon neighborhoods, reactions vary. Some are curious. Others are skeptical. And some insist, “That never happened here.”
History tells a more complicated story.
Kendal Before Massillon:
At the time of the events discussed below, the area was still commonly known as Kendal. While Massillon would later become the incorporated city we know today, Kendal remained the name used in early land records, burial references, and historical accounts.
This is why later documents refer to a Kendal burial ground, even though the same physical location now lies within modern Massillon.
Same place. Different name. Different time.
The Ohio & Erie Canal Ran Directly Through the Community
The Ohio and Erie Canal was not nearby — it ran directly through what is now Massillon.
• The canal reached the area in 1828
• Massillon became an active canal port
• Warehouses, loading docks, workers’ camps, and boarding houses developed along its route
• The canal was the economic lifeline of the community during its early growth
This is critical context because cholera outbreaks in the 19th century followed canals and rivers. The disease spread through:
• Contaminated water
• Dense worker populations
• Constant movement of people and goods
Massillon’s position on the canal placed it squarely within the most vulnerable corridor for cholera transmission in Ohio.
Cholera Was Real — and It Reached Kendal
During the early 1800s, Ohio was repeatedly struck by cholera epidemics, particularly during the era of canal construction. These outbreaks followed transportation routes, bringing workers, travelers, contaminated water, and disease into developing communities.
This is not speculation. Cholera outbreaks during the canal era are well documented throughout Ohio.
What matters locally is that Kendal itself is directly referenced in a primary historical record.
A Primary Source Confirms Emergency Burials:
On May 25, 1906, The Evening Independent (Massillon) published an article titled “Site for New Engine House.” While the article focused on a legal dispute over city land use, it recorded a crucial historical fact in explaining why a certain parcel could not be reused.
The article states that the land had been used as a burial ground during a cholera epidemic, at the time canal construction was underway. It further explains that Charity Rotch granted permission for the land to be used only as a burying ground, and only for that specific purpose. Once that burial use ended, the city’s rights to the land ended as well.
By placing strict limits on how the land could be used, Charity Rotch made clear that it was intended only for those who died as a result of the cholera outbreak, not for routine community burials or permanent cemetery use.
This was not folklore or later interpretation — it was accepted fact in a legal and municipal context.
Why Emergency Burials Matter:
During 19th-century cholera outbreaks:
• Deaths occurred rapidly
• Families fled or were overwhelmed
• Traditional burial practices broke down
• Common graves or trench burials were often used
Across Ohio and the Midwest, these emergency burial sites were frequently:
• Poorly marked
• Partially relocated
• Forgotten over time
• Later built over as towns expanded
This pattern is historically normal for epidemic-era communities.
The Haunting Stories Didn’t Appear Out of Nowhere:
In the same general neighborhood historically associated with these early burials, residents over the years have reported unexplained experiences:
• Sounds with no clear source
• Feelings of unease
• Apparitions or shadow figures
• Stories repeated across generations
MPRA has not conducted investigations inside any private homes in this local area. However, the reports referenced here come from multiple independent and credible sources over time and demonstrate consistent themes. While these accounts do not constitute proof of the paranormal, they are considered credible reports and are acknowledged within the context of documented historical conditions.
This Is About History, Not Fear:
Talking about this past is not about sensationalism. It’s about recognizing that:
• A cholera epidemic did happen here
• People did die
• Emergency measures were taken
• And parts of that history were later paved over, both physically and culturally
Whether someone believes in hauntings or not, dismissing these stories outright ignores documented local history.
Why MPRA Talks About This:
At MPRA, our work starts with historical context. Before equipment, before investigation, before conclusions — we ask:
What happened here?
In this case, the answer includes disease, fear, loss, and emergency response during Kendal’s earliest years — in a canal town that sat directly on one of Ohio’s most important transportation routes.
History doesn’t vanish just because it’s uncomfortable — and sometimes, it leaves echoes.
A Note to the Community
If you live in this general area and have experienced unexplained or unusual activity, MPRA would welcome hearing your story.
You can contact us privately sharing your experience does not imply investigation or conclusions, but helps preserve the historical and cultural record of the community.
