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Historic Ohio State Reformatory

100 Reformatory Rd.
Mansfield, OH 44905
419-522-2644
http://www.mrps.org/

Begin your Hollywood Tour at the Historic Ohio State Reformatory. One of the top five largest castle-like structures in the USA, the Reformatory houses the world's tallest free-standing steel cell block (6 tiers; 12 ranges, 600 cells). Four major motion pictures have been filed there- Tango and Cash, Harry and Walter Go To New York, The Shawshank Redemption and Air Force One.

Considered a grand architectural achievement, the massive Reformatory building, large granite pillars and elegant construction encompass 250,000+ square feet and combine three architectural styles: Victorian Gothic, Richardsonian Romanesque, and Queen Anne.

Interesting Fact Shawshank Fact:
The Historic Ohio State Reformatory was used as a fictional penitentiary in New England in the movie, Shawshank Prison. To see and hear more on the Shawshank Redemption, make sure you take the Hollywood Tour- the cell, the warden's office and even the carving on the ceiling that reads, "Brooks was here. So was Red" are on display. The hole that Andy dug through his cell wall to escape is also on display. Even more amazing is the tunnel that the main character Andy Dufresne (Tim Robbins), dug and crawled through. It is about 2 feet in diameter. Chocolate syrup, saw dust and water were in the tunnel to mimic an actual sewer pipe.

Hours/Cost

See what's along the Trail by the Reformatory:

"Brooks was here. So was Red"

The Bissman Building
(Brewer Hotel & Portland Daily Bugle)
193 N. Main St.
Mansfield, OH 44902

The structure was built in 1886 where Peter Bissman's expanded wholesale grocery still stands today, but not in operation. In the early 1930s the twenty smokestacks on the north and south sides of the Bissman's filled the early morning air with the rich aroma of coffee, as its own brands Red Ban Java Blend, Steel Cut and Acme were prepared fresh each day. Downtown residents would wake to the scent of roasting coffee beans and return home at workday's end to the fragrance of roasting peanuts.

The building has an early Romantic Gothic styling and shares a haunting similarity with the Historic Ohio State Reformatory since they were both built in the same year by the same architect.

In 2007 the building was leased to a major film production company, The Midnight Syndicate, for the production of The Dead Matter, a vampire movie to be released in October of 2008.

The Bissman building, nicknamed as Dead Souls Studio, has a long history of haunted activities and has hosted ghost hunters from all directions including a recent visit from English ghost hunter Ellis Byrd of Gussethunters Paranormal.

Shawshank Fact:
The Bissman Building was the site of the Brewer Hotel where Brooks, actor James Whitmore, went to stay and hung himself soon after being paroled from the Shawshank Prison. The building was also utilized in the film as the front office of the building for the set of the Portland Daily Bugle. While in front of the Bissman Building, look ahead (south) to find the City Mills Building on the corner of Fifth and Main Streets and imagine Brooks with suitcase in hand, trying desperately to cross 5th St. on his way to the Brewer Hotel.
Directions:
Leaving the Reformatory, turn right onto Rt. 545. Turn right onto Longview Ave. (just after the Rt. 30 exits). At the light, turn left onto Main St. (Rt. 13 south). Cross over Sixth St. Get in the right hand lane. The Bissman Building will be on the right. Distance from the Historic Ohio State Reformatory 2.0 miles. Drive by only. This building is on private property and is not available for tours. Visitors can take photos of the outside of the building.

See What's Along the Trail to the Bissman Building:

"Enjoy Life on the Outside"

Downtown Mansfield in the Historic Carrousel District
419-522-4200
http://www.carrouseldistrict.com/

Experience the simple pleasures of Downtown Mansfield. Over 60 unique specialty shops and eateries located in an around the historic Carrousel District. The District will feed you, entertain you, and bring culture and joy to your life! Enjoy German tea and bundt cakes at the Twisted Fig Tea Room and the Eatmor Bundt Company; browse for antiques at Carrousel Antiques. Fridays shop our seasonal Farmer's market and meet the local farmers. Enjoy the talent of local artists at Art Works on Main, grab a lottery ticket or cigar at Mansfield's oldest newsstand City News, bring a traditional gift home from Colton & Company or grab a coffee and pastry at Temple Court Coffee and Dessert. Take in the beautifully restored Victorian-age buildings with tin ceilings, solid oak floors, brass lighting, ornate iron fencing, secluded courtyards and the feel of yesteryear. Restaurants include: Coney Island Diner, Athens Greek Restaurant, Eatmor Bundt Company and the Twisted Fig Tea Room and Ed Pickens' Cafe on Main.

Shawshank Fact:
As you enter the Historic Carrousel District, a little more than halfway up Main St. on the left side of the street, look for Carousel Antiques. One of their windows was the window that Red looked through at the compass that would help him find the Oak Tree.

Hours:

See what's along the Trail in the Historic Carrousel District:

Directions Directions:
From the Bissman Building, continue south on Main St. Distance from the Bissman Building .20 miles.

"Some birds aren't meant to be caged"

Mansfield Warehousing and Distribution
240 East Fourth St.
Mansfield, OH 44902

Shawshank Fact:
The interior prison cell shots were built on a stage inside Mansfield Warehousing as it was more cost-effective to do so than to renovate the interior of the Reformatory. The bars on the cells were actually constructed out of wooden dowels. Although the cells are no longer standing, you can still see the building.
Directions Directions:
From the Carrousel District, continue on Main St. (SR 13 S). Turn left onto Fourth St. Cross over Diamond St. and continue on Fourth St. Crossover railroad tracks and under the building walkway. The Warehouses will be on the left. Distance from the Carrousel District: .50 miles. Drive by only. This building in on private property and is not available for tours. Visitors can take photos of the outside of the building.

"Brooks feeding the pigeons in the park."

Central Park in Downtown Mansfield
419-755-9820 (Parks Department Office)
http://www.ci.mansfield.oh.us/parks.htm

The park offers visitors two acres in downtown Mansfield, a gazebo, gardens, picnic area, playground equipment, the Historic Vasbinder Fountain, the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial and monuments. Nearby attractions, shops and eateries surround the Central Park District.

Shawshank Fact:
Brooks sits down on the bench in Central Park to feed the birds, hoping his friend Jake (his pet crow) will show up to say hello, but he never does.

Hours:
Sunrise to 11:00 p.m.

See what's along the Trail in the Central Park District:

Directions Directions:
Travel west onto Fourth St. Turn left onto Main St. (SR 13S). Get in left lane. Turn left onto Park Ave. East. Turn left onto Diamond St. Make an immediate left onto North Park St. Gazebo is on the left. Distance from Warehouse Building .80 miles.

"The Mansfield Red Carpet"

Renaissance Theatre
(Site where Shawshank Redemption movie premiered)
138 Park Ave. West
Mansfield, OH 44902
419-522-2726
http://www.mansfieldtickets.com/

An historic 1928 movie palace in the grand baroque style, The Renaissance Theatre is now the premiere venue for live entertainment in north central Ohio. Home of the Mansfield Symphony Orchestra and the annual Miss Ohio Scholarship Program, RPA (the non-profit entity which oversees operations) also presents a full slate of National Broadway Tours, rock and country concerts, variety shows, and movies. The Mansfield Symphony presents seven concerts a year in the Theatre.

Shawshank Fact:
Sit in the very same seats where the premier of Shawshank Redemption was shown on Tuesday, September 13, 1994.

Hours/Cost:

See what's along the Trail by the Renaissance Theatre:

Directions Directions:
From North Park St., turn left onto Main St. Get immediately in right lane. Turn right onto Park Ave. West. The Renaissance Theatre is on the right, just after the Holiday Inn. Parking is behind the Renaissance. Take drive between hotel and theatre. Distance from Central Park .30 miles.

"The Hollywood Connection"

Malabar Farm State Park
4050 Bromfield Rd.
Lucas, OH 44843
419-892-2784
http://www.malabarfarm.org/

Experience America's most famous farm, the 900 acre country estate of Pulitzer Prize winning author, farmer and conservationist Louis Bromfield. Our new Visitor Center if full of interactive displays, and home of Malabar/Lehman's Gift/Book Shop featuring unique Ohio-made items, Bromfield's books, farm fresh products, and our own homemade fudge. Walk through the Ohio Songbird Aviary, petting barn, stroll through our butterfly, prairie & flower gardens, ride a farm wagon and tour the home where Hollywood stars Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall were married.

Shawshank Fact:
James Whitmore (Brooks) and Clancy Brown (Captain Hadley) were both taken on a personal tour of the Big House at Malabar Farm by local tour guides. You can tour the 32 room home of Louis Bromfield, Pulitzer Prize winning author. A five-minute promo video of Shawshank Redemption can also be shown at Malabar Farm State Park upon request. On Malabar Farm is the best location to view the Oak Tree. Pugh Cabin is located within the Park.

Hours/Cost:

See what's along the Trail by Malabar Farm State Park:

Directions Directions:
From the Renaissance Theatre, turn left onto Park Ave. West. Turn right onto Main St. (SR 13S). Crossover Park Ave. West and continue on Main St. (SR 13S). Get in the left lane and stay straight as the road forks to the right. Follow Rt. 13 S. to Hanley Rd. (4 miles). Turn left onto Hanley Rd. Turn right onto Washington Rd. at the four-way stop sign. As the road forks, keep to your left on Pleasant Valley Rd. Turn right onto Bromfield Rd. Parking is located to the right near the Visitors Center. Distance from Renaissance Theatre 12.80 miles.

"A .38 Caliber Divorce"

Pugh Cabin/ Malabar Farm State Park
(Opening scene)
4050 Bromfield Rd.
Lucas, OH 44843
419-892-2784
www.malabarfarm.org

Take a leisurely walk through the Doris Duke Woods located on the grounds of Malabar Farm State Park. The 1 mile loop trail heads back to Pugh Cabin built in 1940 by Louis Bromfield's friend and neighbor Jim Pugh. The trail is named after Doris Duke, the tobacco heiress who, after Bromfield's death in 1956 purchased the timber rights for this woodlot. This authentic log home features two enormous fireplaces fashioned from native sandstone, as well as two ornate chandeliers which once graced a bank in Mansfield.

Shawshank Fact:
In the opening scenes of The Shawshank Redemption, Andy Dufresne is sitting in his car, drinking and handling a revolver the night that he caught his wife cheating on him. He is convicted of two life sentences for the murder of his wife and her lover.

Hours/Cost for Rental of Pugh Cabin:

Directions Directions:
Leave Visitors Center, turn right onto Bromfield Rd., pass Malabar Farm Hostelling International on the right. Pass pond on left. Turn left at next road. Pugh Cabin is on the right at the top of the hill. Check with Malabar Farm staff before driving up to Pugh Cabin.

"Right Out of a Robert Frost Poem"

Oak Tree

Oak Tree (Site of stone wall)

Shawshank Fact:
The road that Red traveled when he was looking for Andy's treasure was supposed to be in New England in the movie. It was actually on Pleasant Valley Rd. in Lucas, Ohio near Malabar Farm State Park. As you drive east along Pleasant Valley Rd. just past the entrance to Malabar Farm State Park, look to your left (north side of Pleasant Valley Rd.) to see the famous oak tree where Red walked along a hay field and removed stones from a rock wall where Andy kept his money.

Advisory:
As the oak tree is on private property and is currently being used as farmland, please respect the owner's property and land by not trespassing. Please do not stop on the road to view the tree. The tree is best viewed on Malabar Farm's property. Check with Malabar Farm staff at the Visitors Center for more information.

See what's along the Trail near the Oak Tree:

Directions Directions:
Turn right out of entrance of Malabar Farm onto Pleasant Valley Rd. The tree is located on the left (north side). Distance from Malabar Farm 200 yards.

"Severance Pay for Nineteen Years"

Huntington National Bank

Huntington National Bank
(Casco Bank of Portland)
19 W. Main St.
Ashland, OH 44805
419-281-5918
http://www.visitashlandohio.com/

The private bank was started by the Freer Brothers in 1874. In 1917 the bank became known as The Farmers Bank. The vault's 13-ton door was delivered from Akron by a team of eight horses. To unload the door from the wagon, 100 pounds of bananas were used to grease the planks. The door hinges alone weighed three tons. In 1970 the Farmers Bank became known as the Huntington National Bank.

Shawshank Fact:
"Casco Bank of Portland", which is actually Huntington National Bank in Ashland, Ohio, is where Andy visits near the end of the movie. Wearing a pin-stripped suit and well-shined shoes, he walks into the bank and says he's Peter Stevens, a name up until now had only existed on paper. He had come to close his accounts. The manager is checking his IDs as the teller prepares his check.

He visits a dozen banks throughout the day leaving with Warden Norton's money in the sum of $370,000. Before Andy leaves, he hands the teller a letter for their outgoing mail. The letter was addressed to the Portland Daily Bugle where Andy had mailed the black ledger and files of Warden Norton, which would make breaking news the next day. The vault door, teller line and one of the offices upstairs were a part of this film.

Important Disclaimer!
Please ask permission of a Huntington National Bank representative before taking photos.

Hours:
Monday-Friday, 9-5; Sat. 9-12

See What's Along the Trail to Huntington National Bank:

Directions Directions:
Continue heading east on Pleasant Valley Rd. just past Malabar Farm Restaurant on the left. Turn left onto Rt. 603 north. Follow Rt. 603 north through Mifflin and continue. Turn right onto Rt. 42 north towards Ashland, get in the left lane. Make a slight left onto Claremont Ave. Follow into downtown Ashland. Make a sharp right onto Rt. 250 east (Main St.). Go 2 blocks, Huntington National Bank will be on the right, and turn left onto Orange St. to park. Distance from the Oak Tree 18.80 miles.

"McNary, Texas?"

Revivals Two Thrift Store
(Trailways Bus Station)
345 Orange St.
Ashland, OH 44805
419-207-3900
http://www.pumphouseministries.com/

Revivals Two Thrift Store offers new & gently used merchandise from household items to children’s toys, glassware, games, movies, collectibles & antiques, holiday items, furniture, bed, bath, & kitchen stuff, adults, teens, children's & infant's clothing & shoes, accessories, & much more!

Shawshank Fact:
Red (Morgan Freeman) is seen in the movie standing in a long line of people waiting to purchase a ticket for a bus ride at the Trailways Bus Station. As he steps up to the counter, he asks for a ticket to McNary, Texas.

Hours:

Directions Directions:
Leaving the parking lot on Orange St., travel 2 blocks north. Revivals Two Thrift Store will be on the right. Parking lot is just after Revivals. Distance from Huntington National Bank .20 miles.

"Guilty, Guilty, Guilty, Guilty . . ."

Wyandot County Courthouse
109 S. Sandusky Ave.
Upper Sandusky, OH 43351
419-835-5163 (Bill Mullen)
419-294-3836 (Commissioners)
http://www.co.wyandot.oh.us/
Shawshank Fact:
The Wyandot County Courthouse is the location where Andy Dufresne (Tim Robbins) was convicted and sentenced for the murder of his wife and her lover.

Hours:
Open 9:00-5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Please ask permission of an employee before taking photos or walking through the Wyandot County Courthouse.

See What's Along the Trail between Mansfield and Wyandot County Courthouse:

Directions Directions:
Leaving Revivals Two Thrift Store, go south on Orange St. Turn right onto West Third St. Left onto Rt. 250/Cottage St, get in center lane. Stay straight onto Claremont Ave. Claremont Ave. becomes Rt. 42 south. Follow Rt. 42 south to Rt. 30. Take Rt. 30 west and travel towards Upper Sandusky. Exit Wyandot Ave. East and turn left, heading west. Left onto S. Sandusky Ave. Courthouse is on the corner of Wyandot and Sandusky Streets on the left. Parking on either side of the street. Use Sandusky St. entrance. Court room is on the second floor. Distance from Revivals Two Thrift Store 57.30 miles.

"Mozart All Over the Prison"  

Step han Lumber Company 
228 S. Eighth St.
Upper Sandusky, OH 43351 
419-835-5163 (Bill Mullen)
http://www.co.wyandot.oh.us/

Shawshank Fact:
Whenever the prison actors were working in the prison workshops, The Stephan Lumber Company was the site for these shots.

The primary scene is when Red (Morgan Freeman) and the rest of the prisoners stop their work to listen to the opera music when Andy (Tim Robbins) locks himself in the warden's office and plays Mozart's "The Marriage of Figaro" over the public address system.

Open by appointment with advanced notice, 419-835-5163. Drive by to see where a piece of Hollywood took place.

Directions Directions:
Leaving Wyandot County Courthouse, head south on Sandusky Ave. Get in right lane. Turn right onto Johnson St. heading west. Continue two blocks. Turn left onto South 8th St. continue one block and the Lumber Company is on the right (west) side by the railroad tracks in a brick building. Distance from Wyandot County Courthouse .30 miles.