Kid’s Day
$3Lights-on event for younger visitors.Brilliant, Ohio · Building erected 1836
Wells Township Haunted House
Guided live-action tours at 101 Market Street, approximately 40 minutes from downtown Pittsburgh.
10,000+square feet
30–40minute tour
10guests per group
01 / Experience
A guided, live-action attraction
Get ready to experience the MOST UNIQUE, MOST INTENSE, MOST INSANE, HIGH ENERGY, HIGH OCTANE, LIVE ACTION HAUNTED ATTRACTION YOU HAVE EVER SEEN!!!
Located just 40 minutes from downtown Pittsburgh, the Wells Township Haunted House is one of a handful of Haunted Attractions known throughout the country. You should not miss the opportunity to visit the desired destination of haunt enthusiasts from all over the United States, Canada and even overseas!
This Old School style haunted attraction has over 10,000 square feet of scares, fun and excitement. The outside atmosphere is one the most unique in the industry, featuring all your favorite characters and live bands on the outdoor stage.
It has frequently been called one of the BEST HAUNTED ATTRACTIONS IN THE UNITED STATES and the MOST ANTICIPATED HAUNTED ATTRACTION OF THE SEASON.
The over 170 year old building boasts a true haunted history making it the desired destination of multiple paranormal investigators. The Wells Township Haunted House is known all over the country for its live action, misdirection and group interaction.
THIS IS NOT A SELF GUIDED WALK THROUGH ATTRACTION. This GUIDED TOUR will take you through the depths of the historic building where you will see scenes and scares develop in some of the most unique setups you can imagine.
Come see why the WELLS TOWNSHIP HAUNTED HOUSE has been voted THE NUMBER ONE HAUNTED ATTRACTION IN OHIO, KENTUCKY AND INDIANA.
You are simply not ready for this!!!
02 / Visit
Posted dates & admission
Schedule note Use the 2026 poster and ticket page for current event dates and ticket availability.
2025 schedule Brilliant, Ohio
Opening weekend
Sep 18Friday · 6pm–11pm
Sep 19Saturday · 6pm–11pm
Regular schedule
Sep 25Friday · 6pm–11pm
Sep 26Saturday · 6pm–11pm
Oct 02Friday · 6pm–11pm
Oct 03Saturday · 6pm–11pm
Oct 09Friday · 6pm–11pm
Oct 10Saturday · 6pm–11pm
Oct 16Friday · 6pm–11pm
Oct 17Saturday · 6pm–11pm
Oct 23Friday · 6pm–11pm
Oct 24Saturday · 6pm–11pm
Oct 30Friday · 6pm–11pm
Oct 31Saturday · 6pm–11pm
Kid’s Day Sep 27 Sunday · 2pm–6pm
Lights Out Tour Nov 06–07 Friday & Saturday · 6pm–11pm
Lights Out
$18Waiver required. One glow stick per group. No tour guide.General onsite
$18Standard admission purchased at the attraction.Online
$24Separate VIP and internet-ticket reception line.VIP
$30Check in, receive a wristband and go to the front of the line.Online ticket process
Bring a mobile or printed ticket to the Internet Ticket Reception Window. Internet tickets use a line dedicated to VIP and internet-ticket holders. Pre-assigned group numbers are separate from general admission and are assigned first come, first served.
03 / Outdoor stage
2026 band lineup
Dematus
Owl Eyes
Someday Saturday
9 Sundays
Coldwater Gang
90 Proof
Altared States
Lyssa Quell
Status Update
04 / Building history
River, rail and the building in Brilliant
1836
The building was erected
Its size and close proximity to the Ohio River and railways made it a desired storage location for the bodies of soldiers killed during the Civil War. A train station was located directly next door.
1861–65
Civil War transport route
Bodies of soldiers were brought north on Ohio River barges and off-loaded into the building. Barges and trains later carried them to Pittsburgh, New York, Boston and elsewhere. It is understood that thousands of bodies were stored here during the war.
Later
Storefronts and temporary shelter
The building eventually became a general store serving barge and river workers, then a furniture store and a heating and cooling establishment. It also became a temporary home for people traveling along the Ohio River. Former employees recalled strange sounds and eerie feelings.
The account of W. H. Steen Read full account
One morning in the early 1880s, Mr. James L. Cox, returning home from work in Mingo, found a dead man on the railroad tracks just above town, behind the new building.
“I was the first person he saw and when he told me about it I wanted to see him also. When the 8 A.M. train came in I got a good look at the body. It was W. H. Steen, a burglar. He had all his burglar tools with him when he was killed.”
Steen had been drinking heavily the night before. Because it was winter, the body was kept in the freight depot for two days, suspended from the rafters with a rope under the shoulders and arms and another under the legs at the knees.
The corpse was placed in a box on Sunday for the trip to the cemetery. The coffin was described as at least ten feet long and four feet square—an old crate once used to ship fruit trees.
A worker was also killed while on the clock. His family remains in the area and, out of respect, his name and the circumstances have not been made public.
05 / Press & reviews
Published coverage
“A boo bash that starts as soon as the car door opens.”
Yahoo!
“Managed to take the freaky to a much higher level.”
Yahoo!
“A great event for those that love the eerie, scary and performance art of a haunt.”
Yahoo!
“An elaborate haunted house.”
USA Today
“Unlike many other haunted houses.”
USA Today
Read independent reviews ↗ 06 / Visitor information
Frequently asked questions
Visitor policies, timing, accessibility and participation details.
How can my business become a sponsor?
The attraction requests $100, while accepting any amount, from local and national businesses. Sponsor benefits include:
- Name recognition on the billboard via an 8×10 fluorescent laminated sheet. Tourists may wait up to two hours in front of the building on event nights, and a company logo can be substituted.
- Name recognition in the official website sponsor section, with a link to the sponsor’s website.
- A “Proud Sponsor” certificate mailed for display.
- Name recognition on the official Facebook page.
- Name recognition in an end-of-season letter to the editor in local newspapers.
Do police officers really work in the haunted house?
Yes. Several area police officers volunteer inside the attraction, work in character in various rooms and provide interior and exterior security. This helps officers build positive relationships with youth volunteers, and few haunted houses can say their actors have powers of arrest.
How can I volunteer?
Volunteers must be at least 14 and available on Fridays and Saturdays. Talent level is not a problem; a few younger actors joined before the age rule took effect. Adults must be a positive influence on the youth volunteers. Teenagers must work effectively with others, keep their grades up and stay out of trouble. The attraction reports more than 100 volunteers and continues to accept new people. All volunteers agree to a confidentiality policy and speak with the director as part of the interview process.
Go to volunteer informationHow long does a tour take?
Each tour takes approximately 30–40 minutes.
How long will I wait before my tour?
Wait time depends on arrival time and the number of guests. Earlier arrivals enter sooner. Waits can reach three hours or more for guests arriving late.
Why can the wait be so long?
Fire codes limit the number of people inside, including staff—usually more than 100. The attraction reports crowds exceeding 1,000 people on some nights. Groups of 10 enter approximately every two to three minutes, which can create a three- to four-hour wait when many guests arrive together.
Are young children allowed?
The haunt is not recommended for anyone under 12. Younger guests may tour at their own risk. The attraction is very scary and intended for mature audiences, but there is no adult-themed content.
Is there an option for younger children?
Yes. A lights-on tour is designed for elementary-age and younger children. The lights remain on, scary music is not played and performers are out of character. Guides take visitors through each room, where actors explain what happens during regular tours.
Is the building handicap accessible?
No. The attraction states that the early-1800s building is not currently accessible to guests using wheelchairs.
How can my band play on the outdoor stage?
Bands play without a performance fee in exchange for onsite and online promotion and the opportunity to play before an audience that can reach approximately 1,000 people. Interested bands should contact the attraction.
07 / Community
Volunteer, paranormal tours & sponsors
Volunteer opportunities, paranormal tour requests and sponsor acknowledgments.
Volunteer
Volunteers must be at least 14, available Friday and Saturday, able to work well with others and willing to follow the attraction’s confidentiality policy.
Use the contact form below to reach the volunteer team.
Paranormal tours
Contact the team by Facebook or email for information regarding paranormal tours of the building.
Request informationVolunteer contact
Contact the volunteer team
2026 acknowledgments
Season sponsors
- NetherBeast Studios
- Station Grill, 1201 Commerce Street, Wellsburg, WV
- Joyce CPA’s, Inc.
- If your pizza is perfection, it’s from DiCarlos in Wellsburg
- Bug Busters Pest Control Service
- Steel Valley Tank
- Upper Ohio Valley Building and Construction Trades Council
- Marcino Enterprises
- Hillsboro Grill and Tavern
- Tri-State Financial Services
- Rocco Boniey Insurance Services
- JK Auto Glass, LLC, Mingo Jct.
- Wheeler Funeral Homes, Inc., Brilliant and Mingo Junction
- Drover’s Inn Restaurant and Tavern
- Hauser Furniture Co., 3905 Sunset Blvd., Steubenville
- Schuetz Funeral Home, Mingo Jct., Wheeling, Weirton — Because We Care
- Wintersville Trophy Shop
- Wal*Mart
- Mark’s Carryout, Commerce Street, Wellsburg, WV
- Village Sleep Center · 740-264-5151 · sleepseriously.com
- Steubenville Electrical LMCC
- Fraley and Schilling
- Brilliant American Legion Post 573
- First Choice America Community Federal Credit Union
08 / Directions & contact
101 Market Street · Brilliant, Ohio 43913
Approximately 40 minutes from downtown Pittsburgh.
From U.S. Route 22
- Take Ohio State Route 7 South
- Travel approximately 10 minutes
- Exit Brilliant and follow signs
From Interstate 70
- Take Ohio State Route 7 North
- Travel approximately 20 minutes
- Exit Brilliant and follow signs