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CALCUTTA - Beaver Creek State Park was filled with more than the usual patrons Wednesday as the curious onlookers tried to catch any unusual sights and sounds on the anniversary of Gretchen Gill's death.

Naturalist Supervisor Todd Metz and a park ranger kept an eye on guests as they kept an extra close eye around the Hambleton Mill and Gretchen's Lock area to catch any truths of the ghost legends. Some ghost seekers also picked up the "Legends of Gretchen's Lock" documentary released by the local "The Midnight Highway" ghost hunting crew that settled in at the group camp nearest to the lock.

"It's a special event in itself, just with that date," Metz said. But, the park supervisor added, the DVD release party "adds to the whole atmosphere."

Metz visited the park in the early afternoon and returned around dusk to mingle with the park guests. He said some 500 people usually stop by the park on the Aug. 12 anniversary and noted that a steady stream of people have visited Wednesday.

Metz also added he was pleased with the turnout since it gets people in the park. He also expressed thanks to the movie release event as the ghost hunting crew is donating a portion of the proceeds to the Friend's of the Park organization. That group helps with the upkeep at the Pioneer Village and the rest of the park grounds.

Along with "The Midnight Highway" group, the Ohio Paranormal Investigation Team also rented a nearby campsite between Hambleton Mill and Gretchen's Lock, Metz said. Another group from Warren also scheduled a permitted visit to the park.

Other visitors began to park alongside Sprucevale Road, the park pathways and the Lock parking lot to scour the area hoping to catch a glimpse of anything out of the ordinary.

According to legend, a young Ireland immigrant named Gretchen fell ill with malaria and passed away in the old village of Sprucevale in 1837. Her mother passed away on the voyage over to Ohio.

Gretchen's father buried his daughter in the walls of the canal lock and some 15 years later he brought her remains on the trip back to the homeland. The ship carrying Gretchen and her father sank.

Another park legend has a woman named Esther Hale dying shortly after her soon-to-be husband failed to show up on their wedding day. She was later found dead still wearing the wedding dress. Some tales have her wedding date on Aug. 12, 1938.

Heidi Roush, who played Hale in the documentary, was on hand at the park with her family. She greeted visitors at the lock group camps, but also took a tour of the Mill at night

Meeting up with her was Alexis LaNeve, the actress that played Gretchen.

"I'm terrified," LaNeve announced before entering just a couple feet into the old mill.

Around the Mill and Lock, flashes lit up the night sky as photographers were snapping pictures of the haunted structures. Even though it was officially after park hours, which normally closes the park at dusk, Metz and the ranger still allowed visitors to stay on ground for the haunted walk at 10:30 p.m.

After that, only the patrons in the group camps or ones that had permits were allowed inside, the naturalist said, noting it was a safety measure to account for all park guests.

According to Metz, the campers were probably staying in one of the most haunted state parks in Ohio, a moniker he was pleased to have for Beaver Creek.

"It's something we can capitalize on," the park supervisor said. "It gets people to see the park."