Columbus, Ohio - Pit of Hell

Also known as the Gates to Hell and the Blood Bowl. The Pit is a large drainage culvert located behind the Tim Horton's near the corner of North High St. and Arcadia Ave in Clintonville Park.

Located on the end of a ravine, the Pit is a large concrete basin made of angled sides. At the mouth of the basin is large grid made of steel I-beams. At the bottom of the pit is the opening to a drainage tunnel, which is surrounded by a large, triangular shaped structure also made of I-beams. As the spaces between the beams are quite large, the function of the structure is hard to determine. It is this foreboding mass of steel; rusted, vandalized, covered with dead leaves and litter that has earned the Pit's association with the infernal. Unsurprisingly, the pit and the tunnel is covered with graffiti.

Urban legend has it that it earned the name "Blood Bowl" in the 80's when a local skateboarder of some renown met his end here after a failed trick caused his head to impact the hard concrete.

Naturally, the Pit is a landmark for urban explorers and kids up to no good. There is a chamber of sorts in the center of the tunnel, which can be pitch black during the day. Some of the more impressive works of graffiti can be found here.

It should be noted that the sides of the ravine to the pit are fairly steep, and should be approached with caution. One can also take the long way and walk down the gravel drive and walk around the mouth of the pit. [Paul Kownacki, 03/12/2009]

[RA: This is more of an unattended, at-your-own-risk place -- not a roadside attraction.]