Vintage 1947 Industrial Fire Door — Paranormal History

From Billy Ludwig’s personal collection…

Rare Industrial Fire Door from a Historic Funeral Home & Secret Freemason Room

This authentic 1947 Overly Manufacturing Co. fire door was salvaged from the basement of the historic Bloomfield Building (112 Erie St S, Massillon, OH)—a structure with deep industrial, fraternal, and paranormal history.

Originally installed as a fire-rated door, this piece has survived decades in a basement that once housed a funeral parlor (late 1800s–early 1900s). It later became tied to Freemason activity, Prohibition-era tunnels, and unexplained occurrences.

🔥 Historical & Paranormal Significance:

• Salvaged from a funeral parlor basement (late 1800s–early 1900s).
• Part of the Bloomfield Building, which housed Floyd’s Barbershop—reportedly haunted by Floyd himself.
• Secret Freemason Room discovered in the building, containing:
• An uncashed check made out to the Freemasons.
• A bottle of poison marked with a skull & crossbones.
• Tied to Massillon’s rumored underground city & bootlegging tunnels:
• A sealed-off underground passage was discovered in the basement, believed to connect beneath the street.
• Local accounts suggest Massillon had connections to Al Capone and illegal liquor running—these tunnels may have been used during Prohibition.
• A sidewalk collapse once revealed an old underground storefront, complete with mannequins still posed in the window.
• Several buildings in Massillon had hand railings that led straight into the ground, suggesting buried stairways and lost access points.
• Other oddities & folklore tied to the area:
• Multiple basements in nearby buildings are interconnected, hinting at a forgotten subterranean network.
• The Odd Fellows occupied the third floor of a building across the street, another fraternal organization known for secretive rituals.
• Paranormal activity, unexplained sounds, and eerie encounters have been reported in and around this location for decades.

Though no official paranormal testing has been conducted on this door itself, it comes from a building with a long history of unexplained occurrences, fraternal secrecy, and hidden tunnels.

⚒️ Industrial & Architectural Details:

• Manufacturer: Overly Manufacturing Co. (Greensburg, PA)
• Year: 1947
• UL Number: 696858 (Underwriters Laboratories Certified)
• Material: Likely galvanized steel with a fire-resistant core

Condition:

• Shows authentic industrial wear, including rust, patina, and signs of age.
• All hinges and hardware are intact.
• Heavy and solid—built to last.

This door is perfect for architectural salvage collectors, industrial designers, haunted object enthusiasts, and historical artifact collectors. Whether restored, displayed as a statement piece, or left untouched, it holds a unique story that cannot be replicated.

📏 Measurements & Weight:

• Size: 35 in. x 2.5 in. x approx 77.25 in.
• Estimated weight: Heavy! Requires multiple people to move.
• Buyer must arrange for pickup or freight shipping due to size & weight.

Terms:

• Located in Massillon, OH – Local pickup preferred.
• Freight shipping may be arranged for serious buyers.
• Final Sale – No Returns.

🔎 Research & Attribution:

*All information provided in this listing comes from…

• Personal research of Billy Ludwig & firsthand experience.
• Local folklore & historical accounts.
• The Massillon Paranormal Research Association (Brian Fain).

⚠️ Disclaimer

This fire door is a historic industrial artifact with reported paranormal and fraternal connections. No official claims are made regarding hauntings or supernatural activity. Buyer assumes all risks.

Own a One-of-a-Kind Piece of History. Serious inquiries only. 👻

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✅ Shipping Method: Freight – Buyer Arranges and Pays for Shipping

✅ Shipping Terms: Local Pickup Available – Shipping to Be Arranged Post-Sale

✅ Handling Time: 3–5 Business Days (to allow time for coordination)