History
Little Pennsylvania Cemetery, often called Woolyburger Cemetery, is one of the oldest cemeteries in central Ohio. It sits in a secluded wooded area near Big Darby Creek west of Darbydale in Franklin County.
The cemetery dates to the early 1800s, with one of the earliest known burials occurring in 1811. Most of those buried here were pioneer families who settled the area when much of central Ohio was still wilderness. Families including the Borlands, Nortons, Goodsons, Borchers, and others helped establish the surrounding farming community.
Despite its nickname, the cemetery has no direct connection to Pennsylvania itself. The name Little Pennsylvania likely came from early settlers who migrated from Pennsylvania and established a small community nearby.
The Name "Woolyburger"
No one knows exactly where the nickname originated, but several theories exist.
Theory 1 — The Woolly Booger
The most common explanation is that local folklore spoke of a large hairy creature—similar to Bigfoot—that roamed the woods around Big Darby Creek. Local residents reportedly called it the Woolly Booger, and over time the cemetery became known as Woolyburger Cemetery.
Theory 2 — Willie Boucher
Another story claims the nickname came from the grave of a child named Willie Boucher. As the name was passed down over generations, "Boucher" supposedly became "Butcher," then eventually "Wooly Booger." Historians generally consider this explanation unlikely because Willie died as a very young child.
The 1957 Homicide
One of the few documented tragedies connected to the area occurred in March 1957.
Teenagers discovered the body of a young woman near Big Darby Creek close to the cemetery. Authorities ruled the death a homicide after finding she had been strangled and wrapped before being left near the creek. This is a real criminal case and is separate from many of the ghost legends that developed later.
The 1979 Death
Another death reportedly occurred near the pond or creek area in 1979, further adding to the cemetery's eerie reputation in local folklore. While the event is often mentioned in paranormal discussions, the details are less well documented than the 1957 homicide.
Paranormal Legends
Many stories have become attached to the cemetery over the years. It's important to separate legend from documented history.
Common reports include:
A little girl in a white dress walking toward the woods.
Shadow figures moving between the gravestones.
Whistling heard with no visible source.
Footsteps following visitors.
Feeling watched.
Sudden cold spots.
Unexplained knocks from the surrounding woods.
Strange lights near the tree line.
Reports of ritual activity by unknown people visiting the cemetery after dark.
These are reported experiences and local legends rather than verified historical events.
The Woods
Behind the cemetery lies dense woodland leading toward Big Darby Creek.
These woods have generated their own folklore involving:
Bigfoot sightings.
Tree knocks.
Strange vocalizations.
Shadow figures.
Unexplained lights.
No scientific evidence has confirmed these claims, but they remain part of the area's local stories.
Today
Little Pennsylvania Cemetery remains an active historic cemetery cared for by volunteers and local organizations. Visitors come for its early pioneer history, peaceful setting, and the folklore that has grown around it.
Today it attracts:
Historians.
Genealogists.
Nature hikers.
Paranormal investigators.
Photographers.