Experience a Piece of Hollywood along the Shawshank Trail in Mansfield, Ohio

Fans of The Shawshank Redemption will love visiting the filming sites throughout Mansfield and Richland County along The Shawshank Trail.

Mansfield, Ohio has many attractions worth visiting, but perhaps the most well-known is the Ohio State Reformatory. What many may not realize is that the prison is only one of many locations where the popular movie, the Shawshank Redemption was filmed.

The Shawshank Trail leads you from the Shawshank Prison to downtown Mansfield where you’ll see beautiful architecture and pass by our prized carrousel before moving on to the outskirts of Richland County and beyond.

Take a day or a weekend to explore this little piece of Hollywood right here in North Central Ohio.

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Where was the Shawshank Redemption Filmed?

Are you a fan of the blockbuster movie Shawshank Redemption? If you answered no, bookmark this page, go watch the movie and then come back with a different answer!

I’ll even make it easy on you, you can rent or buy (affiliate link) the Shawshank Redemption movie at Amazon for less than a trip to McDonald’s.

For the rest of you, did you know that many locations around Richland County Ohio stood in as Portland, Maine in the movie? And that there is now a tour called the Shawshank Trail where you can follow in the footsteps of Andy Dufresne and his prison pal, Red?

You can say the movie is kind of a big deal here in Mansfield, Ohio. Not only was the movie integral in saving the Ohio State Reformatory, literally saving the Mansfield prison from the wrecking ball, but the Shawshank Trail has also boosted tourism drawing visitors from around the world to see our hometown treasure, the Shawshank Prison.

My own husband and several friends even had parts as extras in the movie, yet one more reason to endear the movie to me. But even if I didn’t know anyone with a bit part, it’s a pretty darn good movie and certainly ranks as one of my top five favorites of all time. But then, I am partial to Morgan Freeman. 

Fun Fact: The movie is based on the book by Stephen King called Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption which was the name originally planned for the movie until it was shortened.

What is the Shawshank Trail?

The Shawshank Trail is a driving tour that visits many of the 15 filming locations from the 1993 movie, The Shawshank Redemption. While most of the scenes are located in North Central Ohio, if you want to officially finish the trail, you’ll need to book a trip to St Croix in the US Virgin Islands, which serves as Zihuatanejo in the final scene of the film.

The creative folks at Destination Mansfield thought up the trail as a way to promote tourism in the region. They’ve got a great brochure to guide you as you follow the Shawshank Trail, and don’t forget to let them know you’re a fan, by using the hashtag #ShawshankTrail in your social media posts!

You can even place an order for a free self-guided driving tour Shawshank Trail Brochure directly from their website.

The Ohio State Reformatory

The bulk of the movie takes place at the Shawshank State Prison, which is actually the Mansfield prison, as some locals call it, or the historic Ohio State Reformatory- a hometown treasure. 

The Reformatory housed up to 2,000 prisoners at a time until it was closed in 1990. It wasn’t long after that when location scouts for the Shawshank Redemption chose this as the site for the Shawshank State Prison.

Just a few years later, the Reformatory showed up in the Harrison Ford movie “Air Force One” in 1997. Because of these two popular movies, the Ohio State Reformatory, now operated by the Mansfield Reformatory Preservation Society, offers a “Hollywood Tour” in addition to several other tours of the Reformatory.

There have since been other movies filmed at the prison as well. My husband and I went on our first date in high school to see Tango and Cash, filmed at the prison. I’m not sure I’d recommend it as a must-see movie though. Just stick with The Shawshank Redemption.

There are several self-guided and guided tours of the prison available including the East Cell Block Tour.

You can take a peek inside the prison here ———> A Glimpse inside the Creepy Interior of the Ohio State Reformatory

The Ohio State Reformatory
Address: 100 Reformatory Rd, Mansfield, OH 44905
Phone: 419-522-2644
Website: https://www.mrps.org/
Visit the website for current hours and events.

The Bissman Building

The Bissman Building is a historic building in downtown Mansfield, built by the same architectural firm that built the Ohio State Reformatory. It’s only natural, then, that it was also featured in the Shawshank Redemption. The Bissman building originally served as the distribution center for the Bissman Company, a grocery chain.

The distribution business came to an end in 2000 and was sold by the Bissman family, who starred as extras during the filming of Shawshank Redemption. The first floor portrayed the offices of the “Portland Daily Bugle.”

The exterior of the Bissman Building was used as the Brewer Hotel, where fellow inmate Brooks goes upon his release from Shawshank. The building is also allegedly one of the most haunted buildings in Mansfield. It is no longer open the public, but the outside remains a popular spot for senior and family photos. 

The Haunted Bissman Building 
Address: 193 N Main St, Mansfield, OH 44902
Website: http://www.hauntedbissmanbuilding.com/

Carrousel Antiques

When Red (Morgan Freeman) is paroled in the movie, he struggles with living outside the prison, and one scene finds him daydreaming in a pawn shop window. He eyes the handguns, which could help him break his parole and go back to Shawshank, then his eyes fall upon a compass which eventually leads him to the buried treasure that Andy (Tim Robbins) told him to find. Today, the shop is Carrousel Antiques, a shop full of treasures from yesteryear in downtown Mansfield that is open seven days a week.

Carrousel Antiques
Address: 118 N Main St, Mansfield, OH 44902
Phone: 419-522-0230
Website: https://carrousel-antiques-ltd.business.site/
Hours: Mon-Sat 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Central Park Mansfield

Just down the road from Carrousel Antiques in downtown Mansfield is Central Park, where you’ll find the park bench where Brooks sat to feed the birds. The site of the original bench is where the covered gazebo now stands. You’ll find a replica bench just a few feet away.  The park also has playgrounds, gardens, several monuments, and a fountain worth viewing. So stop to take your photo on the bench and then make sure you spend a few minutes viewing the monuments on-site before continuing on along the Shawshank Trail.

Central Park
Address: 29 Park Ave E, Mansfield, OH 44905
Phone: 419-522-9801
Website: http://www.ci.mansfield.oh.us/
Hours: Accessible 24 hours

Renaissance Theatre

While this Mansfield theater did not appear in the Shawshank Redemption movie, it is where the 1994 Movie Premiere was held. The historic theater has been a fixture of downtown Mansfield since 1928, when it opened as a movie house. Today, it is a performing arts center that is also listed on the National Register of Historic Landmarks. If your timing is right, you just might catch a performance by the Mansfield Symphony Orchestra.

Renaissance Theatre
Address: 138 Park Ave W, Mansfield, OH 44902
Phone: 419-522-2726
Website: https://mansfieldtickets.com/

Snyder Road & Hagerman Road

As Red follows his compass to find Andy’s treasure, he hitchhikes out of town and is let out at the “Road to Buxton,” which is actually the intersection of Snyder Road and Hagerman Road in Butler, Ohio. The location sits among many farm fields, so there isn’t a “destination” per se at this stop, but it makes for a good photo opp of your journey along the Shawshank Trail plus the town of Butler is a picturesque Midwest town just 20 minutes from Mansfield and less to Mohican State Park which offers a great view from the overlook, miles of hiking trails and a picnic area along the river.

Hagerman Road & Rt 95

Just a mile from the “Road to Buxton” scene, another filming location along Hagerman Road is where it meets Route 95. In the movie, this serves as the spot where Red’s bus leaves for Fort Hancock, Texas. As the road rises up a small hill, you’ll see the big red barn that Red’s bus passes by as it leaves town. You’re still out in the country at this point, but it’s a beautiful country to drive through!

Shawshank Oak Tree

You’ll really have to use your imagination at this stop, as the tree was heavily damaged by high winds in 2011 and completely destroyed in 2016, so it’s no longer there. But the tree plays such a pivotal role in the movie, as the spot where Andy has buried a tin full of cash, which Red finds after his journey to the tree. The former site of the tree is private property but can be viewed from Malabar Farm across the road.

Malabar Farm State Park

In addition to the Oak Tree spot, Stops 9 and 10 along the Shawshank Trail are at Malabar Farm State Park. Stop 9, the Hollywood Connection is about the stars of the movie who received a tour here while filming the movie. Stop 10, is the Pugh Cabin at Malabar Farm State Park.

In the movie’s opening scene, Andy sits in his car outside the cabin after discovering his wife’s betrayal. Today, the Pugh Cabin is a rental facility for meetings and gatherings. We even hosted a bridal shower for my daughter-in-law in the cabin!

Make sure you check at the visitor’s center before heading out to the cabin. There are nice wooded hiking trails in the cabin area, and Malabar Farm Inn is a great place to stop for a bite to eat.

Malabar Farm State Park 
Address: 4050 Bromfield Rd, Lucas, OH 44843
Phone: 419-892-2784
Website: http://www.malabarfarm.org/
Hours: Open dawn to dusk

19 West Main St, Ashland

After a nice drive through the Ohio countryside, the next stop on our Shawshank tour brings you to Ashland, Ohio, another quaint Ohio town, just 25 miles from Mansfield. This historic building at 19 W Main St is now home to a wealth management firm, which is fitting as it is portrayed as Maine National Bank in the movie. Near the end of the movie, this is where Andy comes to withdraw money and close “his” accounts before joining Red at the beach.

Ashland Thrift Store

The second stop in downtown Ashland is Ashland Thrift Store, formerly the Revivals 2 Thrift Store. In the movie, this is portrayed as the Trailways Bus Station where Red buys his bus ticket for Fort Hancock, Texas. Today, it is a thrift store that features household items, clothing and children’s items. The store is closed on Sundays.

Wyandot County Courthouse

The next two stops along the Shawshank Trail is in Upper Sandusky, nearly 60 miles from Ashland. The Wyandot County Courthouse is where Andy’s conviction scene was filmed. This is still an active courthouse and public building, so while you can enter, you will need to find out if the court is in session before you enter the courtroom. The stately courthouse is located in downtown Upper Sandusky on the charming town square.

Shawshank Woodshop

The final stop on the Shawshank Trail (unless you’re going to the Virgin Islands!) is the Shawshank Woodshop. In the movie, this was the woodshop where the prisoners worked. One memorable scene in the movie is when Andy locks himself in the warden’s office and plays Mozart over the PA system. You then see the prisoners in the woodshop stop what they are doing to listen intently to “Le Figaro” coming through the speakers. The building is not open to the public, but you can call ahead to arrange a private tour.

Looking for a more active way to see some of the Shawshank Trail? Check out the Annual Shawshank Hustle in June, a 7K race featuring all kinds of fun features from the movie, including actor autographs and several filming sites.

Visit the Shawshank Trail website for more information about this popular route and don’t forget to check out Destination Mansfield for more ideas of things to do in the area.

Where to Stay along the Shawshank Trail

The Holiday Inn in Mansfield is located downtown in a location that allows you to park your vehicle and walk to many of the downtown filming locations as well as some other Mansfield treasures.

Quality Inn and Suites Conference Center is a short drive 15- minute drive from the prison and a central location for visiting the sites around Mansfield. You’ll find large rooms which include a romantic jacuzzi suite for two or family suites for the entire family. The property offers a free hot breakfast, small game room and indoor pool and hot tub for relaxation after a day on the Shawshank Trail.

When you’ve finished exploring the Shawshank Trail, you may want to continue your road trip to Athens Ohio to see The Ridges, another property designed by Levi T. Schofield, the architect responsible for bringing us the Ohio State Reformatory.

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