Take a glimpse back in time to see what the Halloween season was like in decades past throughout the Northern Kentucky area, thanks to the Kenton County Library archives. From haunted houses and E.T. masks to trick-or-treating and school celebrations, these vintage photographs show that spooky season fun will never get old.

*All captions are from Kenton County Library archive info

Photos by Kenton County Public Library
Covington, 1975 “(Back) Mark Kluemper (16), Tyrone Rice (21), (Front) Lori Young (12), Mary Bales (18), Greg Washington (17) rehearsing for haunted house sponsored by Covington-Kenton County Jaycees.” Kenton County Public Library
Northern Kentucky, date unknown “Unknown kids in Halloween costume.” Kenton County Public Library
Covington, date unknown “Mrs. Anne Wright and kids whom she’s keeping in on Halloween because of recent criminal violence.” Kenton County Public Library
Northern Kentucky, date unknown “A little girl in a pumpkin patch.” Kenton County Public Library
Erlanger, 1975 “Jeff Cross (7) at Halloween costume party at Mary Queen of Heaven School.” Kenton County Public Library
Fort Thomas, date unknown “Pediatrics Halloween. Trick-or-treat night at the hospital.” Kenton County Public Library
Crestview Hills, 1981 “This group of fiendish looking characters is standing at the entrance to the Thomas More College Haunted House.” Kenton County Public Library
Bellevue, 1982 “Rinks Halloween display.” Kenton County Public Library
Fort Thomas, 1986 “Halloween display by Edward Grothaus of 1325 S. Ft. Thomas Ave.” Kenton County Public Library
Northern Kentucky, 1984 “Children gather for scare.” Kenton County Public Library
Elsmere, 2003 “Dorothy Howell Elementary Halloween Parade, Kimberly Clark (third from left).” Kenton County Public Library
Taylor Mill, 1982 “Robin Covington (6) and Stephanie Powers (6) in Halloween program at Taylor Mill School.” Kenton County Public Library
Florence, 1982 “Angel Buchanan (10), Florence Elementary School 5th grader showing off picture she made for halloween in class.” Kenton County Public Library
Northern Kentucky, date unknown “Unidentified teacher and student in costume.” Kenton County Public Library
Northern Kentucky, 1991 “Unknown haunted house employee.” Kenton County Public Library
Villa Hills, 1975 “Larry McMillin (3), Kristin Nolan (3), T.J. Quigley checking out Halloween display.” Kenton County Public Library
Covington, date unknown “Unknown Halloween Production at Mother of God gym.” Kenton County Public Library
Covington, 1981 “Mary Carpenter giving treats to Allison Schnider (5) and Waverly Marcum (3) with kids from Pediatrics going through Booth Hospital trick or treating.” Kenton County Public Library
Northern Kentucky, date unknown “Unidentified children with witch’s hat.” Kenton County Public Library
Williamstown, date unknown “Jeff Tucker (7), 2nd grader at Williamstown Elementary School, dressed up for Halloween.” Kenton County Public Library
Northern Kentucky, date unknown “Harold Hall (6) talks and laughs with Cindy Perry — a little sister of Fraternity. Mother of Harold is Jackie Hall. NKY Fraternity gives Halloween party for kids in the pediatric ward of St. Elizabeth Hospital.” Kenton County Public Library
Covington, 1987 “Haunted house — Carol Murphy (Vampira), 14; Norb Dorning (wolfman), 15; Chris Macke (Dr. Frankenstein); 14, Keff Kring (Frankenstein), 14.” Kenton County Public Library
Northern Kentucky, date unknown “Halloween (?)” Kenton County Public Library
Erlanger, 1975 “Mrs. Joan Schmidt, reading teacher, leading second annual Halloween parade at A.J. Lindeman Elementary School. 300 kids participated.” Kenton County Public Library
Northern Kentucky, date unknown “Unidentified contributor to Thomas More College’s Fright Night.” Kenton County Public Library
Northern Kentucky, date unknown “Unknown group.” Kenton County Public Library
Florence, 1982 “Shane Hagedorn (10) cuts out house in 5th grade class at Florence Elementary School to make Halloween picture.” Kenton County Public Library
Hebron, 1992 “Charlie Hempfling prices pumpkins on the lawn of his fruit and vegetable farm at 7029 River Road, Hebron.” Kenton County Public Library
Covington, 1982 “Miss Betty Fey, math teacher Holmes Junior High, dressed up for Halloween.” Kenton County Public Library
Northern Kentucky, 1981 “Cafeteria workers in Halloween costume.” Kenton County Public Library
Northern Kentucky, date unknown “Pumpkins painted for Halloween.” Kenton County Public Library
Florence, 1981 “Student Council — R.A. Jones Middle School Haunted House.” Kenton County Public Library
Northern Kentucky, 1960 “Alpha Kappa Tau; five members dressed for Halloween” Kenton County Public Library