True Ghost Stories: Real Haunted Roads and Highways
True Ghost Stories: Real Haunted Roads and Highways
By Zachery Knowles
The Sexton’s musings (spoilers are likely):
As we move forward with our “non-fiction” journey things will continue to be a little different. Knowles appears to be less travel writer and more into the actual stories/experiences connected with the locations so this should be a fun read. There is less history mentioned and more information about run-ins with the spirits. Do understand that because of this most of the information is second hand and open to interpretation. He explores stories from haunted roadways and highways from all over the world, so while there will probably be a few return visits to some American locations we have a whole new set from other countries to explore. I will continue to talk on the chapters in a similar way to Terrance Zepke’s books and will add pictures with links to sites with additional information. I will only be doing brief overviews of what is said, to get the specific story you’ll have to read the book. Hopefully we learn more about the experiences that few of us ever get to have and maybe a few good chills along the way. Shall we be on our way to visit and revisit some of the world’s haunted roadways and highways? I’m feeling a bit peckish.
I enjoy the author’s introduction to the book. I think that it is well written and the style is complementary to subject matter.
Clinton Road in West Milford, New Jersey
Photo: weirdnj.com
A road that feels like it is in the middle of nowhere due to the woods surrounding parts of the road along with some dangerous curves makes for a spooky stretch. There are several legends associated with this road, one of the more well-known being the Ghost Boy Bridge. Watch for flying rocks. Another creepy experience are the phantom, road rage, headlights. That would make anyone nervous in this day and age. Two sort of off the beaten path, but still associated with the road stories are the Clinton Furnace (an iron smelter from the 1700’s) and the Jungle Habitat (a closed down tourist attraction that had some sad, neglected animals).
Clinton Road
Photo: frightfind.com
click pic to visit their site
Jungle Habitat entrance
Photo: “Jungle Habitat: Wild, Free and Abandoned” by Mark and Mark for weirdnj.com
Click pic to read their article
Then and now - Jungle Habitat
Photo: “Jungle Habitat: Wild, Free and Abandoned” by Mark and Mark for weirdnj.com
Click pic to read their article
Google results for the Jungle Habitat
The Clinton Furnace/Ironworks
Photo: lostinjersey.wordpress.com
Click pic to visit their site
Interesting factoid – the famous hitman Richard Kuklinski (aka the Iceman) chose a spot off Clinton Rd to dump the body of Daniel Deppner.
The Iceman goes to trial (sounds like a children’s book title)
Photo: “Kuklinski was set up, lawyer says” by Bob McMahon for The Morning Call, Feb 1988
newspapers.com
Shades of Death Road in Warren County , New Jersey
Photo: taylortreat on Atlas Obscura
Allegedly this road is the sight of several murders including lynchings and a malaria outbreak. Allegedly there is also a burial ground under the man-made lake that is in the area. Some of the experiences that people have had here are sightings of full body apparitions, car and equipment issues, vapor coming off the Ghost Lake, dense fog that is unnatural and dangerous for drivers, and phantom lights.
Ghost Lake
Photo: “Shades of Death Road” by Mark and Mark for weirdnj.com (2022)
Oh and for all you assholes out there that think bullying is a fun past time, you might want to think twice before travelling this road. You might just find that you pick up a passenger that decides to follow you home.
“Sign at southern end of Shades of Death Road, near Great Meadows, NJ”
Photo: Daniel Case on wikipedia
Kelly Road in Ohioville, Pennsylvania
Photo: “Kelly Road in Pennsylvania is one of America's most haunted roads” on dangerousroads.org
An interesting mix of paranormal incidents. There are of course your run of the mill child ghosts from another time way back when that stall out your car but, the really interesting part of this location is its effect on the animal population, domestic and wild animals alike. Apparently they become aggressive when their feet touch the pavement of this two mile stretch. Everything from dogs to squirrels to chickens and goats. Nothing like a really pissed off chicken (or flock of chickens) to ruin your evening walk.
Photo taken during an investigation by East Hill Paranormal on Kelly Road.
Photo: “Ghost hunters come up short on Mystery Mile investigation” by Lisa Micco for the Beaver County Times (timesonline.com). Investigation done by East Hills Paranormal. (2013)
So there is some debate which road in this location is the one that is being haunted. Kelley (note the spelling, same on Google Maps) Road and Wolf Run Road (a dirt road that runs along side Kelley Road and was never finished). The above investigation seems to have been done on Wolf Run, note the gates in the above image. I suspect that it is Wolf Run that is the road spoken about as far as haunting is concerned. Although there was a murder that took place on Kelley Road as well so really this location is just all around plagued by unfortunate occurrences.
Mystery Mile and Mudlick Hollow by Gwen Titley for the Beave County Times
“A tale of two roads: Strange occurrences plague Mudlick Hollow, Mystery Mile roads” by Staff Reporter on timesonline.com (Beaver County Times) (2018)
Mona Lisa Drive in New Orleans, Lousiana
“A map from the New Orleans City Park website shows the location of Mona Lisa Drive where the ghost originally was seen before she branched out to other parts of the park.” Photo: “Haunted NOLA: Mona Lisa, the Heartbroken Ghost of City Park” by Michael Democker on verylocal.com (2019)
This is a unique “road” as it actually runs through New Orleans City Park. There are a couple of different versions of her story that Knolwes tells but ultimately they end the same, with her drowning in one of the park lagoons. Ultimately most of the reports have included crying, scratching on the window of the vehicle and actual full body apparitions.
“Mona Lisa Drive, as the cul de sac came to be commonly called.”
Photo: Robert Clarkson on hauntedneworleanstours.com
Archer Avenue in Chicago, Illinois
Photo: Archer Avenue 1885 from chicagology.com
We get to revisit Resurrection Mary of Resurrection Cemetery in Chicago IL. While she has been spotted within the cemetery proper among the graves she is most commonly found on Archer Avenue which is the road the runs past the cemetery gates.
Entrance to Resurrection Cemetery
Photo: MrHarman on wikipedia
In addition to Mary hitchhiking and jumping in front of unsuspecting drivers there are two other hauntings mentioned in this chapter. The phantom monks and the horse-drawn hearse.
Tuen Mun Road in Hong Kong China
Photo: “Tuen Mun Road Ting Kau Section” by WiNG on wikimedia (2008)
One of China’s first highways, this road has been the sight of many accidents. Apparently this stretch of road is not particularly well constructed with lanes being very narrow and the road being very windy.
Tuen Mun Road
Photo: “Haunted Tuen Mun Road” on seeksghosts.blogspot.com (2015)
Click pic to visit their site
The sheer number of accidents that have occurred are thought to be the reason for the hauntings on this road. Traffic jams are a regular occurrence and it’s typically due to an accident. The worst accident to happen thus far occurred in July 2003. A double decker bus fell from one of the overpasses killing 21 people and injuring 20. There have also been numerous motorcycle accidents which as we all know rarely end well. Some accidents have also been attributed to the ghosts themselves. Drivers swerving to miss hitting someone only to find that there was no one there. There are also some interesting experiences with glowing eyes in the brush on the side of the highway at night. Apparently the owner of those glowing eyes seem to be human.
One of the worst accidents happened in July of 2003 when a passenger bus drove off a bridge near the Ting Kau section of Tuen Mun Road. The accident killed 21 people and injured 20.
Photo: “July 2003 Tuen Mun Road bus accident” Apple Daily on Wikipedia.
A3 Road in Surrey, England
Apparently this stretch of highway in England was no big thang until a horrific accident occurred that took a while for the authorities to find. It’s this readers understanding that several individuals witnessed the accident even after it happened. The event continued to play over and over again. The reason for this seems to be so that the authorities would find the car and the deceased individual that resided there in. Apparently the car was found several months after the crash had actually taken place. The deceased was badly decomposed and found several paces form the vehicle as he attempted to crawl away to get help. Turns out he was wanted for a robbery and was probably drunk when the accident actually happened but hey no judgment here.
Car crash of Christopher Chandler
Photo: “Ghost Car Accident Leads to Real Body, Surrey England.” by Anthony Justus on The Hunted Spots Blog. Photo Credit: The Sun, July 2007. “Man Lies Dead for Five Months.”
Bragg Road in Saratoga, Texas
Bragg Road Hardin County TX Looking North by Junglecat on wikimedia
Close to the sight of a horrible train accident that apparently decapitated a conductor is the sight of a ghostly light that has been seen by many individuals. Knowles discusses the lights characteristics (as described by witnesses) and some of the possible reasons why the light is present. The road itself is a bit creepy and only just a road in the most basic sense. Looks like a road that a serial killer would take to dump a body.
Ghost Light on Bragg Road
Photo: “Is Bragg Road in Saratoga, Texas the State’s Most Haunted Highway?” by Tamme Taylor for US105 FM. (2022)
Click pic to read article and watch Horrified TV’s YouTube video
Zombie Road in Woodland, Missouri
Al Foster Trail - Tripadvisor.com
There is a lot going on at this location. Not only was this the sight of a suspected Indian burial ground and civil war altercations but there also reports of industrial accidents, train derailments and suspicious deaths. All this makes for a perfect atmosphere for the otherworldly. Interesting thing about this road is that it’s not really a road at all. It’s formally known as the Al Foster Trail and for the most part it is now a walking trail with…wait for it…a steam train ride for the kiddies. All of the reports of railroad ghosts and chewed up industrial accident victims and we have a choo choo train following the trail. Makes me giggle a bit.
Al Foster Trail
Google Maps
Some folks have reported feeling an overwhelming sense of dread, claustrophobic and even have reported being stalked by something unseen. Ultimately it seems tranquil enough but remember not everyone finds peace in these kinds of surroundings.
Al Foster Trail 2 mile stretch - highlighted
Google Maps
Wakehurst Parkway in Australia
Photo: “Wakehurst Parkway is one of Australia's most haunted roads” on dangerousroads.org
Considered the most dangerous road in New South Wales due to the amount of automobile accidents that occur on the regular. Many of them fatal. This makes for a likely place for a haunting. Any time you have violent untimely deaths you have the potential for hangers on.
Wakehurst Parkway
Photo: “There’s 2 Good Reasons To Avoid Sydney’s Wakehurst Pkwy & Yes They’re Both Ghosts” by Josephine Rozenberg-Clarke for pedestrian.tv
Click picture to read the article
Some entities mentioned in the chapter are Kelly (who is suspected to be the cause of many accidents along a certain stretch), A ghostly nun (who becomes a back seat driver for a small part of your journey), a phantom horse drawn cart, and what appears to be a body lying on the side of the road but disappears if you stop. In general people have reported simply being creeped out while driving on the road and some have reported headlight failure which would freak anyone out.
They even made a short film on the road.
Photo: IMDB
Highway 365 in Arkansas
Wikipedia
This location is very heavy on the appearing and disappearing hitchhiker. All of them young women and all of them passed. There are several different variations in this chapter but the one thing they all have in common are they are young ladies and when you get them home their family informs the driver that they are no longer among the living.
Photo: “Haunted Arkansas ~ Hwy 365” by Laurie Marshall for onlyinark.com (2015)
East Coast Road in India
Photo: Posted by India Geography on Facebook
A pleasure to drive during the day but come nightfall this road not only becomes pitch black due to the lack of lighting but this is when all of the otherworldly residents make their appearance.
One of the otherworldly inhabitants discussed in this chapter is one that we have experienced with other roads and locations. The token Lady in White on this road is one of malevolence. She dies in an accident on this road and apparently is continuing to try and cause more fatal accidents after death. Sound like a seriously bitch thing to do to me. Other than this the most commonly reported phenomena is that of the temperature drop. While temperature drops are associated with the presence of a spirit it seems that whomever it is connected to does not mean any one any harm. The only concern with this one is for those whose heat is not working in their vehicle.
“East Coast Road in Chennai”
Photo: chennaionline.in
Ortega Highway in San Juan Capistrano, California
Photo: Ken Lund on Flickr.com “Ortega Highway Between San Juan Capistrano and Lake Elsinore”
This is a road comprised of many hairpin turns and spaghetti like twists and turns which makes it super interesting in multiple ways. Know how people drive it is not surprising that people have lost their lives on a road like this. The highway itself is pretty extensive but there seems to be one specific area that the activity surrounds and that is in the area outside Quest Diagnostics. There are power surges that occur to the street lights, there is a zombie like creature that perches on the street lights, lurking like a vulture, and most disturbing of all is the clown. The clown that makes every one that encounters him feel a sense of fear and dread. The kicker is that he has never made a move to do anything to anyone, he remains completely still just staring but the vibe coming off of him is anything but calm. Creepy location. I feel for the folks that work for Quest Diagnostics, having to drive by there day after day.
Photo: “Ready to be Terrified? Beware The Haunted Ortega Highway!!” by straydog1964 on r/UrbanMyths - Reddit.com
Photo: “the evil clown that haunts Ortega highway” by Karen Lawton on Pinterest.com
Google Maps aerial view of Quest Diagnostics and the intersection right at their entrance.
Google Maps - at the intersection leaving Quest Diagnostics turning onto Ortega Highway (aka CA 74)
A75 Road in Scotland
Photo: “Eastbound Kinmount Straight section of A75, adjacent to Kelhead Moss Plantation” by David Dixon
Considered by many to be the most haunted road in Scotland. There have been multiple report of strange deformed animals, morphing phantom animals, spry elderly folks darting in front of vehicles, a disappearing van and a group of people in tattered cloths walking with their sparse belongings in carts and bundles. It seems that all of the activity is night occurring. I feels to me that that many of these entities are hell bent on getting people to crash their vehicle and that just ain’t right man!
Haunted A75
Photo: Posted by Mostly Ghostly Tours on Facebook.
A541 in Pontblyddyn, Wales
Photo: “Stephen Llewellyn Chilton named as man killed in A541 Pontblyddyn crash” by Gary Porter for dailypost.co.uk (2014)
Many of the accident that have occurred on this roadway are close to Plas Teg Hall/estate in North Wales. One specific ghost related to the road and the estate is the ghost of Dorothy Trevor. The story goes that she is the daughter of Sir John Trevor who built the house. She fell for a man that her family did not approve of so they made plans to elope. On the fateful night she ended up having an accident, falling down a well on the property. Of course she is nowhere to be found so thinking that he has been discarded, the young suitor hangs himself.
Peg Teg Hall
Photo: Graeme Walker via geograph.org.uk CC BY-SA 2.0
“Plas Teg is a mansion built in the Jacobean style. You can find it in the North Wales village of Flintshire, overlooking the town below. Built in an area which is rich in ancient burial rituals, history and witchcraft. The walls of this mansion have witnessed a lot during the 400 years the house exists. And most of its history is quite dark.” by Little House of Horrors.
Click pic to read the article
The mansion itself is of course said to be haunted and looking at some of its physical attributes tells me that this is a distinct possibility. I mean who puts pentagrams discretely in there décor during the time of witch persecution. Hubris thy name is man.
Ariel view of Plas Teg Hall and A541
Photo: artwondereveryday.blogspot.com
Click pic to read their post
Interstate H-1 in Hawaii
Interstates H-1, H-2 and H-3 - Federal Highway Administration
For me there is some question about what section of this highway is being spoken about. The part that goes through the mountain is now known as H-3 not H-1. From what I can tell there are no sections of the current H-1 that travel through the mountain. Now that’s not to say that back in the 1950’s that this section of road was not known as H-1 and over the years because of expansion they split it up. No matter what you call it though it’s an amazing sight.
The big part of this road that is known to be haunted is so due to burial desecration. Not purposeful on the part of the working people actually doing the hard labor of digging through these mountains but still desecration. Whether the powers that be knew that they would come upon the remains of multiple individuals, possibly ancient warriors and piss them off is unknown. I suspect that they had an inkling but nothing gets in the way of progress. For me it’s a big no brainer that this area is haunted.
The windward portals of the trans-Koolau tunnel. Interstate H-3
Photo: “Pride in Accomplishment: The Interstate H-3 Project” by Barbara J Braswell for the Federal Highway Administration
Interstate H-3 - “The operation of the U.S. Coast Guard Omega Station shown right-center, presented some obstacles to the H-3 contractors. The station was deactivated in September 1997.”
Photo: “Pride in Accomplishment: The Interstate H-3 Project” by Barbara J Braswell for the Federal Highway Administration
Sweet Hollow Road in New York
Photo: “Long Island's Legends and Myths - Part III - Sweet Hollow Road” by Kerriann Flanagan Brosky on Patch.com
This area just seems to be a paranormal hot spot as not only this road harbors several ghostly entities but apparently there is another road that runs parallel to Sweet Hollow that is also haunted.
Overpass on Sweet Hollow Road
Photo: Fallen Silent on Facebook (2014)
There are several incidents mentioned in this chapter. It’s actually one of the longer chapters in this book. There are walking children who may have been victim of a day camp that was in the area in the 1930’s, women in white; one an innocent and the other a dark witch. They both happen to be named Mary. One a young woman who either got pushed or jumped from a moving vehicle and the other a woman who practiced the occult and was hanged for it just off the road. We have a police officer still doing traffic stops and by doing so he is forced to relive his death over and over again. Now that’s dedication to the job! The last but not least is the haunted bridge (overpass) that actually has two stories associated to it, one involving a bus load of children that are all tragically killed and the other are the spirits of three young men who committed suicide under the bridge, hanging themselves.
Daytime view of Sweet Hollow Rd
Photo: “Sweet Hollow Road in New York: strange experiences and hauntings” on dangerousroads.org
Route 2A in Haynesville, Maine
Photo: “Stay Away From Maine's Most Haunted Street After Dark Or You May Be Sorry” by Michelle on onlyinyourstate.com (2023)
This road is the home to a 90 degree turn that has been known to claim lives on the regular. Considering this road is located in Maine where they have chain laws in the winter it’s no wonder that this is the case. I will say that perhaps this was not the best planned design for such a climate. I mean a 90 degree turn would be dangerous on an 85 degree day in the middle of summer with the sun shining.
Google Maps
US 2A on Google Maps (2023)
There are two specific spirits that are mention in this chapter. One is the ghost of a woman seeking help for a car accident and the other is a little girl whose story is very much in the vein of Gage in “Pet Cemetery”, bloody semis.
Semi accident
Photo: “A TOMBSTONE EVERY MILE IN THE HAUNTED HAYNESVILLE WOODS” Jeff Belanger and Ray Auger on their podcast New England Legends (ournbewenglandlegends.com) (2021)
Dead Man’s Curve in Clermont County, Ohio
Photo: “Clermont County Dead Mans Curve” by Rick on creepycincinnati.com (2011)
There are many “Dead Man’s Curve” locations around the country. The title simply refers to a bend in a road that is dangerous and more than likely has claimed lives at some point during its existence. This particular one is located between 222 and SR125 near Cincinnati Ohio.
“Dead Man's Curve in Clermont County, Ohio, is said to be haunted by an actual dead man.
"Dead man's curve" is a ubiquitous name for a dangerously sharp turn, but this treacherous curve in Clermont County is said to be more aptly named than most.
At the intersection of Route 222 and Route 125, a faceless hitchhiker who died in a crash at the scene in the 1960s is said to appear the road in the early hours of the morning.” - ParaZona Research on Facebook (2021)
Photo: ParaZona Research on Facebook
There are stories of phantom vehicles that were once part of a horrible accident in the 1960’s, a faceless hitchhiker that is believe to be one of the victims of the previously mentioned accident and a shadowy figure walking along the side of the road that seems to be injured but disappears once approached or jumps on the hood of your car. Perhaps part of that same accident in the 1960’s but ultimately who knows. An accident waiting to happen.
Dead Mans Curve
Photo: Paranormal Forensics on Facebook (2016)
Closing thoughts:
I’m liking that we are branching out to other corners of the globe for this new series. It’s fun to see the similarities and differences in how we have set up our travel logistics when compared to other countries. Even though there are only six non-US roads included in this collection I found that things are not that much different. Apparently all large major highways are horrifying danger zones consisting of large hunks of metal traveling at 80 miles/kilometers per hour waiting for that one cell phone message too many to cause a fiery burning wreckage of twisted metal. The ghosts don’t help of course but they’ve got nothing on someone posting a selfie going 80 miles an hour. But I digress…overall an informative glimpse into the experiences that people have had on some of the worlds most haunted roads.
“Have you ever noticed that anybody driving slower than you is an idiot, and anyone going faster than you is a maniac?”
