1. The Vanishing Hitchhiker of Jamestown, North Carolina
If you’ve ever driven near Lydia’s Bridge in Jamestown, someone’s probably warned you about the girl in the white dress. According to local legend, she appears late at night, flagging down drivers and asking for a ride home. The eerie part? She vanishes from the back seat before you even reach the address she gave. The story dates back to the 1920s, and people still swear it happens to this day says WRAL.com.
Some say she was killed in a car accident and never made it home, doomed to repeat the final leg of her journey forever. Others think it’s just an old ghost story that got out of hand—but then why do so many people claim to have seen her? Even skeptics admit something feels off about that stretch of road at night. Whether it’s grief, guilt, or something supernatural, Lydia’s story continues to haunt the town shares Longreads.
2. The Bell Witch of Adams, Tennessee
Back in the early 1800s, the Bell family in Adams started reporting some seriously disturbing activity. They said a ghostly presence tormented them with strange noises, mysterious bruises, and terrifying voices. The spirit eventually became known as the Bell Witch, and some believe she was responsible for the death of the family patriarch, John Bell. Even Andrew Jackson, who visited the farm, reportedly fled in fear says the Tennessean.
The legend has endured for over two centuries, with new accounts of paranormal experiences popping up near the Bell Witch Cave. People claim to hear whispers, footsteps, and even see apparitions. Locals are quick to tell you the witch still lingers and warn against mocking her. The fear is real enough that many refuse to visit the cave alone. It’s not just a story in Adams—it’s a part of everyday life adds AGDAILY.
3. The Devil’s Tramping Ground in Bear Creek, North Carolina
Deep in the woods of Chatham County lies a mysterious barren circle where nothing grows. Locals call it the Devil’s Tramping Ground, and they say the Devil himself comes there to pace in circles, thinking up new ways to cause chaos. The soil in the circle is oddly sterile, and no matter how many times people try to plant grass or shrubs, nothing sticks.
Those brave enough to camp there overnight often report hearing heavy footsteps around them, strange growls, or having their belongings moved. Some even claim their tents were violently shaken in the middle of the night. It’s become a popular dare for local teens, but many say they won’t go back. Whether it’s science or something sinister, the place gives off a vibe you can’t shake. People leave that clearing feeling watched.
4. The Mothman of Point Pleasant, West Virginia
In the mid-’60s, people in Point Pleasant began reporting a strange creature with glowing red eyes and enormous wings. They called him the Mothman, and sightings grew more frequent just before the tragic collapse of the Silver Bridge in 1967, which killed 46 people. Some believe the creature was a warning, while others think he caused the disaster himself.
Decades later, the Mothman is still part of the town’s identity, with a museum and even a festival in his honor. But that doesn’t mean people aren’t still scared. New sightings pop up every so often, usually accompanied by a sense of dread. Many locals are proud of the legend, but they’re also cautious. They’ve seen what can happen when the Mothman shows up.
5. The Moonville Tunnel Ghost in Ohio
Once a booming coal town, Moonville, Ohio is long gone—but its spooky tunnel still stands. According to legend, a railroad worker who was hit by a train still haunts the tunnel with a lantern in hand. People walking through the area have reported cold spots, strange mists, and even the sound of footsteps behind them when no one’s there.
Some ghost hunters believe the spirit is just trying to warn others to stay safe, but others think he’s trapped in a loop. The remote location adds to the creepy atmosphere—you have to hike through the woods just to reach it. Many who visit come out visibly shaken, and locals say the tunnel is just better left alone. It’s beautiful by day, but by night, it feels like a different world.
6. The Bunny Man of Clifton, Virginia
It sounds like something out of a horror movie—a man in a bunny costume lurking in the woods with an axe. But ask someone from Fairfax County, and they’ll tell you the Bunny Man is all too real. Legend says he haunts a secluded bridge and appears to people who dare visit after dark, often smashing windows or chasing them off before vanishing.
The story likely started in the 1970s, but it quickly became local lore, with teens daring each other to go find him. Many swear something strange happened when they visited—dead silence, electronics failing, or even seeing a figure darting between the trees. The bridge has become a popular, if not haunted, destination. But almost everyone leaves feeling uneasy, like the story might not be so silly after all.
7. The Haunting of Emily’s Bridge in Stowe, Vermont
Gold Brook Bridge in Stowe has a prettier nickname: Emily’s Bridge. But the legend behind it is anything but sweet. They say Emily was a young woman who hanged herself there after her lover failed to meet her for a secret elopement. Now her spirit reportedly haunts the bridge, and visitors claim to hear footsteps, feel scratches on their cars, or see a figure in white.
The story has been passed down for generations, and people still visit hoping to catch a glimpse—or to say goodbye. Even during the day, the bridge has a quiet heaviness to it, like you’re intruding. Some leave flowers or notes, treating Emily like someone they once knew. She’s not just a ghost story here, she’s a part of the community’s folklore.
8. The Dog Boy of Quitman, Arkansas
In Quitman, there’s one house that everyone avoids, all thanks to the legend of the Dog Boy. Gerald Bettis, the man behind the tale, was said to be abusive, strange, and obsessed with collecting stray dogs. After his death, neighbors began hearing strange noises, seeing shadowy figures, and feeling an overwhelming sense of dread near the house.
Over time, the legend evolved into something more beast-like, with stories of a half-man, half-dog creature roaming the property. Paranormal teams have investigated and walked away convinced something dark lingers there. No one stays in the house for long, and many locals won’t even walk by after dark. It’s become the kind of story you tell around campfires—except this one might actually be true.
9. The Skinned Tom Legend of Tennessee
Skinned Tom is the kind of ghost story that feels like a warning. According to the legend, Tom was a handsome man who was caught in an affair with a married woman. Her husband found them together, killed her, and skinned Tom alive—leaving his bloody ghost to haunt lovers who sneak off to secluded areas.
It’s a favorite tale among Tennessee teens, especially those parked under the stars in quiet spots. They say if you’re up to no good, you might catch a glimpse of Tom’s mangled face outside your window. Some even report hearing scratching on the roof or screams in the woods. Whether it’s real or just meant to keep kids in line, the fear it stirs up is hard to fake.
10. The Ghost Lights of Marfa, Texas
Out in the wide, open desert near Marfa, mysterious lights have been appearing for over 100 years. People describe them as glowing orbs that hover, flicker, and dart across the sky with no explanation. They aren’t headlights, and they don’t behave like stars. Scientists have tried to pin them down, but nothing quite fits.
Locals have embraced the mystery with an annual festival, but they also take it seriously. Visitors often find themselves speechless after seeing the lights for the first time. Some feel awe, others get goosebumps. There’s a strange, magnetic quality to the phenomenon. Once you’ve seen the Marfa Lights, you don’t forget them.
11. The Green Clawed Beast of Evansville, Indiana
In 1955, a woman named Naomi Johnson was swimming in the Ohio River when something grabbed her and tried to drag her underwater. She fought it off and emerged with claw marks on her leg. The newspapers dubbed it the Green Clawed Beast, and speculation ran wild. Some believed it was a river monster, others suggested something alien.
What makes the story stick is how calm and serious Johnson was in telling it. She didn’t seek fame, and she never changed her account. Locals continue to talk about the encounter, especially during the hot summer months when the river gets busy. Swimmers joke about the creature, but you can tell they’re half-serious. The Ohio runs deep, and who knows what’s really beneath the surface.
12. The Specter of Elmore Hotel in Central City, Colorado
The Elmore Hotel may look charming on the outside, but guests have long reported strange happenings within. People claim to hear footsteps in the empty hallways, see doors open and close on their own, and feel cold drafts that come from nowhere. The most famous ghost is a woman in black who appears in mirrors, particularly in Room 6.
Some say she was jilted at the altar, others believe she died in the hotel under mysterious circumstances. Staff members avoid that room whenever they can, and guests often ask to switch after just one night. Paranormal investigators have captured EVPs and even thermal images of a figure standing by the window. The Elmore might be a historic treasure, but it’s also a hotspot for the unexplained.