Arkansas Ghosts and Urban Legends
Arkansas is home to many ghost and urban legends-the stories that are widely known across the country and happen to have been reported with Arkansas connections. In one community, several men report having seen the ghost of a headless man who wanders on or near a certain ridge on dark, drizzly nights, crying out and looking for his head. Another urban legend reports that a woman and her baby were killed in a car crash on a bridge over Faulkner Lake in Pulaski County and that, if someone stands on the bank and yells, "Mama Lou, come and get me," three times, the ghost of the mother will drag him or her into the lake, thinking that person is her baby. Such Urban legends are common across the United States, each with its own local variation. Arkansas being the natural state and with many rural areas is a prime location for hauntings and ghosts some of them have become famous while others are only known by the locals. Turn the lights down low and be prepared to be frightened with Arkansas Ghosts and Urban Legends
Arkansas Halloween Haunted Houses
Plan your Halloween by Visiting a Haunted House in Arkansas
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Arkansas Haunted Buildings
The King Opera House in Van Buren
Janice Cochrane, a previous owner of the opera house and writer/director of an original play based on the legend, told the state Parks & Tourism Department that the actor's ghost was first seen by a musician and set designer during the first production of the reopened theater in 1979. Other sightings, including one by the director of another play, have been cited as recently as 2000. At least one director is said to have also visited with the spirit.
The ghost is said to materialize, dressed in a top hat and Victorian style coat with a long cape. Cochrane has stated that once after all the actors left from a rehearsal of her play, and only she remained, that she felt as if someone else was in the theater with her. The feeling she described was that it was almost as if the hairs were standing up on the back of her neck. Though Cochrane said she felt like the ghost was present, whether the King Opera House is haunted or not may never be known.
Arkansas Haunted Museum
Old State House Museum, Little Rock Arkansas
It is said that Wilson's ghost has been seen sadly wandering the corridors of the Old State House wearing a frock-coat. Many staff members of the building report seeing his apparition and sometimes encountering an unnatural presence. But, is the ghost really Wilson? Other staff members have a different idea.
In 1872, Elisha Baxter was declared the Governor of Arkansas after a disputed election. His opponent, Joseph Brooks, declared that he had been cheated and seventeen months later, staged a coup of the State House. He threw Baxter out of office and set up a cannon on the State House lawn to discourage attacks (the cannon that still resides there). The ousted governor moved down the street and set up another office, operating his own government against Brooks. It was only a short time before President Grant stepped in and restored order to Arkansas. Baxter was named as the legitimate governor and Brooks was forced to retire.
Some staff members believe that Brooks is still upset about being forced from his office and, even in death, he believes himself the rightful governor. They believe he is the one who continues to haunt the Old State House. Who knows, maybe it's the both of them. Many Arkansas residents who tour the statehouse do feel a ghostly presence (sometimes it's just a chilled area in the hallway or an unexplained cold hand on the shoulder, but sometimes they report actually seeing the spirit).
Head on down to the Old State House Museum and see if you can find a ghost. It's important to note that the official statement from the Old State House is that there is no ghost.
Haunted Building in Arkansas
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Arkansas Hauntings Dover Lights
Dover Lights Expedition
There are many different stories that go along with the story of the Dover lights some say it is Spanish conquistadors searching for their lost gold. Others tell of a Dr searching for a former patients lost silver mine. what ever the real story is this expedition was led to prove if the Dover Lights exist or not following is what occurred
Arriving at the location at approximately 9:27 pm. It was incredibly dark, because of heavy cloud cover. It rained and misted on us off and on the entire time. There was a fairly strong breeze from the West, and it was around 40 degrees.
Almost instantly, as we were climbing out of the vehicle, Joe was looking into the canyon and said "THERE IT IS!"
Sure enough, there was a very bright red point of light starting to flicker. This was the point we saw it reflecting on the water's surface.
It was exactly 9:30.
At 9:35 the light became a constant, bright, fixed point. It became a bright blue, and the reflection was no longer seen on the water. It remained constant and unwavering for 15 solid minutes. During this time we were able to get the production camera on a tripod, as well as a Hi-8 in night shot, and actually see it in the cameras, and focus on it. Keith also had a Hi-8 in hand, and was able to see it. An interesting note is that all the cameras were able to pick up OTHER lights fading in and out around the fixed light, but we were unable to observe these with naked eye.
At 9:50 the light began to dim and flicker. It was in and out for 5 minutes, and we decided to introduce stimuli. I shined my flashlight across the valley, at the furthest point AWAY from it, and slowly panned it towards the light. The light immediately brightened up, and stayed bright after I turned my light off.
For the next hour the light remained in perfect view, sometimes dimming considerably, and then brightening considerably%u2026but it always remained in view, and in a seemingly fixed position.
Around 10:50 it began to fade from sight again. We again introduced more stimuli for quite some time, but seemingly to no effect. We packed up all of our gear, and were going to leave when Keith looked into the valley and saw that it had returned. We hurriedly took a Hi-8 back out and began to film once more. For 25 to 30 minute it continued to remain fixed, dimming and brightening, and almost as if a final hurrah, gave us the most interesting observation of the night. It seemingly shot a beam of light, like that of a spot light, straight up into the clouds. This was witnessed by Jordan, Joe and I, and we actually saw it shining through the mist and on the bottom of the clouds. Keith did not see this, because he had the camera trained on me as I was talking about how unreal this all was. So the beam was not caught on tape.
Arriving at the location at approximately 9:27 pm. It was incredibly dark, because of heavy cloud cover. It rained and misted on us off and on the entire time. There was a fairly strong breeze from the West, and it was around 40 degrees.
Almost instantly, as we were climbing out of the vehicle, Joe was looking into the canyon and said "THERE IT IS!"
Sure enough, there was a very bright red point of light starting to flicker. This was the point we saw it reflecting on the water's surface.
It was exactly 9:30.
At 9:35 the light became a constant, bright, fixed point. It became a bright blue, and the reflection was no longer seen on the water. It remained constant and unwavering for 15 solid minutes. During this time we were able to get the production camera on a tripod, as well as a Hi-8 in night shot, and actually see it in the cameras, and focus on it. Keith also had a Hi-8 in hand, and was able to see it. An interesting note is that all the cameras were able to pick up OTHER lights fading in and out around the fixed light, but we were unable to observe these with naked eye.
At 9:50 the light began to dim and flicker. It was in and out for 5 minutes, and we decided to introduce stimuli. I shined my flashlight across the valley, at the furthest point AWAY from it, and slowly panned it towards the light. The light immediately brightened up, and stayed bright after I turned my light off.
For the next hour the light remained in perfect view, sometimes dimming considerably, and then brightening considerably%u2026but it always remained in view, and in a seemingly fixed position.
Around 10:50 it began to fade from sight again. We again introduced more stimuli for quite some time, but seemingly to no effect. We packed up all of our gear, and were going to leave when Keith looked into the valley and saw that it had returned. We hurriedly took a Hi-8 back out and began to film once more. For 25 to 30 minute it continued to remain fixed, dimming and brightening, and almost as if a final hurrah, gave us the most interesting observation of the night. It seemingly shot a beam of light, like that of a spot light, straight up into the clouds. This was witnessed by Jordan, Joe and I, and we actually saw it shining through the mist and on the bottom of the clouds. Keith did not see this, because he had the camera trained on me as I was talking about how unreal this all was. So the beam was not caught on tape.
Arkansas Hauntings the Dover Lights Videos
Dover Lights an Arkansas Urban Legend
automatically generated by YouTube
Dover Lights Real or Fake
Have You Seen The Dover Lights?
Located about 17 miles outside Dover, Arkansas, the "Dover Lights" can be viewed on almost a nightly basis. Just off of Highway 7, down a lonely, dark stretch of a dirt road, is a scenic area where the lights can be seen from. During the day, this is a beautiful sight, a scene of a green Arkansas valley, still untouched by man. At the base of the valley lays a waterway known as "Long Pool" which is popular for canoeing and fishing. On the other side of Long Pool, is the mountainous area where the lights are seen during the dark hours of the night. At night, the area is very dark with no source of man-made light. It begins to emit a more eerie feeling as darkness falls in and the only light is the moon itself. It is often said that the lights would respond to other sources of light and to sounds.
The "Dover Lights," an unexplained phenomena that appears, flickers and sways in various colors. Some say they are the ghosts of Spanish Conquistadors searching for their lost gold in the Ozark foothills.
Are the Dover Lights real or fake and have you seen them?
Dover Lights are real I have seen them
Mike says:
Yep, there are lights in Dover. I'm from California and brought my telescope. Went up old road 7 to Treat road up to an overlook. We saw the lights two nights in a row. Some I identified, some I couldn't. Near the creek there was an orangish glowing, flickering light and a bright white flickering light. With the telescope the orange light turned out to be a campfire behind some trees and the white one a coleman lantern. The flashing comes from the trees blowing in the wind which covers your view momentarily.
We saw some moving lights behind the mountain. I could not focus in on them so I have no idea what they are. Despite the explanation of some lights there were some I couldn't. Could be something paranormal in them. If you visit Dover definately go see them. It was a fun thing that I would do again. Try not to go on a full moon. You will see some interesting stuff.
Marcy says:
I have seen them. My friends and I was up in the area, and It was a full moon. We saw the red flickering light for about 10 mins, then we saw a white light do the samething. We were trying to see if they were cars from across the way but all of a sudden we saw a big bright light from behind us getting closer. It was not a car or a flash light. We looked around and there was no one around. The story I had heard was that a father with some men where looking for his son. I was even told you can hear him call his name. I didnt get to hear that the night I went.
Jennifer says:
I grew up in a near by small town (Pottsville). I've been to up to see the Dover Lights many times and at least 5-6 times lights were visible. I've seen the lights appear stationary, and I've also seen them appear in different areas of the mountain in rapid succession. I would go further to say that while I was drinking several times that I was out there, the majority of the time we saw them you have to get out there fairly early, which means I was not drinking on the nights when I saw the lights. I don't know what causes them, but they're definitely there.
Dover lights are fake and dont appear
ThomasC says:
I have been to the Dover Lights, but never did see anything strange, so I still don't know!
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Ghosts of Arkansas
The Vanishing Hitch Hiker
This ghost sighting takes us to highway 365 just south of Little Rock. Ask anyone who lives around this area and they will swear that they know the hitchhiker is real.
According to the story, every year around prom night a young woman in a white dress (sometimes the dress is reported to be tattered and the woman is covered with blood and bruised) stops a driver on Highway 365 (she's been seen on the part that runs just south of Little Rock and past the towns of Woodson, Redfield and even as far as Pine Bluff but most of the time she's found on the bridge) and tells them that she's been in an accident and needs a ride home.
Invariable, some poor sap gives her a ride home only to find that when they get to the house she asked to be dropped at, she's no longer in the car. She has completely disappeared. The person is always confused enough to go knock on the door of the house that she's been taken to. The resident opens the door and reports that his/her daughter was killed on prom night and every prom night since then, she's had someone different bring her home. One variation on this legend reports the girl left a coat in the unwitting driver's car and when he knocked on the door, coat in hand, the mother broke down into tears exclaiming, "That was my daughter's coat".
According to the story, every year around prom night a young woman in a white dress (sometimes the dress is reported to be tattered and the woman is covered with blood and bruised) stops a driver on Highway 365 (she's been seen on the part that runs just south of Little Rock and past the towns of Woodson, Redfield and even as far as Pine Bluff but most of the time she's found on the bridge) and tells them that she's been in an accident and needs a ride home.
Invariable, some poor sap gives her a ride home only to find that when they get to the house she asked to be dropped at, she's no longer in the car. She has completely disappeared. The person is always confused enough to go knock on the door of the house that she's been taken to. The resident opens the door and reports that his/her daughter was killed on prom night and every prom night since then, she's had someone different bring her home. One variation on this legend reports the girl left a coat in the unwitting driver's car and when he knocked on the door, coat in hand, the mother broke down into tears exclaiming, "That was my daughter's coat".
Arkansas Ghosts and Monsters
The White River Monster
The most interesting part of this legend happened in 1973. The Arkansas State Legislator created the White River Monster Refuge along the area of the White River that runs adjacent to the Jacksonport State Park. They enacted a resolution which made it illegal to "molest, kill, trample, or harm the White River Monster while he is in the retreat." Is this proof of his existence or just an attempt to draw tourists?
Ghosts of Arkansas
- 'A Single Drop of Ink'
- A story that has landed the house on a famous ghost tour and numerous television episodes. ?My husband and I went on the ghost tour of the Sorrel-Weed House while on vacation,? Weeks said. ?I thought this would would make a great novel.
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Arkansas Ghosts and Urban Legends links
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Arkansas Paranormal Activities - Gurdon Light
Gurdan Lights Draw National Attention
The mystery of the Gurdon Light dates back to 1931 when railroad foreman, Will McClain, was murdered near the railroad tracks. McClain and fellow worker, Louis McBride, got into an argument and McBride beat McClain to death. McBride was sentenced to death and electrocuted in 1932. Soon after the murder, people began seeing a yellowish - white light swaying back and forth near the murder scene. Legend has it that the ghost of Will McClain walks the tracks, swinging his old - fashioned railroad lantern. Although scientists have studied the light, it remains a mystery. So much so that in 1994 the TV show, Unsolved Mysteries, came to Gurdon to investigate but could provide no explanation.
Ghosts At Arkansas Schools
Haunted Universities and Schools in Arkansas
Arkansas Ghosts and Urban Legends are all over the State and its schools are not safe from ghosts either visit Harding University in Searcy To hear the Haunted Pianist
Historically, this urban legend seems to be accurate, although paranormal, one can never be sure. In the 1930s a young woman with a promising career attended Harding and majored in music. She fell in love with another Harding student who was tragically killed in a car accident a short time after they met. She was very depressed and, according to students at the time, she spent every waking hour of the day on the third floor of the music building playing piano.
Later the same semester he was killed, she also died. Nobody knows why but legend says she died of a broken heart. Soon after her death, students reported hearing piano music from the third floor of the music building. Whenever they would go to investigate, they would find no one there. Most believed it was the young girl serenading her lover from beyond the grave.
The old building has been torn down now and replaced with a modern building which is only two stories tall. However, students still report that they hear piano music coming from the third story on some late dark nights.
Historically, this urban legend seems to be accurate, although paranormal, one can never be sure. In the 1930s a young woman with a promising career attended Harding and majored in music. She fell in love with another Harding student who was tragically killed in a car accident a short time after they met. She was very depressed and, according to students at the time, she spent every waking hour of the day on the third floor of the music building playing piano.
Later the same semester he was killed, she also died. Nobody knows why but legend says she died of a broken heart. Soon after her death, students reported hearing piano music from the third floor of the music building. Whenever they would go to investigate, they would find no one there. Most believed it was the young girl serenading her lover from beyond the grave.
The old building has been torn down now and replaced with a modern building which is only two stories tall. However, students still report that they hear piano music coming from the third story on some late dark nights.
Arkansas Ghosts at Henderson University
Henderson College Haunting
Another haunted college in Arkansas is Henderson in Arkadelphia. There is another college, Ouachita Baptist University, near Henderson. These two colleges have always been rival schools.
The legend says that there was a young student at Henderson who fell in love with a girl from Ouachita. The friends of both parties harassed them and teased them for dating "the enemy." Finally, the guy decided to break up with the young woman because of the pressure and she was crushed.
He started dating a young woman from Henderson. When his former lover from Ouachita Baptist heard that he was taking his new girlfriend to the Homecoming Dance instead of her, she was heart broken and committed suicide.
Now every year during Homecoming Week, the spirit of the young girl is said to haunt Henderson College. She is said to haunt the hallways of the female dormitory searching for the woman who stole the man she loved. She has been nicknamed the "Lady in Black" and is seen at least once every autumn.
The legend says that there was a young student at Henderson who fell in love with a girl from Ouachita. The friends of both parties harassed them and teased them for dating "the enemy." Finally, the guy decided to break up with the young woman because of the pressure and she was crushed.
He started dating a young woman from Henderson. When his former lover from Ouachita Baptist heard that he was taking his new girlfriend to the Homecoming Dance instead of her, she was heart broken and committed suicide.
Now every year during Homecoming Week, the spirit of the young girl is said to haunt Henderson College. She is said to haunt the hallways of the female dormitory searching for the woman who stole the man she loved. She has been nicknamed the "Lady in Black" and is seen at least once every autumn.
Haunted Graveyards of Arkansas
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Arkansas Haunted Hotel
Crescent Hotel in Eureka Springs, Arkansas
You don't need to stay in a haunted room to see a ghost at the Crescent Hotel. Outside of the Recreation Room, the ghost of Dr. Norman Baker often appears, looking a bit confused. He ran a controversial hospital and health resort in the building during the 1930s. A nurse, dressed in a white uniform, has been seen on the third floor of the Crescent Hotel. A woman in Room 419 introduces herself as a cancer patient to guests and housekeepers, then vanishes.
A group of teens getting ready to take a ghost tour of the Crescent Hotel recently reported seeing a man carrying a tray of butter and dressed in a uniform similar to the waiter's uniforms. He followed them out of an elevator and towards their third floor room, where he seemed to disappear. A third girl at the room opened the door and saw him staring directly at all of them.
The Crystal Dining Room of the Crescent Hotel is particularly active, and many spirits in Victorian garb have been spotted there at the tables or in the mirrors. Once, at Christmas time, the staff reported leaving a Christmas tree and presents at one end of the locked and empty Crystal Dining Room. Upon their return, the staff found the tree and presents moved to the other end of the room, and chairs facing the tree in a semi-circle. Many other reportings have been reported at the Cresent Hotel in Eureka Springs, Arkansas reserve your room for Halloween Night and prepare to be visited by the ghosts.
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Arkansas Ghosts and Urban Legends Guestbook
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SiochainGraSonas
Nov 16, 2011 @ 2:00 pm | delete
- Wow! What a wonderful collection of haunting stories. : )
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ElleDeeEsse
Oct 1, 2011 @ 10:12 pm | delete
- Definitely some intriguing stories here. Angel blessed. Happy Halloweeen!
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Aug 16, 2011 @ 9:26 am | delete
- Hi Fitzcharming,
I super enjoyed your spooky lense! Arkansas seems paranormally active indeed! =^..^=
N T T
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artshock
Jun 1, 2011 @ 1:17 pm | delete
- Awesome! I live right down the street from The Crescent, beautiful hotel!
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Gripandflip
Feb 22, 2011 @ 11:42 pm | delete
- Great lens! I just lensrolled you.
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Crystal_Booth Sep 27, 2010 @ 7:56 pm | delete
- Fantastic job on this lens. Lots of great stories on hauntings. I have a lens on Missouri ghosts if you care to come by.
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bdkz
Aug 15, 2010 @ 11:33 am | delete
- Congratulations! You've been SquidBoo Blasted. Happy Halloween!
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Fitzcharming
I live in Central Florida where I work for as a Senior Tax Analyst for a large Fortune 500 company. For fun I play with my dogs Payton and Ozzy, and h... more »
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