7 haunted rest areas truck drivers should know about
Post Date - Oct 20, 2023
One of the coolest parts about a career in truck driving is being able to travel and see beautiful sights across the country. But as the nights stretch on longer and the leaves start to rustle in the breeze, here are seven supposedly haunted stops along America’s most popular trucking routes.
1. Uniondale, Indiana: A Rest Stop’s Restless Spirit
Tucked right off I-69 in Indiana, Uniondale appears to be like any other small, quiet, Midwestern town. But its rest stop has a chilling secret behind it. Local legend has it that the ghost of a grieving mother has made the truck stop her home as she endlessly searches for her missing child. Some truck drivers have reported that they’ve heard faint cries in the dead of night.
2. Resurrection Mary: A Hitchhiker’s Ghost
Moving north to the Windy City, Chicago, several truck drivers shared stories of a ghost named Resurrection Mary. This ghost takes on the appearance of a hitchhiker and is most frequently spotted along Archer Avenue. Mary attempts to lure drivers into stopping and giving her a ride… destination unknown. Witnesses have described her as a young woman in a white dress, but as they approach the nearby aptly named Resurrection Cemetery, she vanishes.
3. Vicksburg, Mississippi: McRaven Mansion
While not a truck stop today, the McRaven Mansion in Vicksburg deserves to be mentioned. Originally built in 1797, it served as a rest stop along the Natchez Trace for pioneers en route to Nashville. The mansion sits close to I-20 and is rumored to be one of the most haunted houses in the South. Truck drivers who have stopped to check it out have reported seeing shadowy figures dart through the halls and eerie whispers come from empty rooms.
4. Highway 666: The Devil’s Highway
Now known as US-491, this stretch of road was once known as Highway 666. Located in the Four Corners region, a long history of infamy follows this highway. Many truckers believed it had been cursed due to an unusually high number of accidents and paranormal occurrences. Some have claimed to see unexplainable apparitions and otherwise strange phenomena while driving along this eerie route.
5. Jerome, Arizona: The Ghost Town on a Hill
Jerome is an old mining town that clings to the side of a steep and treacherous hillside in Arizona. It is well known for its turbulent history, with many believing the ghosts of past minors and misfits still inhabit the town. Truck drivers just passing through on their way to other locations have witnessed strange noises, and mysterious shadows, and some have even claimed to see ghostly miners wandering the empty streets. It’s a town forever frozen in the past.
6. Guthrie, Oklahoma: Stone Lion Inn
If you’re ever in need of a place to stop, maybe take the Stone Lion Inn off your list. It has a reputation for being one of the most haunted locations in all of Oklahoma. This historic bed and breakfast, situated right alongside several popular trucking routes, is home to many resident spirits. Miss Mattie is one of many who roam the halls and is said to have met her demise at the inn. Apparitions, flickering lights, unexplained footsteps, and haunting whispers all come free with a stay at the Stone Lion.
7. Emporia, Kansas: Red Rocks Roadside Park
Situated along I-35 in Kansas, this is a popular resting stop for truck drivers traveling through the area. While it may seem like an ordinary rest area during the day, it takes on a whole new, darker ambiance at night. Legend has it that the place is haunted by a girl named Molly, who was killed in an accident near the rest area. Truck drivers have reported seeing the ghostly figure of a girl appear around the rest area and have also heard faint laughter.
While these stories are sure to give you goosebumps, they’re all part of the rich tapestry of American folklore and legend. Whether you’re dealing with restless spirits or just heavy traffic, stay safe out there!