Wes Mantooth

I've spent most of my life living in small towns and in each one there has always been some "bogeyman" story that seems to be unique to that community. We've all heard them, that weird, creepy, scary story that circulates around your neighborhood, town or circle of friends and seems to be passed on year after year, resurfacing with each new generation. Haunted house? Creepy serial killer/maniac living in the woods? Cannibalistic satan worshippers at the end of a lonely road? Cursed objects? That bridge where the beautiful bride committed suicide on her wedding night? Post away because I'd love to hear them.

For example I live in a small town just south of Nashville and there is a wonderful little tale associated with an old decaying dam out in the woods. According to the legend shortly after the dam was built (which could be anytime between the civil war and WWII depending on who tells it) a girl and her boyfriend were standing on on the dam (sometimes fishing, skipping stones) when she suddenly lost her footing, fell and drowned. Well of course that means she now haunts the dam and according to legend if you go there at night you'll see her appear at the stroke of midnight. However not only will you see her appear but upon seeing her spirit she curses you and you'll supposedly die within 7 days. This of course causes dozens of drunk teenagers to wonder down an overgrown path riddled with poisonous snakes to hang out on a pitch black, dangerous, decaying damn...alas to be a dumb teenager again.

Typical small town urban legend I suppose but truth be told I love these stories and I'm curious if anybody here happens to know any local stories you might be willing to share? Incidentally I'm very interested in haunted or cursed roads like Cossart Rd in Pennsylvania or Shades of Death Rd in New Jersey (look them up if your interested in this stuff they're fascinating...for some reason), so please if you know of any local road legends feel free to post them as well.

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