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The goldminer's wife of Arizona -

In the 1800s, during the American Gold Rush, an Arizona miner disappeared, leaving his family to starve. Legend has it that his wife, driven mad by her despair, murdered their children and threw them into a nearby river. It's said that she wept on the banks of the river, now known as Slaughterhouse Canyon, until her death. Locals claim that her cries still echo off the walls of the canyon.

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The ghost children of Alabama -

When the people of Huntsville, Alabama, built a playground in the middle of their cemetery in the 19th century, they should expect a little bit of haunting, right? By the 1960s, stories were told about missing children who were then found dead in the playground. To this day, many claim to see the ghosts of these children there.

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The madness of Dudleytown, Connecticut -

Dudleytown, Connecticut, was an ill-fated early American town of which only sparse ruins remain today. While the official reason for its failure is poor soil, some locals tell grim tales of residents driven mad and plagued by tragic deaths and accidents. They say the town is haunted and has been abandoned due to a series of murders, lightning strikes, suicides and fatal falls. Talk about ghost town!

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The Alaska Triangle disappearances -

Everyone knows the Bermuda Triangle, but the much more northerly Alaska Triangle has a reputation all of its own. At its three corners of Juneau, Anchorage and Barrow, the Alaska Triangle has been home to more than 2,000 disappearances over the years.

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The haunted railroad of Arkansas -

In 1931, Louis McBride, a railroad worker from Arkansas, was fired from his job. It is said that he sought revenge and murdered his former employer with a railroad hammer and was subsequently executed by electrocution. Today, it is believed that McBride’s ghost appears as a haunting orb of light along the railroad tracks in Arkansas.

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The Char-Man from California -

In 1948, a fire raged in the forests of Ojai, California. After the blaze, rescuers discovered a skinned and hanged man in a secluded cabin. Legend has it that the man’s son, who was driven insane by the flaming inferno, was the killer. He became known as Char-Man. Some locals and campers believe that he still haunts his territory and guards it from intruders.

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The eeriest road in Colorado -

Riverdale Road near the town of Thornton, Colorado, is considered the most haunted road in the state. Various ghosts have been spotted on this blacktop strip: enslaved people, joggers and even a ghostly sports car racing through at incredible speeds.

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Don't sneeze in Delaware -

Samuel Chew was the chief of justice with a funny name of Delaware during the 18th century. And Chew was well aware that the locals had a penchant for a good sneezing pun at his expense. The constant 'a-choo!' echoing behind his back was too much! But here's the twist. After Chew died, those who had mocked him got a 'spectral payback' feeling icy eerie chills every time they sneezed.

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Florida's swamp ape -

The Everglades of Florida have an eerie and captivating charm. A lot of this spookiness comes from the frightening swamp creatures that call the Everglades home. Truly the most frightening is the storied skunk ape, a foul-smelling creature said to resemble an orangutan that stands a terrifying seven feet (2.1 meters) tall.

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The monsters of Lake Lanier, Georgia -

Created in the 1950s, Lake Lanier in Georgia is a man-made marvel that has swallowed up a vast expanse of abandoned buildings, roads and bridges. But locals will tell you that this act of transformation hasn't gone unnoticed by the supernatural. They believe that this desecration has spawned monsters and ghouls that are said to lurk just beneath the surface.

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Hawaii's night marchers -

Hawaii, a paradise on Earth and a dream vacation spot for many, isn’t just about beach barbecues and tropical cocktails. The island’s lore also has a dark side. Legend has it that a band of ghostly Hawaiian warriors, known as the night marchers, haunt the resort beaches while most of the island sleeps. Any late wanderer who dares to meet the gaze of these night marauders is said to drop dead on the spot.

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Massacre Rocks, Idaho -

The Massacre Rocks landmark, in rural Idaho, got its eerie name for a reason. Legend has it that the Native American Shoshone people who inhabited the area once suffered from a famine so severe that they were forced to drown their children in the river to save them from starvation. Today, locals say that if you listen closely, you can hear the cries of the babies on the banks of the river near Massacre Rocks.

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The killer clown of Chicago, Illinois -

Urban legends about killer clowns are particularly frightening! In the 1990s, residents of Chicago, Illinois, were allegedly terrorized by a clown who stalked the city streets, kidnapping and killing children. Or maybe they just watched 'It' (1990) one too many times.

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Diana of the Dunes in Indiana -

In the early 1900s, a woman named Alice Gray left her high society life and moved to the wild sand dunes of the Indiana coast and Lake Michigan. She became known as Diana of the Dunes, due to her ghostly presence that sometimes frightened visitors. Although Gray is long deceased, locals claim that she still haunts the Indiana coast, protecting its dunes from danger and intruders.

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The axe murders in Villisca, Iowa -

On June 10, 1912, Villisca, Iowa, woke up to find eight residents brutally murdered in their sleep. The victims, the Moore family of six and two visiting children, had severe axe wounds. Despite an extensive investigation and numerous suspects, no one was convicted. The Moore house, which is now a tourist attraction, is said to be haunted.

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The Devil's Chair of Kansas -

The so-called Devil's Chair in the cemetery of Alma, Kansas, is not actually a chair, but a sealed well. It is believed to harbor cruel and dangerous spirits. Legend has it that those who dare to sit on the well will mysteriously disappear within a few days.

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Kentucky's Pope Lick Monster -

Kentucky’s Pope Lick Monster is a widely feared tale. It is believed that a goat-man creature lives under Louisville’s railroad bridges and lures people onto the tracks at the worst possible time. The monster is named after its dwelling place, a railroad bridge over Pope Lick Creek.

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The vampire of New Orleans, Louisiana -

New Orleans, Louisiana, is rich in history and legends, including the story of Jacques St. Germain. Arriving from France in 1902, St. Germain became a prominent figure in the city's nightlife. After a woman accused him of biting her on the neck, the police allegedly found bottles of blood in his house, leading to rumors of a vampire in the city. To this day, St. Germain, who became known as the vampire of New Orleans, has been spotted time and again.

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The curse of Buck's Tomb, Maine -

Colonel Jonathan Buck, the namesake of Bucksport, Maine, is buried in the town's cemetery. There is a stubborn, leg-shaped stain on his headstone that will not go away despite all attempts to clean and replace it. The locals believe it is the curse of a witch who was burned at the stake on Buck's orders.

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The beast in the bay, Maryland -

There are many myths and legends surrounding the Chesapeake Bay off the southern coast of Maryland, but the most famous is certainly the story of a giant serpent creature that lurks in the murky waters of the bay. The creature, nicknamed Chessie by the locals, seems to have quite a temper and keeps a (suspiciously) safe distance from humans.

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The witches of Salem, Massachusetts -

The town of Salem in Massachusetts is perhaps the most haunted place in the USA. Famous for its cruel witch trials in the 17th century, the supernatural influences of these alleged witches can still be felt today. One alleged witch in particular, Giles Corey, is said to have cursed the post of Salem's Sheriff for all eternity. Legend has it that every Sheriff of Salem, starting with the one who ordered Corey's execution, has suffered from heart complications, blood disease and legal problems.

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Hell's Bridge, Michigan -

Legend has it that Elias Friske, who lived in the small town of Algoma, Michigan, in the 1800s, was possessed by a demon that forced him to kill several of the town's children and then dump the bodies under a small wooden bridge in the woods. Today, this bridge is known as Hell's Bridge and visitors claim that the screams of the unfortunate children still echo from below.

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The cannibals of Minnesota -

European superstition and Native American spirituality collide in the legend of the cannibals of Minnesota. The disappearance of numerous people in the forests of Minnesota is attributed to the wendigos, giant, man-eating creatures that were once human but became possessed after engaging in cannibalistic acts.

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The Yazoo River Witch, Mississipi -

A woman known as the Yazoo River Witch had a reputation for attacking and even killing fishermen on the banks of this Mississippi river. The alleged witch was chased out of town and died in a quicksand trap. As she was sinking, legend has it that she vowed to return in 20 years to get her revenge. Almost exactly 20 years later, a forest fire broke out near Yazoo City, burning the entire town to the ground.

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The Zombie Road of Missouri -

Lawler Ford Road in Missouri is popularly referred to as Zombie Road. It gained this moniker due to the prevailing belief that various spirits and malevolent individuals haunt this particular highway. These entities range from sorrowful apparitions emitting chilling screams to homicidal individuals with hook for hands. It is strongly advised to steer clear of Zombie Road to ensure personal safety.

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Sacrifice Cliff, Montana -

The US, with its history of genocide against Native Americans by European colonizers, could be considered highly haunted. One case of this is Sacrifice Cliff in Montana. According to legend, the Crow tribe was ravaged by smallpox in the early 19th century. Some members of the tribe jumped off the cliff now known as Sacrifice Cliff, believing that the sacrifice of a few would save many people. It is said that their spirits still linger there.

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The heart harvester of Nebraska -

The small town of Portal, Nebraska, is haunted by the story of a teacher who went insane in the early 1900s. This killer teacher allegedly decapitated all of her students one day and then cut their hearts out. Legend has it that you can still hear the sounds of that bloody day if you stand in the middle of the teacher's old classroom.

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Area 51 -

Area 51 Air Force base is renowned for its intriguing stories, conjectures and conspiracies and is considered the most famous urban legend in the United States. Hidden deep in the Mojave Desert in Nevada, this base allegedly houses an alien spacecraft and maybe even beings from outer space.

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The curse of New Hampshire -

In the 19th century, the chief of the Pequawket Indians, Chocorua, witnessed the death of his son, allegedly poisoned by European settlers who invaded their land. Legend has it that Chocorua cursed the settlers and their descendants. Mysterious murders, violent storms and inexplicable cattle plagues haunted the settlers for generations.

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New Jersey's vile voyeur -

A disturbing urban legend has recently been circulating among New Jersey residents. In 2014, a wealthy family bought a multi-million dollar home there, but before they moved in, they received disturbing letters from someone calling himself a 'watcher' The letters warned them of a 'second coming,' asked about the occupants of the street-side bedrooms, and cryptically referred to 'what’s in the walls.' The terrified Broaddus family never moved in, and the 'watcher' remains unidentified.

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Roswell's extraterrestrials, New Mexico -

Roswell, New Mexico, is a hotspot for alien aficionados, thanks to a 1947 incident. A farmer discovered inexplicable wreckage near the town, sparking a flurry of official statements and hasty retractions. This fueled endless theories about alien encounters and possible government knowledge of extraterrestrial life on Earth.

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New York's Montauk Project -

Legend has it that the Montauk Project, a supposedly classified government operation in Montauk, New York, conducted successful experiments in psychological warfare, brainwashing and even time travel in the 1980s. Al Bielek, an alleged project participant, claims to have recovered repressed memories of his involvement, including his time as a soldier in World War II before traveling back to the 1980s.

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The Beast of Bladenboro, North Carolina -

In 1953, a frightening creature terrified the town of Bladenboro, North Carolina. Known as the Beast of Bladenboro, this enormous cat-like monster first preyed on dogs roaming the nearby woods, but then it went after humans. Authorities eventually killed a bobcat that took the blame for the attacks. Nevertheless, the locals continued to doubt this explanation and no longer ventured into the forest after sunset.

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North Dakota's portal to hell -

Tagus, North Dakota, a remote town barely populated since its founding, has a chilling tale. In 2001, a supposed satanic coven, disguised as a Lutheran church, allegedly burned down their house of worship, opening a portal to hell. It is said that ghosts and demons still haunt the area.

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Hell Town, Ohio -

The Ohio town originally known as Boston Mills, is now ominously referred to as Hell Town. What a name change! The area was abruptly bought out and vacated by the government in the 1970s. Theories about this sudden move started to emerge and they range from secret chemical experiments that have spawned mutants to the presence of a relentless serial killer targeting schoolchildren.

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Shaman's Portal, Oklahoma -

Oklahoma is often associated with its agricultural landscape, but it is also home to Beaver Dunes National Park, an unexpected desert on the landscape. It is rumored that the park was built on a Native American burial site, which led to numerous disappearances in the area. These missing persons cases gave the area the nickname 'Shaman's Portal'.

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Oregon's Bandage Man -

An unfortunate victim of a horrific sawmill accident near the Pacific coast of Oregon is said to haunt the streets of Cannon Beach to this day. The ghostly figure, wrapped like a mummy and also known as the 'Bandage Man', apparently has a habit of jumping in front of passing vehicles, making them crash.

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The wandering bus of Philadelphia -

The story of the supernatural bus in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is considered by some to be evidence of a real life purgatory. It is said that this bus is only visible to people who have lost all hope in life. Those who climb on board are considered unfortunate souls doomed to spend the rest of their days in endless transit.

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Rhode Island's vampire panic -

The ill-fated town of Exeter, Rhode Island, was decimated by a tuberculosis pandemic in the 1800s. Back then, not as much was known about tuberculosis as it is today, and rumors circulated that the disease was caused by vampires.

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Buried alive in South Carolina -

In South Carloina there is a legend about Julia Legare, who fell into a coma and was mistakenly buried alive. Years later, her remains were found outside her casket in the mausoleum. It is believed that she woke up, escaped from her coffin, but was trapped inside the burial chamber. To this day, a stubborn crack appears in the door of the mausoleum, and no matter how many times the door is replaced, the crack keeps coming back.

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Sica Hollow, South Dakota -

Sica Hollow is known as the most haunted place in South Dakota. According to Native American legends, the red-tinged swampland that spreads across the hollow was created by blood gushing from the ground. Throughout history, Sica Hollow has been a place where people have repeatedly disappeared. Some locals believe that these unfortunate souls were either swallowed up by the blood-filled pools or carried off by evil spirits.

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Bell Witch, Tennessee -

Bell Witch, Tennessee, is a real place where a whole series of atrocities are said to have taken place. John Bell bought the land in the early 19th century, but soon regretted it after he and his family were visited by a terrifying monster. The infamous Bell Witch, a beast with the head of a rabbit and the body of a dog, terrorized the family in their sleep, lurking in the surrounding wilderness and warning them of murders and plagues.

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The child hitchhikers of Texas -

Since 1994, there have been records of two children with completely black eyes in Texas asking for a ride. Allegedly, a journalist named Brian Bethel narrowly escaped death after giving these children a ride home. Since then, there have been regular reports of similar sightings.

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Utah's cursed souvenirs -

The Petrified Forest National Park in Utah has long been struggling with the problem of tourists illegally taking pieces of petrified wood as souvenirs. Despite the legal consequences for stealing these natural wonders, the spirits of the park seem to devise their own retribution. Legend has it that stolen pieces of wood from the park are cursed and thieves are said to have suffered broken bones, illnesses and even house fires.

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The frozen people of Vermont -

An old diary dating from the 1800s tells the chilling story of a poor family who lived on a mountain, near Montpellier. Out of desperation, they made the difficult decision to freeze and bury their elderly relatives to save them from a slow death by starvation. As the legend goes, the old people miraculously returned to life unharmed at the beginning of spring, defying all odds.

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The Bunny Man of Virginia -

The man who became known as the 'Bunny Man of Virginia' escaped from captivity in an insane asylum after the bus in which he was being transferred on crashed. After his escape, the Bunny Man is said to have lived in the wilderness around Clifton, Virginia, hunting people for food. Teenagers seemed to be his favorites, and legend has it that their harvested bodies were then hung from the ceiling of what is now the Bunny Man Bridge (pictured).

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Washington's Bigfoot -

Bigfoot is a well-known creature. This mysterious humanoid cryptid is believed to live in the vast forests of Washington and seems to love solitude as company. Enthusiasts have been obsessed with capturing or at least documenting the beast for decades, but despite the numerous sightings and ongoing investigations, Bigfoot remains a mystery.

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The Mothman from West Virginia -

The people of Point Pleasant, West Virginia, fear and love the Mothman. This giant creature with red eyes is said to be spotted around town and has even become a local hero. The community celebrates the Mothman with festivals, movies and statues built in its honor.

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Boy Scout Lane, Wisconsin -

According to local legend, Boy Scout Lane in Stevens Point, Wisconsin, was the scene of a gruesome massacre of a Boy Scout troop. The identity of the perpetrator and the motive remain unknown. Occasionally, visitors report discovering children's handprints along the trail and even seeing ghostly figures of their bodies dangling in the trees.

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Devil's Tower, Wyoming -

Devil's Tower in Wyoming is one of the most famous landmarks in the United States and is ingraved in Native American beliefs - each tribe has its own version of the legend. The Sioux say that two lost boys were chased across the prairie by Mato, a giant bear. With nowhere to hide, they prayed to the Great Spirit, who lifted them skyward on a rock pillar. Mato clawed at the stone, leaving deep scratches, but couldn’t reach them and left. The boys were then carried home by the giant eagle Wanblee.

Sources: (Ranker) (Insider) (Reader's Digest)

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