Even in the most picturesque places, spooky energy can linger beneath the surface. The Shoal Creek Greenbelt, with its shaded trails and peaceful surroundings, has a wildly horrifying past. The sinister story behind Austin’s popular greenbelt will give you chills.

Historical markers tell spooky tales from days gone by.
Wil C. Fry/Flickr
As you reach the northern end of the greenbelt, keep your eye out for a specific historical marker honoring the life of Gideon White. This early Texas pioneer was brutally killed by Native Americans in 1842, and some people say you can feel his presence even to this day.
Crunching leaves and peaceful winds aren't the only sounds you'll hear along the Shoal Creek Greenbelt.
ivers/Flickr
Listen harder, and you just might feel chills run down your spine. Is is the moaning of Gideon White? The sounds of Native Americans off in the distance? No one is quite sure, but there's certainly a spectral energy surrounding this land.
Early settlers scoured the area for buried treasure, but nowadays there's rumors of something else lurking beneath the ground.
Lars Plougmann/Flickr
People think that the bodies of Gideon White and his family are buried in the dirt, casting a ghostly energy upon the creek.

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In fact, this area is believed to be full of unmarked graves.
ivers/Flickr
During the Civil War, the victims of cholera and yellow fever were quickly buried along the greenbelt. While most of them were eventually moved to the Arlington National Cemetery, 35 of those bodies were never found.
Modern day ghosts tend to haunt this beautiful land, too.
Marcus Calderon/Flickr
A young woman wearing athletic pants and tennis shoes often speed walks through this area in the wee hours of the morning. After a few quick steps, she suddenly evaporates into the night. Paranormal investigators believe she's the spirit of a young woman who was hit by a car during one of her late evening walks.
It's hard to believe a place so peaceful can have such a spooky past.
Lars Plougmann/Flickr
Despite these creepy occurrences, The Shoal Creek Greenbelt is an enormously gorgeous stretch of land. To access the hiking trails, go to 2600 N Lamar Blvd.

Did these stories make your hair stand on end? This isn’t the only haunted spot in the city. If you’re itching for more sinister tales, read about the 9 most terrifying places in Austin.

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