This Haunted Hike In Mississippi Will Send You Running For The Hills
By Daniella DiRienzo|Published October 28, 2016
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Daniella DiRienzo
Author
Though Daniella was born in New York and has lived in a couple of other states, Mississippi has been her home for more than 30 years. After graduating from the University of Southern Mississippi, Daniella began to hone her writing skills through various internships. In the years since, she’s had the privilege of having her articles appear in several publications, such as the Mississippi-based Parents & Kids Magazine. She’s also had the honor of interviewing actress Sela Ward for The Mississippi Arts and Entertainment Experience.
Looking for a real scare this Halloween? Then you’ll definitely want to visit one of the most haunted sites in the state, the Natchez Trace Parkway. The 444-mile parkway is the most renowned attraction in Mississippi, but there’s also a much darker side to the famous trail, making it as scary as it is historic.
Today, the Natchez Trace is known for its pristine natural beauty and interesting historic sites, but at one time it was referred to as the "Devil’s Backbone" because of all the evil and mayhem that took place along its paths.
In the 1800s, travelers that arrived in Natchez by riverboat would use the Trace as a quick way to get to their next destination. Soon, the trail became littered with criminals and murderers lurking in the dark wilderness, waiting to take advantage of unsuspecting travelers.
Criminals on the Trace were known as "highwaymen," and Samuel "Wolfman" Mason was one of the most notorious. After committing countless crimes, Mason was murdered by his own men when they heard a reward was being offered for his capture. According to local legend, a mournful weeping, believed to be Mason, can be heard all along the Trace to this day.
Two other criminals known to wreak havoc along the path were the Harpe Brothers. The psychotic duo had a reputation for torturing, mutilating, and robbing unsuspecting individuals up and down the Trace. Considered the country’s first serial killers, it is estimated that they killed more than 40 men, women, and children.
The younger of the two, Little Harpe, was eventually captured and hanged. After his death, his head was cut off and placed on a stake somewhere along the Trace. It is said that his ghost still roams the trail and will be forced to do so for the rest of eternity.
Joseph Thompson Hare is another brutal outlaw who gained notoriety for robbing and murdering along the Trace. Prior to his death in 1818, Hare claimed to have seen apparitions on the Trace on several different occasions. In his journal, he frequently mentioned a phantom white horse – a claim he upheld until his death.
Hare’s supernatural connection to the Trace doesn’t end there, though. Local legend tells us that Hare suspected his girlfriend of cheating and decided to get revenge…by burying her alive. Buried in an unmarked grave somewhere near the trail, her spirit is believed to haunt the area.
Located at milepost 233.2, Witch Dance is definitely one of the creepiest spots along the Natchez Trace. Aptly named, it was once frequented by witches, who used the area to perform ceremonial dances. It is said that wherever their feet touched the ground while dancing, the grass would wither and die, never to grow again. These inexplicable barren patches remain to this day, but that’s not all. Many claim that if you visit the area when there’s a full moon, chanting and beating on drums can be heard echoing through the woods.
If you’re really feeling brave, you can turn your haunted hike into a spine-tingling overnight adventure by staying at the Witch Dance Campground. For more information, click here.
Click here for more information on visiting the Natchez Trace. Did you know about the hauntings associated with the Natchez Trace? Have you ever experienced something unusual on the popular trail? Tell us in the comments section!
