The stories people tell and the things people say they’ve seen can be so amazing! For instance, there are several Arkansas urban legends and tales told around campfires (the Boggy Creek Monster is still the most famous of all urban legends in Arkansas and likely the most covered in fiction and other media), and these particular stories just might be worth checking out for yourself to see what’s really going on…are all these Arkansas legends just based on myth or is there something more to these tales than meets the eye?
8. Desha County Courthouse Menace
Desha County Judge, 608 Robert S Moore Ave, Arkansas City, AR 71630, USA
According to stories spread for years by locals, a drunken young man who'd been unlucky at gambling set a fire in an act of revenge and was handed down his subsequent punishment - death by hanging - in a sentencing at the Desha County Courthouse. The man proclaimed his innocence until the end and vowed that the beloved courthouse's clock would never run again. For over a century since the execution, the courthouse clock has not worked properly.
7. Brushes With Greatness At Mount Holly
Mt. Holly Cemetery, 1200 Broadway St, Little Rock, AR 72202, USA
Along with a number of local historic luminaries and prominent Arkansas names, 14 state Supreme Court Justices, four United States Senators, four Confederate Generals, and 21 Little Rock mayors are buried at Mount Holly Cemetery. If that's not cool enough, the cemetery is said to have spirits roaming on a regular basis dressed in clothing of their era. Who knows? A ghost hunter with just the proper attitude and courage might be able to carry on a conversation with a celebrity spirit at Mount Holly Cemetery, which is often billed as one of the most haunted cemeteries in Arkansas.
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6. The Haunting of Curran Hall
Curran Hall, 615 E Capitol Ave, Little Rock, AR 72202, USA
One of the oldest structures in Little Rock, the Walters-Curran-Bell House - best known as Curran Hall - has been said for many years to be full of wandering spirits. Curran Hall staff have claimed to have seen inexplicable events such as machinery operating on its own and shadowy figures appearing in spots around the property. Paranormal researchers say that the main spirit of presence has been identified as that of Mary Walters, a resident of the house until her death in 1843. Ghost tours are available annually at Curran Hall so those who are brave enough can see if the legendary hauntings can indeed be proven real.
There's always a certain feeling you get when visiting the MacArthur Museum of Military History - whether it's knowing you're in the presence of years of preserved military artifacts or feeling that you're not wandering the halls alone, there's definitely a weird vibe about the place! The Old Arsenal that houses the museum has many visitors on a daily basis, and some have reported seeing unexplained shadows on walls. Some visitors have also reported hearing disembodied voices and music coming from seemingly nowhere while in the museum. Don't let the museum's creepy reputation deter you from visiting, though. The MacArthur Museum of Military History is among the most popular free museums in Arkansas.
Moss Mountain Farm has become a popular spot for Halloween tours, and a legend behind the property may have something to do with the attraction. It's said that an Englishman naturalist and traveler who settled on Moss Mountain in the early 19th century with his crew of men were murdered mysteriously on Halloween night in 1819. Those who take a tour of the property on Halloween are said to feel the presence of the unfortunate souls. Of course, there's more to the farm than haunted happenings. For instance, in spring, the landscape at Moss Mountain Farm is adorned with hundreds of thousands of daffodils.
3. Fort Smith Museum Of History Voices
Fort Smith Museum of History, 320 Rogers Ave, Fort Smith, AR 72901, USA
Once known as the Old Fort Museum, the Fort Smith Museum of History has been the standard of preserving the town's wild and storied heritage. The building is so alive with history, in fact, that spirits allegedly can't stay away from the place. A 2008 paranormal investigation found researchers coming into contact with visual and temperature-related phenomena as well as EVP, better known as an electric voice phenomenon that provided audio evidence of a paranormal presence in the museum. All that aside, it remains one of the best museums in Arkansas and a must-visit for residents of all ages.
2. The Aggressive Spirit At Powhatan
Powhatan Historic State Park, 4414 AR-25, Powhatan, AR 72458, USA
Powhatan Historic State Park, located in Lawrence County, is said to be one of the most haunted locales in northeast Arkansas and hosts ghost tours annually. The old Powhatan courthouse was once very popular for hangings, and the spot is still said to be inhabited by presences - one, in particular, is said to be the spirit of an executed man who vowed to take his rage out on any women visitors. In spite of the haunted happenings, Powhatan Historic State Park remains one of the most popular state parks in Arkansas.
1. The Crazy Creepy Allen House
Allen House, 705 N Main St, Monticello, AR 71655, USA
The Allen House, located in Monticello on North Main Street, is definitely an eye-catching structure and takes visitors aback upon first glance with its three-story grandeur - but what goes on inside may be too much for you to handle! The house was owned by the prosperous Allen family until the 1980s and seemed to be just the right place for Mr. Allen and his wife to raise their family until they passed away, which is what they both did - but in the late 1940s one of his young daughters, Ladell, tragically took her own life. The act may be what has led to a series of inexplicable and frightening experiences such as figures appearing in photographs taken in the house or furniture being found rearranged. Ladell's spirit is said to be the driving force behind the unexplained occurrences in the house, which is open to the public every Halloween so people can get a good look for themselves and see what's happening inside what has been called the most haunted house in Arkansas.
So, did you know about these Arkansas urban legends? Have you ever experienced anything a little…strange…at the places mentioned above? Might there be any truth to these urban legends in Arkansas that are still being spread around to a new generation of residents of the Natural State? Have you actually been out to Fouke and seen the Boggy Creek Monster, for that matter? Did we miss your favorite Arkansas urban legend? Whatever you have to say, we want to hear it, so share your thoughts with us!
Arkansas urban legends aren’t the only mysterious thing about the Natural State. Arkansas boasts all sorts of oddball spots and strange tales. It’s true; you’ll find everything from quirky roadside attractions in Arkansas to eerily haunted places in Arkansas.
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Arkansas Urban Legends
Daniella DiRienzo|December 29, 2022
Aside from Arkansas urban legends, are there any other creepy stories associated with the state?
In addition to Arkansas legends, the state is brimming with haunted locales. Here are a few of the most haunted places in Arkansas:
