These 5 Urban Legends In Missouri Will Keep You Awake At Night

We don't know about you, but we're real fans of scary stories, especially when they are based on a kernel of truth. Usually, urban legends do stem from real stories, the truth of which can most often not be verified. Urban legends abound all across our great nation, but here are a few specific Missouri legends. Continue with caution, because these urban legends in Missouri might just keep you awake at night.

1. The Devil's Chair

The Devil's Chair (or simply "the haunted chair") is a common legend, but the one specific to Missouri involves what is known as "The Baird Chair" in Kirksville, at the Highland Park Cemetery. The legend goes that those who sit in the chair at midnight (or on Halloween, or during a full moon) will either be punished or rewarded for their foolish bravery. Another legend suggests a hand will rise from a grave and drag you down into Hell. Since all devil's chairs are in cemeteries, it's easy to imagine getting spooked by such a tale. However, in truth, the chairs were most likely placed there as monuments or even just places for mourners to sit.

2. Momo the Monster

Momo, which is short for "Missouri Monster", is an urban legend similar to Bigfoot. Supposedly, Momo is about seven feet tall, with a pumpkin-shaped head, glowing orange eyes, furry, and black with long, wiry hair covering its face. It is reported to have a noticeably bad odor, and it has been seen up and down the Mississippi River. It is said to kill animals and frighten people intentionally.

3. Zombie Road

The stories associated with Zombie Road outside of St. Louis are many. While the original name of the road was "Lawler Ford Road", it started being referred to as "Zombie Road" in the 1950s. This is perhaps due to the stories of a "zombie killer", a creepy guy who lived in a shack in the woods and who would attack young lovers looking for a place to be alone. As the years passed, the chilling stories continued, including ghosts, vanishings, and strange noises. One of the most spine-tingling tales may be the frequently retold story about the ghost of a man who was hit by a train and now haunts the area. The chilling part about that one is that there's a true story in which the wife of a local judge named Della Hamilton-McCullough was hit by a train and killed in 1876. Since there are no other records of anyone else being killed by a train in the area, it is widely believed that Mrs. McCullough may just be the famed ghost of Zombie Road.

4. The Corpse Under the Bed

This legend goes that a couple checked into a hotel and, throughout the night, noticed a strange odor. They called the front desk to complain, only to find the source of the smell was something near or under the bed. Upon further examination, a dead body is found stuffed into the box spring. The couple had been sleeping over it all night! The spookiest part of this story is that it has actually happened in a few places, including Kansas City. The body of a man was found at the Capri Motel in 2003.

5. The Lemp Mansion

The Lemp Mansion currently operates as a restaurant and inn (and even the site of a murder mystery dinner theater). Many people flock here to see if they can observe something creepy. This 19th-century mansion in St. Louis is said to be one of the most haunted places in America! Based on several suicides and other deaths within the Lemp family at this house, the building is said to be haunted by several of their spirits. For example, the attic is said to be haunted by the "monkey-faced boy" who was actually the illegitimate son of William Lemp Jr. He had been hidden away to avoid disgrace due to the scandal of being born of an affair, and because he had been born "deformed" (actually, he was born with down syndrome).

Are you familiar with any other Missouri urban legends?  Which are your favorites? Feel free to share them below in the comments!

If you want to keep up that creepy feeling, take a look at this frightening road trip to haunted places in Mississippi. We even have a road trip packing guide for you so you are sure to have all the essentials.