If you’ve spent much time in Weatherford, Oklahoma, you’ve probably heard about the ghost story of Mrs. James. Dead Woman’s Crossing in Oklahoma is a local urban legend that’s actually true – which makes it all the more creepy. Come check out this infamously haunted spot in Oklahoma if you dare!

Local legend claims that Mrs. James haunts the road around Deer Creek in the small unincorporated community near Weatherford in Custer County.
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On July 7, 1905, a woman named Katy DeWitt James, 29, and her baby Lulu Belle, 14 months old, got on a train to go visit a cousin in Payne County. She had filed for divorce from her husband the day before on grounds of cruelty. Her father, Henry Dewitt, saw them off from the train station and planned on hearing from them within several days.
When Mr. Dewitt hadn't heard from his daughter for several weeks, he hired a private investigator, Mr. Bartell, to look for her.
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After some digging, Bartell learned that Mrs. James had met and befriended Fannie Norton, a known prostitute, on the train. On the evening of July 7, Norton took Mrs. James and Lulu Belle to the home of her brother-in-law, William Moore in Clinton; they spent the night there before riding off in a buggy the next morning, saying they would be back in three hours. Norton returned two hours later—but neither Mrs. James nor her daughter were with her.
So what happened on this road over a century ago?
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The detective discovered that the buggy had disappeared into a field near the creek. After about an hour, it came speeding back out; one wheel was stained with blood. Norton pulled up to a farmer’s house, called the farmer’s boy over, and gave him a baby - Lulu Belle - wrapped in a bloody dress. Clearly foul play was involved, but when the detective tracked down Norton, the prostitute denied killing Mrs. James. It was never confirmed whether she was lying or not. It was presumed she was guilty since she swallowed a heavy dose of poison, killing herself in one fell swoop after being questioned.
A skull and skeleton were discovered near Deer Creek by a local fisherman and confirmed that they belonged to Mrs. James.
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Her estranged husband, Martin James, inherited her estate and disappeared with Lulu Belle. The mystery was never solved, and a number of questions still remain.
Legend claims Mrs. Jameses' restless spirit roams the streets and banks near Deer Creek, calling out for her baby daughter.
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Other stories claim that if you stand beneath the bridge crossing the creek and listen closely, you might hear the rattle of wagon wheels rolling around above you. A researcher was in the area doing a school project, when she noticed a blue light with no particular shape that originated in the creek, and was coming towards her friend and her.
The wooden crossing where Mrs. Jameses' body was found was torn down 80 years later, but a concrete bridge was built nearby and was quickly dubbed with the tragic label of Dead Woman's Crossing.
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Have you ever driven Dead Woman’s Crossing in Oklahoma? Did you encounter anything unusual? Tell us your stories in the comments!

 

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Dead Woman's Crossing in Oklahoma

Tori Jane | August 29, 2022

Where is “Dead Woman Crossing” in Oklahoma?  

Dead Woman’s Crossing is a bridge in Weatherford, Oklahoma, with quite a spooky reputation. It’s known as one of the more haunted places in Oklahoma thanks to the stories and rumors that swirl around it, as well as some truly eerie paranormal activity said to occur there as well. Unlike many haunted places, though, the story behind is verifiable and true. To make a long story short, a woman named Katy DeWitt James was murdered and her body was dumped at the site of the bridge. Unsettled, the town tore the bridge down, but later, another concrete one was built in its place.  

What are some legitimately haunted places in Oklahoma?  

With all the history the Sooner State has, it’s no mystery as to why there are so many supposedly haunted places in Oklahoma. One of the most infamously haunted spots in Oklahoma is the old Stone Lion Inn Bed and Breakfast. This gorgeous old Victorian home is said to be haunted by the benevolent spirit of an eight-year-old girl who likes to pat guests on the face, among other shenanigans. Another famous haunted place in the Sooner State is the Gilcrease Museum, in Tulsa, which is said to be haunted by several Native American children’s spirits.  

Where can I find some creepy abandoned places in Oklahoma? 

It seems like no matter where you go in the Great Plains, you’re sure to find bunches of spooky abandoned places. There are a number of abandoned places in Oklahoma that are worth checking out, like the Eastern State Hospital. Though the stories of terrible things happening here are less than you’d expect, the grounds are still quite eerie (after all, what abandoned hospital ISN’T going to be creepy?). Other creepy abandoned places in Oklahoma include the Pawnee Care Center, in Pawnee, the Perfect Swing Family Fun Center in Norman (which may or may not be restored someday), and entire towns like Reed and Picher.  

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