It’s pretty hard to wrap up what 2020 has been like. While it definitely hasn’t been what most of us thought it would be, there have been opportunities to try new things and revisit old ideas. Since it’s October, and I’m pretty passionate about Halloween and spooky stories, I thought this would be a good opportunity to re share an old project I’d put together that I’m still fairly proud of: #weirdkansas. It’s not automotive related but it’s fun and worthy of an easier place to be found (the project is buried in my old blog that no one visits anymore).

History has a way of changing on the tongues of those who tell its passing. Like the children's game "Telephone," details get lost in translation as they pass from one person to the next. It is this break down in communication that brings out the truly strange and unusual. These obscure tales, commonly referred to as urban legends, offer us a glimpse into a world that shouldn't exist. A place where unexplainable things transpire and, without a doubt, someone knew someone who witnessed them personally.

Kansas is no stranger to urban legends, with many so frighteningly detailed and well told that you'll have yourself questioning where the line between fact and fiction actually is. While some of the more widely circulated stories do seem to overlap legends found in regions all over the world, like the cry baby bridge or the man with the hook, there are a few unique to the heart of the plains. In this series, one I've grown comfortable referring to as #weirdkansas, you'll be introduced to some of the most common urban legends in the state of Kansas.

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Theorosa's Bridge | #weirdkansas 

Arguably the most widely known urban legend in the state of Kansas, this bridge is a local take on a global legend. The crybaby bridge legend generally involves a bridge, haunted by a spirit that has endured some sort of pain due to the loss of a child. In some cases, this is the spirit of the child haunting the location. In others, it's the spirit of the mother who lost the baby. Theorosa's Bridge in Valley Center is the latter of the two.

The facts are different depending on who you talk to, which helps solidify the notion that this historical account falls into the legend category, but it is said that the restless spirit of a young woman haunts the bridge where she once lost her baby. Alleged encounters tell the tale of cries from the dark water below the bridge, her appearance if you taunt her by saying you have her baby, and even car trouble once on the bridge. 

Based on the stories that circulate about the bridge, concerning Theorosa's interaction with those who pass over her bridge and/or attempt to communicate with her, it's safe to say that the legend of Theorosa would be considered an intelligent haunting.

The Hidden Staircase | #weirdkansas 

It is said that even the Pope won't fly over Kansas which, ironically, is commonly referred to as "flyover country." While some could assume it's because he prefers a relaxing drive through the plains, local Kansas residents know why. Just 12 miles west of the home of Kansas University is a little town known as Stull, KS. According to legend, the cemetery just outside of town houses one of the seven gates to the underworld.

While the stories vary on just exactly what does and doesn't happen, two common elements are generally found in every tale. The first, that an old, dilapidated church used to promise shelter from the rain or elements, despite having no roof. Second, somewhere behind the crumbling house of worship lay a hidden staircase to the underworld. Anyone who dared to descend the hidden staircase would likely experience disorientation, a loss of time, and may even disappear.

The details accounted by those who have visited Stull's cemetery would lead just about anyone to believe that this type of haunted location should be filed in the demonic category. While no occurrences have been documented regularly, the presence of Death and the staircase to the Underworld, appearing on All Hallow's Eve, makes this estimation a pretty safe bet.

The Broadview Hotel's Resident Jester | #weirdkansas

Somewhat recently renovated and picked up by the Drury Inn chain, the Broadview Hotel is one of the oldest and most historic places to spend an overnight in Wichita, KS. While many of the amenities have been updated to provide guests with an updated and comfortable experience, some details have been left in place to remind you that this isn't just any ordinary hotel. Included in those details is the quirky spirit of a 1920's prankster - Clarence.

Like most stories involving ghosts and hauntings, you'll be hard pressed to find two stories exactly alike in regards to Clarence. However, many of the details surrounding experiences had with Clarence share similarities. From time to time, he enjoys rearranging the furniture and laying the curtains flat against the ceiling. However, he's more commonly noticed when pranking the front desk clerks with a phone call full of dead air.

Many believe a spirit is trapped in the location of its death and, if that is the case, though the details surrounding his death are grim, Clarence has found an enjoyable way to pass the time. While he is rarely visible to those who experience his presence, his interaction with the living would suggest that he is an intelligent haunting.

Topeka's Albino Lady | #weirdkansas
Known primarily for being the state capital, there is far more to Topeka than many know. It's the home of the first million dollar high school (which is ridiculously ironic these days), the home of the  Hallmark Cards plant (happy holidays!), used to be the home of Carrie Nation (the hatchet wielding woman, not the band), and continues to be the regular stomping grounds for the routine following Albino Lady.

Most stories surrounding this stately specter involve regular sightings of her pail form, walking through the old Rochester Cemetery, and even down the sidewalks and through the yards of nearby homes. Allegedly, a regular witness began watching the woman each night as she would pass through his yard. After several nights of gawking, she took notice. The following night, the man watched and waited but never saw her pass through his yard. On the way to bed, he felt the urge to check on his kids.. and that's when he saw her, staring in their bedroom window.

Due to most of the tales and sightings mentioning her routine actions, regular route, and distaste in interaction with the living, some believe the Albino Lady to be a residual haunting. However, if she truly has interacted with the man in the account above, this would more likely place her in the intelligent category.

The Hamburger Huntsman of Sand Hills | #weirdkansas

Hutchinson, home of the Cosmosphere and Strataca (the salt mines), is best known as the place that hosts the Kansas State Fair. It's just a short drive from the largest city in Kansas, offers many of the same attractions, and even has its own state park. The Sand Hills State Park, located just outside of the city, is about as oddly named as they come. While there are, in fact, a few large hills that appear to be made of sand, the majority of this park is made up of weeds, odd plants, some sparse woods, and a hook-handed killer that lives in a tiny shack.

Known affectionately by the locals as the "Hamburger Man," his legend is one of the oldest in the state. Some say he's known by this name because he grinds up his victims into hamburger meat. Others claim his name was given to him because his face is so badly scarred that it resembles ground beef. It is also unknown if he shares a pulse with those he hunts, or a place in the afterlife with those he catches. The two most common details about this myth give him a hook for a hand and a small, run down shack of a home in the woods.

Since it's unknown if the Hamburger Man is living or dead, it's difficult to designate a class for his legend. If he is the spirit of a man who once was, his interactions with his victims would place him in the intelligent haunting category. However, if he's among the living, the obvious designation would be that of a serial killer.

Haunted Highway 75 | #weirdkansas

Like every state, Kansas is home to many a highway. Another commonality between highways in each state is that many become dated and practically abandoned. Highway 75, in Southeast Kansas, is among the list of these older, lesser used highways. While there are still drivers who use this old road to get around, many have found updated routes. At least, many of those who still need proof of insurance and an updated license.

It is said that a small stretch of old Highway 75 is haunted. In a bizarre twist, it's not haunted by the usual spirit of a person or animal. Instead, this unique haunting has been described as a phantom, 1960's Cadillac. On many occasions drivers will see an old, bright white Cadillac come up behind them, begin to pass in the oncoming lane, and then just vanish. Some have even reported this occurrence to have taken place several times when they've used Highway 75. 

Among all the stories of this fast moving phantom, none have described the driver or given any indication that it's interacting with them. While it does attempt to pass those who see it, if this particular scenario continues to loop in the same stretch of highway then it is entirely possible that the activity is purely residual.