ZOMBIE ROAD
Referenced as one of the most haunted roads in America, the original Zombie Road in Wildwood reportedly sits atop the site of one of the largest Native American burial mounds in the country. It’s rumored to be occupied by spirits of indigenous people, confederate soldiers, packs of children ghosts, supernatural creatures, railroad accident victims, rock quarry industrial workers, monsters and the infamous, escaped serial-killer zombie from a nearby mental institution; plus the list goes on regarding mysterious disappearances that allegedly happened there.
Wildwood and St. Louis County Parks representatives urge people not to search for anything on or around Zombie's related trails during the wee hours. Now called Rock Hollow Trail since 2010, they state "wandering around in the cursed woods could be dangerous." Off Rock Hollow, visitors can spot two different signs designating Zombie Road East and Zombie Road West.
Originally carved out of wilderness in the 1860s and formally known as Lawler Ford Road or sometimes more recently the Al Foster Trail, anecdotes detail paranormal sightings and strange lights along the path. Located near Highway 109 and Old State Road, the trail began to be known as Zombie Road as early as the 1950s. The trail in the 1860s provided access to the Meramec River and the railroad tracks nearby. It was an abandoned gravel road that became a paved bike and pedestrian path.
A Syfy documentary chronicling the haunted trail and narratives from locals titled Children of the Grave was released in 2007, with director Christopher Booth showcasing still images of shadows captured while on the trail.
To personally experience Zombie Road in an approved manner, Wildwood city officials are hosting the 5th Annual Shivering Shadows 7K Run/Walk on Oct. 25, 7 p.m. Participants venture into the dark woods of Zombie Road for an evening of fun and challenges. Registration fee: $40 prior to Race Day; $50 on Race Day. Register online at Register.Chronotrack.com/r/81043.
Note that Zombie Road is officially off-limits at night, and local law enforcers can write trespassing tickets, with fines of $1,000 for a single incident and/or up to 90 days in jail. A sign at the trailhead states no trespassing from a half-hour after dusk to dawn. City officials state they consider 'allowable/open hours' from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. Trespassing fines there may increase near Halloween each year.
ST. CHARLES GHOST TOURS
On Main Street St. Charles, have you visited The Lost Graveyard and been grabbed from behind by a spirit? Seen The Lady in White? Tracked blood stains from a deceased sheriff? Barked with the spirits of ghost dogs?
Those who take a St. Charles Ghost Tour can visit some of the places reporting ghostly activity, glows, unexplained noises, flitting shadows and even ghostly smells. Just ask the tour manager, 30-year student of paranormal topics and world renowned historical researcher Michael Henry, who also authored the book Ghosts of St. Charles.
Michael says the tour shares ghostly tales, otherworldly bygone facts and local legends. Call 314.374.6102 to check availability; reservations required. Go to StCharlesGhosts.com to inquire about special or group tours.
LEMP MANSION
The Lemp Mansion is known as the most haunted place locally. Owners offer "The Lemp Experience" ghost hunting activities with a paranormalist year-round. This experience can be booked at $43 per person this month on Oct. 3, 10, 17, 24, 31. Call 314.664.8024 to ask questions.
HEAD-SPINNING EXPERIENCES
No self-respecting feature about scary places to check out in The Lou region should publish without reminding that The Exorcist 1973 movie and 1971 best-selling horror novel were based on a documented story of possession that occurred in St. Louis in 1949 said it took place in several locations on campus, including DuBourge, Verhaegen and Jesuit Halls, plus the St. Francis Xavier College.
"On Missouri River banks in St. Charles, it doesn't take much imagination to see, feel and smell ghosts lingering there."