Sun, Surf and Sand – these are the three factors that make Florida one of the exciting travel destinations in the U.S. Or so you would think.
There’s another ‘S’ factor that may tempt you to plan a trip there sometime soon: Supernatural.
Updated 2/10/2020 – From spooky trees to blood-filled rivers and all the way to flesh-eating clouds, the Sunshine State has its fair share of urban legends. In fact, the following eight may make you reconsider sleeping alone tonight.
Be forewarned – many of these legends have been proven true by the experts. So, investigate these at your own risk.
These 8 Urban Legends In Florida Will Keep You Awake At Night
8) Satan is Never Too Far from the Devil’s Chair
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Humidity and temperatures above 90 degrees may make Florida feel like hell at times. In fact, it’s one of the few states in which the Devil has a place made specifically for him.
Located in Cassadaga, the Devil’s Chair appears to be a withering graveside bench made from bricks. But legend has it that anyone who sits there will hear The Prince of Darkness himself. His minions aren’t too far either as they supposedly cause visitors to hear voices in their heads until they leave.
If you want to put the legend to the test, place a cold beer on the chair and leave. You’ll find the bottle unopened, but empty!
If you’re shaking your head, reconsider taking the Devil so lightly.
Almost every one of the locals has seen dark figures lurking in the shadows. Some have also been attacked by them, sharing pictures of deep slashes on their arms and backs. So, don’t taunt the Devil or whatever lurks around the Devil’s Chair.
7) You’ll Experience Suicidal Thoughts Under the Fairchild Oak
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The Fairchild Oak is one of the greatest attractions at Ormond Beach’s Bulow Creek State Park. But it’s also one of the creepiest places to be, especially if you’re there alone. Legend has it that lone travelers hear whispers forcing them to grow sad and end their lives.
Known as the Haunt Oak, this landmark is tainted by two deaths. Norman Harwood took his own life beneath the tree. Meanwhile, the corpse of James Ormond II was found there. While reports from that era suggest that he had committed suicide, his death is considered a mystery.
In fact, Ormond’s death was so gruesome that his son wrote, “I witnessed my father’s death, and God forbid that any of my children should ever be witness of such a scene. Amen.”
So, don’t test your luck and wander near the Fairchild Oak alone.
6) Evil Never Leaves The Devil’s Tree
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It may seem like the Devil has taken a liking to Florida, especially as this is the second landmark with his name.
The Devil’s Tree is a large oak in Oak Hammock Park, Port St. Lucie. Looking at it, you’ll experience cold chills down your spine. Just don’t stand there for long or else the evil within it will claim your soul.
A lot of blood has been shed near this tree. In the 1970s, two teenage girls were killed and buried there. The Devil’s Tree has also been smeared with the blood of sacrifices to Satan.
With so much blood shed there, especially to appease the darkest entities, it’s no wonder evil never leaves the dark branches of this tree.
5) Blood Flows Under the Bloody Bucket Bridge
Traveling down Reinhart Pass Road in Wauchula, you’re bound to come across the Bloody Bucket Bridge. Legend has it that the water turns blood red during specific times on moonlit nights. Strangely, despite remembering the scary sight, no one seems to remember the exact time it happens.
According to the locals, the blood is that of the babies killed by the community’s midwife. Concerned that some families had too many mouths to feed, she smothered the babies and buried their bodies in the woods along the river.
When people suspected her and stopped asking for her, she lost her mind. The souls of the babies also came to haunt her, filling a bucket in her home with their blood. Every day, she would empty the bucket in the river only to find it full again.
One day, as she was emptying the bucket, she slipped and drowned in the river. Since then, the river would run red with blood to remind the people of Wauchula of their lost young.
4) Tallahassee’s Witch Keeps Watch Over Her Grave At All Times
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If you ever enter Tallahassee’s old City Cemetery, the first thing you’ll notice is the curious tomb of Elizabeth Budd-Graham.
‘Bessie’ died at the age of 23, leaving behind her husband and two small children. But many believe that she was killed for practicing witchcraft. For starters, her grave is the only one facing west, a practice contrary to Christian burial customs.
Another bit of evidence is the epitaph chiseled on her tomb, which is passages from Edgar Allan Poe’s ‘Lenore’. These indicate that she had a stake driven through her heart and is forever trapped between life and death.
As witches must be killed twice, Bessie is definitely far from dead. So, be respectful while you’re in her presence or else her curse will follow you to your own grave.
3) Cars Mysteriously Break Down at Lady Lake’s Rolling Acres Road
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If you turn west on Rolling Acres Road, your car will suddenly malfunction and you’ll be stranded in the woods and rolling hills. Even if it’s a brand new car, legend has it that white smoke will enter the hood and stop the vehicle for at least 10 minutes.
Unfortunately, this is the least of your woes.
Rolling Hills Road is haunted by the spirit of Julia. Murdered by her jealous lover, she roams in the woods until someone approaches her. If she sees you, her eyes will glow red and she’ll scream like a banshee.
No matter what happens, stay in the vehicle and continue trying to re-start it.
2) A Carnivorous Pink Cloud Along the Tomoka River Devours People Whole
One of the spookiest urban legends in Florida comes from the woods along the Tomoka River in the west of Daytona Beach. Seen for the first time between 1955 and 1966, a strange pink cloud has been blamed for the disappearance of dozens of people.
The cloud, which is seen during the colder months of the year, is rumored to devour the flesh off human bodies. In fact, many human bones were found in the area after the cloud disappeared.
Now no one knows how the cloud came to existence. Though some claim that it’s swamp gas, people who saw it state that it was more like fog that covered only a small area. Some even believe that it’s the angry spirit of Chief Tomokie, who was cursed for drinking from a sacred spring.
Whichever story is really true, run as fast as you can if you see a small pink cloud/fog rolling near you.
1) The Oviedo Lights Chase Cars Between Chuluota and Snow Hill at Night
If you need to travel between Chuluota and Snow Hill, make sure to do so during day. You see, you’ll need to drive on the bridge crossing the Econlockhatchee River. And that’s where the Oviedo Lights have been seen.
Usually spotted during warm months, these balls of light have been known to chase after cars. Because they appear like headlights, they can terrify drivers and cause accidents. Many have died there as a result.
Even if you’re lucky and the accident doesn’t claim your life, the area can be quite terrifying at night. Many of the people stranded there reported hearing terrifying sounds such as a woman being strangled. And that’s why this road isn’t for the faint-hearted.
