In 2001, parts of a movie were filmed in Dunnellon, Florida.
That movie, Jeepers Creepers, went on to become an instant classic for the horror industry.
Many locals are unsure whether the area was picked because it was previously a site of paranormal activity…
Updated 2/10/2020 – …Or if the activity began after the movie was completed.
No matter the origin of the haunting, many Dunnellon residents are convinced that a section of 180th Avenue, known as Tiger Trail, is home to some wicked spooks.
According to local legend, three children were killed years ago at the intersection of Tiger Trail, and many believe these children have returned in spirit form to linger where the perished.
The Infamous Children Ghosts of Dunnellon
But native Florida resident Nathaniel (Name changed for privacy) has witnessed the spirits with his own eyes, and he says the legend is only half of the real story.
“I often travel on part of the Tiger Trail on my way to and from work,” Nathaniel informed us.
“I work at an airport, so I have early hours in the morning, and the Tiger Trail is usually void of traffic by the time I’m making my commute.
“Almost everyone in Dunnellon has heard the stories about the children who were killed at the intersection…
And while it’s a very tragic story, I’ve never had any weird experiences by any means on 180th Avenue.
“That is, until last week,” he added.
Please tell us what happened.
“The sun had just begun to rise when I got to the Tiger Trail. I was running later than usual to work, but it was a Sunday morning, so nonetheless I was the only one on the road.
I was just minding my own business, when I saw something unusual on the right hand side of the road.
“Instinctively I slowed down to see what it was, but I was not at all prepared for what I saw.”
And what did you see?
“Humans—or what were once humans, anyway.”
Terror and Fright by the Roadside
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“There was five of them, and it sounds so bizarre to say out loud, but it appeared to be a family of five.
There were two adult sized figures and three smaller ones, that I assumed to be the children.
“They were standing close together, facing the road, so I could see them in close detail.
Their clothes seemed ordinary—modern day hats, shirts, necklaces—just like anything you’d find in a typical shopping mall.
But their faces…oh my god, their faces…” Nathaniel trailed off, looking quite horrified.
What was on their faces?
“That’s the thing, it wasn’t was on their faces, it was what their faces looked like.
Round, pitch black holes were where their eyes and noses should have been.
And they didn’t even have noses, any of them.
“Their black sockets were unnerving enough, but their round, black mouths gave them expressions of apathy and deranged insanity.
All they were doing was standing there, but I am convinced that this would be the type of ‘people’ who would torture and murder you at the slightest provocation,” Nathaniel said with a shake of his head.
“They never approached the car, never said anything…but I can say without a touch of embarrassment that that family was the most frightening thing I had ever seen.
I have since found other routes to use in Dunnellon.”