Urban Legends in Alabama

While growing up, we heard a variety of urban legends. Some of us even sought out to see if these stories were true. Listed below are eight of Alabama’s most popular urban legends. How many of them have you heard and/or experienced?

Dead Children's Playground — Huntsville

Tucked away in Huntsville's Maple Hill Cemetery is Dead Children's Playground. According to legend, the spirits of the children buried near the playground come out to play during the late night hours. Many visitors of Dead Children's Playground have witnessed swings moving on their own and the ghosts of children playing.

Boyington Oak — Mobile

In Mobile's Church Street Graveyard, there's an oak tree growing from the grave belonging to Charles Boyington — a man who was executed for a murder he didn't commit. When Mr. Boyington realized he was about to die, he let everyone know that an oak tree would grow from his heart to prove his innocence. It did just that! Several passersby have heard strange noises coming from the tree. Could it be Mr. Boyington?

Hell's Gate Bridge — Oxford

Many years ago, a young couple lost their lives while driving across this bridge. According to legend, if you stop on the bridge and turn off your lights, a member of the couple will sneak into your vehicle and leave a wet spot. If you're wondering how this bridge earned its name, wonder no more. Supposedly, if you stop on the bridge and turn around, the road behind you will appear as the fiery gates of Hell. Today, because of its condition, Hell's Gate Bridge is closed. 

Sally Carter's Grave — Huntsville

Sally Carter, Huntsville's most famous ghost, is known for haunting Cedarhurst Mansion. In 1827, at the age of 15, Sally died inside of the mansion while visiting her sister. In 1919, Sally's ghost told the young man who was staying in her former bedroom to fix her headstone, which had fallen during a storm. For several decades, people visited Sally's grave, which began to cause problems. In 1982, her body was exhumed and relocated to Maple Hill Cemetery. The exact location was never revealed, and Sally's ghost continues to haunt Cedarhurst Mansion today.

Aunt Jenny Johnston — Bankhead National Forest

There's no denying that Aunt Jenny Johnston is "THE" legend of the Bankhead National Forest. Here's how the story goes: During the Civil War, a formation of the Home Guard hanged Jenny's husband and shot her oldest son. According to legend, Jenny and her other sons promised to find and kill every Home Guard member that was involved in the death of her husband and son. They ended up killing seven of the eight members involved. According to witnesses, if you approach Jenny's property, her ghost will appear and tell you to go away. She's still angry about people trespassing onto her property.

Cry Baby Bridge — Saraland

There are several versions of this urban legend, and the most popular one involves a woman drowning her baby. As legend has it, a young woman escaped from nearby Oak Grove Plantation with her baby as she was being pursued by soldiers. When she reached the bridge, she put her crying baby's face into the river below to keep the soldiers from hearing it. Many people have reported hearing the cries of a baby from this bridge. 

Huggin' Molly — Abbeville

Huggin' Molly has been described as a 7-foot-tall woman dressed in black. She walks the streets of Abbeville late at night, and if she finds you, she'll give you a big hug and scream into your ear. Children are often told this story to keep them from staying out late past dark.

Witch in the Woods — Gadsden

According to legend, if you walk along the wooded Hinds Road, you'll likely encounter a woman telling you she "sold her soul to the devil." This woman was a witch who lived in the woods, and her evil soul continues to frighten people today.

After reading these stories, can you still visit Alabama?!