Tracking the Legendary Monsters & Ghouls (as well as the less scary goblins too) of Arkansas…
Halloween has a special place in my heart because it was also my grandmother’s birthday. Every year my mother would throw a party in her honor with Halloween decorations, fall foods like chili, costumes, plus trick-or-treating. Although my grandmother has passed, I still carry on that tradition at the farm each Halloween with the preparations being made far in advance. In my book Halloween is the best party of the season!
There is a ghost story that goes with the farm so Halloween parties there are extra spooky! Legend has it that in 1819 Thomas Nuttall, the English Naturalist, came to Moss Mountain by three flatboats moving west on the Arkansas River. His party and the crew, made camp on Beaver Island, the large island in the middle of the river, visible from my Garden Home. Perhaps lulled into a sense of security because they were on an island, the night watchmen fell into a deep slumber.
During the wee hours of October 31, 1819, all were murdered except for Nuttall and four of his crew. It seems that the others were massacred by wild animals; however, Nuttall swore that he himself saw actual human forms…
Each year the ghouls come up from the river; presumably the spirits of those who met their end on that isle. Now long gone, these ghosts return for their anniversary walk among my guests during Halloween festivities.
Haunted Arkansas Happenings
Moss Mountain Farm isn’t the only haunted place in Arkansas. It’s FRIGHTENING how many ghoulishly great Halloween events there are in Arkansas this year! I am bewitched by all of the options. Whether you’re brave enough to go on a ghostly tour, fearless enough to face fiends, or bold enough to seek out the source of ominous lights, Arkansas has Halloween events throughout September and October to keep you busy all month!
There’s something for every age group – and for every fear factor on the old scare’ometer!!
Halloween Event Calendar!
Creepy and spooky, mysterious and ooky describes a variety of eerie festivals, corn mazes, scary places, and haunted houses going on in Arkansas leading up to Halloween.
You can see the full details of all of the festival events and other frights here.
Poltergeist!
Reports of apparitions in the 1886 Crescent Hotel in Eureka Springs, Arkansas, have given the hotel a national reputation of being “occupied.” Sightings of the dearly departed are now so much a part of the hotel’s legacy that daily ghost-spotting tours are offered. In fact, the Crescent’s sister hotel, the 1905 Basin Park, is also a favorite haunt for restless spirits; nightly ghost tours are offered here as well, if you dare. Beat the mob! Head out soon. But whatever you do, don’t split up…
Paranormal Activity!
Come on this walking tour of the historic, infamous, eerie and macabre at Monticello’s Allen House. This impressive 1906 spooky structure has its own set of frightening tales stemming from the tragic suicide of socialite Ladell Allen. Although a private residence, the owners offer tours by appointment year-round, especially in October. Visit their website for details. Just don’t look under the beds…
Come Into the Light…
Are you afraid of the dark?? If not, you may be ready to stand up to the terrors in along the railroad tracks in Gurdon and Crossett, Arkansas. Other worldly lights glow at night mimicking the sway of a lantern. Many say the lights are spirits of railway workers decapitated by trains out searching for their missing heads. Face your deepest fears and you be the judge. Gurdon is about 75 miles south of Little Rock on I-30, just east of the interstate and Highway 67. Crossett is in southeastern Arkansas close to the Louisiana border. Anyone in either town can tell you where to look. It’s best to go on nights that are overcast and especially dark.
Phantom of the King Opera House!
The historic King Opera House in Van Buren has been adopted by the restless ghost of a young actor who “departed” at the train depot a few blocks away. Legend says he was acting at the theater when he fell in love with a local doctor’s daughter. The couple was caught on their way out of town to get married and the actor was beaten to death with a whip. It’s been said that the spirit of the actor has taken up residence at the King Opera House. When you are at the restored theater look for a shadowy figure dressed in top hat, Victorian frock coat, and cape.
Monsters Inc.!
Come face to face with your deepest fears hunting two of Arkansas’ most terrifying beasts. Try spying the White River creature or the elusive Fouke Monster, both notorious in Arkansas folklore. Beware, the Fouke Monster disturbs the swampy Sulphur River bottoms in the timberlands of Miller County, and the White River Creature has been spotted near Towhead Island on the White River.
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Do you have what it takes to survive this Halloween? Plan your escape today…
Kids, teens, adults, ghouls – learn more about spooky places and haunted events in Arkansas at http://www.arkansas.com/things-to-do/haunted-arkansas/.