Ozark's Ghosts and Hauntings
The Ozark’s of Missouri and Arkansas are a magical and mysterious place, filled with beautiful views, deep hollers, and a way of life that’s more connected to the land and the history of the region than a lot of other places are.
There’s also no shortage of legends, ghosts, and hauntings to go right along with all that history. Whether it’s battlefield spirits, the wandering ghost of a grieving mother, or the remnants of some horrific tragedy, the Ozark’s has more than her fair share of spooks and legends to go around.
I hope that you enjoy these images that go along with my book, “Ozark’s Ghosts and Hauntings”, as well as any additional content that I might be able to dig up and include here.
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The historic Ray House at Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield. During the battle the women and children took refuge in the cellar, accessed from inside the kitchen, while Mr. Ray watched the battle unfold from the front porch.
The home was used as a hospital during and after the battle with multiple amputations taking place in the kitchen. The severed limbs were thrown out the open kitchen door to form a pile that was estimated to be several feet tall.
The first Union General to die, General Nathaniel Lyon, was killed on Bloody Hill and his body was later taken to the Ray House to be examined. The bed Upon which he was laid is still there in the house and can be seen during tours given by the Park Service.
A map showing the battle positions and homes during the Battle of Wilson’s Creek. After the battle the Sharp Home was so riddled with bullet and shot holes it had to be burned to the ground. Approximately 12-15 bodies were dumped down the Sharp well and covered over with dirt after the battle. The heat of August in Missouri required the speedy burial of remains.
A reproduction of the Edwards cabin at Wilson’s Creek. The original was used by General Sterling Price as the Headquarters for the Confederate forces.
This was taken during an investigation of the Little Sinkhole at Wilson’s Creek. We heard moaning coming from the woods and turned around to take this photo. Nothing was visible to the naked eye but the camera picked up the hazy shape in the trees. After the battle approximately 25-30 soldiers were hastily buried in the sinkhole.
Alley Spring Mill. Movements are heard in the building and a school house, which was moved to the property from another location, is said to be haunted by the spirit of a little boy.
Old home near Vanburen Missouri where a mother murdered all but one of her children and then eventually killed herself too. She is said to violently throw things if you enter her home. The current owner plans on burning it to ash once it finally caves in. Until that time, no one bothers the place at all, and permission to check it out is not given.
Old view of Tablerock Lake near Branson obtained from the Library of Congress. Many homesteads and villages were flooded with the establishment of the lake as well as many cemeteries. There are a lot of ghost stories associated with the Branson area.