Finding Something Spooky - The Search for the Ozark Spook Light

 


Dear Henry,

About an hour away, there is a strange phenomenon called the Ozark or Hornet Spook Light, and I really wanted to check it out because I am always up for something ghostly.

This mysterious light is supposed to hover in the forest and fields on Oklahoma East Road 50, just west of the Missouri border. No one knows what causes it, and theories about its origins range from luminous swamp gas vapor to the soul of a Confederate soldier who is still looking for his missing head. A couple of Native American ghost stories are also included. 

The light itself was first documented around 1888 before there were traffic or electric lights. The area was always isolated, and even now, it's a rural area, so I don't suppose the light is caused by traffic. Who knows, though? I didn't see it. Who really knows what causes these types of things? I don't know that there has ever been a conclusive answer to the will-o-the-wisp phenomenon.

Although I don't have the best luck capturing extraordinary events such as these (my trip along the Extraterrestrial Highway, for example), it was close, and there hasn't been much open lately, so I thought, why not?

It was pretty scary.

Oklahoma's E Road 50 is two inches wide (I'm exaggerating) and has no shoulder. Both sides of the road are private property, which is clearly marked. I'm sure that the property owners in the area are very aware of their personal property rights and their Second Amendment rights, so we didn't feel comfortable pulling off the side of the road and onto anyone's property.

So, yes, Henry, the entire situation was spooky, but not for the reason that it was supposed to be. We didn't see any lights, but we certainly weren't going to sit on a dark, narrow road with our headlights off, waiting for something to happen. That whole scenario just screamed "dangerous" to me, so we left.

This is an urban legend that I don't recommend checking out.

xoxo 
a.d.elliott

****** *********************************

a.d. elliott is a wanderer, photographer, and storyteller living in Salem, Virginia. 

In addition to her travel writings at www.takethebackroads.com, you can also read her book reviews at www.riteoffancy.com and US military biographies at www.everydaypatriot.com

Her online photography gallery can be found at shop.takethebackroads.com

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Location: 69801-69899 E 50 Rd, Quapaw, OK 74363, USA

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