Urban legends are an entertaining part of American culture. They often involve weird, wonderful or downright spooky events. Some are based on fact and others are fiction. Regardless, they make a good subject for research. In fact, the International Society for Contemporary Legend Research publishes a peer-reviewed journal devoted to urban legends.
There are many types of urban legends, including those involving celebrities, disasters, technology, and even food. The most intriguing ones are the ones that make us shiver. Whether they’re real or not, we’ll delve into the mystical world of ghosts and ghouls to determine the best urban legends.
One of the most popular urban legends of all time is the “alligator” that lives in New York City. Many people have heard this tale and never considered it to be anything more than a fanciful myth. However, the truth behind this tale is not what it seems.
Another popular urban legend is that of the White Lady Spirit. This spirit is said to have murdered a husband. It’s a bit of a stretch to believe that she actually killed him, but there have been a few reports of the White Lady diving into cars and stopping them. A couple has even reported seeing the woman’s face in the rear view mirror.
In the early 1900s, an asylum was opened in Fairfax County, Virginia. As part of the process, a bus carrying patients crashed. While most of the patients escaped, one was captured. Since then, several urban legends have been created about the place.
The “alligator” is one of the most persistent urban legends, but it’s not the only one. According to the National Institute of Standards and Technology, the first documented case of a white woman in a dress appearing at a cemetery was in 1904. Interestingly, the first person to be buried in Martha’s Chapel Cemetery was Martha Palmer.
Other notable urban legends include the one involving a mysterious owl with a haggard woman’s face. This is said to be a revenge seeking creature.
Another one is the “Cleaning the Haunted” a fictional story about a woman in a black robe who supposedly cleaned out a haunted house. Her nefarious task may have been as nefarious as her deed.
Other notable legends include the “The Most Dangerous” and “The Most Haunted.” These stories can be found in many towns across the country, and there’s no shortage of ghost houses that have been reported.
When it comes to investigating urban legends, there are many reputable organizations and websites dedicated to researching the aforementioned. Snopes, for example, is the perfect place to find a reliable source for these “too-good-to-be-true” stories. Also, you can find plenty of examples of urban legends on the web, through social media and video sharing sites.
To get a clear picture of all the rumor-mongering and true stories, you need to conduct your own investigation. Start by sifting through local lore, and if you have some interesting ideas, submit them to a reputable journal.