By: Olivia Baumgartner<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As you probably already know, Whitewater is known for its spooky history and creepy urban legends. But what many people might not know is that these types of stories are found throughout the neighboring towns, too. Southern Wisconsin is full of legends that have been passed down over the years. From hauntings to stories of creatures and ghosts, there is so much to explore.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Whitewater has many rumors of witches, giving it a very spooky reputation. With so many legends of witchcraft, rituals, and haunting, Whitewater is often referred to as the \u201cSecond Salem\u201d. These stories may just be speculation, but they have continued to thrive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A staple of this legend is the tower in Starin Park. It has been said that witches gather around the tower late at night, engaging in rituals. One small detail that adds so much mystery is the barbed wire fence that faces inward rather than outward. This has led to the belief that the tower was once connected to witches and used to keep something sinister trapped inside.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The legend doesn\u2019t stop at the tower. There are many stories and rumors of secret tunnels running beneath parts of Whitewater. Some believe these tunnels connected houses, businesses, and landmarks, allowing witches to gather in secret and perform rituals. Whether these stories are true or just old folklore, they continue to be a key part of Whitewater\u2019s reputation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To look deeper into the legend of the Whitewater witches, read some of our previous blogs: https:\/\/blogs.uww.edu\/ucinfo\/2016\/10\/28\/whitewaterlegends\/<\/a> and https:\/\/blogs.uww.edu\/ucinfo\/2018\/10\/29\/whitewatercemeteries\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u200b<\/p>\n\n\n\n Beast of Bray Road<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The Beast of Bray Road is one of the most popular urban legends in Wisconsin. It is believed to roam the rural roads near Elkhorn, Wisconsin, with reports dating all the way back to 1936.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The creature has been described as being around 6-7 feet tall, with dark hair covering its body, glowing eyes, and a wolf\/dog-like face. Many people have compared it to a mix between Bigfoot and a werewolf. Witnesses claim to have seen what appeared to be a person standing beside the road, only to realize as they got closer that it was anything but human. Others have reported the creature walking on two legs rather than all four like a typical dog.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Some believe the sightings could easily be explained as animals mistaken for something else. The thought of such a beast being out there still makes some wary. If you want to track down the Beast for yourself, I’d recommend taking the safer route and watching The Beast of Bray Road, a horror movie, or The Bray Road Beast, a documentary about the legend.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u200b<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Lady in the Water<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Located in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, Geneva Lake is known for its beauty. Behind the local shops and stunning lakefront are many stories of ghosts and other unexplained events. One local legend tells the story of the Lady in the Water, a ghostly woman who appears floating across the lake.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to the legend, a boat capsized in 1895 during a dangerous storm. This caused everyone on board to tragically drown. One of them, a woman wearing a long, flowing dress with big puffy sleeves. After the accident, her body was reportedly found floating in the water, her dress filled with air, causing her to stay afloat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Since then, stories have circulated about a ghost woman dressed in white appearing on the lake. Some believe that seeing her is a warning that a dangerous storm is approaching. If you ever see her out on the water, legend says you should head back to shore before it’s too late.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u200b<\/p>\n\n\n\n Baraboo Phantom Man<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Baraboo, Wisconsin, is home to several spooky legends, but one that stands out is the Phantom Man on Highway 12. Drivers traveling along the highway at night have reported seeing a hitchhiking man dressed in camouflage, carrying a backpack. At first, he just looks like an ordinary person looking for a ride.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Legend says that if you stop to give him a ride, he will disappear, almost as if he was never there to begin with. But if you decide to continue driving past him, you’ll see him again a few miles down the road.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Some believe the phantom man was once a hitchhiker who tragically got struck by a car and appears to warn drivers of dangerous conditions ahead. Unfortunately, he has not been seen recently due to construction on the highway, which now causes travelers to avoid the area he resides in entirely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Whether the phantom man is a real mystery or just a story passed around by locals, it’s definitely the kind of legend that would make you think twice about stopping for a hitchhiker.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u200b<\/p>\n\n\n\n Southern Wisconsin has so many interesting urban legends. Each story has its own eerie details that make you wonder if there could actually be some truth behind them. While many of these legends are more than likely just rumors passed down over the years, some leave people questioning what they may or may not have seen or experienced.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sources: <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n