Top 5 Haunted Roads in Eastern Virginia

1. Old House Woods - Haven Beach Road in Diggs, VA

Haven Beach Road

Stories of strange occurrences out at Old House Woods have been passed down for over a hundred years. Versions of why these woods are haunted may vary, but they all seem to focus around buried treasure. On version states that pirates brought stolen treasure to these shores and buried it deep in the woods, planning to return at a later date. After the pirates boarded their ship, a violent storm moved in and the ship capsized amidst the rough waters and sunk. This however, was not the last these pirates or the ship would be seen. There have been several reports of this ghost ship and its unearthly crew returning to the sandy shores of Old House Woods. The ship reportedly sails off of the water and docks atop the trees of the woods. Ladders drop off the sides of the ship and the crew descends, disappearing into the dense woods. More commonly than the ghost ship, witnesses report seeing lantern light coming up from the beach and hearing the sounds of shovels digging in the damp soil off in the distance. Another common occurrence at Old House Woods is the pack of headless dogs emerging from the marsh. One witness heard the growling emitting from multiple directions, then saw the beast walking across the marsh, approximately a foot above the ground.
     Over the past seven years, I along with Virginia Paranormal Investigations have ventured into these woods several times in search of paranormal activity and I have to admit, we definitely found it here. One night, we exited the vehicle and our attention was drawn to movement down the road. As we squinted into the darkness, we saw a figure pacing back and forth across the dim lit road. He must have seen us too as he suddenly stopped and started walking towards us at a fast pace. As he drew closer, we could see the outline of a person wearing what looked to be in the shape of an old Spanish conquistador helmet on his head. We got back in the car and as we shone the headlights down the road, he was gone without a trace. Another night, Friday the 13th on a full moon, we decided Old House Woods would be the perfect place to investigate. We arrived near the old house and conducted an EVP session. The session was interrupted by the barking of several hound dogs, which were by no means ghosts. The dogs came running up Haven Beach Road and I couldn't determine if they were chasing something, or running from something. As they were passing near where we were standing, I saw a black figure, almost the mass of a large dog, come bolting across the road and tackle one of the dogs. With a yelp, the dog disappeared from the road and into the woods. We searched the side of the road but there was no sign of either creature. The remaining dogs ran off, continuing down the dark road towards Old House Woods Road. The four of us then split into two groups and walked off in different directions. As my partner and I rounded the bend in the road, we could see the tall lifeless trees reaching out from the marsh, silhouetted by the full moon. The tall grass was alive with the sounds of crickets and frogs, when suddenly all went silent. As my fellow investigator looked out over the marsh, he saw a monkey-like creature leap from one tree top to another. He called my attention to the trees, but I saw no sign of the creature. A few moments later, the night sounds resumed and we began our walk back to the car.
     Over the years I've had the wonderful opportunity of investigating many reportedly haunted locations, and I have to say, Old House Woods stands out as a definite hot spot among the rest.





2. Pocahontas Parkway near Henrico County, VA
                                                                                                                                                                 

Pocahontas Parkway

If you happen to be traveling along 895 near Henrico County late at night, be sure to stay alert. You may encounter more than deer crossing in front of your vehicle. Many travelers venturing down this road during hours of darkness claim it's haunted by Native American Spirits. Witnesses have heard the sounds of distant drums and heard unusual screams, in the night. A few people claimed to have seen a Native American on horseback, along the shoulder of this road, with a ghostly expression and a chilling stare. Reportedly a young brave has bolted out into the road as if a hunter in pursuit of his game. Questions began to arise as to why these spirits linger around this section of the parkway. Further research supposedly revealed that the land was sacred Native American burial grounds and there was evidence of former Powhatan civilizations stretched out along the parkway.

     We've had the opportunity to drive down this stretch of road one night after a residential investigation. I didn't think that a highway could be very eerie, as they are often well lit. Pocahontas Parkway however, does have its areas that are fairly dark and though we didn't see anything paranormal, it doesn't mean that nothing is there.

3. Crawford Road in Yorktown, VA 

Crawford Road Bridge

Winding through the woods between Newport News and Yorktown, you'll find a very creepy narrow road which seems to be the focus of many strange happenings. Legend has it, that a girl hung herself from the bridge many years ago and to this night her apparition replays these final moments almost nightly. If you pass under the bridge, be sure to check your rear view mirror, because many witnesses report seeing her dangling from the bridge as they glance back. Others get a little more daring (and dangerous) and turn off their engine as they stop their vehicle under the bridge. It's often been reported that they've heard a thump on the top of their car as if the jumping woman's feet hit it as she took the plunge. There is also supposedly a dark figure with red glowing eyes that will pass in front of you as you drive down this road. The origin and truth behind this legend is unknown to us.
     With Virginia Paranormal Investigations, I've made several trips out to Crawford Road and I have to say, it's usually fairly quiet, for the exception of some eerie and uneasy feelings here and there. One night however, fairly recently, Linda and I ventured out to Yorktown to take some pictures of Crawford Road and the over pass, Battlefield Tour Road. As I slowed the truck down to a near stop and leaned out the window just shy of the bridge to snap a picture, I was startled by the sound of heavy footsteps approaching the driver side. At the same time, Linda saw a tall dark mass black out the rear window of my truck. Needless to say I stepped on the gas. As we drove along discussing what it could have been, every conclusion we drew was unsettling.




4. My Lady Bridge in Middlesex, VA

My Lady Bridge

Out in Middlesex, crossing over My Lady Swamp, you will find My Lady Bridge. From what we can gather, this was most likely a little wooden bridge at one time, perhaps back in the late 1800's. Back in those days storms made it much more difficult and dangerous to travel. Legend states that one stormy night, a lady on a horse and buggy was traveling home along this route. As she came to the little bridge, it was already flooded out with raging waters. The lady had to decide whether to turn around and head to the nearest house which was miles down the road, or attempt to cross the bridge just short of her house. The woman decided to brave the river, determined to make it home. As the reluctant horse entered the water, shaking with each step, the lady yelled and yelled at him to go further onto the bridge. As the wheels of the buggy creaked into the water, the current swept the horse's feet out from under him and pulled him into the raging waters. The lady and the buggy went with him, never to be seen again. Some say that if you venture over this bridge at night, you can hear the sound of horseshoes clomping over the bridge.
     After hearing this story, of course VAPI had to investigate. The bridge is pretty eerie at night. It crosses over a little stream that we couldn't see in the darkness. We did hear the sound that could be described as a horse clomping over the bridge, however, we believe it to be a tree branch hitting the underside of the bridge when the wind blows. Due to the darkness and lack of space to pull over, we were unable to confirm this theory with 100% certainty.




5. Gallows Road in Colonial Williamsburg, VA

Jeff and Linda in Colonial Williamsburg

Williamsburg, Virginia is a very historic city, beautifully restored to it's colonial state. A walk down the streets of this colonial city is like a trip back in time. You will find the city full of reenactors playing the roles of shopkeepers, British soldiers, and blacksmiths. You will see horse drawn carriages escorting visitors around for scenic tours. You can even find several little shops that sell period clothing, games, and food. When night falls on this old city, the streets become vacant of the reenactors, tourists, and carriages, and an eerie calmness settles in. The silence grows thick and suddenly yields to the sound of horse hooves hitting the dirt road followed by the creaking of old carriage wheels. This could very well be the wagon of death making its nightly run down Gallows Road. Now known as Nicholson Street, Gallows road was the route that lead from the old jail to the gallows. Many criminals, pirates, and even some of Blackbeard's men rode this wagon back in colonial times. They would leave the jail bound and sitting on top of their coffins; the ride back would find them inside the coffins. Visitors to this road at night claim to still hear the wagon of death, wheels creaking, horses trotting, then silence followed by the sound of someone being hanged.
     We've walked this road at night. It's definitely a peaceful place, however we didn't witness the sounds of the wagon. We conducted an EVP session, but obtained no results with that either. Williamsburg will remain one our favorite locations to investigate. Even if we don't find any evidence, it's still a beautiful walk back in time, and with any luck, you may hear an echo from the past.