On the list of haunted Cemeteries in Oklahoma, this one is incredibly giving in its beauty and its ability to make the hairs stand up on the back of your neck!
Our journey takes us to Brown Springs Cemetery located in Oklahoma not far from the Texas border. Nestled behind the ongoing bustling of casino goers, it’s home to the largest casino in the world, Winstar Casino & Resort.
However, very few realize that what lies just a few feet away is what is rumored to have been a rest haven for many outlaws from the 1700 & 1800’s, many of which still haunt the area to this day.
Official records have 26 people buried in this mysterious boneyard, however, there is no way to actually count the number of tenants who reside in this dark and spooky resting place.
According to lore, there are also unmarked graves throughout the hill, and moreover, it has been a common dumping ground for violent murders from Dallas and other surrounding cities.
Most of the gravestones are marked from the late 1800’s and most of them are children and young adults. Although around 10 or so of the residents were over 25 years old when they met their demise.
People who live in the area are very aware of its existence located just beyond a natural Spring, up a twisted and rugged trail, it rests atop a hill, shrouded in the darkness from all the trees.
There are numerus folk tales and ghost stories surrounding this beautiful burial ground.
Together with the chills up your back, the feeling that you’re being watched and the air feeling so thick as if there’s someone pushing on your chest, this expedition does not disappoint on the creepy scale!
THE NATURAL SPRINGS
At the time we visited this hidden jewel, we were unaware of all the stories that haunt this broken-down bone yard.
But the fact that it was drizzling just a bit surely added to the perfect ambiance for our investigation.
As we traveled down the dirt road on our way to this forsaken place, I had the feeling of butterflies in my stomach from the excitement growing for what we may see!
There are no markers or signs anywhere, but we knew we were there when we came upon the gorgeous natural springs as enchanted, as I had imagined.
The lagoon was so incredibly beautiful with the natural Alge laying like a perfect sheet over the water. As the raindrops would dance across the water, the Alge would give way to reveal the blue water beneath.
It was a winter’s day so there were hardly any leaves on the trees, which helped greatly with our range of view.
There were two lagoons connected by a small stream which were filled from the bubbling spring fed by the Red River. It is a sight to see!
A makeshift bench and table have been set up along the bank of the further lagoon made from broken or cut down trees. With all the tales of grave robberies and satanic rituals being performed around this area, I wonder if this was someone’s dinner table? Jk lol
THE HIKE UP TO THE CEMETERY
Once we regrettably pulled ourselves away from the beauty of the lagoon, it was time to trek our way up the hill to the actual cemetery.
There was almost a “tunnel” like feel as were hiking up the path, a portal to a poltergeist from your nightmares perhaps?
We shall see soon enough! Luckily for us, the rain had only just begun, so the ground was not completely muddy. This path was almost directly uphill and without any foliage to catch your footing on.
We made it up the path where it came to somewhat of a clearing. A space where one can decide which path to take, the right or the left, or maybe to just turn back and not go any further at all.
At this point, we unquestionably felt like we were being watched.
There is one single grave beneath a tree, which is why we took the path to the left, and it is also the most recent addition being 2004 in this necropolis.
This lone headstone held an assortment of coins gifted to the deceased. A military custom that pays respect and shows the grave had been visited.
I wonder if now everyone who visits this haunted place offers a coin to pay respect to the entire cemetery so they will not be somehow attacked by an apparition.
It is known that most urban explorers are very respectful when they do tour so maybe they’re gifting coins to the deceased as well. There are several videos of this beautiful place available on YouTube for your viewing pleasure.
After placing our coins, we excitedly moved forward along the path, heavy trees throughout the area added to the haunting awareness of others around.
Now as I said, we didn’t know of all the tales, so we didn’t know what to expect traveling on.
We began to see some old headstones, some falling over or broken from all the years of weather and the vandalism that has taken place through the years. Some of which had a heavy layer of gorgeous green moss from the lack of sun over time.
There were beer cans, mostly empty, however we did find a couple that had not been opened, undoubtably to pay respect to this disfigured resting place. Keystone light I believe it was, most likely the drink of choice of the visitor. A spirit for a spirit, if you will.
Notice in the photo above, the slight blur to the image on the right hand side. There have been other photos of headstones taken in this cemetery to have a child face visible only in the picture.
We came upon an area that almost appeared to have once been some type of mausoleum that had fallen.
And unfortunately, erosion has taken place due to the Red River rising and falling over the years. There are countless other bodies buried here that never had a marker or gravestone.
With the history of this cemetery being as it is, all the violence and suffering that occurred upon this hill, it is unlikely to know a number.
THE HISTORY
This was rouge country back in the 1700 and 1800’s.
It has been said that bandits would hang out here and use this area for gambling, robbing people, and snatching up women at their leisure, holding them captive until their demise.
As we know from history, those days were extremely difficult to live through as people had to hunt and grow vegetables; or would have to travel for days to get to a proper town with a general store.
Now of course it was highly dangerous for anyone to travel in those days. There were stagecoach robberies, trail robberies, and a host of other variables to manage through like terrain and weather.
With their young’ns and belongings in tow, families would make their way through the country in search of land to set up homesteads along trails and rivers for easy access to water. Brown Springs Oklahoma was no different.
Around 1840, a gentleman by the name of Samuel Brown took it upon himself to make a small ferry that would pass between the Red River and the springs, hence the name.
Travelers making their way North or South into Texas or Oklahoma would keep Mr. Brown plenty busy through the years.
This is perhaps why there are so many nefarious stories surrounding this dumping ground. Travelers all of sorts, good or bad would make use of this vantage point to see where their next destination would be.
A majority of those who inhabited these hills were of course, the outlaws and outcasts. There are numerous accounts of these bandits fleeing across the border to Oklahoma to escape the Texas Rangers.
Some of these tale’s state that the Ranger’s would shoot from across the Red River, which separates Oklahoma from Texas. It’s said that the outlaws would get shot dead and buried right on the spot by their fellow hooligans.
the whispers continue
In 1997, a woman was found dead on top of her car that was partially submerged in the lagoon according to some accounts, however I couldn’t find any crime scene photos or new stories to back this up.
There are countless other stores of this being a body dumping site for the mob and has also been linked to a pair of spree killers out of Gainesville, Tx in the 1980’s.
Most of the dumping’s are rumored to have been done in the 1970’s. Although once again, I couldn’t find anything to confirm or deny.
Just as in the game of telephone you played as a child, when the tales are echoed, they gain an extra yard or two.
Over the years there have been plenty more tales added to this saga. There was said to be a knife stabbed into a tree and blood pouring from the wound.
Various accounts of satanic rituals were performed here, and animal carcasses were found. Numerous sighting of ghosts and feelings of being watched.
Hell, there’s even been stories of Bigfoot lurking in these parts. It has also been said there was an evil family that once lived here, who would sacrifice their victims.
I mean this place literally has it all! Oh, what fun folklore can be…
Whether you believe the tales or not, one thing still remains, (pun intended) I undoubtably felt as if there were others with us while we were there visiting.
If you’re ever up for a thrill and are around the Oklahoma/Texas border, I highly suggest this as a destination!
If anyone has ever been here, I encourage you to leave a comment and tell me! I love ghost stories and haunted places! As always, if you know the whereabouts of some cool places, let us know!
Till our next adventure lovelies!
Jackie Vincent-Graham x
