Zombie Road
Lawler Ford Road was constructed in the 1860s to provide access to the Meramec River and railroad tracks. It is unknown how the "Lawler" portion of the name came about but there was a "Ford" somewhere down the line. It obtained its' Zombie Road name in the 1950s. The original name was tossed due to many stories of a local killer named "Zombie" that supposedly lived by the river.
Like any unused place, Zombie Road become the hot spot for teenagers to party, drink and hangout. I guess that accounts for the killer story. It's a good way to scare kids away from such places as well as draw them to it. Murderer stories aside, it also has a reputation for ghosts.
Supposedly, the first inhabitants were Native Americans, Shawnee to be exact. A family in the 1800s claimed to have been frequently visited by their spirits. There is also the story of a man who was run over by a train. There is no record of this act ever happening (though I doesn't say it didn't). However, it is believed the ghost people are referring to is that of the first white settlers wife Della Hamilton McCullough who was killed by a railroad car.
Zombie Road also saw death during the Civil War. Short battles with a group called Home Guard supposedly took place there as well as people attempting to cross the river unsuccessfully. And was THE spot during its clubhouse era until floods wiped everything away.
This road has also gained fame for a specific photo taken by Tom Halstead and for being featured in the documentary Children of the Grave (this film is re-airing in their October or December. Be on the lookout if you haven't but want to see it).
Like any unused place, Zombie Road become the hot spot for teenagers to party, drink and hangout. I guess that accounts for the killer story. It's a good way to scare kids away from such places as well as draw them to it. Murderer stories aside, it also has a reputation for ghosts.
Supposedly, the first inhabitants were Native Americans, Shawnee to be exact. A family in the 1800s claimed to have been frequently visited by their spirits. There is also the story of a man who was run over by a train. There is no record of this act ever happening (though I doesn't say it didn't). However, it is believed the ghost people are referring to is that of the first white settlers wife Della Hamilton McCullough who was killed by a railroad car.
Zombie Road also saw death during the Civil War. Short battles with a group called Home Guard supposedly took place there as well as people attempting to cross the river unsuccessfully. And was THE spot during its clubhouse era until floods wiped everything away.
This road has also gained fame for a specific photo taken by Tom Halstead and for being featured in the documentary Children of the Grave (this film is re-airing in their October or December. Be on the lookout if you haven't but want to see it).
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