The Spooklight: Oklahoma's Mystic Phenomena

Author: Breasia Young

In the chilling hills of northeastern Oklahoma just outside the town of Hornet, there was a strange glowing light that confused locals and visitors for centuries. It is known as the Spooklight, this supernatural phenomenon has been reported seen since the 1800s and no one really knows what this “thing” could be. The Spooklight is described as a small bright orb also called the “ball of fire,” that moves quickly along a four mile stretch of a road between Missouri Oklahoma. This mystic figure goes by many names such as Joplin spooklight, Tri-state Spooklight, and Hornet Spooklight. It is an enchanting mystery for the locals, leaving everyone in suspense. The most famous road in Oklahoma is a road called “The Devil’s Promenade near a small town in Quapaw, Oklahoma.

According to an expert researcher in supernatural and author Lisa Livingston Martin, the Spooklight is normally seen during midnight often appearing as an orange glowing orb following locals. It is described by one of the locals it ranges from the size of a baseball to a basketball, most of the sightings occur on the Spook Light Road a winding path that straddles the borders of Missouri. The orb travels to the east and west, sometimes darting across the roads at very high speeds in midair. Some eyewitnesses claim the orb will even sway side to side like the lantern may be carried by a invisible figure, casting this eerie glow across the empty roads. Some may even say the light “dances,” moving in a playful manner or random patterns. Despite all the numerous reports, no one has really been able to catch the orb’s true nature and figure out what exactly causes the strange movements.

One popular folklore about the Spooklight involves a miner who returns home one night to find his home turned into ashes and his family missing, which many people believe it was the Native Americans. There are whispers ghosts roam around the Spooklight’s Road with a lantern, searching for their lost family. Moreover, there were two young lovers from Quapaw tribe who went against her father’s wishes and fled together. They were chased by warriors and trapped at the edge of a cliff above the Spring River, ultimately leading the two couples to jump to their deaths. Many people believe the light’s glow is the spirit of lovers. However, nonbelievers argue that the light is just car headlights from route 66. A theory by Popular Mechanics in 1965 stated that lights could be found from miles away. While this theory explains some of the sightings, it does not account for the earlier suspicious activities when cars did not even exist. This leaves many wondering if there is more mystery than meets the eye.

“Raw and uncut footage of the Spooklight (Oklahoma), capturing the mysterious glowing orb in its natural setting.”

Works Cited:

Ashley. “This Spooky Unexplained Phenomenon in Oklahoma Will Give You Goosebumps.” Only in Your State, 2 Feb. 2016, www.onlyinyourstate.com/nature/oklahoma/spooklight-ok.

Crazy Mule. "The Joplin Hornet Spook Light - Best Video Footage Ever Captured." YouTube, uploaded by Crazy Mule, 2 Mar. 2016, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L7VG72cSNoA.

The Spook Light | Joplin, MO - Official Website. www.joplinmo.org/575/The-Spook-Light.

Links for further research:

1. Unraveling the mystery of the Joplin Spooklight: A 4-state legend
Unraveling the mystery of the Joplin Spooklight: A 4-state legend | 4-States in Depth |koamnewsnow.com
The Joplin Spooklight is a mysterious phenomenon in a 4-states area, it has intrigued locals for many centuries, with theories exploring lost souls and paranormal activity.

2. Hornet’s Spooklight has drawn the curious for decades
Hornet's Spook Light has drawn the curious for decades — Ozarks Alive
The Hornet Spooklight a mysterious orb, has puzzled generations with such an eerie
appearance, sparking legends of ghosts and tragic events ever since one fatal
investigation in 1946.

3. Devil’s Promenade & the Hornet Spooklight
Devil’s Promenade & the Hornet Spook Light – Legends of America
The Spooklight has shaken both paranormal investigators and scientists, with questions ranging from the natural gas and will-o-the-wisps to atmospheric changes, this ghostly origin tragic Native American love story popular.

Ghost Lights

Author: Brandon Saylor

Weird floating light appearing in the distance

The Brown Mountain Lights are some of the most famous ghost lights in the world. There have been multiple reports in the North Carolina mountains.The lights also attracted the attention of scientists. They have been investigated twice by the U.S. Geological Survey.The ghost lights appear at weird times over the top of Brown Mountain. They move vertically and are clear ,but it disappears as it goes over the mountain. Sometimes they have a red or blue look and almost look like a star. Most of the time, the lights pop up so fast were you can barely see them.

Dark gloomy lights fly over the Texas skyline

The Marfa Lights have entertained the people of Marfa, Texas for years. The light splits into two then flies around to then combined back into each other. These lights are one of the most popular ghost lights right next to the Brown Mountain ghost lights. People all over the world have traveled to see these lights for themselves. Local residents have speculated that the lights are from the devil and are dancing throughout the sky. There has also recently been a link to flying lights in the Southwest Pacific . Most ghost lights are not solved scientifically and still stay as a natural wonder.

Works cited:

Fiumi, Elettra. “The Mysterious ‘Ghost Lights’ of Marfa, Texas.’ BBC Travel, BBC,17 Jan. 2018, http://www.bbc.com/travel/gallery/20180116-the-mysterious-ghost-lights-of-marfa-texas

Grey, Orrin. “A Ghostly Glow in the Sky: What Are the Brown Mountain Lights?” The Lineup, Open Road Media, 26 Mar. 2018, https://the-line-up.com/brown-mountain-lights.