The Ominous Reputation Of Lake Lanier, Which Was Actually Built On Top Of At Least 20 Unmarked Graves In Georgia
There’s something magical about spending a day by the lake. It offers the perfect blend of relaxation and recreation. From the moment you arrive, you’re greeted by the peaceful lapping of the water against the shore.
In an hour or two, you’re already sun-kissed from all the swimming, boating, kayaking, and fishing. The experience is always enjoyable and fulfilling.
However, not all lakes provide that same sense of serenity. A day at Lake Lanier in Georgia can quickly turn into a nightmare. This particular lake has an ominous reputation—a disturbing amount of lives are lost every year.
Combine that with the dark history of the area, and we have the long-held belief by locals that the lake is haunted. So, you might want to think twice before stepping foot in that water.
Lake Lanier is the largest lake in Georgia and one of the deadliest in the U.S. Since 1994, more than 200 people have died in boating and swimming accidents. The lake was created in the 1950s after the government forced families off their land.
The government wanted to create a lake to provide the region with water and power. As a result, the thriving communities and everything they had built over the years were flooded.
Today, Lake Lanier has about 625 billion gallons of water. As for what lies beneath all that water, that can be explained by a handful of spooky tales passed around by the locals.
One theory for the high number of deaths at Lake Lanier is that when the government created the lake, they covered a cemetery that contained at least 20 unmarked graves of individuals who were never relocated to other burial sites. It is said that the spirits from these graves have cursed the lake.
Another reason for the body count is the angry phantoms of the victims who have died in the lake, but their bodies were never successfully recovered.
Liz W Grogan – stock.adobe.com – illustrative purposes only
An old auto-racing track remains at the lake’s bottom, along with submerged roads and various structures.
The debris and rubble make it difficult for search and rescue operations to navigate the waters, so some bodies are never found.
People have witnessed creepy sightings throughout the years. The most famous ghost story involves the Lady of the Lake.
Legend has it that the ghost of a woman roams the lake, wearing a flowing blue dress. Her arms reach out from underwater and drag unsuspecting swimmers to the bottom.
The woman is named Delia May Parker Young. In 1958, Delia and her friend, Susie Roberts, were driving home from a dance.
On their way, they stopped for gas and left without paying. They ended up careening off a bridge and disappearing into the lake.
The following year, a fisherman came across a decomposed body that turned out to be Delia. To this day, she is said to be still haunting the lake, claiming more lives every year.
Despite its freaky lore, the lake remains a popular recreational spot for many Georgians. In 2019, Lake Lanier received 12 million visitors. It’s one of the most-visited lakes in the nation.
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