Before diving into the eerie history beneath Weiss Lake, we want to highlight Kelly Kazek’s Some Nightmares Are Real, a haunting exploration of Alabama’s supernatural side. This collection by renowned folklorist Kelly Kazek dives into ten chilling stories from across Alabama, from Huntsville’s Dead Children’s Playground to the mysterious green light of Gee’s Bend. Each story combines local lore with real history, blending Alabama’s eerie past with unforgettable legends.
One of the most haunting tales within Alabama’s borders unfolds beneath the still waters of Weiss Lake. Kazek’s work introduces readers to eerie phenomena that linger long after places like this one are submerged. Here’s a closer look into what lies beneath Weiss Lake—a setting that could easily find a place within Kazek’s collection, given its mystery and ghostly echoes of the past.
The following blog text was originally posted to Alabama Heritage.
Most have heard of man-made lakes—but have you heard about the lost cities or cemeteries that lie beneath some of them? In the 1950s, Alabama Power flooded thousands of acres of land to create power and resources—and Weiss Lake was born. The company compensated people living in the flood zone so that they could move, and it is said that only roadbeds and house foundations are left beneath the lake. The company tore down churches and houses—and it also respectfully rehomed the area’s cemeteries. A total of fifteen empty cemetery grounds were flooded when Weiss Lake was created, but some people believe that the lake is haunted because the dead were disturbed—or because some remains were never moved (usually because the graves were unmarked, or families chose not to have the graves disturbed, or for other reasons).
Tourists to Weiss Lake may not know the history of the land that is now where they’re swimming, but some tell stories of eerie noises and ghostly apparitions once night falls. Echoes of coonhounds and church bells have been reported sounding in the dead of night—even though there aren’t any churches or coonhounds around. A few say that once you hear church bells start tolling in the distance, it’s a warning to flee before it’s too late.
Some say that as dusk falls over the lake and the shadows deepen across the water, Weiss Lake becomes truly haunted. Locals tell of a ghostly figure—an apparition of a man dressed in antiquated clothing—who emerges silently from the mist and glides across the water’s surface. The man appears to be searching for something he once had—something now, perhaps, claimed by the depths of Weiss Lake.
Some say that as dusk falls over the lake and the shadows deepen across the water, Weiss Lake becomes truly haunted. Locals tell of a ghostly figure—an apparition of a man dressed in antiquated clothing—who emerges silently from the mist and glides across the water’s surface. The man appears to be searching for something he once had—something now, perhaps, claimed by the depths of Weiss Lake.
Those who come to Weiss Lake seeking escape may find something far more unnerving than they ever expected. As moonlight graces the water’s surface, and the mist begins to rise, the boundaries between the living and dead blur. So, if you ever find yourself near Weiss Lake at dusk, beware of what lies beneath. The lake is patient, they say, and some spirits are still searching for someone to keep them company.
Sources
- Kazek, Kelly, and Sarah Cotton. Some Nightmares Are Real: The Haunting Truth behind Alabama’s Supernatural Tales. University of Alabama Press, 2024.
- Kazek, Kelly. “Drowned Towns: What Traces of ‘ghost’ Cities Lie beneath Alabama’s Man-Made Lakes?” Al.Com, 6 Nov. 2014, www.al.com/living/2014/11/drowned_towns_what_traces_of_g.html.
About the Author
Maya Swick is an alumna of the University of Alabama. She works as a contributing writer and editor for Alabama Heritage magazine.
EXTRA CONTENT
The eerie allure of Some Nightmares Are Real comes alive through the stunning illustrations of Sarah Cotton, whose artistry brings a haunting depth to each tale. Her work captures the essence of Alabama’s ghostly legends, blending shadow and detail to evoke the region’s supernatural past. Below, enjoy a timelapse of Cotton as she creates these atmospheric illustrations—an intimate glimpse into the artistry that complements Kelly Kazek’s spine-chilling stories.
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