Haunted Places in Abilene Texas

There are several different stories relating to supposidly haunted places in Abilene Texas. The most popular involves a spirit affectionatly refered to as "The Lady Of The Lake." It is said that the spirit of a woman walks along the north shoreline of lake Fort Phantom and through an area called "the lover's lane." She wanders in the area apparently searching for something. Some report that the woman is wearing a wedding dress. In other reports it is merely a white dress. In some cases a fish jumps out of the water 3 times as she walks by before she disappears.

There seem to be three distinct versions of this story which each hold their own folklore:

The first account places her origins nearly 150 years ago. It is said that a man and his wife had settled in the area, building a small cabin in the woods. After being attacked several times by indians they established a password agreeing that neither would attempt to enter the house without first warning the other with thier password. It was further agreed that should the password not be given they would shoot anyone who tried to gain entrance to the cabin. Thier system failed one night when the husband was attacked by indians while out on a hunting trip. He barley escaped and ran back to his home where, in his haste, he frantically tried to push open the door without having given the password. His terrified wife shot him dead at the door. Legend has it that she still walks the lake's shores dressed in white and carrying a lantern, cursed to wander for an eternity for killing her poor husband.

A second places her origins in the 1940's. A couple were schdualed to gahter at a lake by a church to exchange wedding vows. The man never arrived. He was found early the next morning floating in a boat in the middle of the lake. He was dressed in his wedding attire and had a look of horrible pain and fear on his face. Doctors were never eable to determine how he died. The legend follows that the Lady of the Lake still searches the shores of the lake looking for her fiances killer. She is said to be still wearing the same white wedding dress she wore on her wedding day. It is also said that her desire for revenge is so great that her eyes are as black as the night.

A third places her origins in the early 1980s. A woman and her boyfriend agree to meet at the lake for an evening of romance. When the boyfriend arrives he begins to argue with his girlfriend about a rumor that he heard. As they argue the man grows more furious with every word spoken. He finally grabs his girlfrind by the hair and drags her into the lake where he drowns her. The lady is said to walk the lake in search of the boyfriend who murdered her. She is said to be wearing the same white dress that she was killed in an to be carrying the lantern she had brought with her te night she was killed.

Sightings of The Lady of the Lake are most often reported reluctantly as the area of the sightings is a popular local makeout spot and has been for many years.