The Vanishing Hitchhiker is a classic urban legend that has been told and retold in many different forms for decades. The basic story involves a hitchhiker who is picked up by a driver, only to disappear from the vehicle before reaching their destination. The hitchhiker is often described as a ghost or supernatural entity, and the story is often told as a cautionary tale about the dangers of picking up strangers.
The origins of the Vanishing Hitchhiker legend are unclear, but similar stories have been recorded throughout history in various cultures. One of the earliest known versions of the story was recorded in 1870 by a British writer named Charlotte Elizabeth Riddell, who wrote a story called “The Open Door” that featured a ghostly hitchhiker.
In the United States, the Vanishing Hitchhiker legend became particularly popular in the mid-20th century, with numerous versions of the story circulating in different regions of the country. One of the most famous versions of the story is the legend of “Resurrection Mary,” which is a ghost story that originated in the Chicago area in the 1930s.
According to the legend of Resurrection Mary, a ghostly hitchhiker appears on the side of a road near the Resurrection Cemetery in Justice, Illinois. The hitchhiker is described as a young woman in a white dress, and she is said to appear to drivers who are passing by the cemetery late at night. The woman asks to be taken home, but disappears from the car before reaching her destination.
There have been numerous reported sightings of Resurrection Mary over the years, and the legend has become a popular topic of paranormal research and investigation. Some believers in the legend claim that the ghostly hitchhiker is the spirit of a young woman who was killed in a car accident near the cemetery, while skeptics argue that the sightings are likely due to mistaken identity or other natural causes.
What are some vanishing hitchhiker tales?
The Vanishing Hitchhiker is a popular urban legend that has been told and retold in many different variations all over the world. Here are ten stories of the Vanishing Hitchhiker legend:
- The White Lady of A75 – This legend from Scotland tells the story of a ghostly hitchhiker who appears on the A75 highway. The hitchhiker is described as a woman in white, and she is said to ask for a ride home. When the driver reaches the woman’s destination, she disappears from the car.
- The Phantom Hitchhiker of Archer Avenue – This urban legend from Chicago tells the story of a ghostly hitchhiker who appears on Archer Avenue. The hitchhiker is said to be a young girl who was killed in a car accident on the road. She appears to drivers, asking for a ride home before disappearing from the car.
- The Lady in White – This popular urban legend from the United States tells the story of a ghostly hitchhiker who appears on rural roads across the country. The woman is said to be dressed in a white gown and is said to have been killed in a car accident. She appears to drivers, asking for a ride home before disappearing from the car.
- The Ghostly Hitchhiker of Blue Bell Hill – This legend from England tells the story of a ghostly hitchhiker who appears on Blue Bell Hill in Kent. The hitchhiker is described as a young woman who died in a car accident on the road. She appears to drivers, asking for a ride home before disappearing from the car.
- The Ghostly Nun of St. Osyth – This legend from England tells the story of a ghostly hitchhiker who appears near the ruins of St. Osyth Priory. The nun is said to have been murdered on the site in the 16th century. She appears to drivers, asking for a ride before disappearing from the car.
- The Phantom Hitchhiker of Kuhio Highway – This urban legend from Hawaii tells the story of a ghostly hitchhiker who appears on Kuhio Highway. The hitchhiker is said to be a young girl who was killed in a car accident on the road. She appears to drivers, asking for a ride before disappearing from the car.
- The Hitchhiking Ghost of Red Mountain – This legend from Arizona tells the story of a ghostly hitchhiker who appears on the road leading to Red Mountain. The hitchhiker is described as a young woman who died in a car accident on the road. She appears to drivers, asking for a ride home before disappearing from the car.
- The Ghostly Hitchhiker of Route 44 – This legend from Rhode Island tells the story of a ghostly hitchhiker who appears on Route 44. The hitchhiker is described as a young woman who died in a car accident on the road. She appears to drivers, asking for a ride home before disappearing from the car.
- The Ghostly Hitchhiker of Galveston – This legend from Texas tells the story of a ghostly hitchhiker who appears on the causeway to Galveston. The hitchhiker is said to be a young woman who was killed in a car accident on the road. She appears to drivers, asking for a ride home before disappearing from the car.
- The Ghostly Hitchhiker of Clinton Road – This urban legend from New Jersey tells the story of a ghostly hitchhiker who appears on Clinton Road. The hitchhiker is described as a woman in a white dress, and she is said to ask for a ride to a nearby cemetery. When the driver reaches the cemetery, the hitchhiker disappears from the car.
Leave a Reply