Some believe Native American spirits haunt a Polk County hillside. Others say aliens are to blame.
Central Florida On Demand’s Scott Fais, who is no stranger to "tall tales", investigates why cars travel backwards up Spook Hill.
Welcome to Lake Wales, considered the Area 51 of Central Florida.
"He looked around and saw his truck going backwards," historian Jake Rowe said.
"It scares me, because of the spirits," second grader Webb Olson said.
“The reason they call it Spook Hill is because they don't know if the alligator spirit is seeking revenge,” fifth grader Alyssia Staton said.
There's a chill in the air in Lake Wales. Located smack dab in the middle of the state, you will find a center for paranormal activity.
For decades, people have come to the base of a public street in Lake Wales to test the legend.
"I don't fully understand yet the gravitation to cause automobiles to go up," said Rowe.
Drive up to the line, put your car in neutral and watch what happens.
"The car is out of gear and we are going up a hill," said Mimi Hardman.
Defying gravity is a big deal at Spook Hill. Don't believe it? Ask the kids at the local elementary school which is named after the hill.
"If the legend of Spook Hill lives up to its name, with cars driven by adults, is it too much to ponder if it would work with another type of wheels?" asked Fais.
Fais hauled out the Florida on a Tankful shopping cart, while each of the kids grabbed their own wheels for an un-scientific test. Would these wheels work as well?
"A lot of people expect to go forward," Rowe said.
"I don't want to say it's an optical illusion. That would spoil the whole thing," said Mayor Alex Wheeler.
Or is it?
"People want to believe it's true," Wheeler said.
Ready to test the legend for yourself? You're not alone. Wheeler says the attraction sees a spike in popularity each Halloween.
You can find Spook Hill in Lake Wales in Polk County.
For more Travel stories with Scott Fais, visit Central Florida On Demand, Bright House Networks Digital Cable Channel 300, at no extra cost!
Spook Hill
Where:
Lake Wales
Polk County
Hours:
Always open. Suggestion: Visit during daylight hours
Address:
Spook Hill is its own street that sits next to Spook Hill Elementary School.
Use this address to get you there:
321 Dr. J.A. Wiltshire Avenue E.
Lake Wales, FL 33853-3235
Phone:
None.
But the Lake Wales Chamber of Commerce and help: 863-676-3445
Admission:
Free.
Web sites:
http://www.roadsideamerica.com/attract/FLLAKspook.html
http://www.tampabayskeptics.org/Spook_Hill.html
http://www.polkonline.com/stories/103199/loc_spook.shtml
Central Florida Directions:
Expect a 1 hour 15 minute drive when using Orlando as a reference point.
From your part of Central Florida, make your way onto Interstate 4 westbound for Tampa.
Take the exit for U.S. 27 East. Merge onto U.S. 27 S via exit 55. Signs will read “Haines City.”
Stay on U.S. 27 East for 23 miles.
When you get to the giant Florida’s Natural Orange Juice plant, you’re close. Turn left onto East Mountain Lake Cutoff Road. You’ll travel for 0.6 miles.
Next, turn right onto North Scenic Highway / U.S. 27 ALT / FL-17. You’ll stick on this street for 1.1 miles.
Turn left onto East North Ave. You’ll stay here for a quick 0.1 miles.
End at 321 Dr. J.A. Wiltshire Ave E. Pass the parking lot to Spook Hill Elementary School and then turn left . The hill in now in front of you.