A Thousand Miles From Nowhere

This describes the way I felt when first visiting Caryville back in 2006 with a friend of mine.  There is a road called 240th Avenue that sprawls on and on and twists and turns.  It doesn't always make sense.  But then again, there's quite a bit that doesn't seem to "click" in this odd location.....

What makes this location unique is the fact there are 5 areas reported to be haunted.  In all actuality, Caryville itself is not claimed to be haunted- it's the locations around this unincorporated town that are.

There is the Springbrook Lutheran Church
(The lore here states many years ago a priest hanged himself in the belfry)

The road dubbed "The Phantom Cars of Caryville Road" aka the 240th Avenue Bridge or just simply 240th Avenue
(The lore here states on prom night years ago, a woman named "Jenny" was driving home, and due to the fact she was intoxicated, she lost control of her truck and plummeted over the edge into the water below to the side of the bridge)

The Fosbroke School which is directly across the street from the Springbrook Church
(The lore states that after running away from an abusive home, a little boy huddled inside the school on a cold winter night and froze to death at his desk.  Now if you sit in his seat, his spirit or energy will pass through you)

The Meridean boat landing
(The lore here states a young woman by the name of Mary Dean was on her way via boat with her mother to meet her father on the island that's on the other side.  Sadly though, she became very ill and passed away before she made it to the island.  When they arrived, the town buried her under a tree and named their town "Meridean" after her- Mary Dean)

And finally, the Sand Hill Cemetery
(The lore states many children will run about at night and that if you approach them, they are friendly and will want to play with you.  Also, there is a hellhound that haunts the grounds along with a dark demon dubbed "Blackie")

There is a lot of ghost lore in addition to great history in this neck of the woods.  If you are ever in the Eau Claire area, this is a must see.

To learn more about these sites, I'd suggest these websites:

Unexplained Research

Ghosts and Stories



More pics of these locations

Below: The church and school ominously facing each other

A grave at the Sand Hill Cemetery at dusk~

The long winding dirt road that goes from the boat landing up, up to the top if the hill where the Sand Hill Cemetery sits and awaits you!

We also visited the other side of the boat landing a few years ago with a few friends.  This island is called Happy Island aka Meridean and did indeed have a town situated on it back in the late 1800's, early 1900's. The town eventually relocated due to flooding and fires.

This is a shot from the island looking over at the boat landing

Here is Tony filming for our documentary

And me wearing my Corona hat and favorite shades