Some roads just seem to have a bad reputation for some reason. Often it is due to an infamous historical happening that occurred along the byway. Sometimes it takes nothing more than the dark foreboding environs of an isolated roadway to earn it its place in local lore. Whether inspired by history or mystery, fact or fantasy, this rural byway in Miiddletown, Monmouth County, seems to possess more that its fair share of local legends.
Trees With Human Shapes On Whipporwill
One legend I remember from my high school days is that of Whipporwill Valley Road in Middletown. It’s a dirt road that descends into a valley. If you continue on, there is a tree on the right that appears to have a human shape trying to escape from it. On the left a bit further down is a sign with the word "God" on it, and an arrow pointing off into the woods. Of course we only visited this road during daylight hours.
–Darin Rachunok
The Witches and KKK on Whipporwill
I don’t know if you ever heard the tale about Whipporwill Valley Road in Middletown. I really don’t know the exact story but, here it goes. Back in the 1800’s when witches were burned at the stake, there were seven farmers and their families who accused 15 women of being witches. They had a town trial and decided to burn these supposed witches at the stake. They were burned, then buried six feet under.
Before the witches were burned they put hexes on all of the farmers who accused them, and ten months later they all died of a strange disease. The farmers were buried ten feet away from the witches, who were buried ten feet outside of the cemetery. Supposedly when you drive down Whipporwill Valley Road (which is still a dirt road), you will feel 15 bumps under your wheels, and on the way back you will feel 7 bumps. We all know what or who those bumps are supposed to be.
The really scary part of Whipporwill Valley Road is the fact that when you drive down the road there is a truck that appears out of nowhere and they will try to corner you. The people are dressed in KKK robes. This, my friend is the truth. I have experienced it myself in 1992 and that was the last time I went down Whipporwill Valley Road.
Also, one street over on Cooper Ave. they found a series of dead chickens, lambs, and other animals that were part of some kind of sacrifice, so if you choose to check it out, I warn you, it is definitely scary. Not necessarily because of the witch story, but because of the truth that I have experienced.
–Moonbaby
The Dancing Jesus and Whipporwill
My name is Sam, formerly of Middletown, NJ. In Middletown, between Chapel Hill and Kings Highway (off rte. 35), runs a road called Whipporwill. Whipporwill was rumored to be the home and place of sacrifice for a group of early-century diabolists (devil worshippers). The road itself is said to be haunted, and is in places nothing but an unlit dirt path. The kids like to drive from Kings Highway down Whipporwill to Chapel Hill Road, and from there they go on to the cemetery nearby, the centerpiece of which is a life size statue of Jesus. The statue, when stared at long enough, begins to dance, mostly moving it’s outstretched hands and undulating slightly. It’s a sight to see, and something you should check out. I’ve seen it, as have many of my friends, and always sober.
Whipporwill Car Punch
A kid on my floor here at Rutgers has gone to Whipporwill Valley Road many times. He’s actually witnessed people in Ku Klux Klan uniforms patrolling the road on horseback. A classmate of his in high school once went to the road and had the entrance of the road blocked off by a man on horseback. Luckily, the girl was driving one of those SUV’s and knocked over a fence to escape. The most incredulous story he told me about this road involved his cousin. He was driving a van down the road, and someone actually leapt out of a tree and landed on top of his car! Needless to say, this road sounds like a scary, intriguing place I hope someone jumps on my car when I visit!
–Improve