Episode 45: Infamous Lake Lanier
Let's take a deep dive into the murky waters of Georgia's most haunted lake.
Episode Transcripts
When I was growing up, one of my favorite pastimes involved spending moments by the lake. Splashing through the shallows, my swimsuit would gradually adopt a warm orange tint, courtesy of the vibrant Georgia clay. Those early years were devoted to exploring a natural lakelet on the outskirts of Augusta.
Of course, as I got older, things began to change; as did the watering holes in which I used to escape the southern heat. In fact, by the time I was 15, I had traded that small secluded lagoon for a much larger, man-made reservoir outside of Atlanta--one that harbored a rather insidious reputation.
Pause
Now if you share the same reverence for the paranormal as I do, then you're probably well aware of this particular lake. Yes, that's right, I spent the better half of my teenage years swimming in waters so notorious that they are said to be cursed.
Suffice it to say, I have some very fond memories of this haunt; but at the same time, I can recall some incredibly dark points in its history. So naturally, it only seemed right to discuss these drowned-out tales on this podcast.
But before we do, I'd like to extend a very special thank you to my friend Farrah over at the Conversation Cabin. She and her daughter Sierra covered this haunt a few weeks back and I must say that I found their coverage to be an invaluable resource while writing this week's episode.
Don't worry, I'll have the conversation cabin linked in today's show notes, so make sure to go check out that episode. But first, let's take a deep dive into the very dark waters of the infamous Lake Lanier.
I'm Courtney Hayes and you're listening to Haunts. Stay tuned...
Break for music
Spanning across 39,000 acres, Lanier stands as Georgia’s largest lake. Although, it's worth mentioning that this title didn't come naturally.
It was back in the 1940s when the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers proposed the concept of a man-made lake. The likes of which would address a few problems Georgia had only recently encountered.
You see, at the time of this proposal, the City of Atlanta was experiencing a bit of a population boom. Consequently, Georgia found itself in need of a reliable water source.
Beyond the essential need for drinking water, the Army Corps called for this reservoir to provide hydroelectric power to Atlanta. Which, of course, would help to further sustain the city's growing population. Not to mention, the inclusion of such an expansive lake would hopefully manage flooding which can be quite common during Georgia's rainy seasons.
pause
Outside of its practicality, the proposed Buford Dam and reservoir would serve a few additional purposes. For one, a lake of this size would have its recreational benefits. But beyond that, this project would also open up an opportunity for fish and wildlife conservation.
All in all, it seemed that a man-made lake would have been a great addition to the landscape of North Georgia--or at least it did on paper. This is why the project was ultimately approved and granted a budget of approximately $45 million. However, as construction began along the Chattahoochee River in the spring of 1950, it became evident that Lake Lanier had come with a few problems.
For starters, this proposition, when approved, greatly affected the water rights for a sizable portion of the southeast. Meaning that Georgia, Florida, and Alabama were at odds with one another when it came to how the project should be executed.
Now outside of water rights, there was a much larger elephant in the room. Because, as I mentioned earlier in this segment, the development of Lake Lanier would require a sizable portion of land, and at the time at least, that sort of acreage wasn't readily available. Surely, you can see where this is going right?
Pause
As a matter of fact, the majority of the controversy surrounding this project lay in the fact that tens upon thousands of acres would be ceased and then flooded. Oh and up until that point this land had been used for residential purposes. In short, throughout its development, Lake Lanier would evict countless families from their homes, lay waste to dozens of neighborhoods, and on a few occasions even submerge entire towns.
I know, by now this whole project sounds like it was more trouble than it's worth. But this is where the feel of things goes from an odd, somewhat boring documentary to a downright eerie horror film the likes of which even Steven Spielberg probably wouldn't touch with a 10-foot pole.
You see, throughout the process of drowning over 600 miles of Georgia's landscape, there was very little effort made in the way of demolition. Meaning that the majority of the structures ceased for this project were swallowed by the very same waters that condemned them.
This includes everything from homes and school buildings to grocery stores and churches. And if that weren't enough, then you might be mortified to hear that 20 separate cemeteries now sit lost and forgotten at the bottom of Lake Lanier. So yeah, I guess it's no wonder why these waters are said to be so unholy.
Break for music
Admittedly, Lake Lanier does not come without its share of tragedies. I mean by now it's clear, that the lake's origins are far from the norm; but aside from that its history is also incredibly grim.
Let me lay this right out in black and white. Since its inception, Lake Lanier has been linked to around 700 deaths, with over 200 occurring between 1994 and 2022 alone. These incidents range from inexplicable boating mishaps and accidental drownings to excessive partying and wildlife encounters, solidifying Lake Lanier as one of the deadliest bodies of water in America. And of course, with a reputation like that, most locals can't help but entertain notions of the supernatural.
Pause
Whispers of a curse have likely been swirling around North Georgia since those less-than-humble beginnings. Or at least since the mid-90s when Lanier's body count began to grow at an exponential rate. Although there are murmurs that this alleged curse dates back over a century to a regrettably dark point in Georgia’s history.
At the start of the 20th century, the town of Oscarville was a thriving little community. Situated along the banks of the Chattahoochee River, Oscarville sat on the flood plane that would one day be called Lake Lanier.
Now back in those days, Jim Crow laws were grossly in effect throughout the Southeast. And being that Forsyth County sat in the heart of rural Georgia, it was not immune to this inequality. So at that time, Oscarville was a safe haven for approximately 250 segregated families.
Pause
Then came the fall of 1912, when 18-year-old Mae Crow vanished after a visit to her aunt's house. The following day, Mae was found on the banks of the Chattahoochee, just a stone's throw away from Oscarville. She was alive but unconscious and badly bleeding after her throat had evidently been slashed.
In the weeks that followed, Mae Crow succumbed to her injuries. And as tragic as that was, things only got worse when the crime was pinned on a local teen named Earnest Knox.
Apparently, a small compact mirror had been found in the woods on the afternoon of Crow's murder—an item that allegedly belonged to Knox. And even though the mirror was not found in the immediate vicinity of Crow's body—or anywhere close to the crime scene for that matter—Knox was eventually arrested in his home and taken to the Gainsville County jail.
On the way, due to a mix of coercion and his own justified anxiety, Knox confessed to attacking Mae Crow on the morning of September 9th. The following day saw the arrest of another Oscarville local, 24-year-old Rob Edwards, who as it turned was married to Knox's cousin.
Now I don't want to sugarcoat this for you but be forewarned, it's at this point in the story when things become incredibly bleak. So if you'd like to skip ahead a few minutes, now's the time.
Pause
By the time that they had been detained, word of Knox's supposed confession had spread through Forsyth County like wildfire. And so these two gentlemen became the innocent scapegoats in a situation that was quickly going from bad to worse.
You see, not long after the arrests were made, a mob had formed outside of the Gainesville County jail. The crowds flooded into what was already a very crowded building, and by the time the dust had settled, Rob Edwards was dead.
Pause
Over time, the passage of years drowned these events alongside the town of Oscarville. But every so often, this grim memory floats to the surface.
Some say that the restless spirits of those targeted in this event may still linger around the lake. Others claim that these hateful acts brought a curse onto Oscarville and the reservoir that followed.
Now I don't personally don't believe that Edwards, Crow, or Knox bear any responsibility for this alleged curse. And in the end, I hope that these souls are resting peacefully.
But at the same time, I wouldn't be surprised if Lake Lanier was hanging onto the negativity conjured during that dark chapter. After all, the old saying holds true: blood runs thicker than water.
Break for music
Several years back, Georgia found itself in the throes of an unprecedented drought, a scorching period that drastically diminished the water levels of Lake Lanier.
I was there, in the wake of this sweltering heat, wading into the lake's extended shallows. I had been on one of my family's semi-annual camping trips; and as kids often do, my brother and I decided to venture away from the watchful gaze of our parents.
It was on this impromptu trek that we stumbled upon an unusual sight. Just beneath the water's surface laid the decaying remnants of an old railroad.
I guess you could say that this discovery was innocent enough. But even still, there lingered an unsettling feeling in the pit of my stomach. I remember thinking in somewhat blissful ignorance that those tracks weren't supposed to be there. And in the end, that assumption of course turned out to be true.
Pause
Looking back now, there's an extra layer of chill to this experience. Especially considering the grim nature of what others have found at the bottom of this lake.
For some context here, Lake Lanier has always been quite popular with divers. I know, for many this hardly seems like the ideal place to take a dip. But all the same, roughly 10 million visitors take the plunge into these murky waters each and every year.
It's these very divers who have uncovered the water-worn vestiges of a submerged ghost town, right down to the tombstones marking numerous forgotten graves sites. Oh and as I'm sure you may have guessed, those unfortunate enough to tread above these graves often resurface with harrowing tales to share.
Pause
According to local lore at least, the spirits of those interred in the lake bed have the tendency to reach out from their watery graves. There, with their arms outstretched toward the surface, these undead sirens lie in wait for an unsuspecting passer-by.
When a swimmer does inevitably approach, spectral hands--pruned and lifeless--will wrap impossible strong around their leg. Then, with the light of the surface slowly fading from view, they are pulled downward into the black abyss of Lake Lanier.
Pause
Okay, I have to admit, this story does seem a bit out there. But don't dismiss it just yet. After all, there are numerous reports from traumatized divers who insist they barely made it out alive after experiencing this very phenomenon.
Now this sort of activity does give a bit of credence to a theory that we discussed at length awhile back. If you tuned into episode 25, then you may recall that water is often associated with paranormal activity. Specifically, it is said to act as a paranormal conductor--charging up paranormal activity like power to a light.
Of course, I'll have that episode linked in today's show notes just in case you missed it. But for now, let me ask you this: if water truly ignites the paranormal like a beacon in the dark, then wouldn't it make sense for Georgia's largest and deadliest lake to also be its most haunted?
Break for music
By now, I think it's quite apparent why Lake Lanier is regarded as one of Georgia's most haunted locations. Between a curse that extends from Forsyth County's darkest hour and a submerged swarm of the undead, it's safe to say that this reservoir harbors its fair share of haunts. Although, I should mention that there is one remaining spirit that is likely the most feared.
In light of that, let's end today's episode by sharing the story of Delia Parker Young, who today is better known as the lady of the lake.
pause
It was a dark night in 1958 when Susie Roberts and her friend Delia stopped at a gas station in Dawsonville. At first, the two companions seemed far from threatening. However, that perception changed as soon as they sped out of the parking lot--leaving their bill unpaid.
Behind the wheel of her 1954 Ford Sedan, Susie cruised somewhat recklessly down Dawsonville highway and Delia's blue dress had paled somewhat under the light of the moon. This small band of thieves was on the run, heading toward Three Gables Roadhouse.
It was there where they had planned to shack up for the evening. Although, as I'm sure you may have guessed, those plans quite literally took a sharp turn.
As they turned onto Jerry Jackson Bridge, Susie lost control of the vehicle. The sedan spun out, and within a matter of seconds, Susie Roberts and Delia Parker Young were hurdling toward the unforgiving waters of Lake Lanier.
Pause
18 months later, the body of a young woman was found floating below Jerry Jackson Bridge. This discovery, along with a set of skid marks that still scared the overpass up above, had been the only evidence to indicate what may have happened on that fateful night.
Obviously, it was a rather frightening sight. According to the local fisherman who had discovered the remains, this corpse was missing two toes, a foot, and both hands. As an unfortunate result, the deceased was eventually buried in an unmarked grave.
You see, thanks to the lack of identifiable features, this apparent Jane Doe was never given a positive ID. Well, that is until about three decades later, when yet another discovery was made at the bottom of Lake Lanier.
Pause
In the fall of 1990, Jerry Jackson Bridge was in great need of repairs. It had been 34 years since this structure was first erected, and as such, it had become corroded and weather-torn. So in November of that year, the restoration efforts were set to begin.
The lake bed was, of course, dredged in preparation for this endeavor; and at first, things seemed to be going swimmingly. However, this initial phase of the project came to a screeching halt when a rusted and mangled car was pulled from the water.
Sitting in the driver's seat of this waterlogged vehicle were the skeletal remains of a young woman. Later, thanks to a few personal effects found with the deceased, the coroner determined her identity as Susie Roberts. And so, 31 years later, the aforementioned Jane Doe along with her handless body was finally given a name.
Pause
In the decades that have passed since these incidents, an eerie legend took shape along the Jerry Jackson Bridge. Maybe it was due to the premature, and ever so traumatic nature of her demise. Perhaps her identity, noticeably absent from her tombstone could be to blame. But regardless of the cause, many Dawsonville locals say that the spirit of Delia Robert Young remains on the bypass over Lake Lanier.
Now I myself have made the trek out to that very spot, and yet I never once saw or felt the presence of Delia's spirit. Although, I will say that this haunt holds a certain level of, let's call it, dark ambiance.
Not to mention that Jerry Jackson Bridge remains to be a popular destination for local teens, paranormal investigators, and the morbidly enthused. And regardless of my own personal experience here, many of these individuals report bone-chilling encounters with this, the lady of the lake.
According to those very claims, Delia's spirit can often be seen walking along Jerry Jackson Bridge in the dead of night. Clad in a pale blue gown, Delia appears just as she did on the night of her untimely death. Well, that is of course aside from the absence of her own hands.
Break for music
Credits
Sources
Check out the Conversation Cabin
https://lakelanier.com/lake-lanier-water-levels/
https://www.narcity.com/atlanta/deadly-curse-georgias-lake-lanier-shocking-fate-underwater-town
https://kids.kiddle.co/1912_racial_conflict_in_Forsyth_County,_Georgia
https://frightfind.com/lake-lanier/
https://patch.com/georgia/cumming/jerry-jackson-bridge-work-underway