Spook Hill, Florida (1974)

Kerry Decker takes a trip to Lake Wales, Florida and visits "Spook Hill". This isn't your typical pay-at-the-gate attraction. In fact, there is no admission charge — it's free! Some might not even call it an attraction, but don't say that to the locals of Lake Wales, Florida. Spook Hill is proudly recognized by the town.
The "thrill" of the attraction is your vehicle seems to coast uphill. Is it a weird phenomenon, optical illusion or the unrest of spooky spirits? Well, the legend is that it's spooky spirits.
A sign was later erected that states, "Many years ago an Indian village on Lake Wales was plagued by raids of a huge gator. The Chief, a great warrior, killed the gator in a battle that created a small lake. The chief was buried on the north side. Pioneer mail riders first discovered their horses laboring down hill, thus naming it "Spook Hill." When the road was paved, cars coasted up hill. Is this the gator seeking revenge, or the chief still trying to protect his land?"
Armed with an early model of a Kodak Ektasound Super 8 camera, Kerry visits the area to test the legend for himself.
A sign bearing the Legend of Spook Hill still stands sentry over the area. The white line, although faded, marks the spot on the one-way street where you should stop and take your vehicle out of gear. Then, it happens... your vehicle begins to roll... uphill!
It's got to be the spirits!
Filmed: Spring 1974

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• Kerry
• Decker
• Spook
• Hill
• FL
• Florida
• Lake
• Wales
• Polk
• County
• Kodak
• Ektasound
• Super
• 8mm
• 1974

[fayeteville]

kerry is that sign still there?

the introduction was fine -

is that car a ford or chevrolet?

[KKD1247]

No..the overhead sign has been replaced by one on the side. My car at that time was a Dodge Duster.

[ryanthedude853539]

Hey Kerry,

Just wondering what software you use to edit your videos.

Thanks,

ryanthedude

[KKD1247]

I use iMovieHD on my iMac for most of my YouTube projects.

[livinlow15]

I must be blind because it looks like a uphill to everyone but me

[MrPhon1984]

wow it look so different back then..nice to see old videos.

[0conundrum0]

I live close to that place, it was fun when I was little. That is one steep hill.

[liqufri]

I don't see anything special in this video. Cars behave normal.

[KKD1247]

My daughter...and yes she does.

[expo66]

I was under the impression that Mason Reese never visited Lake Wales. I love the cute kid at the end thrown in for pathos! How bout a 1974 video on Chalet Suzanne. Nice job!

[whizbang47]

I've been to another place with the same gag ("attraction") but don't remember if it was in "The Desert of Maine" or somewhere in Nova Scotia (it was 1961.)

[kevinKLITZ]

kerry! ive been to spook hill in florida, its kinda neat...its wierd though.....probly just physics though haha:)