Syracuse is no stranger to the malevolent tales of urban legends. The city’s rich tapestry offers a historical glimpse into the past and adds a certain je ne sais quoi to fictional narratives within the community. Urban legends and ghost stories have been passed down through generations and are great additions to Halloween festivities.
To get you in the mood for Halloween, here’s a look at some of the best-known legends in Syracuse.
The Lady of the Landmark
The Landmark Theatre in downtown Syracuse is rumored to be haunted, and it has embraced the presence of the supernatural for many years. Since its construction in 1928, the theater has been a subject of palpable urban legends. One of the most well-known legends involves a spirit known as “Clarissa,” a young actress who is said to haunt the theater since she died in the 1930s.
According to the Haunted History Trail of New York State, Clarissa was a local performer who occasionally performed dialogues on the Landmark stage after falling in love with a stagehand named Oscar. As the story goes, Oscar was working with the lighting board during a show when he flipped a switch and, in a freak accident, was electrocuted on stage. Clarissa sat pensively as she watched her lover burn from the inside out. According to the legend, the heartbroken actress threw herself off the balcony to her death. Other versions of the story suggest that she died in a dressing room accident. Since then, staff and visitors have reported numerous sightings of her lingering spirit. Some say she appears as a ghost in a white dress during unexpected times.
Ghost of 13 Curves
The “13 Curves” legend in Syracuse tells the story of 13 dangerous curves along Cedarvale Road and the West Seneca Turnpike. According to Weird U.S., an area along the 13 Curves is said to be haunted by the ghost of a young bride who made her way along the 13 Curves after leaving her bridal ceremony with her husband. The married couple died a gruesome death after being thrown from their car during a fatal car crash. Since that fateful day, people claim to see the soul of the bride—especially on Halloween—lingering and searching for her husband.
Although variations of the story exist, the common theme is that if you drive through the 13 Curves at night and flash your headlights 13 times, the ghost of the bride will appear. Some versions of the story claim that the ghost might try to flag down passing cars for help, while others suggest a more malevolent presence.
The Split Rock Quarry
Split Rock Quarry was originally established in 1834 to mine limestone for the production of cement. In the early 1900s, it became one of the primary suppliers of limestone for construction projects in the United States. The quarry’s history took a dark turn on July 2, 1918, when a TNT explosion at a munitions factory near the quarry caused a chain reaction of explosions. The incident, known as the Split Rock Explosion, resulted in the deaths of 50 workers.
The quarry remained operational, despite the tragedy, until 1954, after which it was abandoned. According to the Haunted History Trail, “Visitors have reported the sound of footsteps, voices in the distance, and the revving of the Crusher’s engine—which hasn’t run since the horrific blast.”
Over the years, nature reclaimed the site, and it became a popular destination for hikers and explorers. Now, it sits as an abandoned location in the woods, with signs of paranormal ghosts of the 50 men that died.
Before exploring places linked to urban legends, students should do research on current conditions and adopt safety measures to mitigate any potential risk. Trust your instincts, and always be mindful of your surroundings!
Written By Elijah Brown ’24, S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications