It's hard to believe there's really a street named Shades of Death Road, but residents and visitors in New Jersey have seen it for themselves.
Many of those folks have also claimed to have seen a lot of mysterious and peculiar sights in the area, too. Obviously, with a name that includes "death," there are going to be plenty of rumors concerned with how it earned the morbid moniker.
Unfortunately, that's also all we have for answers about the name — rumors. Known just as "Shades" to the locals, no one has been able to pinpoint what really inspired such a creepy street name.
That hasn't stopped them from cooking up some super-kooky guesses, though. Legends about the road, a nearby lake, and things found in the surrounding woods have been passed down by residents for decades.
Take a look to learn more about the chilling tales behind Shades of Death Road.
And be sure to SHARE the fascinating and frightening legends with your friends on Facebook!
There are several theories behind the street's spooky name and, as you can probably guess, they're all pretty dang creepy.
Some legends claim that the road's twists and turns caused an extreme number of automobile accidents, thus earning it the grim name. However, the name actually predates the invention of the automobile.
According to Atlas Obscura, another theory claims the name was decided on back when it was still a humid, mosquito-filled marsh where multiple deaths were due to malaria.
Others have focused their attention on the nearby body of water known as "Ghost Lake."
The lake didn't actually exist until the early 20th century, after two wealthy local homeowners decided to dam off a creek that ran between their respective homes.
The body of water quickly earned its haunting name thanks to the misty vapor rising above it.
There is also an old cabin near the lake where many have claimed to spot actual ghosts wandering around. One particularly colorful story on Weird New Jersey recounts a time when, as children, a group of friends made their way inside the cabin and up to the second floor. As soon as they got to the top step, they could hear someone playing the decrepit piano downstairs.
They assumed it was law enforcement busting their chops, but they never saw a sign of other humans.
Also near the lake is a small cave known as the "Fairy Hole." It has actually been around longer than the manmade lake.
The name probably only relates to the space's small size since most claims tend to revolve around Native American burial grounds and potential witchcraft.
Folklore also surrounds one of the streets branching off Shades of Death Road.
Lenape Lane is a single, unpaved lane, and it dead-ends at an old farmhouse with what some claim are haunted stables abandoned on its grounds.
According to Haunted Places, witnesses reported seeing glowing orbs emanating from the old stable at the end of Lenape Lane.
The tale gets even more bizarre with claims that the orb then chases down any vehicles it finds on the road. If it turns red, the travelers are said to be doomed.
Another theory about Shades of Dead Road that's linked to the Lenape tribe involves a shapeshifting "spirit guide."
The so-called spirit is said to appear as a ghostly deer running along the side of the road. According to the Paranormal Guide, this is the spirit's way of warning a driver before they hit a real-life deer crossing the road but out of view.
There's a nearby bridge, as well. Theories have claimed that a driver stopping in front of it at exactly midnight can honk their horn three times in a row, and the ghosts of two young children will suddenly appear.
The last goose bumps-inducing story came from two travelers who claimed to find hundreds of Polaroid photos scattered around the ground near the road.
In some of the photos, there seemed to be the blurry image of a woman in distress.
Would you ever take a drive down Shades of Death Road?
Be sure to SHARE the spooky legends with your friends on Facebook!
