Читать книгу Twin Cities Haunted Handbook - Jeff Morris - Страница 10

ADAM’S HILL PARK

7200 Washburn Avenue, Richfield, Minnesota 55423

directions

Take I-35W South from downtown Minneapolis for 7 miles until you reach exit 9C, the 76th Street exit. At the end of the exit ramp, turn right onto 76th Street and follow that for about half a mile before turning right onto Penn Avenue South. Follow Penn Avenue for another half mile and then turn left onto West 72nd Street, which will take you straight onto Washburn Avenue and into Adam’s Hill Park.

history

Until around 1981, there was nothing desirable about the land on and around Adam’s Hill. The land surrounding the small hill was quite marshy. Whenever it rained, the area would essentially become a swamp, and the water would spread into surrounding areas, making large areas almost uninhabitable.

In the late 1800s or early 1900s, this surrounding area was used as farmland by a farmer who lived alone. Not only was the farmer alone, but often he was unable to cultivate his crops because of the way the area collected rainwater. Convinced that his own mere survival and happiness were impossible, the farmer decided to commit suicide. He carefully tied a noose from a tree near the bottom of Adam’s Hill and hung himself. It was weeks before anyone found the body.

In 1981, the area was redeveloped, and a large holding pond and pump system now redirects the excess rainwater to make the area a pleasant park. According to rumors, the tree where the farmer hung himself still stands near the foot of the hill within the park.

ghost story

The farmer who hung himself in what is today Adam’s Hill Park supposedly still roams these grounds. Most commonly, people report seeing the apparition of the farmer walking through the park after dark. He is dressed as a farmer and slowly walks through the park, apparently paying no attention to his surroundings. If he is ever approached, he will slowly fade into the darkness and completely vanish.

People also hear what sound like footsteps falling slowly behind them. When they turn to see who is following them, there is no one there. Other times, people are overcome with feelings of depression and despair while in the park. According to the stories, these feelings are most poignant when they are close to the tree where the farmer hung himself. Another story tells about a tree at the foot of the hill, again supposedly the same tree from which the farmer hung himself, which rustles and shakes even when there is no breeze or animals in the tree.

visiting

The best time to visit Adam’s Hill Park with the intention of finding ghosts is after dark. The park is open until 10 p.m. every night. Not only is the apparition of the farmer seen most often after dark, but the park is less busy after dark, and you have much more seclusion and privacy to explore the paranormal side of this place.