Almost every little corner of Nebraska has undergone extreme changes over the years, particularly the towns and cities that have existed for as long as Nebraska has been a state or longer. But there’s one place that’s had a truly extraordinary transformation, and it’s not what you’d expect. Take Barnard Park, for example, which some call the most haunted park in Nebraska. This popular playground stands on what used to be a cemetery, and the history here will send shivers down your spine…

Sometimes the cost of progress is the destruction and rebuilding of existing structures.

Google Maps This was the case with Green Grove Cemetery in Fremont (Dodge County). The cemetery stood at Military Avenue and Clarkson Street, close to what is now Midland University.

The cemetery was dedicated in the late 19th century, but Fremont experienced a population boom around the same time.

NE State Historical Society The cemetery soon outgrew its limited plot and couldn’t be extended, so the decision was made to move the town’s cemetery to a plot of land west of town that couldn’t be used for farming. The new graveyard was named Ridge Cemetery and dedicated in 1878.

The bodies buried in Green Grove Cemetery were carefully dug up and moved to the new location. The former cemetery was turned into the lush Barnard Park that we know and love today.

Google Photos/Mike S.

Records indicate that many of the town’s founders were buried in the original location and now rest in the new cemetery. However, local legend says that a few bodies were left behind when the graves were moved. As a result, Barnard Park is thought to be a very haunted location.

Mike Dannevik/Google Local

Whether or not the stories of hauntings are true, the history of Barnard Park is well documented. Have you ever experienced anything supernatural while enjoying a day out at the park? Do you believe in the lore behind this so-called haunted park in Nebraska? Let us know!

Google Maps

This was the case with Green Grove Cemetery in Fremont (Dodge County). The cemetery stood at Military Avenue and Clarkson Street, close to what is now Midland University.

NE State Historical Society

The cemetery soon outgrew its limited plot and couldn’t be extended, so the decision was made to move the town’s cemetery to a plot of land west of town that couldn’t be used for farming. The new graveyard was named Ridge Cemetery and dedicated in 1878.

Google Photos/Mike S.

Mike Dannevik/Google Local

Go here for stories of this and 19 other reportedly haunted places in Nebraska.

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.

Address: Barnard Park, Fremont, NE 68025, USA

The OIYS Visitor Center

haunted park in Nebraska October 28, 2021 Sarah What are some other haunted places in Nebraska? Don’t let all that serene, pastoral landscape fool you – Nebraska is full of creepy and haunted places that will make the hair stand up on the back of your neck! Between haunted houses, haunted hotels, and even a haunted prison or two, this state is positively teeming in ghosts. And of course, Nebraska may reign supreme when it comes to haunted corn mazes and hayrides. There are ghost stories and creepy facts lurking around every corner – and road, apparently! Smitty’s Curve may be one of the most infamous haunted roads in Nebraska. Located just outside of Geneva, the road is supposedly named for a young man who careened off one of the road’s bridges while driving late at night. The story goes that he escaped the frozen waters and crawled into a nearby barn to take shelter, but either froze to death or succumbed to his injuries. To this day, people report seeing the phantom figure of Smitty crawling across the road on dark evenings. Are there any ghost towns in Nebraska? Ghost towns dot the landscape in Nebraska like the random spots on a Dalmatian. From the badlands to the lowlands and even just outside some of the bigger cities, through the years entire towns have dried up and disappeared from the Cornhusker State. If you’re up for a thrilling little adventure, definitely check out this road trip, which journeys to six of the state’s creepiest and most notorious ghost towns. Safe travels… What’s the creepiest place to visit in Nebraska?

Hands down, the creepiest place to visit in Nebraska would be the Nebraska State Penitentiary. Located in Lincoln, this penitentiary has a long history of hauntings. The prison first opened in 1869, making it the oldest in Nebraska. Spooky occurrences include the reported apparitions of former inmates, the ghostly clanging of metal chains, and mysterious cold spots. No thank you!

 

The OIYS Visitor Center

haunted park in Nebraska

October 28, 2021

Sarah

What are some other haunted places in Nebraska? Don’t let all that serene, pastoral landscape fool you – Nebraska is full of creepy and haunted places that will make the hair stand up on the back of your neck! Between haunted houses, haunted hotels, and even a haunted prison or two, this state is positively teeming in ghosts. And of course, Nebraska may reign supreme when it comes to haunted corn mazes and hayrides. There are ghost stories and creepy facts lurking around every corner – and road, apparently! Smitty’s Curve may be one of the most infamous haunted roads in Nebraska. Located just outside of Geneva, the road is supposedly named for a young man who careened off one of the road’s bridges while driving late at night. The story goes that he escaped the frozen waters and crawled into a nearby barn to take shelter, but either froze to death or succumbed to his injuries. To this day, people report seeing the phantom figure of Smitty crawling across the road on dark evenings. Are there any ghost towns in Nebraska? Ghost towns dot the landscape in Nebraska like the random spots on a Dalmatian. From the badlands to the lowlands and even just outside some of the bigger cities, through the years entire towns have dried up and disappeared from the Cornhusker State. If you’re up for a thrilling little adventure, definitely check out this road trip, which journeys to six of the state’s creepiest and most notorious ghost towns. Safe travels… What’s the creepiest place to visit in Nebraska?

Hands down, the creepiest place to visit in Nebraska would be the Nebraska State Penitentiary. Located in Lincoln, this penitentiary has a long history of hauntings. The prison first opened in 1869, making it the oldest in Nebraska. Spooky occurrences include the reported apparitions of former inmates, the ghostly clanging of metal chains, and mysterious cold spots. No thank you!

 

The OIYS Visitor Center

The OIYS Visitor Center

Don’t let all that serene, pastoral landscape fool you – Nebraska is full of creepy and haunted places that will make the hair stand up on the back of your neck! Between haunted houses, haunted hotels, and even a haunted prison or two, this state is positively teeming in ghosts. And of course, Nebraska may reign supreme when it comes to haunted corn mazes and hayrides. There are ghost stories and creepy facts lurking around every corner – and road, apparently! Smitty’s Curve may be one of the most infamous haunted roads in Nebraska. Located just outside of Geneva, the road is supposedly named for a young man who careened off one of the road’s bridges while driving late at night. The story goes that he escaped the frozen waters and crawled into a nearby barn to take shelter, but either froze to death or succumbed to his injuries. To this day, people report seeing the phantom figure of Smitty crawling across the road on dark evenings.

Are there any ghost towns in Nebraska?

Ghost towns dot the landscape in Nebraska like the random spots on a Dalmatian. From the badlands to the lowlands and even just outside some of the bigger cities, through the years entire towns have dried up and disappeared from the Cornhusker State. If you’re up for a thrilling little adventure, definitely check out this road trip, which journeys to six of the state’s creepiest and most notorious ghost towns. Safe travels…

What’s the creepiest place to visit in Nebraska?

Hands down, the creepiest place to visit in Nebraska would be the Nebraska State Penitentiary. Located in Lincoln, this penitentiary has a long history of hauntings. The prison first opened in 1869, making it the oldest in Nebraska. Spooky occurrences include the reported apparitions of former inmates, the ghostly clanging of metal chains, and mysterious cold spots. No thank you!

 

Hands down, the creepiest place to visit in Nebraska would be the Nebraska State Penitentiary. Located in Lincoln, this penitentiary has a long history of hauntings. The prison first opened in 1869, making it the oldest in Nebraska. Spooky occurrences include the reported apparitions of former inmates, the ghostly clanging of metal chains, and mysterious cold spots. No thank you!