Here are some scary stories to tell in the dark...
Whether you believe in urban legends or not, there is no doubt that San Jose has some well-circulated stories that can send a chill down your spine.
So, we’re going to explore some of these local, well-known or lesser-known ghostly tales.
The Quimby Road Jogger
This post from History San Jose’s Facebook page suggests that there’s a ghostly jogger who can be seen on Quimby Road in East San Jose at midnight — which several residents have affirmed + the “San Hauntse” podcast investigated.
Though this spectre might startle those who travel up the hill, stories say he only stops + stares, before continuing his jog and then disappearing.
Marsh Road
For years, locals have reported paranormal activity on Marsh Road above Milpitas— claiming that they’ve seen a ghostly girl + heard unaccounted-for screams.
But is it true? It might be.
In 1981, a 14-year-old Milpitas student named Marcy Renee Conrad was murdered and left on the side of Marsh Road by her 16-year-old boyfriend.
The story made national headlines — both for its gruesomeness, as well as the insensitivity from local teenagers. A 1986 film, “River’s Edge,” starring Keanu Reeves + Crispin Glover was loosely-based off of this true story.
The road has been long closed to cars, but that hasn’t stopped curious ghost-chasers from exploring the area.
It’s all fun and games until...
Photo via @live.love.laughphotography
Great America
Although California’s Great America traded its Halloween Haunt for the more family-friendly Tricks and Treats festival, there is no shortage of rumored hauntings at the amusement park. 👻
The first reports of paranormal activity came after a 13-year-old boy was killed in a collision at the Willard’s Whizzer roller coaster in 1980. Since then, there have been reports from graveyard shift employees of hearing footsteps on a bridge where the ride once sat. 👣
Employees have also reported “cold spots,” unaccounted-for laughing, flickering of carnival lights, and more.
More recently, in an episode of the paranormal podcast, Spooked, a former Great America employee described seeing the ghost of a man who died in rollercoaster collision while watching the security footage of the accident. Eerie… but not enough for us to stop going to the park, right? 👀
Hicks Road
Now for one of the most infamous roads in San Jose…
Winding through Almaden Quicksilver Mines is Hicks Road, a locally known road that is rumored to be inhabited by satanic cults, cannibals, or blood-sucking beings — but no evidence has been found to support these theories.
In August 2021, local podcast San Hauntse explored the urban legend’s 1970s origins + personal accounts from locals. The hosts even sat down with Julian P. Flores, the director of the 2009 film “Hicks Road,” and author of “Hicks Road: Jacob’s Story.”
Bert Barret’s left arm
Did you know — there’s a grave at Hacienda Cemetery that contains just one arm?
In 1898, a 13-year-old local named Richard Bertram Barrett lost his left arm in a hunting accident. Due to laws at the time, his family buried the limb at the Hacienda Cemetery — located at 21440 Bertram Rd. (later named after Richard).
He lived a successful life following the incident + even served as the Chief of Sanitation for the Santa Clara County Health Department. He died in 1959 at the age of 74, and was buried 11 miles away from his left arm at the Oak Hill Memorial Park.
Legend has it that on Halloween night, his left arm comes alive to try and find the rest of its body at the other cemetery. So if you see a traveling limb… now you know.
Chuck E. Cheese on Tully Road
Many locals may be familiar with the Chuck E. Cheese at 2445 Fontaine Road, more well-known as the Tully Road location and place where the 30-ft rat greets drivers on Highway 101.
What may not be common knowledge is that this location, credited with being the original Chuck E. Cheese (after moving from its South Winchester Boulevard location), is haunted by a young girl on its third floor.
The story goes that the little girl wandered up to the third floor when the building was occupied by then-Magic Village toy store and fell to her death from a balcony or window.
Employees have reported seeing a face peering out that upper window, sounds of children after hours, and malfunctioning lights.
But here’s the weird part — no deaths have been recorded at the location. Paranormal investigator Nick Groff has a theory that a “tulpa” (thought-form energy from Tibetan Buddhism) might be at play.
Groff explained that collective thoughts of others like believing in the presence of a ghost manifests into something tangible.
“If enough people walk into the building expecting to see the ghost of a little girl and project that mental energy into the space, eventually, that energy might coalesce into something that other people can experience,” Groff said in “Haunted San Jose.”
If that didn’t run a chill down your spine, click the button below to read about a ghostly jogger, haunted amusement park, and lone traveling limb.
Do you believe in these legends? Know any others we should feature? Let us know.
