Outside of Ahoskie, North Carolina, there is a haunted stretch of railroad track that has been scaring teenagers for years! Seeing the Ghost Light at Early’s Station has become a rite of passage in Hertford County.
The first version of this ghostly tale says that a railroad worker was run over by a train and now haunts the tracks looking for his severed head.
The second version states that, in the early 1900s, Train Engineer, James (Jimmy) Pearce, sees another train headed towards him on the same tracks. He hits the brakes, but it is too late. Suddenly, the train passes right through his train. The other train is a phantom train. He receives a lot of kidding when he tells others about it, until a few hours later, when his train jumps the tracks, killing Jimmy.
Sometimes the light appears to be swinging. Other times it is red or green. Has been reported since the 1920s.
From Hwy 11, take Brick Mill Road. Cross into Hertford County. About 1.7 miles from Hwy 11, you will cross the railroad tracks. Park here and walk the tracks towards Aulander.
Glenn Allen Bryant II on Facebook in 2013 – “I took my sister and a friend of hers there one night and the light was there in front of us then behind us, never knew we could run so fast. I don’t much think my kid sister was to impressed with me for quite some time after that.”
Cliff Hodges on Facebook in 2013 – “Went last night. Saw the light about 10 times in 30 mins.”
Gail Lewter on Facebook – “A group of high school students went to see the lights one night years ago. We all started walking down the tracks, when all of a sudden the light appeared in front of us. We turned and ran back down the tracks and the light chased us. It disappeared up over our heads. We were scared out of our wits. But we saw it. It was cool now that I think about it. I will never forget that experience.”
Gary Ceres on Facebook in 2017 – “Kyle and I saw the Ahoskie Ghost Lights tonight. They appeared at least twenty times over the tracks.”Al Parker on Facebook in 2013 – “I saw the ghost light several times while I was in high school. It was truly a spooky place to go at night. We walked the tracks, and sometimes the light would appear in front of you… and other times behind you. I remember we all screamed and ran as fast as we could when the light was so bright on us that it cast our shadows onto the railroad tracks under our feet! Truly terrifying!!!”
Gladys Gonzales on Facebook in 2013 – “Al, my daddy took some of us to see it & it happened exactly as you said!”
Written By Al Parker with the Murfreesboro Historical Association
