6 Creepy Urban Legends That Illinois People Still Believe to This Day

 "An often lurid story or anecdote that is based on hearsay and widely circulated as true." Websters

The state of Illinois and the Rockford area has had its fair share of stories over time, that just STAY...and never leave. People mention a location or a name and it's "oh, that's the place where Resurrection Mary is from!" See what I mean?

While researching "Urban Legend" in the state of Illinois, I was surprised that I knew everyone of them that I came across. If the story wasn't too familiar, I at least knew the name.

So I put together this list of 6 Ridiculous Illinois Urban Legends That People Still Believe...Let's start with good ole Mary. BestThingsIL

Resurrection Mary - In the 1930's this girl left a party near the Chicago area, after a fight with her boyfriend. She was wearing a party dress and was struck by a car and killed. The Urban Legend is that you can see her walking the sidewalk still to this day, some claim to have picked her up to give her a ride home.

The Seven Gates to Hell - In Collinsville, IL there is are tunnels and bridges (7) that according to Urban Legend, if you drive through them at the right time...Can send you straight to hell.

Thunderbirds - In Alton, Il there are these gigantic birds that will circle the sky and scare the hell out of people, these things are the size of a compact car.

Gooseville Bear - This gigantic bear roamed Bethalto, Illinois in the 1940's and would terrify the locals. It once grabbed onto a local farmers' cow and had it for a snack.

The Big Muddy Monster - This Urban Legend began in the 1970's, a tall, white-haired creature, caked in mud would spook people and dogs...K-9 dogs that ran in fear.

Vanishing Man - This one from Egypt, IL has a guy boarding a city bus and when that bus crosses a bridge...he lives (or dies) up to his name.