Florida’s Most Haunted Highway
The "I-4 Dead Zone" is a notorious quarter-mile stretch of Florida's Interstate 4 near Sanford, reputed to be one of America's most haunted highways. In the late 19th century, this area was home to St. Joseph's Catholic Colony, established by German immigrants. Tragically, in 1887, a yellow fever epidemic claimed the lives of four settlers, who were buried in a small plot near the present-day highway.
Over time, the land changed hands, and in the 1950s, it was acquired for the construction of I-4. Despite initial plans to relocate the graves, they were ultimately paved over during the highway's development. Shortly after construction began, Hurricane Donna unexpectedly altered its course, passing directly over the site on September 10, 1960, causing significant damage and delaying the project.
Since the highway's opening in 1963, numerous accidents and unusual occurrences have been reported in this segment. Drivers have experienced sudden static on radios, unexplained phone disruptions, and sightings of ghostly apparitions. These incidents have contributed to the area's eerie reputation, with some attributing the phenomena to the disturbed graves beneath the roadway.
Today, the I-4 Dead Zone remains a focal point for tales of the supernatural, blending historical tragedy with modern folklore.
