Gurdon Light

Lore & Background

According to folklore, the light is the swinging lantern of a ghost brakeman accidentally beheaded by a passing train, searching for his disembodied head. Another variation of the legend holds that the light is a lantern carried by the ghost of a worker killed in a fight with another railroad employee on the tracks. Skeptical writer Brian Dunning notes that very similar folklore exists for a number of such ghost lights, and it is unlikely headless brakemen could be such a common occurrence.

Reader's Guide

The Gurdon Light remains a notable example of a localized ghost light legend in the United States. Its persistence in local culture is evidenced by its status as a popular Halloween attraction and its inclusion in national television programs such as Unsolved Mysteries and Mysteries at the Museum. The light has been described as blue, green, white, or orange and appearing to have a bobbing movement. One proposed explanation is that the light is the reflection of passing cars on Interstate 30, but believers contend there have been reports of the lights since the 1930s, while the interstate was not built until the late 1950s. The entry in the Encyclopedia of Arkansas and a map depicting the site provide further reference. The legend shares structural similarities with other ghost lights worldwide, such as the Brown Mountain Lights, Marfa lights, and Min Min light, as noted in the see-also list.

Did You Know?

• The Gurdon Light has been featured on Unsolved Mysteries and Mysteries at the Museum.
• The light is described as blue, green, white, or orange with a bobbing movement.
• One proposed explanation is reflection from Interstate 30, but reports predate the interstate's construction in the late 1950s.
• Skeptical writer Brian Dunning noted similar folklore exists for many ghost lights.