Self-Guided Visit
Witch's Grave Walk
Walk the historic hilltop cemetery to the back section where local legend places a 'witch's grave.'
- Duration:
- 45 min
Aerial survey · USDA NAIP · public domain Cemetery / Burial Ground
Oak Hill Cemetery (Witch's Grave)
Historic hilltop cemetery in the old mining town of Galena, Kansas, whose back section holds a reputed 'witch's grave'; visitors report apparitions, voices, and EVPs, and the city once authorized an official ghost hunt here.
1501 Columbus Street, Galena, KS 66739
Research updated May 2026
Age
All Ages
Cost
Free
Public cemetery; free to visit during daylight hours.
Access
Limited Access
Sloped hilltop cemetery with grass and gravel drives; the reputed witch's grave is toward the back.
Equipment
Photos OK
Est. 1877 · historic cemetery of the Galena/Empire City mining communities · located in the Tri-State lead-and-zinc mining district · documented hilltop burial ground in Cherokee County
Oak Hill Cemetery is located at 1501 Columbus Street in Galena, in the far southeastern corner of Kansas in Cherokee County. Also referred to as Empire Cemetery, it served the historic communities of Empire City and Galena, which boomed during the Tri-State lead-and-zinc mining district era of the late nineteenth century.
The cemetery occupies elevated ground in Lowell Township and contains burials spanning the town's mining-era history into the present. It is documented in genealogical and cemetery databases including Find a Grave, BillionGraves, and PeopleLegacy.
Galena itself is the oldest mining town in Cherokee County and retains a strong historical identity tied to mining, including a downtown historic district and mining-heritage attractions. The cemetery's hilltop position and age have made it a focal point for local folklore.
Sources
- https://www.findagrave.com/cemetery/93211/oak-hill-cemetery
- https://www.travelks.com/blog/stories/post/haunted-kansas-road-trip-13-spooky-locations-to-make-your-blood-run-cold/
- https://www.indydailyreporter.com/news/haunted-kansas-6
apparitionsdisembodied voicesstrange soundsEVPsactivity reported near 3:33 a.m.
According to Kansas Tourism (travelKS), the Independence Daily Reporter, and multiple regional accounts, Oak Hill Cemetery in Galena is reputed to contain the grave of a witch toward the back of the grounds. Visitors over the years have claimed to see apparitions, hear voices and other eerie noises, and capture EVPs in that area, with some accounts singling out the hour of 3:33 a.m.
The legend is locally prominent. In 2007, a pair of ghost hunters traveled from Missouri to investigate reported hauntings at Galena cemeteries, and the Galena City Council formally granted them permission to conduct the investigation. Their reported findings were inconclusive, turning up nothing definitive.
The 'witch's grave' motif appears in many Midwestern and Southern towns, and some locals say the witch is actually buried not in Galena but in the nearby Quaker Valley Cemetery in Riverton, an ambiguity worth noting. The claims here are anecdotal folklore tied to a real, documented cemetery and a documented (if inconclusive) city-sanctioned investigation, and are presented as legend rather than established fact.
Notable Entities
the reputed 'witch' said to be buried in the back of the cemetery
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Oak Hill Cemetery (Witch's Grave) family-friendly?
A quiet historic cemetery with folkloric legends; respectful daytime visits are fine for families interested in local history. Overall family fit: Moderate.
How much does it cost to visit Oak Hill Cemetery (Witch's Grave)?
Public cemetery; free to visit during daylight hours. This location is free to visit.
Do I need to book in advance?
No advance booking is required, but checking availability is recommended.
Is Oak Hill Cemetery (Witch's Grave) wheelchair accessible?
Oak Hill Cemetery (Witch's Grave) has limited wheelchair accessibility. Terrain: Sloped hilltop cemetery with grass and gravel drives; the reputed witch's grave is toward the back..