Self-Guided Visit
Cemetery self-guided visit
Visit the historic 1882 mission cemetery and the legendary 'Witch's Grave' during daylight hours.
- Duration:
- 30 min
Photo coming soon
Cemetery / Burial Ground
Witch's Grave - Hillside Mission Cemetery
An 1882 mission-era cemetery north of Skiatook, famous across Oklahoma for the 'Witch's Grave,' where a widow accused of witchcraft is said to have cursed the site, drawing decades of ghost stories.
18514 Hillside, Skiatook, OK 74070
Age
All Ages
Cost
Free
Rural historic cemetery accessible from a public road. Daytime visitation only; respect graves and posted rules.
Access
Limited Access
Rural roadside cemetery on a hillside; uneven ground.
Equipment
Photos OK
Est. 1882 · Founded 1882 alongside a Quaker Indian Mission · Historic mission-era cemetery marked as a historic site · Locally renowned 'Witch's Grave' legend site
Hillside Mission Cemetery sits on a hillside north of Skiatook, Oklahoma, in Tulsa County near the Osage and Washington county lines. The cemetery began in 1882 in connection with an Indian Mission founded by Quakers that once stood across the road to the west. It is reachable from Highway 11 (Cincinnati) by traveling north and following the road east onto Hillside, where the cemetery appears on the east side of the road; it is marked as a historic site.
The cemetery contains many graves dating to the late 1800s and early 1900s, reflecting the area's mission and early-settlement history. Genealogical records for the cemetery are maintained on Find a Grave, BillionGraves, and other repositories, documenting its long history as a community burial ground.
While the cemetery's documented history is that of a typical rural mission-era graveyard, its modern fame rests on folklore. Local media outlets including Tulsa People and several Tulsa-area radio stations have profiled the so-called 'Witch's Grave,' making Hillside one of the better-known legend-tripping destinations in northeastern Oklahoma.
The cemetery remains accessible from the public road, and visitors are asked to treat the grounds with the respect due any active burial site.
Sources
- https://z94.com/oklahoma-witches-grave-curse-haunting/
- https://www.hauntedplaces.org/item/witchs-grave-hillside-cemetery/
- https://www.tulsapeople.com/the-voice/writers/kris-rose/scary-sweet/article_d000499b-3b72-5de1-baa3-3eb89e3b9d23.html
- https://www.findagrave.com/cemetery/1991660/Hillside-Mission-Cemetery
Sensation of being touched or grabbed by unseen handsApparitions throughout the cemeteryStrange unexplained noisesReported curse / misfortune following disrespect of the grave
The defining legend of Hillside Mission Cemetery is the 'Witch's Grave,' a story carried across multiple independent Oklahoma sources including Tulsa People magazine, several Tulsa-area radio stations, and regional folklore sites. As commonly told, a widowed woman known for practicing witchcraft in the late 1800s or early 1900s was so consumed by grief that she dug up her dead husband and attempted to use black magic to bring him back to life. According to the legend, townspeople reburied him repeatedly and finally encased his grave in concrete to stop her. The woman is said to have cursed the site before her own death.
The curse is the heart of the lore: those who disturb or disrespect the witch's grave supposedly suffer dire consequences, ranging from ruined lives to claims of demonic possession. A frequently repeated cautionary tale describes a young man who, after disrespecting the grave, ran off the road driving home and was killed; the ghost of a teenager who died in a 1970s car crash nearby is also said to appear in and around the cemetery. Visitors over the years have reported strange noises, the sensation of being touched, forceful grabs from unseen hands, and apparitions seen not only at the grave but throughout the grounds.
No named individual is reliably attached to the witch legend, which appears to be longstanding regional folklore rather than documented history. HauntBound presents the curse and apparition claims as the local legend they are, corroborated as a well-known tradition by multiple independent sources, while noting that the underlying 'witch' identity is unverified.
Notable Entities
Unnamed 'witch' widow of local legendGhost of a teenager killed in a 1970s nearby car crash
Plan Your Visit
1 way to experienceSources & Further Reading
Every HauntBound history is researched from documented sources. We clearly separate verified historical fact from paranormal folklore.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Witch's Grave - Hillside Mission Cemetery family-friendly?
A real historic cemetery with a colorful witch legend. No graphic content, but it is an active burial ground; teach respect and visit by day. Overall family fit: Moderate.
How much does it cost to visit Witch's Grave - Hillside Mission Cemetery?
Rural historic cemetery accessible from a public road. Daytime visitation only; respect graves and posted rules. This location is free to visit.
Do I need to book in advance?
No advance booking is required, but checking availability is recommended.
Is Witch's Grave - Hillside Mission Cemetery wheelchair accessible?
Witch's Grave - Hillside Mission Cemetery has limited wheelchair accessibility. Terrain: Rural roadside cemetery on a hillside; uneven ground..