The hatchet lady

Illinois · United States · Cemetery

Her daughter died, and it destroyed her mind. On the night of a full moon she is seen running among the graves, throwing hatchets.

Moon Creek Cemetery lies just south of Streator, Illinois, and the figure reported there is known as the hatchet lady.

Her daughter died, and the loss took her mind. On the night of a full moon she is seen running through the cemetery, throwing hatchets.

An alternative version has her as a widow who lost her son.

The hatchets are what make this one memorable and they are also the giveaway. A grieving mother is a real and recognisable figure. A grieving mother armed with throwing axes belongs to the part of a legend that gets added by teenagers, and the two versions of who she lost show the story has been through a lot of hands.

Streator was a glass and coal town in the Illinois valley, and the cemetery serves the families who worked both.

It is a burial ground and is closed at night.

FAQ

Where is The hatchet lady located?

The hatchet lady is in Illinois, United States.