by Nebraska may seem quiet and unassuming, but the Cornhusker State holds its share of eerie tales, unsettling folklore, and chilling legends. From ghostly screams to supernatural revenge and folklore heroes, these eight stories explore the darker, more mysterious side of Nebraska’s rich storytelling tradition.
1. Mutant Radioactive Hornets
In 2013, a bizarre urban legend claimed that radioactive hornets, mutated by the Fukushima nuclear disaster, had made their way to Nebraska. These monstrous insects were rumored to be four times their normal size and packed with venom 2,000 times more powerful than their usual sting. Although terrifying, there’s no truth to the tale—no radioactive hornets have been found in Nebraska, and no one’s been attacked.
2. The Legend of Blackbird Hill
Every October 17, locals claim you can still hear the anguished screams of a woman murdered by her jealous husband on the cliffs of Blackbird Hill. After a lost love returned to reclaim her heart, the woman planned to leave her husband. But her confession ended in bloodshed as her enraged husband carried her to the edge and jumped with her into the Missouri River. Her spirit, legend says, never left.
3. The Salt Witch of the Nebraska Plains
This ghost story tells of a grieving Native American chief who encountered a violent witch in the wilderness. As she attacked a young woman—who looked exactly like his late wife—the chief killed the witch. But the earth swallowed the women, leaving behind only a pillar of salt. The site became sacred and feared, and Native Americans later struck the ground with weapons to ward off the witch’s return.
4. The Legend of Rawhide Creek
Rawhide Creek earned its name from a horrifying act of vengeance. A white settler who had sworn to kill Native Americans murdered a young girl without reason. When the tribe found him, they skinned him alive by the creek in retribution. Today, the creek remains a quiet reminder of the violence and sorrow of Nebraska’s early days.
5. Febold Feboldson: Drought Buster
Nebraska’s tall tale hero Febold Feboldson was a Swedish immigrant with a flair for the dramatic. During a terrible drought, he lit massive bonfires around a lake to create steam and make it rain. The plan worked—legend says the drought ended, and Febold cemented his place in Nebraska folklore as a clever, larger-than-life figure.
6. Karma’s a Bunny
In a more modern and twisted tale, two drunk farmers decided to blow up rabbits with illegal fireworks for fun. But karma struck back. One rabbit, with an M1000 strapped to its back, didn’t flee—it ran straight under one farmer’s brand-new truck. The resulting explosion destroyed the vehicle in a fiery blaze. The rabbit died—but not without delivering revenge.
7. The Hatchet House
Once a one-room schoolhouse near Portal, Nebraska, this building is home to one of the state’s most gruesome legends. The story goes that a schoolteacher lost her mind, beheaded her students, and threw their hearts into a nearby creek. People claimed you could hear the “heartbeat” as you crossed the bridge near the school. Though the schoolhouse was moved to Papillion, some say its ghosts came with it.
8. How Weeping Water Got Its Name
A sorrowful Native American legend tells of a deadly battle between two tribes after one kidnapped a young woman. Every brave was slain. When the women of both tribes found the battlefield, their grief and endless tears gave birth to a stream that became known as Weeping Water. The name honors the pain and tragedy of the past.
Final Thoughts
Nebraska may be full of scenic plains and warm communities, but its shadowy side is alive in the stories passed down through generations. These legends, whether born from truth or spun from imagination, continue to haunt the state’s folklore—and the people who dare to believe them.
