The Hauntings of Demon’s Road

Posted: 12.10.2024 | Updated: 03.12.2025

Demon’s Road is a winding rural road in Huntsville, Texas, with a chilling history of hauntings, occult activity, and possession. Officially known as Bowden Road, Demon’s Road earned its name after locals began reporting occult rituals in the area and seeing a monstrous figure hiding in the tall grass and pine trees that line the secluded roadway.

It also leads to a cemetery where some have claimed to experience demonic activity. In short, the name “Demon’s Road” is well-earned.

Texas is considered one of the most haunted states in the country. Set up a tour with Austin Ghosts today so you can learn all about the ghostly lore of the Lone Star State.

Is Demon’s Road Haunted?

Demon’s Road is arguably the most haunted road in Texas. Not only are there accounts of multiple ghosts and otherworldly apparitions, but there are numerous stories associated with each of these entities. Even locals say they won’t drive down Demon’s Road after dark unless it’s a matter of life or death. 

That’s understandable considering that people have encountered everything from a ghost boy on a tricycle to an animal sacrifice while driving down the road. Angela Kaatz from Ghost Hunting Beauties noted, “You can’t help but come here and feel like someone’s watching you,” while investigating Demon’s Road and the nearby Martha Chapel Cemetery. 

The History of Demon’s Road & Martha Chapel Cemetery

The history of Demon’s Road and Martha Chapel Cemetery began in the 1830s when a group of Methodists settled the land.

The settlement eventually built a campground, church, and school under the direction of Reverend Littleton Fowler. In 1854, Martha Palmer, the wife of a church trustee, died and was buried behind the chapel, which led to the cemetery being named after her. 

The Methodist Church continued using the church and cemetery until the 1930s when the congregation dissolved. After that, the church was torn down and now only the cemetery remains, which can be accessed via a dirt road off Demon’s Road.

In 1990, the Texas Historic Commission had a historic marker placed at the site to commemorate its history and contribution to the early settlement of East Texas. 

It’s unclear when Bowden Road began being referred to as Demon’s Road, but it likely started after stories about occult rituals in the surrounding woods began.

There have been reports of people standing in a circle wearing dark cloaks and drinking blood from the head of a dog. While these claims have never been verified, they create a chilling image that has been seared into the minds of locals and paranormal investigators. 

Ghosts of Demon’s Road

A number of strange entities are believed to roam Demon’s Road. There have been multiple reports of “Tagalongs” who are thought to be ghosts that come home with drivers.

They can appear in the person’s home without warning up to 24 hours after driving down Demon’s Road. Floating red lights can also appear on Demon’s Road at night. There is typically one light for each passenger in the vehicle.

The lights don’t usually cause harm unless someone looks directly at them, in which case they fly towards the car at an alarming speed. Those who have seen the red lights also report temporary amnesia, so no one truly knows what happens after the lights come for them.

Some sort of creature or monster has been spotted standing along Demon’s Road behind the treeline for years. Upon closer inspection, drivers realize that the creature has no face. It’s usually at this time that the creature will begin chasing after a vehicle.

However, unlike the Tagalongs, it seems unable to leave the confines of Demon’s Road. That said, some drivers have found giant handprints on their cars once they arrive home.

Drivers on Demon’s Road have reported seeing the ghost of an eight-year-old boy on a tricycle at night. It’s best not to make eye contact with the boy since he’s said to have glowing red eyes. In fact, some don’t believe he’s a ghost but that he’s a demon searching for victims to possess. 

Hand In the Cemetery

The most infamous story to come out of Demon’s Road occurs in Martha Chapel Cemetery. Visitors to the cemetery have claimed to see a hand burst out of an unmarked grave. Some claim as if to grab someone and drag them to Hell like the ending of Carrie. 

The most shocking of these encounters was when a man drove to Martha Chapel Cemetery with a friend. The friend had apparently fallen asleep during the drive, so the man went to explore the cemetery alone. He was grabbed around the ankle by the hand when his friend suddenly appeared to help him.

However, the man quickly realized this was not his friend but a similar-looking man with a devilish grin. The man returned to the car only to discover that his friend had died while driving down Demon’s Road.

Visitors to Martha Chapel Cemetery have also been known to enter a catatonic state. They speak in a voice not their own and become violent. These bizarre behaviors are generally thought to be possessions.

Haunted Austin

When you drive down Demon’s Road towards Martha Chapel Cemetery, there’s no way of knowing what or who you will encounter. A drive along this sinister stretch of roadway could lead to encounters with ghosts, monsters, and possibly even demons.

Even in daylight, the area is creepy, but when driving at night and seeing something move along the treeline, Demon’s Road becomes truly terrifying.

The Austin area has a wealth of haunting tales dating back to the days of the Old West. Learn all about them during your next trip by booking a tour with Austin Ghosts today! Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, and keep reading our blog for more real Texas hauntings.

Sources:

• https://us105fm.com/demons-road-huntsville-texas
• https://www.khou.com/article/life/living-in-the-lone-star/hidden-gems/marthas-chapel-cemetery-demons-road-huntsville-haunted/285-70c7dd6f-7805-4f28-9b4c-be80b387209b
• https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=195026
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SE96ufyk8GU&t=1s
• https://knue.com/horror-stories-demons-road
• https://www.texashauntedhouses.com/real-haunt/martha-chapel-cemetery–demons-road.html