A Reservoir Built Over a Ghost Town
Constructed in 1956, Lake Lanier was created by flooding the town of Oscarville, Georgia. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers submerged streets, homes, and cemeteries. Beneath its surface lie the remnants of this once-thriving Black community, which was abandoned after residents were forced to leave.
An Alarming Death Toll
Since its creation, Lake Lanier has seen an estimated 700 deaths. More than 200 of these deaths have occurred since 1994. Drownings, boat accidents, and missing persons have contributed to the lake’s deadly reputation. Sunken debris from the submerged town is believed to entrap swimmers and divers, leading to tragic incidents.
The “Lady of the Lake”
The first deaths at the lake occurred in 1958 when two women, Susie Roberts and Delia Mae Parker Young, vanished. Their bodies were discovered years later, sparking local legends of a ghostly figure in a blue dress, known as the “Lady of the Lake,” said to haunt the waters and pull swimmers to their doom.
A Continuing Mystery
Recent tragedies, such as the deaths of three men in July 2023, keep fueling rumors that the lake is cursed. Despite the dangers, Lake Lanier remains a popular tourist spot, with around 11 million visitors annually. Its eerie history and high death toll continue to baffle locals and visitors alike.
700 Deaths at Georgia’s Lake Lanier 💀
A Reservoir Built Over a Ghost Town
Constructed in 1956, Lake Lanier was created by flooding the town of Oscarville, Georgia. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers submerged streets, homes, and cemeteries. Beneath its surface lie the remnants of… pic.twitter.com/bHgbSgtk0Z— Detective Tiger's Stories (@TBBOB2) August 16, 2024