Long before Toll Bros., other developments and speed bumps,
Hansell Rd. was only a gravel lane connecting Durham and Burnt
House Hill. Legend has it that a ghost manifesting
itself as an old man or a glowing light would appear and scare the
bejeebers out of kids parking and others who ventured onto this
lonely stretch. Well, I frequently walked along Hansell Road back
then, and the only apparition I saw was an old woman with a pair of
big brass binoculars around her neck. She always seemed to be aware
of our presence. Whenever we walked the road, she would appear in
an imposing fashion near the center of road. Curiously, this was
near the present location of Hansell Park. At dusk she would carry
a lantern or other light. If we approached close enough, she would
try to scare us away by yelling at us that we were walking on
her road. OMG, could this have been the Ghost of Hansell
Road???!!!
Historically, the landowners had boundaries that included half
of Hansell Rd., even though it was township maintained. I tried to
convince the scary lady that we weren't walking on her side and
Hansell Rd. was a public road, but to no avail. Once she (or the
ghost) managed to drag a large diameter tree trunk to block the
entire road.
Since Hansell Rd. is no longer fit for any respectable ghost,
we've given the Ghost of Hansell Road a new location to haunt.
Is the Hansell Ghost evil? You be the judge.