You’ll find Stull, Kansas, 10 miles west of Lawrence, where Pennsylvania Dutch settlers established a thriving community in 1857. Originally named Deer Creek Community, it was renamed Stull in 1899 after a prominent family. The town’s historic Emmanuel Church and cemetery, built in 1867, served as community anchors until the church’s demolition in 2002. Since the 1970s, supernatural legends have transformed this nearly deserted settlement into one of America’s most notorious haunted locations.
Key Takeaways
- Stull, Kansas began as a Pennsylvania Dutch settlement in 1857, originally named Deer Creek Community before becoming nearly deserted in modern times.
- The town’s historic Emmanuel Church was built in 1867 and demolished in 2002, leaving only the cemetery with fewer than 100 gravestones.
- Supernatural legends emerged in the 1970s, with claims of Stull Cemetery being a “gateway to Hell” attracting paranormal enthusiasts.
- Several documented tragedies, including mysterious deaths and unexplained incidents, have contributed to Stull’s reputation as a haunted location.
- The ghost town now enforces strict regulations with $500 fines for trespassing, while balancing tourism interest with cemetery preservation.
The Birth of a Pennsylvania Dutch Settlement
Although German immigrants had previously settled in Pennsylvania Dutch Country, a small group ventured westward in 1857 to establish what would become Stull, Kansas.
These settlers, seeking freedom from military service in the German Confederation, found their new home in what was initially called the Deer Creek Community.
You’ll find their settler motivations were deeply rooted in preserving their way of life, as they brought their Pennsylvania Dutch traditions with them to the Kansas prairie. The area required careful disambiguation efforts to distinguish it from other similarly named settlements.
Their commitment to faith and community was demonstrated when they built Evangelical Emmanuel Church in 1859.
From Deer Creek to Stull: A Name’s Evolution
The original name “Deer Creek Community” marked the settlement’s beginnings in 1857, reflecting either an indigenous translation or the presence of deer near local waterways.
You’ll find the community’s name origins deeply rooted in its German-speaking settlers, who established their cultural identity through home religious services and later the Evangelical Emmanuel and Deer Creek Mission church in 1867.
The town’s identity shifted considerably in 1899 when the prominent Stull family, led by Sylvester Stull as postmaster, influenced the community’s renaming from Deer Creek to Stull.
Though the post office closed in 1903, the Stull name endured, symbolizing the town’s evolution from its descriptive origins to a more personal identity.
Today, the town stands nearly deserted, with only the old cemetery atop Emmanuel Hill remaining as its most notable landmark.
Sacred Ground: The Historic Church and Cemetery
Standing atop Emmanuel Hill since 1867, Stull’s historic church emerged through the dedicated efforts of Reverends D.R. Zellner and C. Berner. Pennsylvania Dutch settlers built this place of worship using local stone, establishing it as the Evangelical Emmanuel and Deer Creek Mission. The historic architecture reflected the modest needs of frontier families.
The congregation initially conducted services in German until 1908, serving the area’s immigrant population. These settlers had originally come seeking religious freedom from persecution in their homeland. You’ll find the cemetery was added in 1869, serving as the final resting place for pioneers and their descendants. The church hosted community gatherings until 1922, when congregants moved to a newer building across the road.
After surviving a 1913 storm and rebuild, the original structure finally succumbed to decay and was demolished in 2002. Today, fewer than 100 gravestones remain among the ruins, silent witnesses to both pioneer resilience and tragic local events.
Supernatural Claims and Local Legends
While Stull’s pioneers left behind a legacy of faith and community in their church and cemetery, supernatural legends began overshadowing this heritage by the 1970s.
The sacred grounds of Stull Cemetery, once a symbol of pioneer spirit, fell prey to dark folklore and supernatural speculation.
A 1974 University of Kansas newspaper article popularized claims that the Devil appears twice yearly – on Halloween and the spring equinox – transforming Stull into an alleged gateway to Hell.
You’ll find stories of haunted sightings, including the White Lady carrying her infant and a horned figure with glowing red eyes near the church ruins.
Local folklore speaks of occult rituals, with unverified tales of witchcraft dating to the 19th century Pennsylvania Dutch settlers. The area’s disturbing reputation intensified after the original church collapsed in 1913.
The cemetery’s reputation grew to include cursed gravestones, a mythical staircase to Hell, and claims of satanic ceremonies.
Though most accounts emerged after 1970, these legends have cemented Stull’s place in American paranormal lore.
Documented Tragedies That Shaped the Town
Among Stull’s documented tragedies, several notable incidents reinforced the town’s grim reputation throughout the 1990s and early 2000s. The tragedy timeline began in the early 1990s when young Oliver perished in a burning field near Devil’s Road while his father was clearing land.
During the same period, authorities discovered a man’s body hanging from a tree near the cemetery, a case that remains unsolved.
The community impact intensified in 2002 when the historic Evangelical Emmanuel Church, built in 1867, was mysteriously demolished after years of vandalism.
The cemetery itself hasn’t escaped destruction, with less than 100 tombstones surviving decades of desecration.
While some tragic stories, like the murdered mayor legend, proved fictional, these documented events have permanently altered Stull’s landscape and collective memory.
Modern Legacy of a Kansas Ghost Town
Despite attempts to quell its supernatural reputation, modern-day Stull remains one of America’s most notorious ghost towns, drawing paranormal enthusiasts and thrill-seekers year after year.
Since the 1974 University Daily Kansan article sparked widespread interest, the cemetery’s reputation as a “gateway to Hell” has fueled a booming paranormal tourism industry, particularly around Halloween and the spring equinox.
You’ll find strict regulations now governing the site, with authorities imposing $500 fines for trespassing and ghost hunting activities.
The 2002 demolition of the original 1867 church, damaged by both storms and vandals, hasn’t deterred visitors. Even Pope John Paul II reportedly avoided flying over the area during his 1993 visit.
While the legends contribute to local tourism revenue, they’ve created ongoing tension with residents who struggle to protect their historic cemetery from vandalism and maintain the dignity of their ancestors’ final resting place.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Was the Average Population of Stull During Its Peak Years?
With just 31 residents recorded around 1910, you’ll find historical demographics showing population growth peaked at roughly 40-50 people during the town’s most active years between 1899-1913.
Are There Any Surviving Photographs of the Original Stull Church?
You’ll find few verified photographs of the original 1867 church, though some post-abandonment ruins photos exist. Despite claims of ghost sightings, most historic preservation efforts didn’t capture the building’s early years.
Which Local Families Still Maintain Connections to Stull’s Cemetery Today?
You’ll find the Stull family and Wittich descendants maintain family connections through cemetery visits today, though specific details about modern caretakers remain private due to the site’s controversial reputation.
What Businesses Operated in Stull Before Its Decline?
You’ll find historic establishments were limited to a local bank, post office (1899-1903), and likely farming-related businesses. While other local commerce probably existed, specific records don’t document additional businesses.
How Many Documented Paranormal Investigations Have Been Conducted at Stull Cemetery?
Ever wonder what lurks behind cemetery legends? You won’t find official records of paranormal investigations at Stull Cemetery – only informal ghost hunts and undocumented visits driven by local lore and paranormal activity claims.
References
- https://vocal.media/horror/the-haunted-history-of-stull-cemetery-kansas-gateway-to-hell-and-its-ghostly-legends
- https://www.uncomfortablydark.com/post/haunted-locations-stull-cemetery-lecompton-kansas-1
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stull
- https://www.americanhauntingsink.com/stull
- https://theghostinmymachine.com/2019/06/05/encyclopaedia-of-the-impossible-stull-kansas-cemetery-gateway-hell/
- https://thelittlehouseofhorrors.com/stull-cemetery/
- https://kids.kiddle.co/Stull
- https://legendsofkansas.com/stull-kansas/
- https://www.lecomptonkansas.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Bald.Eagle_.Vol16.No1_.Spring.1990.pdf
- https://abandonedks.com/stull-church/
