The Incredible Truth Behind The Hell’s Gates Urban Legend In Lubbock, Texas

Don't go there, don't ever go there, even though you've probably been there, or will go there.

The Legend

Lubbock has one urban legend that rises above all the rest and it's "Hell's Gates".  No one really knows the origins of the legend or even why it continues to this day. There are many variations of why the area is called "Hell's Gates" and almost all are incredibly vague. For me, I have to know why a place is supposed to be spooky in order for it to be spooky.

Creepy...

If you've watched any of the ghost hunter type shows on television you'd know they are all the same thing; a bunch of people talk so much about creepy stuff that they eventually get creeped out. That's how "Hell's Gates" is, you basically psyche yourself out into being scared. I once composed a really fun backstory for the area, to see if I could get it to catch on, but I think I was too transparent in the fact that I made it all up.

Portal To Hell?

"Hell's Gates" is actually an abandoned railroad trestle and/or it's surrounding area. That's about it. It's just old railroad tracks that are overgrown enough to be creepy and to occasionally fool yourself into believing there is something else there. There's always those times when other people get there before you and try to scare you, but the place seems to be seriously lacking in ghosts and/or demons to me.

Visiting

Lastly, you are encouraged to NOT visit the area. It's said to be dangerous. I have to put that out there even though no one really listens.  It's much more likely you'll twist an ankle or get hit in the face with a tree branch than see anything supernatural.