THE MANY MYSTERIES OF WHITE ROCK L AKE The many mysteries of White Rock Lake

Residents of the White Rock area keep the Lady of the Lake legend alive: After the sun sets and the traffic dwindles, a figure in flowing white roams the lake’s fringes looking for a lift, they say. Rumors abound of sightings and close encounters in which the eerie lady hops in the car onlytodisappear leavingbehind a puddle — before arriving at her requested destination, usually a home on Gaston Avenue or in Forest Hills.

Joy Maner, director of research at the Association for the Study ofUnexplainedPhenomenon, led a studyonthehauntings ofWhiteRockLake.Shesays WhiteRock Lake’s “rather deadly” history makes it ripe for hauntings and urban legend. She says shebelievesthe1927deathof 19-year-old Hallie Gaston spurred the Lady of the Lake lore. Hallie was the only passenger to die in a boating accident nearBigThicket, she says.

“I personally believe this started the legend among young people in Dallas early on,” Maner says.

Buttherehavebeenmanyaccidental deaths and suicides at White Rock. Dozensofdrowningsatthelakeare reported in Dallas Morning News archives; some of the bodies never were recovered.

In 1934, a small plane crashed into the lake, killing all of its passengers. In summer 1941, a famous swimmer, 27-year old John Ira Howard, who held the world’s recordforunderwaterswimming,died while stunting for friends in White Rock Lake. In 1938, suspected teenage drowning victim J.C. Hacker Jr., a Woodrow graduate, was never recovered.

Couldthisexplainwhyrunnerson the White Rock trails claim to see or feel a possible paranormal presence?

BlancaGonzaleswasrunning near the White Rock Dog Park as the sun was just beginning to rise. She saw a figure standing on the trail ahead, near the water fountain. A moment later, the person, or whatever, was gone.

“I have never run so fast in my life,” she says.

Other lake users say that cold spots on the lake give them the creeps. “Even in the hot summer months, there is one spotonthetrailthatseemschilled,” WhiteRock hiker Andrew Hall says. “It’s this stretch along Mockingbird, near the dog park. I’ve always believed there was something supernatural going on with these cold spots.”

Real or not, ghost stories will persist, Maner says.

“What I believe keeps the stories alive is the hope of life after death, as well as just the fright and excitement of a good ghost story,” she says.

There is also the legend of the White Rock goatman. The only reported sighting we can find is in the writings of Nick Redfern, an author of four books about monsters and creatures. He claims to havelivednearWhiteRockLakein

Decisions made in the past may no longer be what’s best for the future. To help keep everything up to date, Edward Jones offers a complimentary financial review.

A financial review is a great opportunity to sit face to face with an Edward Jones financial advisor and develop strategies to help keep your finances in line with your short- and long-term goals.

To find out how to get your financial goals on track, call or visit today.

Anson V Sobers, AAMS® Financial Advisor

7215 Skillman Suite 310 Dallas, TX 75231 214-342-0696

You CAN do something about it.

Brian Feagins, M.D. has been recognized as a Top Doctor in D Magazine for 10 consecutive years, a Texas “Superdoctor” in Texas Monthly for 9 years and one of the Best Doctors in America for 10 years.

His scope of expertise includes:

Comprehensive Evaluation and Treatment of Incontinence and Voiding Dysfunction

Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures for Urinary Incontinence

Office Surgical Procedures for Urinary Incontinence and Voiding Dysfunction

Evaluation and Management of Pelvic Prolapse

Evaluation and Management of Pelvic Pain

Neuromodulation for Patients with Voiding Dysfunction

General Urology including Stone Disease, Prostate Disease, and No Scalpel Vasectomy

Dr. Feagins received his BS in Biology from the University of Texas at Arlington. His medical school and urologic residency training were completed at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School and Parkland Hospital. He is on staff at Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas and Medical City Dallas.

Specialized Care for Conditions and Diseases of the Pelvis.

214.360.1535 fax 214.360.1534 www.pelvicmed.net

Call Today To Make An Appointment. 10501

Dallas, which he writes is “without a doubt the strangestplace I haveeverlived.”Henotesin

“Memoirs of a Monster Hunter” that a female jogger relayed the story to him of an odd half-man, half-goat creature who appeared during her ninemile loop around the White rock t rail: “Large, and covered from head to foot in thin, coarse brown hair and with two large horn-like protrusions sticking out of its head, the beast strode purposefully in her direction with a malevolent, sneering grin on its wide face.” then, just as swiftly, he vanished. We should note that redfern also mentions sightings of 30-foot snakes and giant catfish at White rock Lake.

Still, the goat man legend is well known among lake users. Michael Ferrell and some friends even formed a running group called team Goatman, and a local charity race offers up a Goatman trophy. the true tale is hard to research, Ferrell says.

“Seems any lake has a goatman mystery,” he says. n