Oklahoma’s Parallel Forest

The Parallel Forest in Lawton, Oklahoma. Photo credit: Oklahoma Tourism

Deep in the Wichita mountains in Oklahoma lies a forest with trees planted exactly 6 feet apart from each other. The parallel forest is said to be home to many different types of paranormal activity, possibly amplified by its extremely uniform layout.

The Creation of the Parallel Forest

The 16 acre Parallel Forest in Lawton, Oklahoma was planted by superintendent Frank Rush in the spring of 1912 in order to sure up wood supply for future projects and to try to prevent the spread of the dust bowl.

20,000 cedar trees were planted exactly 6 feet apart to make sure they would grow tall without many lower branches. The forest ended up being a part of the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge and were therefore protected and unable to be cut down.

These century old trees have survived tornados, droughts, ice storms and wildfires to become an important part of the local landscape.

Ghosts in the Parallel Forest

Photo credit: Jen R/Flickr

Legend has it that the parallel forest was used to dispose of bodies and evidence by outlaws during the prohibition era.

There have also been several people who have gotten lost and died in the parallel forest and their spirits are said to roam the woods at night still looking for a way out.

Some visitors to the Parallel Forest report seeing the spirit of a headless boy roaming amongst the trees.

Others have reported hearing whispering voices when there are no other people around.

Others still have reported the feeling of being touched or grabbed but turning around to see there is no one there.

What the? Paranormal ventured into the Parallel Forest at nighttime hoping to catch something paranormal on camera. The team managed to capture a strange red orb on their phone camera. One team member felt something tugging on their backpack.

The Parallel Forest’s Stone Circle

The mysterious stone circle found at the centre of the Parallel Forest. Photo: YouTube - Radix Monkey Studios

Deep into the forest near the centre a strange stone circle can be found.

It’s origin is uncertain but historians say it was probably a stone mill used by miners to crush ore while mining for gold and silver back in the days of the gold rush.

In more recent times visitors to the forest claim it has been used by witches and satanists for occult rituals. Visitors claim to have found animal bones, candle wax and burnt up papers at the stone circle.

Local legends say the circle has been used for animal and even human sacrifices. Visitors claim to have seen people in robes standing around the circle and chanting.

Monsters in the Parallel Forest

There have been reports of a large wolf-like creature lurking in the woods and hunting for prey.

People have reported seeing large red eyes watching them from a distance, strange howls and growling sounds coming from the darkness of the forest.

Theories

While there could definitely be paranormal activity happening in the parallel forest a lot of it could be attributed to witnesses seeing normal woodland animals such as wolves or bears.

The occult rituals are likely innocent ceremonies being undertaken by a local withes coven. The stone circle would be a great place to have a ceremony in the forest.

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