Sometimes small towns just give us the creeps. Maybe it’s the way the townsfolk look at you when they know you don’t belong. Maybe its because you don’t know what might be hiding in that dark and empty building. But, the townsfolk know.
But, not all small towns are dark and dreary. Sometimes the prettiest little locales are the ones with the darkest secrets. You can’t quite place your finger on it, but something’s just off.
Could that waitress be a demon? Is that guy back from the dead? Maybe he’s just a psychopath.
Whatever the secret, here are 17 towns that have something to hide.
Dudley, Arkansas – The X-Files “Our Town”
The people of Dudley don’t seem to age. Why? Well that’s a secret, but we’ll tell you this: It has something to do with cannabilism and a chicken plant.
Rome, West Virginia – Outcast
Welcome to Rome, West Virginia where things dark and oily are overtaking the townspeople. Reverend Anderson’s exorcisms don’t really work, and the only two people who can do something about it are running for the hills. What’s a poor town to do?
Sunnydale, California – Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Sunnydale is a pretty little town, but unfortunately it’s a beacon for all sorts of monsters. Thank goodness Buffy and friends are around to keep all the evil at bay!
Wayward Pines, Idaho – Wayward Pines
One way in and no way out. Wayward Pines was a town created by a madman or a visionary, if you look at it another way, who kidnapped the best of the best to repopulate the world in the event of an apocalypse.
Unknown Small French Town – The Returned
Nearly half the town is made up of dead people who returned to the land of the living. The odd thing about these dead people are they look just like they did before they died. They’re not here to eat the flesh of the living, just to root out the cause of what killed them in the first place.
Hawkins, Indiana – Stranger Things
The government is conducting secret experiments. People are disappearing into another dimension called the Upside Down. And, there’s a monster on the loose. What else do we need to say about Hawkins?
Eerie, Indiana – Eerie Indiana
The center of weirdness for the entire universe, Eerie has everything an urban legend buff could hope for. Big Foot, Elvis, and a group of sinister dogs rule this strange town.
Lakewood, Somewhere USA – Scream
A serial killer haunts the streets of Lakewood. Just when it seems the murders have finally been solved and the murderer captured, more killings take place, making Lakewood one of the darkest towns of all.
Beacon Hills, California – Teen Wolf
Another small town that is a haven for the supernatural. Not only is Beacon Hills plagued by teenage werewolves, it’s also overrun by ghosts, demons and other supernatural beings.
White Pine Bay, Oregon – Bates Motel
White Pine Bay is a happy little town. We wonder if it has anything to do with the town’s main source of business: pot growing. At least it was until the Feds busted it all up. Even though that part of town business is gone, it still has to deal with its resident psychopath, Norman Bates.
Mystic Falls, Virginia – The Vampire Diaries
Mystic Falls is another town with all sorts of supernatural problems. Here, the vampires rule, but ghosts, demons, and werewolves give this town a richer flavor.
Trinity, South Carolina – American Gothic
Sheriff Buck runs the town of Trinity with an iron fist. but he’s got something supernatural backing him up which prevents anyone from challenging this sinister Sheriff. Your best bet is to just stay away!
Hemlock Grove, Pennyslvania – Hemlock Grove
Just the name should give you a clue that something’s not quite right here. There are rumors about strange experiments, evil cults, and things supernatural. Just keep driving, folks.
Haven, Maine – Haven
Haven may have had a case of “the troubles” every 27-years, but by the end of its run on Syfy, the horrible supernatural afflictions plaguing the townspeople were finally resolved. Nothing like a happy ending for such a pretty town.
Twin Peaks, Washington – Twin Peaks
Who killed Laura Palmer? That’s the question that plagued the small town of Twin Peaks. As it turns out it wasn’t a who, but a what that was behind the grisly murder. Nothing like a demonic entity wreaking havoc where you least expect it.
Collinsport, Maine – Dark Shadows
This gothic soap opera focused on the dark secrets of the towns wealthiest family. Vampires weren’t the only skeletons hiding in the town’s closets. Witches, warlocks, zombies, and more roamed the streets of this creepy little village. Money can buy you everything!
Ravenswood, Pennsylvania – Ravenswood
Pretty on the outside, but deadly on the inside. The residents of Ravenswood don’t want you to know about the ancient curse plaguing it, but the spirits of the deceased do.
