NEW YORK -- A strange phenomenon can be experienced on a hill in the small town of Middlesex, New York. The location on Newell Road has come to be known as “Spook Hill.”
At the peak of the road, just as the pavement appears to decline, a car stopped in neutral will roll backwards uphill.
Many believe it’s just an optical illusion or Earth’s magnetic forces at work. But, others think the cause could be more supernatural in nature. Stories tell of an old Native American burial ground near Spook Hill and that the spirits of those passed are pushing cars back up.
This phenomenon is not specific to just Middlesex. Gravity hills, also known as magnetic hills, can be found all over the world.
Gravity hills explained
A gravity hill, often referred to as a mystery hill, is a spot in the road where the layout of surrounding land and landmarks creates an optical illusion, making a slight downhill slope appear to be an uphill slope.
Skeptics have put the hills to the test, using magnetic detectors and levels. All indications suggest the hills are just illusions.
Despite the solid proof, the mystery and history surrounding Spook Hill in Middlesex continues to draw attention from people around the world.
Wikipedia lists four for "Gravity Hills" in Pennsylvania, including Gravity Hill Rd in Bedford County Pennsylvania.
- Buckingham Township: a quarter mile from the Mount Gilead African Methodist Episcopal Church.
- Near Lewisberry, York County, on Pleasantview Road (also rendered Pleasant View Road) at State Route 177
- New Paris: Gravity Hill Road (two gravity hills in this area)
- Near Uniontown: Laurel Caverns
