A “ghost loop,” for those who believe in the paranormal, is a repetitive supernatural cycle in which ghosts or spirits frighten living beings in the same location, over and over again. Their displays or acts are repeated again and again, resulting in several people identifying the same terrifying experience in the same location, eventually becoming fabled and recognized in our urban legends. Such is said to be the case in West Texas where the actual Gates of Hell are purported to exist. A new Travel Channel TV show named “Ghost Loop” filmed at this location in September, 2019, to learn more about the site while they visited Lubbock. Their intent is always to see what can be done to break the cycle of haunting.
This historic railroad trestle situated not far from Buddy Holly’s gravesite in Lubbock is rumored to be the portal to perdition. Known as Hell’s Gates, this ominous structure can be found in Dunbar Park, adjacent to Lubbock City Cemetery on the eastern edge of town. Buddy Holly (a pioneer in the 1950s rock ‘n’ roll genre) is only one of 60,000 buried here. His fans continue to pay homage to him, some traveling from around the world to visit his grave, few knowing that just beyond their sight is the mythical Hell’s Gates.
Photo: Facebook/I Love Lubbock
The history of ghostly rumors surrounding the bridge has become legendary in Lubbock. The trestle bridges Yellow House Canyon over a tributary of the Brazos River. The structure is a century old and once belonged to the Santa Fe Railroad. With all the rumors circling around Hell’s Gates, it piqued the interest of the developers of “Ghost Loop.” Their intent was to determine if the folklore surrounding the site had any foundation in truth. Rumors that Satanists used to meet at the trestle to perform rituals back in the ‘70s compounded the myths, most of which were near impossible to confirm. Yet the stories abound.
Photo: Facebook/I Love Lubbock
In its first season, episode number three of “Ghost Loop” visits Hell’s Gates in their quest for more information. Local journalist and Texas Media Group Managing Editor Max McNabb toured Chris Califf around Hell’s Gates, discussing the validity of the rumors said to be the impetus for paranormal activity. Although the act of ghost hunting in Texas is certainly nothing new, this train trestle is said to be one of the most haunted place in all of the Lone Star State, beckoning those that are curious, and frightening those who are not. Many who have visited the site in the past have reported seeing shadowy figures and glowing orbs. Whether these stories are grounded in the supernatural world or are the result of over-active imaginations is yet to be seen. The City of Lubbock has surrounded Hell’s Gates with a chain-link fence in an attempt to keep curious onlookers from braving a visit, considering a fall from that height could easily result in injury or death. Do not attempt to walk out on the bridge itself. Those who are brave enough to venture a trip to Lubbock City Cemetery and this potential portal to the netherworld can still do so safely from the ground.
