San Anto’s most recounted paranormal legend surrounds the Southside “ghost tracks” where Shane Road meets Villamain Road. While multiple variations exist, legend has it that during the 1940s a school bus full of children stalled on the tracks and was hit by a speeding train, killing several of the young passengers. According to Alamo City lore, if you leave your car in neutral while stopped on the tracks, unseen hands will push it out of harm’s way. Some thrill-seekers go so far as to sprinkle talcum powder on the trunk and bumper in hopes of obtaining “proof” in the form of tiny handprints. Here’s a tip: Do drive across the allegedly haunted tracks, but think twice before stopping. Not only does the traffic annoy the neighbors, the legend has been thoroughly debunked.
This article appears in CineFestival 2015 and City Guide (2015).