West Virginia’s winding mountain roads have seen their share of eerie tales, but few are as haunting as that of Mamie Thurman. Her story, one of betrayal, mystery, and murder, has gripped local and out-of-town drivers since 1932. Here’s how 22 Mine Road, once called Trace Mountain, became a haunted road.

Mamie Thurman was a young, attractive woman who moved to Logan, deep in the Appalachian coalfields, with her husband, a local police officer. Known for her charm and liveliness, Mamie quickly became popular in the small, tight-knit community. After eight years in town, however, she allegedly hid a scandalous secret beneath her friendly exterior. Rumors spread that she had several affairs, including one with a wealthy local banker and city commissioner who happened to be the Thurman couple’s landlord. This gossip stirred whispers around town, building up intrigue and speculation.

This three-mile stretch of West Virginia coal country has been a haunted road since a grisly murder in the summer of 1932

The narrative is near-fictional…or perhaps a real inspiration for spooky tales told in books and movies. On June 21, 1932, locals saw Mamie walking toward the theatre in Logan at around 9 pm. The next day, someone picking berries discovered Mamie’s lifeless body along 22 Mine Road. Her throat had been cut from ear to ear, and she suffered multiple injuries to her face, suggesting a brutal end. Since none of her possessions were missing, investigators suspected foul play and began questioning locals, especially those closest to her.

Authorities found evidence in the landlord’s home, so they arrested a black handyman living in the landlord’s attic. However, family members and townsfolk immediately doubted the handyman’s guilt. Obviously, many locals suspected the landlord or someone connected more directly to Mamie carried out the heinous deed. The mystery deepened, leaving the case unsolved and open to ghostly interpretations.

Depending on the report, some say that court documents somehow went missing, adding to the riddle. Other narratives claim the handyman served a life sentence and told another inmate that he discarded Mamie’s body but didn’t execute her.

Soon after her death, rumors surfaced of eerie sightings along 22 Mine Road. Many drivers and night travelers reported a ghostly woman wandering the haunted road, often clad in a flowing polka-dotted dress. Some claim that Mamie’s spirit lingers, looking for justice or searching for peace, as both eluded her in life. Stories circulate about strange sounds, mysterious shadows, and the faint scent of perfume hanging in the air.

Some drivers report a strange phenomenon after putting their vehicles in neutral at the bottom of the coal road.

Oddly, some report a force pushing their cars backward uphill. Many say this is Mamie urging vehicles back to her haunted path.

Today, Mamie Thurman’s tale draws curious visitors and paranormal hunters to 22 Mine Road. Whether you’re a skeptic or a believer, her legend lingers, making this spot one of the most mysterious in dark, twisting coal roads of West Virginia.