A persistent ghost story..
The story of 13 Bends is well known in the Pittsburgh area, and is the perfect example of how a loose collection of facts, exaggerations and locations can weave together to form an urban legend. For those not familiar with the general premise, the 13 bends legend typically involves a spooky, curvy road in a remote area, in which the number of curves in one direction do not equal the number in the opposite direction. For some mysterious and ghostly reason the number of curves do not add up. Some versions of the story suggest 12 vs. 13 curves, others 6 vs. 7 (adding to 13).
The most well-known version of the story is situated in Coulterville, PA, southeast of Pittsburgh, surrounded by the Youghiogheny River just south of its confluence at McKeesport. This area was originally known as Alpsville, a small coal mining patch along the river and railroad. Because of the secluded nature of the area created by the river bends, there is only one road in and out of the town. Known as Coulterville Road, this is often the subject of the urban legend, even though it is not so curvy! Legend has it that an orphanage burned down years ago at some spot along the road, and the ghostly activity of the young victims can be sensed at certain times.
The rumor of the orphanage is partly true – an orphanage for boys was situated in Alpsville at the far end of the town, adjacent to St. Patrick’s church and cemetery. The orphanage has long since been torn down and the church closed. The church and cemetery are still there, along with foundational remnants of the orphanage. Note that it did not burn down in tragic fashion, but was removed after becoming obsolete. Some versions of the legend insist that the young victims are buried in the cemetery, and that the church and grounds are also haunted…
A quick internet search for “13 Bends” will return all kinds of information, most of which is disjointed and conflicting, but this indicates the fluid nature of the urban legend. For a full, well-written account of the story of 13 bends, pick up a copy of Haunted Roads of Western Pennsylvania
How did the legend grow?
There are many aspects about the Coulter / Alpsville location that lend themselves to being the home of a haunted legend. The secluded location created by the river bend and the single access back road set the stage. But the location of the long-gone orphanage at the edge of town, adjacent to an old cemetery, undoubtedly helped to create the legend. It would be all too easy to connect the cemetery to the missing orphanage, and on cold, crisp October evenings, creepy stories can easily arise.
The site’s proximity to the Boston Bridge also may have helped to anchor the legend in place. This is because people may have referred to it when discussing the legend. (For example, “there was an old orphanage down near the Boston Bridge somewhere.”) This is evident in that some folks regard Renzie Road as the home of 13 Bends, which winds its way up and down the hill next to the Boston Bridge. The legend has even traveled to nearby Happy Hollow Road in Elizabeth Borough.
Locations rumored to be home to 13 Bends
It is interesting to see how the legend has spread to several locations, and to wonder why and how this came about. Locations connected to the legend of 13 Bends include:
• Coulterville (Alpsville), PA
• Elizabeth, PA
• Boston, PA
• White Oak, PA
• McKeesport, PA
• Harmarville, PA (Cambell’s Run Road)
• Fox Chapel, PA
• Pittsburgh, PA
You can see that most of the locations are not too far from Coulterville, suggesting that the rumor is still centered there but with some degree of uncertainty. The inclusion of Cambell’s Run Road near Harmarville / Fox Chapel is interesting since it is miles away, near the Allegheny River. However this location is similar in that is secluded; a winding road leading up the hill, ending in a dirt road through the woods. It is interesting to see how these legends pop up and jump around, situating themselves in various places!
For more urban legends and ghost stories in the Pittsburgh area, visit my Haunted Places in Pittsburgh page.
This is so true my mother is. Buried at that cemetery
Back in 1966 my best friend Moe an I spent the night at the cemetery at the end of the road sleeping in his black 58 Cadillac limousine. I woke up in the morning to see an old man with a grizzled face pressed to the window. He told us we might want to pull the black car into the shade. I’m afraid we heard no moaning, crying children. But I never found out who or what the old was !
13 Bends in Harmarville is haunted. Don’t let people tell you it isn’t. Early 70’s we drove back there. Screams, moans.
Out on Coulter Rd. There was also an 18wheeler truck driver who’s house was out there, and it was a nice house but boarded up with satanic stuff spray painted on the house. And he lived there. There were spikes across the driveway in case someone tried to approach. Very scary! We used to drive past and if his truck was there we’d look for him lurking around in the dark! I think this was along 13 bends….. wonder what happened to him and that house? (“Jesus Christ is a leech” he spray painted on his garage ….) Crazy….
I believe this house was out towards West Newton. But I don’t think it was Coulter Rd. It was a stone or partly stone house with inverted crosses. VERY sick
I did not know thats where 13 bends apparently originates.. I’ve lived in greenock my whole life it’s literally right across the river from me
Where is 13 bends exactly located?
I grew up in Irwin and heard the legend growing up. When we were teenagers, we all piled in a friends car and scared ourselves silly trying to count the thirteen bends. As the story went, if you didn’t count all thirteen, you wouldn’t make it back…supposedly when you got to the cemetery, you would be able to hear the cries of the children who died in the orphanage fire and you would find their little hand prints in dust on your car…needless to say, we didn’t hang around long. I did enjoy the Coultersville fair, though…fun times!
My and my friends are doing a haunt and trying to go to different places just to see them. Can anyone help me with actual directions to the coulterville 13 bends location.? 🙏🏻🙏🏻
No. It is just a small community and they don’t want you there. Can you give me the address to your grandma’s house…kinda the same. Yeah there is a church with cemetary outside that is closed at the end of a dead end road, but do your really want me to visit you great-grandparents grave for a haunt. It is a very nice community and the Rooney family from Pittsburgh is from there. I’m sure the statue at one of the bends would not be considered. #don’tbead!ck
Can you remember the motorcycle guy at the fair? They called him Daredevil Dick?
I find this very interesting as my mother’s family lived in Coulter. I remember still, as a tiny child, visits with Great grandmother Wilson. My mother was Hazel Wilson; siblings in birth order: John F. Wilson, Pearl Wilson, Ella (Nellie) Wilson, my mother Hazel, Kathleen Wilson, and Marion Wilson. Sadly, all are gone now. Wonderful memories of the Coulter Fairs, and the train rides from McKeesport. Thanks for this article.
I grew up in Coulter (50’s -60’s) and I think I remember Hazel! 😊 Great memories growing up here , and yes – great Coulter fairs each summer😀
My Mom (Hazel Keegan) is alive and well at 100 years old
How nice! You are fortunate to have her this long.. Love and happiness to you both!