St. Louis Urban Legends: Satanism and The 7 Gates of Hell

Since I was in high school, I have heard the stories about the supposed Satanic rituals performed at the Seven Gates of Hell located outside of Collinsville, Illinois. Over the years, I have had several paranormal experiences and witnessed people engaging in nefarious activities at the Gates. But I have never personally witnessed any Satanic Acts or Rituals. Though I have seen evidence.

I have spoken to people who have adamantly claimed to have seen Satanism practiced at the Gates. One of the stories is about a pack of "Hell Hounds," whose barking can often be heard off in the distance. As you stand and listen, their barks and howls always seem to be coming closer and closer to your location. I have heard packs of dogs barking and howling while conducting investigations at the Seven Gates, and they always seem to become louder and louder, as if they are drawing closer. Unfortunately, I have never seen these Hell Hounds. I suspect what I heard are packs of feral dogs. I have also seen animal carcasses and piles of dry dog food left between Gates Three and Four. I often wondered if these were left to attract feral dogs.

Another story I have heard about the Seven Gates involves a black car that patrols the gates during ritual nights. If you get too close to the secret ritual site, the black car will try to scare you off. One night, while investigating the area between Gates Three and Four, a black Dodge Neon appeared and repeatedly drove past our location every sixty seconds. When we left, this very same black Dodge Neon followed us from the Seven Gates all the way to the I-255 Dupo Exit. We went back the next night looking for the black Dodge Neon, but never found it.

There was also a story about an olive-green house with black shutters that once stood near Gate One. Many claimed this was a witch's house and one of the places where Satanic rituals were held. Some even claimed that this ominous-looking house was actually a Satanic Church hidden in plain sight. The house has since burnt down, and all evidence of its existence has been removed.

The last story I heard was about human sacrifices allegedly occurring at the Seven Gates of Hell. There is evidence to suggest that this actually happened. On June 20, 1990, a Jane Doe was found near the Seven Gates of Hell. She was found in a farmer's field with her sexual organs removed, along with deep cuts in specific areas. Police found no defensive wounds on her body and concluded she was a victim of Satanic sacrifice. The woman's identity remains unknown, and the case remains open. It is rumored that this hasn't been the only unidentified body found near the Seven Gates.

Do I think that Satanism is being practiced at the Seven Gates of Hell now? "No," the area has undergone a boom in housing development, and as a result, there has been an increase in automobile traffic and a lack of privacy. There is also no place left to covertly park a car. Now, do I think that in the past, Satanism has been practiced at the Seven Gates of Hell? "Yes," rumors of this magnitude must have originated from a real event or events. There has to be an origin to the stories. These rumors have also been fed by the Satanic Panic of the 1970s, generations of thrill seekers, claims of paranormal encounters, and outright exaggerations. Are the Seven Gates haunted? "Yes," Generations of thrill seekers have flooded the area with so much emotional energy and intent, coupled with the possibility of Satanic Rituals, that there has to be some level of paranormal activity. I also think that as the area continues to develop, it will become harder for thrill seekers to explore, and interest in the Seven Gates will wane. The emotional energy will dissipate, and eventually the paranormal activity will cease.