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Brenson's Hollow
UPDATE: 10.15.04 - It has come to the attention of the Nerve Center that this is the only source of information about this locale, so as a public service we have updated it with the most accurate intelligence our operatives could declassify from our files. It is flattering that this page is linked from other pages as the definitive authority on Brensons's Hollow...
First let's start with the myth, there are many variants of the story, but most have a few common traits. There was a house that burned to the ground. Some stories claim a child died, other versions recall it being set aflame by a disturbed family member. These is the basic storyline, use your imagination to fill in the blanks.
Beyond that, the facts become confused with fiction. Tales of ghosts and the paranormal abound. At Centralia High School in 2001 there was a persistant story of a satanic cult practicing sacrafices at the site. Versions of the story confuse cult members with heavily armed militiamen or even the KKK. The story went on to say if you disturbed the cult, they were heavily armed and may attack or kill you. There were at least 2 seperate stories of individuals who were physically beaten or their cars damaged by this cult.
In the nearest town, Winlock, locals have indifference for the site. During a preliminary recon of the town, our operatives stopped at a gas station and spoke with a clerk who claimed, "I'm not into that scary shit, if you know what I mean." The clerk went on to tell us a few of her favorite ghost stories about the Hollow. However, it can be assumed that the topic does not preoccupy the minds of the residents of the town, and most write it off entirely as teenage ghost story rubbish.
More ghost stories have surfaced during our investigations. We have found a 1967 report(s) of a so called "Brinson Monster," a bigfoot-like creature. This report was to the BFRO Sasquatch research organization, which is a credible and scientific group. It shows that the Hollow was a popular locale for teenagers to visit as early as the 1960's, and that ghost stories are not a recent phenomena. Here are some other versions of ghost stories we have uncovered. Bulldozers have been tipped over at night, men have been attacked by the cult/unknown at night. One man got his truck stuck in mud so he spent the night in his truck canopy. His canopy was ripped off and he was thoroughly beaten. Another story is of a man who walked in on the cult and awoke the next morning miles away, alone, on a dirt logging road suffering from a very brutal beating. Another person was so spooked that they drove their car off the road and rolled it several times. There is no documented evidence of any of these incidents, and it is our analysis that these stories serve to threaten and keep people away.
However, enough with the folklore and rumor. The Nite Crawlers operate on hard facts and logic, so onward with the truth. Brenson's Hollow itself is the original homestead site of the Snow Family. The Snow Family moved to the Winlock region in 1890 and built a log cabin. After some time became necessary to establish a small family cemetary on the homestead due to illnesses and old age. There were no violent or otherwise unexpected deaths in the family to explain any reason for paranormal activity. In 1908 the family sold the homestead and moved a few miles into the town of Winlock, which by this time was a prosperous small lumber town, and better than living off in the woods.
The rumors: There are stories we heard in high school that students had been "brave" enough to camp overnight in the fountain of the old house. Let us prove this false. The Snow family built log cabin in 1890 on the site and sold it in 1908. There are two pictures taken (see links at bottom of page) in about 1920 showing the family revisiting their old home. The roof is clearly sagging and the wood is rotting. It did not burn down, and instead collapsed under the elements of weather over time. Log cabins do not have foundations, so it is not possible to camp out in the concrete basement. There are no other homes or outbuildings within miles of the Hollow, so another house could not be substituted or mistaken for.
Why the name of Brenson's Hollow? We have no answers to give. It is not listed as such on any map, including historic maps. No one knows how properly to spell it, variants include Brinson, Brunson, and Benson. Furthermore who is Brenson, or how did this name even stick? Even more peculiar is the name Hollow. The site is not in a depression, it could be described as more of a small hill if anything really. The only explanation is it makes for a creepy name for a story, and ensures it is virtually impossible to locate on any map.
So what about camping out in the old foundation of the house? We have performed many searches of the region and have theorized that from the cemetary, the cabin was located due south, in what remains today as a clearing with an overgrown and wild orchard. There are no concrete foundations or other indications, besides the orchard.
Visiting the Hollow: Do not visit the cemetary, it is on private property and it is nearly impossible to reach by vehicle. Ethically we will not give directions or pinpoint its location. It is a historic site, and obviously a cemetary which deserves respect. It has been subject to rather intense vandalism for decades. However, if you still wish to go, understand the cemetary is still owned by the Snow family. The surrounding forest land is privately owned as well by a patchwork of lumber companies and private individuals. The road, while marked as a county road, is not maintained and is very treacherous, even for a 4x4 truck. We got our hatchback stuck in deep mud, so trust us on this.
We visited this location with open minds, not skeptical of possibilities but not looking for ghosts either. We did encounter a few noteworthy examples we would like to document for others. During our second trip in 2001, the weather was clear skies and sunny. Upon reaching the cemetary, it suddenly turned noticeably chilly and a light mist fell. During a visit after dark, several people heard screams or noises not accountable to animals. Our digital pictures have had quite a few problems. On two seperate occasions our camera batteries died while on location. We like to be prepared for our expeditions so they were freshly charged before setting out. Furthermore, one time our digital pictures erased themselves from the camera once we left for home. You can draw your own conclusions from these.
Here are a few poor qualitiy pictures taken with a camcorder back in February 2001:
 | The entrance to this road is enough to scare away most thrillseekers. Notice how the road signs are bolted on to trees and not sign posts. |
| The road quickly disintegrates from a "primitive" road to a mud pit. We came prepared with a truck and driver/guide, yet we still had to walk the last part to the cemetary on foot. |  |
 | This is the only possible proof to validify any ghost stories. One story involves a car that was being chased by the cult/ghosts and in its hurry crashed and rolled the car. This car does show evidence of a rollover though it is facing the wrong direction and was most likely abandoned. |
| Our first encounter in the cemetary, the warm sunny day turned overcast and chilly. |  |
 | Another shot of the cemetary. Few grave stones remain, and those that do show evidence of vandalism. |
Outside Links:
1967 Report(s) of "Brinson Monster"
1920 picture of abandoned log cabin.
1910 picture of Snow home in Winlock.
Snow family history on GenWeb.
DEAR ANCESTOR:
Your tombstone stands among the rest
Your name and date are chisled out
On polished marble stone.
It reached out to all who care.
It is too late to mourn
You didn't know that I exist
You died before I was born.
Yet each of us are cells of you.
In flesh, in blood, in bone.
Our blood contracts and beats a pulse.
Entirely not our own.
Dear Ancestor, the place you filled
one hundred years ago.
Spreads out among the ones you left
Who would have loved you so.
I wonder if you lived and loved
I wonder if you knew
That one day I would find this spot
And come and visit you.
- Undated metal sign placed at cemetery very recently.