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Kay's Cross
Kay's Cross
	Kay's Cross in 2010
Location	Kaysville, Utah, US
Nearest city	Layton
Coordinates	41°03′02.67″N 111°55′31.25″W / 41.0507417°N 111.9253472°W
Elevation	4,350 ft (1,325 m)
Established	1946 (destroyed in 1992)
Visitors	seasonal
Governing body	Private
Website	Kay's Cross Haunted Tours

Kay's Cross was a large stone cross located in Kaysville, Utah, in a secluded area known as Kay's Hollow. Over time, it has been associated with various legends involving hauntings, werewolves, and alleged satanic rituals. The cross was destroyed in 1992 by an unexplained explosion, but the site continues to attract visitors interested in its history and the stories surrounding it.

History

The exact origins of Kay's Cross remain debated, with different explanations offered over the years. One common theory is that the cross was built in 1946 by members of the Kingston clan, a polygamous family led by Charles Elden Kingston, who founded the Davis County Cooperative Society. This group, sometimes referred to as "The Order," was a fundamentalist offshoot of the LDS Church. The Kingstons owned land in the area, including the site where Kay’s Cross stood.^[1]

Another theory links the cross to Krishna Venta, a religious figure who claimed to be the reincarnation of Jesus Christ. Born Francis Pencovic, Venta was a cult leader based in California but was believed to have had ties to Utah. According to Malvern Hansen, a member of the Kingston clan, Venta convinced the family to construct the cross as a symbol of "Knowledge." Hansen noted in his journal that the "K" on the cross represented "Knowledge," rather than Kaysville or Krishna, as some later speculated. The cross was designed with grooves to hold religious texts, which were intended to be covered by stained glass, but the project was left unfinished when Venta moved to California.^[2]

Venta was later killed in a bombing orchestrated by two of his followers in 1958, an event that some locals compare to the 1992 explosion that destroyed Kay’s Cross.^[3]

Description

Kay's Cross was a large stone cross, approximately 20 feet (6.1 m) high and 13 feet (4.0 m) wide, located in a hollow. The cross featured a large "K" at its top, which has been the subject of debate. Some believe it represented "Kingdom" or "Knowledge," while others suggest it was a reference to William Kay, the founder of Kaysville.^[4] The cross's remote location in "Kay's Hollow" added to its mystique and fueled local speculation about its origins and purpose.

Myths and legends

Kay's Cross has been the focus of many legends, some involving supernatural or darker themes. One persistent story claims that the cross was built by a polygamist who murdered his wives and buried them around its base. Some versions of the story suggest that the seventh wife’s heart was placed inside the cross.^[5] These stories have contributed to the belief that the site is haunted, with some visitors reporting strange noises, apparitions, and claims that the cross would glow during full moons. Others claimed that the cross would burn those who touched it at night, while some people experienced feelings of illness or disorientation when near it.^[1]

In the 1980s, rumors emerged that the site was being used for satanic rituals. Some locals reported finding animal remains—including dogs, squirrels, and raccoons—near the cross, leading to speculation that sacrifices had taken place. Although no credible evidence supports these claims, these rumors have persisted.^[6]

Other legends associated with Kay’s Cross include sightings of werewolves and strange voices heard near the ruins. While these claims are often viewed with skepticism, they remain a part of the local lore.^[1]

Popular culture

Haunted attraction

In 2013, the owners of the land opened the site to the public for the first time, transforming it into a haunted attraction called "Haunted Kay's Cross." Visitors are guided through the woods to the remains of the cross, where they are told stories about the site’s history and the legends surrounding it.^[4]

Ghost Adventures

Kay's Cross was featured in a 2018 episode of Ghost Adventures titled "Kay's Hollow." The show focused on claims of hauntings, satanic rituals, and other unusual phenomena associated with the site.^[7]

Local reactions

For decades, Kay’s Cross has been a topic of conversation among Kaysville residents, many of whom claim to have witnessed strange occurrences at the site. Some locals report finding animal remains around the cross, while others mention hearing strange noises or seeing unexplained lights in the area. One resident recalled hearing the explosion that destroyed the cross from miles away. Despite the lack of concrete evidence for many of these claims, the stories have contributed to the site's reputation as a place of intrigue, attracting both skeptics and believers interested in the mysterious history of Kay’s Cross.^[6]

References

^ ^a ^b ^c Greg Christensen (October 20, 2022). "The Strange, Awful Truth Behind Utah's Eerie Stone Cross". Atlas Obscura. Retrieved September 12, 2024.
^ Andy Weeks (July 1, 2012). Haunted Utah: Ghosts and Strange Phenomena of the Beehive State. Stackpole Books. pp. 35–. ISBN 978-0-8117-4875-9.
^ Scott Harrison (January 28, 2011). "Krishna Venta killed in bombing". LA Times. Archived from the original on February 2, 2011. Retrieved September 12, 2024.
^ ^a ^b Winslow, Ben (September 13, 2013). "Mysterious Kaysville cross opens to the public". Fox 13. Retrieved September 12, 2024.
^ Harward, Randy (October 25, 2017). "Salt Lake Eerie: 31 Spots In and Around SLC to Get Your Spook On". Salt Lake City Weekly. Retrieved March 21, 2023.
^ ^a ^b Tilton, Ben (September 29, 2016). "Kay's Cross". SLUG Magazine. Retrieved September 12, 2024.
^ "Ghost Adventures: Kay's Hollow". IMDb. 2018. Retrieved September 12, 2024.