The Devil's Backbone and Devil's Bake Oven in Grand Tower, Illinois, are associated with various legends and paranormal claims, most notably the ghost of Esmerelda, the daughter of an ironworks superintendent who died of despair and is said to be seen or heard at the site. Other reports describe misty apparitions and disembodied sounds like moans, wails, and screams emanating from the area. The area also has a history as a hiding place for river pirates and a site for an old iron works, contributing to the historical and possibly haunted atmosphere. The main haunted legend revolves around Esmerelda, the daughter of the superintendent of the 19th-century ironworks built at the Devil's Bake Oven. She was allegedly confined to her house by her father and died of despair, with her spirit now lingering at the site. Local residents and visitors claim to have seen or heard Esmerelda. Witnesses have reported seeing misty apparitions in the area. Moans, wails, and screams are said to be heard, particularly around the Devil's Bake Oven. The formations, including the Bake Oven, were used as a hideout and staging area by river pirates and criminals in the 1700s and early 1800s, allowing them to loot river travelers.