The Phantom of Highway 12: The Vanishing Hitchhiker of Baraboo

On a quiet stretch of Highway 12 near Baraboo, Wisconsin, drivers have reported the same eerie sight for decades — a pale woman in white walking along the roadside, alone and silent. Sometimes she disappears when headlights hit her. Other times, she climbs into a car... and vanishes before reaching town.

In this episode of WiscoWeird, host Nate explores the unsettling legend of Wisconsin’s most famous vanishing hitchhiker — a ghost story rooted in real-life sightings stretching back to the 1970s. Who is she? A lost bride? An accident victim? A restless circus performer from Baraboo’s Ringling past?

Blending eyewitness accounts, local lore, and classic American folklore, this episode dives deep into the strange history of the Phantom of Highway 12 — and why she might still be out there.

Hit play… and don’t forget to check your back seat.