Tucked into a pocket of the Parque Ecológico de Xochimilco in Mexico City is a little spit of land known as the Island of the Dead Dolls. It’s not really an island, however. It’s a bulbous peninsula that juts out into the Lago Huetzalin, near where many of Mexico City’s canals converge. But the dolls part? That's dead-on.
What Is the Island of the Dead Dolls?
Also known simply as the Island of the Dolls (as if that's less menacing), it’s one of the most unsettling places you're likely to visit. It's a nightmarish, overgrown landscape where countless dolls, in various states of decay, are variously pinned, tied and nailed to trees, and to the few buildings the dot the area. They stare, lifeless and haunting. And, if the rumors are to be believed, haunted.
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Now, of course we know that ghosts and spirits aren't real. Today, the island is a tourist attraction, not a spot to find true paranormal activity. But after browsing images of the Island of the Dead Dolls, ask yourself if you’d want to be there alone. After dark. The answer is likely an emphatic no, even if you don’t believe in ghosts for a second.
To save you a fact-finding mission to Mexico City’s Island of the Dolls (or, for some, to inspire a trip), let’s look at just why all of those dolls are there in the first place.
Don Julian Santana Barrera, the Island's Ill-Fated Owner
The origin of the Mexico City’s Island of the Dolls (or Island of Dead Dolls, or Isla de las Muñecas, take your pick) goes something like this. Don Julian Santana Barrera, who owned the property, spotted a young girl in the water, and pulled her out of the canal, only to realize she was dead. He then found a doll floating near the drowned girl.
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Presuming the toy belonged to the child, Barrera affixed the doll to a nearby tree, intending it to serve as a memorial. Instead, the story goes, it served as an invitation for haunting. Soon, Barrera began to hear footsteps and whispers in the night. Fearing he was stalked by the girl’s spirit, Barrera began to place more dolls hanging around the island, hoping to calm the restless spirit, and end the haunting.
Apparently, it never ended. Barrera died of a heart attack, his body found not far from where he pulled the dead girl from the canal. This isn't ancient folklore, either. Don Julian Santana Barrera lived on the island for decades, beginning in the 1950s. He passed away relatively recently, in 2001.
What Do the Dolls Represent?
The first doll hung by Don Julian Santana Barrera was meant as a sign of respect for the drowned girl. And, as noted, he reportedly began hanging other dolls to appease what he believed was a restless spirit. But soon, Barrera was reportedly hanging dolls in reverence for other young women who died tragically.
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The island was, in his eyes, a place of reverence for many girls who had passed away before their time. In the eyes of others, however, Barrera had lost touch with reality, and was engaging in worrisome behaviors.
To be fair, though, according to Discovery, Barrera hadn't been of entirely sound mind even before he found the dead girl. His decision to move to the over-grown island is questionable. Many were dubious of his story over the years. Barrera claimed, at times, that at least some the dolls appeared on their own, and he had not part in hanging them. There is also some question about whether there ever was a drowned girl who inspired the hanging doll.
The Recent History of the Island of the Dolls
The assertion that dolls materialized, as if by magic, is clearly outlandish. So, too, are claims of dolls whispering and moving around in the night. However, it's known that Don Julian Santana Barrera placed dozens (if not hundreds) of dolls around the island during his lifetime.
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In the years following his death, many others have sneaked onto the Island of the Dolls to leave their own contributions. The property's caretakers have reported seeing movement on the island at night, but haunted dolls aren't to blame.
In fact, the activity has spilled over into nearby locations, where doll have been on hung on trees in imitation of the original Island of the Dolls. But nothing can match the original in the sheer number of dolls -- or in the haunting feeling they inspire.
How to visit the Island of the Dolls
If you plan to visit this spooky, and potentially haunted, tourist attraction, you’ll need to do so by boat. You can pay for a ride on one of the many trajineras – gondola-style boats – that ply the waters of Mexico City’s canals.
Just be aware that some of the men who operate these boats refuse to visit the Island of the Dolls. So, make your destination known before you board.
Military Dad Defends His 4 Little Daughters When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Military Dad of 4 Daughters Defends His Girls When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Austin von Letkemann is the military officer strangers feel "sorry" for — and the reason is infuriating.
Whenever the devoted father leaves the house with his four children, strangers can't help but notice the officer in uniform is holding hands with 4 adorable little girls. They will tell the traditionally "masculine" and "all American" dad they feel sorry for him, because he has no sons. This dad makes one thing very clear: They are his daughters, they aren't a burden.
In a passionate video, von Letkemann took to Instagram to share with his followers that the only thing that's "difficult" about being a girl dad — is clapping back to these sexist remarks over and over again.
They Mock His Daughters To Their Face
When strangers approach Austin von Letkemann and his four daughters, they don't always realize that their comments are being overheard. They seem oblivious to the fact that his girls understand every word. Von Letkemann describes how people will approach him and, without thinking, make remarks like "I'm sorry" or even joke about his lack of sons. What they don't realize is that these comments, intended to be light-hearted or humorous, can be deeply hurtful to his daughters. These strangers are not just disrespecting von Letkemann's choices as a father; they're also sending a message to his daughters that their presence is something to be pitied. It’s a message that von Letkemann won't stand for, and he's speaking out to defend his girls from these insensitive remarksSaying "Get Your Shotgun" Isn't Funny — It's Sexist
Another common comment that Austin von Letkemann encounters is the old "better get your shotgun ready" trope, often delivered with a smirk or a wink. This line is typically intended to suggest that a father with daughters should be on high alert to protect them from potential "suitors," implying that they are objects to be guarded rather than individuals with agency.
Von Letkemann finds this line of thinking outdated and sexist. In his viral Instagram video, he points out that these jokes are not just stale — they're damaging.
By suggesting that his daughters require armed protection, the joke reinforces the idea that women are inherently vulnerable and need to be shielded from men. Von Letkemann argues that instead of promoting this narrative, society should focus on teaching respect and consent, challenging these sexist tropes at their source.
Watch Austin von Letkemann's Video:
"If I Had A Fifth Child, I'd HOPE It Was A Girl" — One Dad's Message For Other Parents
Despite the constant remarks about his lack of sons, Austin von Letkemann is clear: He wouldn't trade his daughters for anything.
In fact, he told his Instagram followers that if he were to have a fifth child, he would hope for another girl. This declaration isn't just about doubling down on his pride in his family — it's a pointed response to those who see fathering daughters as a misfortune.
Von Letkemann's stance is a powerful one, rejecting the notion that a family is incomplete without sons. He encourages others to question the assumptions behind these comments and to appreciate the joy and fulfillment that his daughters bring. By sharing his story, von Letkemann hopes to create a more inclusive perspective on fatherhood, one that values daughters just as much as sons.