Nestled in Jackson County, North Carolina, near Cullowhee, sits a large soapstone boulder called Judaculla Rock. The rock is notable for its intricate petroglyphs, which are said to hold a profound connection to Cherokee oral traditions. But archaeologists still can’t explain the meaning of the carvings. According to Cherokee legend, the markings on the rock…
The Mysterious and Strange 1997 Disappearance of Judy Smith
Judy Smith was a 50-year-old married nurse, born in Hyannis, Massachusetts, in 1946. Smith was recently married when she and her husband traveled to Philadelphia in April 1997. Judy had reportedly wanted to tour the city to see some historical attractions, while Jeffrey, an attorney, attended a business conference. Nothing seemed odd or out of…
The History of the Angel Oak
The Angel Oak sits on Johns Island at 3688 Angel Oak Road, near Charleston, South Carolina. It dates back over 500 years. It stands less than 70 feet tall and was present in 1717, when a land grant was made. Roughly 500,000 visitors visit the grounds every year. Through the years, this tree has survived…
The History of the Folly Beach Boat
Have you ever wondered where this famous Folly Beach Icon came from? The story of the Folly Beach or Folly Boat dates back to the massive Hurricane Hugo in 1989, which slammed into South Carolina as a Category 4 storm. The storm surge pushed the boat to its final resting place on Folly Road, close…
The Ghostly Rider of Asheville
For years, visitors at Lewis Memorial Park on Beaverdam Road in Asheville have allegedly seen a ghostly figure on horseback around dusk, accompanied by a large, quiet phantom dog in the older parts of the graveyard. No one knows who the silent figure is, but legend has it that it could be the park’s founder,…
Was Asheville Planning to Build a Subway System in the Early 1900s
One rumor that has gained attention over the years concerns the secret tunnels and passageways under Asheville, North Carolina. Some believe that Asheville was planning to build a subway sometime during the 1910s or early 1920s. It seems like a far-fetched idea even in 2025, given the mountain city’s population and terrain, but that hasn’t…
The Great Flood of 1940 in Western, North Carolina
One flood that receives minimal mention compared to Hurricane Helene in 2024 and the Great Flood of 1916 is the devastating 1940 flood. Just 24 years after the flood of 1916, western North Carolina was hit again by a slow-moving system, a Category 2 hurricane that made landfall along the South Carolina coastline. The storm…
The Ghosts of Chimney Rock
Chimney Rock is a magical place, and according to some reports dating back to the early 1800s, it can also be a ghostly area, where many strange things have occurred over the years with no explanation. Reports of paranormal activity date back to 1806, if not earlier, when people observed a crowd of angelic beings…
What’s Beneath Lake Lure
One lake I receive many questions about is Lake Lure. After all, Dirty Dancing was filmed there, and not to mention, the place became an overnight success in the late 1920s. The area is even known for its haunted locations. But have you ever considered what lies forgotten at the bottom? Many items have been…
A Winter’s Night Tragedy
The tragic story of Lue Cree Overcash Westmoreland is woven into the fabric of the Amity Hill Community as much as any cornfield, church hymn, or long-abandoned cotton gin. If you grew up in this community in the last half-century around these parts, you had heard about Lue Cree. On Nov. 28, 1936, Lue Cree…