Many may not be aware, but the city of Fayetteville, North Carolina, played a pivotal role in the beginning of George Herman “Babe” Ruth Jr. It was here that Ruth hammered his first home run as a professional against the then-minor league Baltimore Orioles on March 7, 1914. The blast traveled 350 to 400 feet…
Beneath the Waters of Lake Norman
Lake Norman is a beautiful lake just north of the City of Charlotte, but have you ever wondered what lies just beneath its waters? You may be shocked to know that the remains of a summer camp that opened in the 1930s and the site of the Battle of Cowan’s Ford, where General William Lee…
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…
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…
The Infamous 1933 Charlotte Heist
Decades before the $17 million Loomis Fargo Heist in 1997, Charlotte was the scene of another infamous heist, when a group of gangsters invaded the Queen City to “raise” money for legal fees. On November 15, 1933, four men in a brand-new vehicle cut off and robbed a mail truck on 3rd Street. One of…
The 1993 Luigi’s Italian Restaurant Shooting Revisited
On August 6, 1993, an armed Fort Bragg soldier, Sgt. Kenneth Junior French, aged 22, walked into Luigi’s restaurant, 528 McPherson Church Road, around 10 p.m. in Fayetteville, North Carolina, with two shotguns and a rifle. French began to yell about politics, Bill Clinton, and homosexuality when he opened fire during the drunken killing spree….
The Worst Tornado Outbreak in North Carolina’s History
The worst tornado outbreak in North Carolina history occurred on March 28, 1984, resulting in 57 deaths and 1,248 injuries. On that day, 14 tornadoes were confirmed in the state, affecting mainly Eastern North Carolina, including two that measured over a mile wide. The outbreak also produced the state’s deadliest tornado, an F4 in Greene…
Blackbeard and The Golden Age of Piracy November 22, 1718
On November 22, 1718, Edward Teach met his fate in Ocracoke, North Carolina, during a bloody battle with Lieutenant Robert Maynard, 307 years ago, today. Some of you may know him better by his infamous nickname, Blackbeard. Teach had a long relationship with the Outer Banks, as it served as a base for his operations….
The Yogi Bear Graveyard
Some may remember the unintentional tourist attraction, dubbed the Yogi Bear Graveyard, that was located off I-95 in North Carolina. When Yogi Bear Honey Fried Chicken locations began closing across the Southeast, the fiberglass statues that once occupied those restaurants were purchased by the Jellystone Park Campground in Halifax. The statues welcomed travelers to the…
The Shelton Laurel Massacre in North Carolina
In January 1863, during the height of the Civil War, thirteen men and boys were killed by Confederates when they were suspected of Unionism. The historical marker stands at NC 208, at NC 212, west of Shelton Laurel in Madison County, North Carolina. It constitutes one of the most tragic events in North Carolina history….