The Headless Hobo is a ghostly tale in Bristol, Tennessee, and Virginia that has been passed down through generations. The Great Depression hit every family extremely hard, but areas of Appalachia were hit the hardest, which meant living without, and in some cases, starving to death. It was indeed a time when people had to…
The Ghostly Light and Bell of Galax
Many years ago, a family of African-American’s lived in a cabin near Galax, Virginia. Reportedly, a black man was murdered within this cabin, and soon after, travelers along this road late at night could see a bright light moving around in the hollow. This area developed a reputation for being haunted. Other times, a little…
The Ghostly Dog of Old Pipers Gap Turnpike
This appears to be an older ghost story from Galax, Virginia, that has been lost through the years. The legend states that a turn in the Old Pipers Gap Turnpike, near where the road crosses the creek, is haunted by a ghostly dog. Near the turn in the road sits a graveyard, and this patch…
Nurse Alice Still Watches over Galax
Galax, Virginia, is nestled right across the North Carolina border in southwest Virginia. This area is home to many ghostly tales, ranging from haunted buildings and a small ghost dog to the enduring story of Nurse Alice. In 1904, the elegant Hotel Waugh occupied the space where Macado’s Restaurant now sits. When a destructive fire…
The Ghostly St. Albans Sanatorium
The St. Albans Sanatorium in Radford, Virginia, was similar to the others I have covered in the past. These institutions were notoriously cruel, using inhuman methods like shock therapy, lobotomies, and other archaic practices on the patients. Doctors performed trials that had no positive effect on the patients, who acted as test subjects for savage…
The Restless Ghostly Travelers of Bracey General Store
Bracey General Store in Bracey, Virginia, is one of the earliest general stores in the area, dating to 1900. The store allowed locals to purchase goods, other household goods, and even carried caskets. The general store was a hotbed of activity for travelers who passed through town, since the store was near the railroad depot….
The Ghost of the Female Stranger
One place in Alexandria, Virginia, is the site of a curious mystery that has left many wondering who the stranger that allegedly haunts these grounds is. Gadsby’s Tavern Museum was initially built as a tavern and inn. In 1816, a young woman and her husband traveled to Alexandria on a ship. While on the journey,…
The Witch of Pungo
Witch trials in the Southern states are not a new phenomenon. Several places experienced these trials in the late 1700s and early 1800s, but only a few are still told to this day. One person who was also thought to be a “witch” was Grace White Sherwood, also known as the “Witch of Pungo.” Sherwood…
The Spirits of the Ferry Plantation House
The Ferry Plantation House in Virginia Beach, Virginia, dates back to 1642 when the second ferry service in Hampton Roads began carrying passengers across the Lynnhaven River to plantations and the county courthouse along the waterway. Today, the historic home serves as a museum and is on the Virginia Landmarks Register. However, some of the…
The Old Witch of the Great Dismal Swamp
I have written many stories on witches through the years. Actually, in the second book that I am currently writing, I pay homage to them in the “Season of the Witch.” One tale in the Great Dismal Swamp surrounds an old witch who taunts hunters. The legend states that the witch transforms herself into a…