Some believe the old Athens Theatre in New Bern, North Carolina, is home to a ghostly woman named Dorothy. The old theatre opened in 1911 as the Athens Theatre, seating fewer than 600. By 1929, the name had been changed to the Show Shop Theatre. Fourteen years later, in 1943, it was renamed the Kehoe…
The Princess of the Mist of Western, North Carolina
The Gentle Woman of the Mist, also known as The Princess of the Mist, is a Western North Carolina legend tied to the Calvary Churchyard in Fletcher. The legend says that many years ago, a young man and woman, who lived on neighboring plantations, fell in love and became engaged. One night, the two had…
The Witches’ Keyhole in Lenoir, North Carolina
During the 19th century, George Powell’s log cabin mysteriously burned to the ground. Mr. Powell blamed the fire on witches and the evil spirits that were said to be trapped inside. When he built his next residence on the grounds, he placed a keyhole near the roof to let the witches and spirits escape. The…
The Phantom Rider of the Confederacy
Calvary Episcopal Churchyard is home to even more legends than the “Headless Horseman of WNC.” The church is located in the town of Fletcher, North Carolina, and the tale dates back to Stoneman’s Raid in 1865, during the Civil War. The Phantom Rider of the Confederacy is a legend that may not be as well-known…
The White Horse of Death of Fletcher, North Carolina
The “White Horse of Death” is associated with Rugby Grange in Fletcher, and the Rugby Grange (built in 1860) ghost story appeared in a 1957 article in Life Magazine, but some things were changed to make it more appealing. Fletcher and Arden seem to be the spot if you’re looking for a headless horseman or…
The Ghostly Ball of Fire
In the small rural settlement of Brantley’s Grove in Hertford County, North Carolina, sits the Jenkins Cemetery. According to the book North Carolina Ghost Lights and Legends, on page 36. A ghostly ball of fire rose from the ground of the cemetery, moving at a height of about ten feet above the ground. It floated…
The Weeping Arch of North Carolina
Cedar Grove Cemetery in New Bern, North Carolina, is home to a ghostly tale called “The Weeping Arch.” The old archway greets visitors as they pull onto the grounds, and over the years, it has grown into a legend. After the arch was constructed many years ago, people began to notice small drops of water…
The Ghostly Hopewell Presbyterian Church Cemetery and the Ghostly Horseman
In February 1781, American General William Lee Davidson was killed in battle during the Revolutionary War at the Battle of Cowan’s Ford. His men secretly went across enemy lines at the time to retrieve Davidson’s body. General Davidson was laid to rest at the historic Hopewell Presbyterian Church Cemetery. If you remember, I recently wrote…
The Ghostly Horseman of Charlotte, NC
The Battle of Cowan’s Ford was fought on February 1, 1781, in present-day Mecklenburg County. American General William Lee Davidson was killed in combat as British forces under the leadership of Lord Cornwallis claimed victory. Davidson’s men snuck back across enemy lines to claim the body of Davidson. The old battlefield now rests under Lake…
The Ghostly Legend of Naomi Wise
Naomi Wise was a young orphan girl who lived with the Adams’ family, just north of Randleman, North Carolina, in the early 1800s. The young Wise became smitten with a handsome fellow named Jonathan Lewis, who happened to live just a few miles from where she was living at the time. Naomi was warned about…