Imagine you’re leaving the nearby city to visit Fontana Lake, following the winding roads and turns, enjoying the ride. It’s morning, and although it’s a little chilly, you roll the window down slightly to take in nature as you pass through. The trees are enormous and tall. They stand as if they were nature’s pillars…
The Lost Town of Proctor, North Carolina (Death of a Mountain Community)
Western North Carolina is a magical place with a rich history of folklore, mysteries, and legends, such as the lost town of Proctor in Swain County. Fontana Lake is beautiful, with scenic views of mountains, and situated on the Little Tennessee River. The 480-foot-tall Fontana Dam is the highest dam east of the Rockies, equivalent…
The Phantom Car of Highway 49
NC 49 is a two-lane road between Asheboro and Charlotte, North Carolina, and is home to a famous ghost story, the Phantom Car. In the 1940s, a family drove home one night after spending the day with family. The night was clear but very late, with children sleeping in the back while the father drove…
This North Carolina Mountain is Home to the Phantom Choir
Imagine hiking to the top of a mountaintop and hearing the sweet sound of a ghostly choir serenading you. Roan Mountain, near the North Carolina and Tennessee border, about an hour west of Banner Elk, is said to be home to the Phantom Choir. The five-mile-long ridgeline, reaching nearly two miles above sea level, is…
The Tragic Murder and Haunting of the Old Lincoln Academy
The Tragic Murder and Haunting of the Old Lincoln Academy The old site where the Lincoln Academy once stood, near Kings Mountain, North Carolina, is home to a tragic murder and haunting. Kathleen Smiley, from Atlanta, was found tied to a tree near the abandoned building on April 21, 1974, many years after the historic…
Legend of The Fort Fisher Hermit
One of the more interesting figures from North Carolina history is Robert E. Harrill, who is known to many as the Fort Fisher Hermit. Harrill was born on February 2, 1893, in Shelby, North Carolina. His early life was turbulent after being raised in an abusive family, and dealing with many struggles into adulthood. His…
Legend of the Brown Mountain Lights
The Blue Ridge Mountains are a beautiful destination that many people love, making them a popular choice for day trips or extended vacations. One drive through the twists and turns of Pisgah National Forest with panoramic views will leave you and your family with memories that will last for a lifetime. The calling and lure…
The Lady in White of Camp Lejeune
Camp Lejeune, located in Jacksonville, North Carolina, is a large military base in eastern North Carolina. It is also known as a paranormal hot spot with a famous resident specter, The Lady in White. Many have seen her apparition through the years at the guard gate late at night. Many stories have circulated about how…
The Mysterious Disappearance of Nell Cropsey
On the night of November 20, 1901, a beautiful young woman named Ella Cropsey vanished from her home in Elizabeth City, North Carolina. Unfortunately, her family and friends would never see her again because just thirty-seven days later, her body was recovered from the Pasquotank River. Cropsey’s boyfriend, Jim Wilcox, was charged with the murder…
The Vander Light of North Carolina
The Vander Light is a lesser-known ghost story, but it remains a part of our cultural heritage today. According to legend, railroad employee Archer Matthews was waiting for the train when a noise down the track distracted him; when investigating, he tripped, knocking himself out, and when the train finally came, it smashed his head,…