Most folks in western North Carolina know the creature as the whang-doodle, but some call it the king-doddle. The creature is said to come out after dark, typically hanging around barns and henhouses. The last one spotted was in McDowell County, almost fifty years ago, but the old stories still get passed down. “Way it…
The Legend of Judaculla Rock
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 Siren of the French Broad
The French Broad River in Western North Carolina is rich in history and mystery. The beautiful waters that sweep through the mountains are full of not only water, but also legend. The story of the “Siren of the French Broad” dates back to the mid-1850s, when author William Gilmore Simms published a poem about it….