With Halloween on its way and everyone’s paranormal curiosity heightened, we compiled a collection of spooky stories and legends in and around the Resort area. Included are accounts of friendly spirits, urban myths, and unexplainable occurrences. All of the locations are within driving distance from our resort, feel free to explore while you’re staying with us!
The Legend of the Little People
Rooted in the folklore of the Cherokee people are the Little People or Yunwi Tsundi (yun-wee joon-stee). They are characters in many Cherokee stories, creatures, which typically remain invisible but when they do render themselves visible, they appear as miniature children.
Like many other mythological characters the Little People are said to possess magical powers. They are known to use these powers to help others and to teach others about protecting Mother Nature. However, they also are possessive of the land. If someone finds an unattended object they should say “Little People, I would like to take this,” in case it belongs to them, for if they feel they have been disrespected they can quickly become malicious in their behavior. Members of the Cherokee tribe still live on Cherokee territory in the western mountains of North Carolina, and it is rumored that hidden in rock caves throughout the mountains still live the Little People. They were originally called the “Moon People” because they only came out at night. They say that if you are out in a lonely place in the mountains you may hear the sounds of a beating drum, but you should not follow that noise to their home because they do not like to be disturbed and will surely cast a spell on you.
Located in the Cherokee territory of the western mountains of North Carolina.
Helen’s Bridge
Helen’s Bridge, located in Asheville, NC, was built for the Zealandia’s estate in 1909. Carriages used the bridge to access the estate. Helen was a woman who worked on the estate and often brought her daughter along, were she played while her mother worked. One day, Helen was called away from a room where she was working, and her daughter was playing, and when she returned the room was on fire.
Helen immediately tried to rescue her daughter, but it was too late. Her daughter died in the fire leaving her mother brokenhearted. Helen slipped into a depression and eventually hung herself from the bridge. It is rumored that Helen returns to the bridge every full moon in hopes of finding her daughter.
If one goes to the bridge and screams her name three times she will appear. People have experienced difficulties with their cars when near the bridge and attribute it to Helen’s spirit. Sometimes Helen waits by the street in hopes that cars will stop, so she can ask them for assistance in trying to find her daughter.
Located 30 miles west of the Resort
Oakwood Cemetery
Oakwood Cemetery in Spartanburg, SC is known for numerous supernatural occurrences, and has even been nicknamed, “Hell’s Gate”.
While the types of supernatural activity vary, one common theme reported by visitors is the sudden loss of battery charge in cell phones and cameras. A typical occurrence in haunted areas, the loss of charge is considered to occur due to the energy spirits pull in order to appear. Other supernatural sightings in the cemetery include, children playing among the tombstones and laughing, floating orbs or bouncing lights. A boy who passed away after falling off of a hill while playing with a ball, has been seen approaching visitors with his ball and asking them to play when he suddenly disappears. Many visitors have also seen a man with a beard holding a rifle or sword.
Oakwood Cemetery is in Spartanburg, SC near Converse College. It is approximately 48 miles from the Resort.
Ghost of White Side Road
This local story involves a young woman in her early 30s, who has been seen walking down White Side Road holding her girlfriend’s heart in her hands. The heart was supposedly ripped out of the girlfriend’s chest by her jealous husband.
White Side Road located in Rutherfordton, is only a 30-minute drive from Lake Lure.
Caroleen, N.C.
A town rich in history, Caroleen (located in Rutherford County) is also home to a few ghost stories. One story entertains that the spirits of two elderly ladies have been seen on the Broad River Bridge. They were killed many years ago when their car plunged into the river from the bridge and it is believed that their spirits remain.
Another reported haunting in Caroleen is at the Old Caroleen School Gym. It is said that if you park your car in front of the gym and look inside, you will see the spirits of two young girls who were murdered there in the 1950s.
Caroleen is a 45-minute drive from the Lake Lure, NC.
The Ghost of the Red Haired Lady
In the 1950s, a woman who had previously been in the custody of the Forest City police was found strangled to death under the Caroleen River Bridge. There were several investigations into her death, but no one was able to find out how she ended up under the bridge.
While rumors swirled about who she was and why she had been locked up, one thing remained true, she was described as a beautiful woman with dark skin and long red hair. Many considered her the prettiest woman they had ever seen. Shortly after her death people began to claim seeing her ghost standing on the bridge. Many would see her at night in the headlights of their car and when they would attempt to save her, she would vanish. The bridge was replaced in the mid-1960s, but she is still seen today.
Caroleen River Bridge is located on US 221 Alternate in Caroleen, NC. 32 miles east of Rumbling Bald
Dead Dan’s Shadow
The story of Daniel Keith is well known to residents of Rutherford County, NC. Wrongfully accused of the death of an 8-year old girl by county residents who let their lust for justice override their reason. Dan was arrested and went to trial on November 8, 1880. When no one on the jury believed a word he had said, he was sentenced to hang.
In the days after his hanging, a shadow appeared on the outside of the south wall of the jail, a shadow that remained throughout the night and the next day as well. It was the outline of a hanged man, a big man dangling from a rope. The shadow appeared to be permanent. People from the countryside who had witnessed the hanging returned to Rutherfordton to view the shadow, and it was widely agreed that it must be a lost soul, or as they say in these parts a “haint”. “It would take a man as large as old Dan himself to cast such a sizable shadow,” was heard saying.
The jail was later sold and converted into a private home where the owner planted ivy to cover up the shadow. In 1949, the old jail/home was converted once more into office space where several coats of paint eventually covered up the shadow.
Read the complete narrative of Dead Dan’s Shadow here.
Rutherfordton is located about 17 miles east of Lake Lure on US Highway 74.
The Pink Lady of the Grove Park Inn
In the 1920s a young lady fell to her death from her fifth-floor balcony, at the Grove Park Inn and Resort in Asheville, NC. Although her body was removed she is still known to roam within the grounds of the hotel. This spirit is known as the Pink Lady, and unlike many spirits, she is very friendly.
Her presence is felt the strongest in room 545. Most of her hauntings are very childlike such as the opening and closing of doors to tickling guest’s feet. She appears the most to children either as her person or in a pink mist. On one occasion, a doctor and his family were staying at the Inn and when the doctor checked out he told the concierge to thank the lady in the pink gown who worked there for entertaining his children.
The Grove Park Inn is 37.5 miles from Rumbling Bald Resort.
Biltmore Estate
A jewel in the North Carolina Mountains, the Biltmore Estate is the largest privately owned home in the United States with over 250 rooms, 34 bedrooms, 43 bathrooms and 125,000 acres. Built between 1888-1894 by George Washington Vanderbilt II, the home stands as Asheville’s greatest haunted mansion. George built the home for his wife Edith and daughter Cornelia, but unfortunately George himself only got the opportunity to enjoy his work for the few short years before he died of appendicitis in 1914.
Today the Biltmore Estate, still owned and operated by the family, brings in millions of visitors from all over the world. Many visitors report seeing George enjoying some of his favorite rooms and a heartbroken Edith looking for her beloved companion. Other reports speak of laughter and splashes coming from the pool area where no water has been for years. Former maids, and workers at the estate have also been seen roaming the halls as well.
The Biltmore Estate is located in Asheville, 38 miles west of Rumbling Bald Resort off of I-40.
