Many Appalachian mountain stories originate in real life hardship and tragedy. From ghost stories about the dangers faced by coal miners to the struggles of farm families to survive, Appalachian stories can be as blunt as their tellers. But these tales can also have an impish sense of humor, like the one about hearing the devil in the graveyard.
Many Appalachian stories first came over “on the boat” with the original settlers: Scotch-Irish, Eastern European, African-American. Others are Native American stories, born from shared beliefs and superstitions toward this mysterious land. Read below to discover more about the Appalachian Mountains through their unique stories.
Banner photo by Marc del Santro, all rights reserved.
A bitter Kentucky property feud ends in murder. But after Sutton Metcalfe hides the evidence deep underground, an ominous belled buzzard begins circling overhead—and refuses to leave him alone.
Tennessee creature story of the frightening Ewah monster stalking two mountain newlyweds, and their discovery of the mysterious Wampas Mask.
Disappearance of two hikers deep in the Smoky Mountains brings fears of forest monsters, wild men - and a mysterious, military cover up. Riveting, ripped-from-the-headlines story by Derek Rush.
North Carolina creature story of two boys whose nighttime possum hunt brings an encounter with a terrifying mountain Hob Goblin!
Ghost story of an Alabama "hollar" haunted by a farmer ghost searching for his missing son.
Tennessee ghost story of a budding guitarist seeking fame in Nashville who hitches a ride with a creepy bootlegger.
Tennessee creature story about a mysterious monster named Old Talon terrorizing a remote Appalachian community.
Appalachian murder tale from North Carolina about a frightening visitor to a hardscrabble Appalachian community.
Werewolf terrorizes an Appalachian farm community. Based on a Tennessee folktale, written by Frank Hagelberg.
Chilling Virginia ghost story of a house sitter terrorized by a mysterious visitor to his aunt's remote cabin.