The Bell Beside the Grave: A Strange Reminder of the Fear of Being Buried Alive
A tiny bronze bell beside a massive grave in Savannah’s Bonaventure Cemetery tells a strange story about the 19th-century fear of being buried alive.
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Are There Sharks in Lake Hartwell? An Investigation Into the Upstate’s Latest Conspiracy
Officials say there are no sharks in Lake Hartwell. But bull sharks can survive in freshwater, the Savannah River once flowed without today’s massive dams, and real alligators have turned up where they supposedly don’t belong. We investigate the Upstate’s newest aquatic conspiracy.
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South Carolina Bigfoot Festival 2026: Your Complete Guide to Westminster’s Biggest Weekend
Planning a trip to the South Carolina Bigfoot Festival? Our complete 2026 guide covers festival dates, parking, vendors, guest speakers, food, nearby waterfalls, where to eat, and insider tips to help you make the most of a weekend in Westminster, South Carolina.
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Upstate South Carolina Folklore: Monsters, Ghosts & Mountain Legends.
The Upstate has its own haunted side, from the Wampus Cat of Appalachian legend to the ghosts of Stumphouse Tunnel, Poinsett Bridge, Lake Jocassee, and Abbeville Opera House.
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The Legend of Issaqueena: How One Cherokee Woman May Have Given Upstate South Carolina Its Most Unusual Town Names
Did a Cherokee woman named Issaqueena give the Upstate its most unusual place names? Follow the legendary ride that may have inspired Six Mile, Twelve Mile, Eighteen Mile, and beyond, and discover the fascinating story of courage, sacrifice, and folklore that still echoes through the mountains of South Carolina.
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Mountain Medicine & Mountain Superstitions: The Folk Wisdom of the Upstate
Before pharmacies, urgent care centers, and modern medicine, mountain families relied on home remedies and generations of folk wisdom. From onion syrup for coughs and sourwood honey for colds to warnings about black cats, broken mirrors, and rocking chairs, these Appalachian traditions offer a fascinating glimpse into life in the Upstate’s past. Some remedies may have worked, others were rooted in superstition, but all were part of the rich cultural heritage passed down through generations in the Blue Ridge foothills.
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The Legend of Easley’s Troll Bridge
For generations, stories of Easley’s mysterious Troll Bridge have been passed down through late-night conversations, campfires, and local folklore. From tales of strange cries in the darkness to cars that wouldn’t start, the legend became one of the area’s most enduring mysteries. But where was Troll Bridge, and what stories do you remember hearing? Help us preserve this fascinating piece of Easley history.
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The Rootman: Appalachia’s Folk Healer and Keeper of Mountain Wisdom
Hidden deep within Appalachian folklore is the story of the Rootman—a mountain healer who relied on herbs, roots, prayers, and generations of knowledge to help his community long before modern medicine reached the hills. Part herbalist, part healer, and part keeper of old traditions, the Rootman remains one of the most fascinating figures in mountain history.
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Gold, Silver, and Fool’s Gold: The Lost Mines and Legends Around Table Rock
Were there really gold and silver mines hidden in the mountains around Table Rock, or are the stories just local legends? From documented gold discoveries near Pickens and Cane Creek to the mysterious lost mine of Tamassee and the glittering fool’s gold found in area creeks, the Table Rock region has a fascinating history of prospectors, treasure hunters, and unanswered questions. Join us as we separate fact from folklore and explore the lost mines, forgotten discoveries, and enduring mysteries of the Upstate mountains.
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The Haunted History of Poinsett Bridge: South Carolina’s Most Famous Ghost Story?
Hidden deep in the woods of northern Greenville County, Poinsett Bridge has earned a reputation as one of South Carolina’s most haunted places. From tales of a murdered stonemason and mysterious shadow figures to unexplained lights beneath the historic arch, discover the legends, ghost stories, and local folklore that have surrounded this 206-year-old landmark for generations.
