37: Appalachian Mountains – Part Two: Creatures, Folklore, and Things in the Woods

The Appalachian Mountains are among the oldest mountain ranges on Earth, stretching more than 2,000 miles across the eastern United States. For generations, the people who lived in these mountains have shared stories about strange encounters in the woods, mysterious creatures, and folklore that seems to blur the line between history and legend. In this episode of Let’s Talk Spooky, we explore some of the lesser-known legends said to originate in the Appalachian region. From ancient Cherokee folklore to stories shared by hunters and hikers in the mountains today, these tales reveal how deeply storytelling is woven into Appalachian culture. We’ll dive into stories about:

• Appalachian Mimic Legends – Stories of voices in the woods that sound almost human.
• The Wampus Cat – A mysterious creature said to roam the mountains and forests.
• The Moon-Eyed People – A strange group described in Cherokee traditions who were said to move through the mountains only at night.
• Appalachian Witch Traditions – Folk healers, “granny women,” and the folklore surrounding witches in the mountains.
• Spearfinger (U’tlun’ta) – One of the most chilling Cherokee legends about a shapeshifting predator that could disguise itself as an old woman. The Appalachian Mountains are full of stories, and many of them are still told today by the people who live closest to the forests and hills where these legends began. So gather close, dim the lights, and join us as we explore the strange folklore and eerie legends hidden deep in the Appalachian Mountains. And remember… Stay curious. Stay spooky. Sources: Books & Academic Sources Mooney, J. (1992). Myths of the Cherokee. Dover Publications. (Original ethnographic work documenting Cherokee legends, including Spearfinger) Jones, W. (2009). Appalachian Ghost Stories and Other Tales. Globe Pequot Press. Briggs, K. (1976). An Encyclopedia of Fairies: Hobgoblins, Brownies, Bogies, and Other Supernatural Creatures. Pantheon Books. (Background on regional folklore traditions) Folklore & Historical Sources North Carolina Folklife Institute ⁠https://ncfli.org⁠ Smoky Mountain News – Cherokee folklore archives ⁠https://www.smokymountainnews.com⁠ Georgia Historical Society – Moon-Eyed People references ⁠https://georgiahistory.com⁠ Folklore & Legend Collections Appalachian History Project ⁠https://www.appalachianhistory.net⁠ Atlas Obscura – Appalachian folklore and legends ⁠https://www.atlasobscura.com⁠ Additional Folklore References Cherokee Nation Cultural Resources ⁠https://www.cherokee.org⁠ Smithsonian Folklife & Cultural Heritage ⁠https://folklife.si.edu⁠

Stay spooky 👻