23 TALES OF WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA LORE & LEGENDS

One of the best parts of our job is that we regularly get to introduce people to the area and share the stories behind our vibrant, one-of-a-kind communities. This year, we are showcasing a total of 23 Tales of Western North Carolina in our magazine. We hope you enjoy this story-telling series and that by the end of the year everyone feels like a local!

The White Squirrel

The legend of Brevard's white squirrels dates back to the 1940s, when a couple moved to the area from Florida and brought a pair of white squirrels with them. They intended to release the squirrels into the vast wild. However, the squirrels escaped before they could be strategically released. The pair of white squirrels bred with Brevard’s gray squirrel population, creating a new local population of white squirrels.

Over time, the white squirrels became a beloved symbol of Brevard, with locals considering them to be a good luck charm. Today, Brevard is home to one of the largest populations of white squirrels in the world, with an estimated 3 - 5,000 white squirrels living in and around the town.

The white squirrels of Brevard are not albinos, but rather a genetic variation of the gray squirrel. The white fur is caused by a recessive gene, and while white squirrels are rare in most parts of the world, they are relatively common in Brevard.

Today, the white squirrels are protected by local laws, and Brevard celebrates them each year with a White Squirrel Festival, featuring live music, food, and crafts. The festival draws thousands of visitors each year, eager to catch a glimpse of Brevard's famous white squirrels.

Cold Mountain

Cold Mountain, located in Western North Carolina, has a rich history and is the subject of many legends and stories. One of the most famous legends has it that during the Civil War, a Confederate soldier named Inman deserted his post and began a long and treacherous journey back home to Cold Mountain to be with his love, Ada Monroe.

The story of Inman and Ada's love and the hardships they endured during the Civil War was popularized in Charles Frazier's best-selling novel "Cold Mountain," which was later adapted into a critically acclaimed film. The movie was filmed in the Carpathian Mountains of Romania, which offered similar mountain vistas.

The legend of Inman and Ada has become a beloved part of the history and folklore of Cold Mountain, inspiring visitors to explore the rugged beauty of the region and imagine the struggles of those who lived there during one of the most tumultuous periods in American history.

The Moon Eyed People

According to Cherokee legend, the Moon Eyed People were a mysterious group of lightskinned, blue-eyed people who lived in the mountains long before the Cherokee arrived. They were said to be nocturnal and to have built underground dwellings to avoid the sun.

The legend of the Moon Eyed People has been passed down through oral traditions. While there is little concrete evidence to support their existence, some archaeological evidence has been found that suggests the presence of a prehistoric people in the region. The legend goes that The Moon Eyed People were eventually driven out of the area by the Cherokee, but some people still claim to see them today, lurking in the shadows.

Thirsty for more legends & lore?

Check out our previous issue of Mountain Time in the Smokys to read more.

• January/February Issue: The Road to Nowhere, Place of the Blue Smoke, Bunk, Furry Forecasters & Judaculla Rock.

• March/April/May Issue: Legend of the Boojum, Madstones, The Duke of Asheville, The Giant Yellow Jacket & Brown Mountain Lights.

The Wampus Cat

The Wampus Cat is a legendary creature that is said to roam the Appalachian Mountains of North Carolina. According to legend, the Wampus Cat was once a Cherokee woman cursed by tribal elders for spying on their sacred ceremony. As punishment, the woman was transformed into a half-human, half-cat creature, doomed to roam the mountains forever.

The Wampus Cat is said to have the body of a human and the head of a cat, with glowing red eyes and sharp claws. It is also said to emit a

terrifying scream that can be heard for miles around. The legend of the Wampus Cat has been passed down through generations of Appalachian families, and many people in the region claim to have encountered the creature. Some say that the Wampus Cat is a shape-shifter who can take on different forms, while others believe that it is a guardian spirit who protects the mountains and their inhabitants.