Chills & Thrills in Brevard

Devil’s Courthouse

This imposing Blue Ridge Parkway landmark wows visitors with its massive crags and stunning views. Traditional Cherokee folklore has it that Devil’s Courthouse is the home of a giant, devilish lord of the hunt, known as Tsul’kălû’ or Judaculla. He was said to reside in a cave below, where he held court and hosted dances. You can find Devil’s Courthouse at Milepost 422.4 on the Blue Ridge Parkway at an elevation of 5,720 feet.

The Legend of Connestee Falls

Today, Connestee Falls is a popular waterfall just outside the entrance of the Connestee Falls Community. However, according to legend, there’s more to this picturesque cascade than meets the eye. It is said that Connestee, the daughter of a Cherokee chief, married a young Englishman who was wounded and later spared when his exploring party from Charleston was captured by a group of Cherokee warriors. He was later persuaded to desert the tribe and return to his people. When Connestee learned that her husband would not return, she was heartbroken and jumped from the top of the 110-ft waterfall that now sits as a roadside attraction in Cedar Mountain.

The Allison-Deaver House

Thought to be the oldest standing timber frame house in Western North Carolina, the Allison-Deaver House was built in 1815. Captain William Deaver, former owner of the home, was fatally shot on the porch of the house by a group of unknown men just months before the end of the Civil War, in February of 1865. Since then, several people have had haunting, spectral experiences in the house. Paranormal investigators have even visited the old house. For the full story, visit the Allison-Deaver House in person, and experience the spooky setting for yourself.

The Headless Man of Williamson Creek

Sometime during the Civil War, a group of Union soldiers were discovered camping alongside Williamson Creek near Brevard. Nearby Confederate officers were sent to investigate, and upon seeing the men, killed them. One of the soldiers was decapitated, and when the bodies were buried, they could not find the head. Not long after that, locals began reporting mysterious sounds and occasional sightings of a headless man near Glen Cannon Falls at night. He roamed the creekside, mourning his fallen comrades and searching for his missing head.

Horseback Rock

In the upper end of Transylvania County between Balsam Grove and Wolf Lake, there is a rock in the mountainside mysteriously printed with hundreds of hoof prints of different shapes and sizes. They say if you approach it at night, you will hear chanting and screams coming from the stone.

(If you would like to know more about the upper end of Transylvania County, check out the Historic Toxaway website.)

The Horned Creature Of Cedar Mountain

A young hunter and his dog stopped for water near a quarry in Cedar Mountain. When he saw his dog’s hackles rise, the hunter rose from the pond and saw a mysterious creature standing across the water. This creature had the horns of a goat, the head of a lion, the body of a bear, and hooves like a horse. He took aim, shot the creature, and loaded it into the back of his truck to show off his rare prey. But on the third night, the creature disappeared. Some say it was stolen by a spiteful hunter. Others say that it can still be seen roaming the forests.

(While you might not want to go looking for the Horned Creature, the friendly, fun community of Cedar Mountain is worth the effort to get to. Get the inside scoop here.)

Of course, scary stories aren’t the only way to scratch your Halloween itch. Transylvania County is ground zero for some of the spookiest, trick-or-treat-iest, family-friendliest Halloween action around. Get all the details on fall in Brevard right here.