New Jersey Hessians
Truth and Lore in the American Revolution
Part of the American Legends (Arcadia) series
During the American Revolution, Great Britain hired thirty thousand German troops to fight rebellious colonists. Five thousand of those troops marched across New Jersey from Princeton and Trenton all the way to the northern tip of Sussex County. Though popular legend would cast them as cold and vicious mercenaries, many were prisoners of war with little choice. Stories of their exploits still circulate in New Jersey, from the headless Hessian of the Morristown Swamp to the mysterious Ramapo Mountain people. Join author Pete Lubrecht as he navigates the myth of Hessian troops in New Jersey to separate fiction from fact.
Mysteries & Lore of Western Maryland
Snallygasters, Dogmen, and other Mountain Tales
Part of the American Legends (Arcadia) series
In the shadows of the quiet mountain towns of Western Maryland, strange creatures are said to lurk in the woods while phantoms wander the foothills. The Hagerstown clock tower is reportedly haunted by the ghost of a young artist killed during the Civil War, while the low summit of South Mountain was once host to a mysterious spell-caster, the Wizard Zittle. Farther west, tales of legendary hunter Meshach Browning echo among the Allegany Mountains while visitors to Deep Creek Lake may feel the chilling presence of monks who never left their former monastery. From the 1909 hoax of the monstrous Snallygaster that terrorized the Middletown Valley to the doglike Dwayyo that was spotted near Frederick in 1965, local historian Susan Fair rounds up the bizarre beasts, odd characters and unsolved mysteries that color the legends and lore of Western Maryland.
Maryland Legends
Folklore from the Old Line State
Part of the American Legends (Arcadia) series
The demon car of Seven Hills Road, the ominous Hell House above the Patapsco River, the mythical Snallygaster of western Maryland--these are the extraordinary tales and bizarre creatures that color Maryland's folklore. The Blue Dog of Port Tobacco faithfully guards his master's gold even in death, and in Cambridge, the headless ghost of Big Liz watches over the treasure of Greenbriar Swamp. The woods of Prince George's County are home to stories of the menacing Goatman, while on stormy nights at the nearby University of Maryland, the strains of a ghostly piano float from Marie Mount Hall. From the storied heroics of the First Maryland Regiment in the Revolutionary War to the mystery of the Poe Toaster, folklorists Trevor J. Blank and David J. Puglia unravel the legends of Maryland.
Eerie Georgia
Chilling Tales from the Mountains to the Sea
Part of the American Legends (Arcadia) series
Georgia is a thoroughly modern state, known for its vibrant culture and bustling economy. Despite this veneer of normalcy, strange legends lurk around every corner. Former president Jimmy Carter's family consulted a psychic in an attempt to find one of the farm's wayward dogs. A Hall County ranch was plagued by mysterious cattle mutilations made with surgical precision. Eggs, alligators, turtles and frogs have rained down from the heavens across the state, from Columbus to Savannah. Evidence suggests that ancient seafarers regularly visited the Peach State centuries before Columbus reached the New World. Author Jim Miles explores these and many more in a collection of stories that can be found only in the Peach State.
Eerie Delaware
Chilling Tales From The First State
Part of the American Legends (Arcadia) series
Uncanny stories, local legends and ghostly encounters from the First State. Delaware may be small, but every corner of it is filled with strange and unusual history. Horrifying tales of ghosts haunt places both old and new. The Castle contains many stories of mysterious specters, but the mystery of the house's first owners is the truly creepy tale. The legend of the Devil's Road, called a myth by some, will chill your bones and make your spine tingle. In a state so close to the sea, stories of murder and mayhem include tales of piracy and maybe even cannibalism. Delaware native and paranormal historian Josh Hitchens invites you to join him on a journey through the spooky side of the First State.
Creepy Kentucky
Strange Stories from the Bluegrass State
Part of the American Legends (Arcadia) series
The Eerie and Ominous in Kentucky
Kentucky is no stranger to strange occurrences. From weird encounters with the Grim Reaper to local graveyard dogs, the Bluegrass State has its share of odd stories. Learn about local ghosts who've haunted areas for years. Encounter body snatchers and some very odd modes of death. Go on the hunt for Daniel Boone's bones and witness the marvelous twisting tombstone. Witness the people who uncannily predicted their own death. Author Keven McQueen details these creepy stories and more.
South Jersey Legends & Lore
Tales from the Pine Barrens and Beyond
Part of the American Legends (Arcadia) series
From Piney Folklore to Legendary Figures of South Jersey's Past
Author William Lewis presents fascinating tales, revealing legends and beloved lore from the heart of Southern New Jersey.
Eerie Florida
Chilling Tales from the Panhandle to the Keys
Part of the American Legends (Arcadia) series
The author of Freaky Florida shares a unique guide to the state's strangest attractions-from Florida Bigfoot to lost cemeteries, UFO sightings and more.
Most people know Florida as the land of endless sunny beaches, Disney World, and NASA shuttle launches. But the state is also home to many hidden mysteries, eerie legends, and tales of bizarre creatures. In Eerie Florida, author Mark Muncy and photographer Kari Schultz provide a unique guide to these truly unique sites across the Sunshine State.
The Everglades is home to the elusive Skunk Ape-also known as Florida Bigfoot-a strange bipedal creature recognized by its odor. An uncanny doll reputed to have a life of its own greets visitors in a Florida Keys museum. An ancient monster is reported to roam the rivers in the northeast corners of the state, and in South Florida, a man built Coral Castle-also known as America's Stonehenge-via mysterious means. Join Mark Muncy and Kari Schultz as they uncover the history behind the state's creepiest stories and unusual locations.
Ernest Hemingway & Gary Cooper in Idaho
An Enduring Friendship
Part of the American Legends (Arcadia) series
An account of the decades-long friendship between the iconic author and the famed actor, with photos included.
In the autumn of 1940, two icons of American culture met in Sun Valley, Idaho-writer Ernest Hemingway and actor Gary Cooper. Although "Hem" was known as brash, larger-than-life, and hard-drinking and "Coop" as courteous, non-confrontational, and taciturn, the two became good friends. And though they would see each other over the years in Hollywood, Cuba, New York, and Paris, it was to Idaho they always returned. Here they hunted together, waded through marshes, and hiked sagebrush-covered hills, sometimes talking and sometimes not, but continually forging a close comradeship.
That bond sustained them through the highs and lows of stardom, through personal trials and triumphs, and from their first conversation to their deaths seven weeks apart in 1961. Here, historian Larry Morris celebrates the story of that unforgettable friendship.
Milwaukee Oddities
The Bridge To Nowhere, The Rise Of The Sewer Socialists, The Lion In The Library & More
Part of the American Legends (Arcadia) series
Milwaukee is full of weird borders, streets that do not line up right, creepy cemeteries and other curious things.
Many locals have heard about the crooked bridges downtown, the sewer Socialists and the attempt on Teddy Roosevelt's life. Not as many know about the time Josette Juneau saved Milwaukee, the city's link to The Exorcist or its ghost towns like Oakwood, Saint Martin's and Root Creek. And yes, a lion really lived inside the library. Employees used bowling balls to play fetch with it.
Milwaukee-based historian James Nelsen shares joyous and amazing stories of the Cream City's strange history.
True Tales of Puget Sound
Part of the American Legends (Arcadia) series
From the shores of Gig Harbor to the slopes of Mount Rainier, the towns surrounding Puget Sound all have incredible stories to share. How did Old Fort Nisqually, now perched on a lofty bluff above Tacoma, move twenty-two miles from its original 1843 site in DuPont? Did Eatonville's copper-infused paint inspire the phrase "painting the town red"? Read about the famed Pie Goddess of Enumclaw and about a cookbook compiled by Emma Smith DeVoe of Parkland that included helpful tips from suffragettes. Join author Dorothy Wilhelm, of the television show My Home Town, as she explores these beloved town tales and uncovers the rest of the story.
Tall Tales & Half Truths of Pat Garrett
Part of the American Legends (Arcadia) series
While many lionize Billy the Kid, the man who killed him, Sheriff Patrick Floyd Garrett, has a rarely told but riveting true story all his own. His adventurous life spawned many a far-fetched, exciting legend. In 1896, Garrett's investigation of the still-unsolved murder of Albert J. Fountain on the White Sands led to nothing but a gunfight and a dead deputy. Some say that Garrett faked the details the night the Kid was brought to ultimate justice, while others swear another wannabe hero did him in. In perfect irony, Garrett's own 1908 death is shrouded in mystery. Some report he died by the hand of Billy the Kid himself. Author John LeMay exposes fabricated tales for what they are and focuses on memories long forgotten about Billy the Kid's personal grave digger, Sheriff Pat Garrett.
Legends & Lore Along California's Highway 395
Part of the American Legends (Arcadia) series
Stretching from Victorville to Carson City, Highway 395 offers a snapshot of California's diverse landscapes and oddities. Tales of skinwalkers and Sasquatch sightings flourish among the bones of ghost towns, and stories of the elusive Lone Pine Mountain Devil ignite the curiosity. Far from fiction, the Sierra Phantom lived among the hills for fifty years, and mountaineer Norman Clyde used his skills to find lost hikers and climbers. Rumors of the Lost Cement Mine, with a rich vein of gold, lure people in, and the Tuttle Creek Ashram, built high above Lone Pine, offers peace. Author Brian Clune explores the strange and fascinating side of the majestic mountains and lonely deserts along US 395.
Mysterious Virginia
Part of the American Legends (Arcadia) series
Explore the lore of the Old Dominion.
From colonial-era witches to modern sightings of Bigfoot, the history of the Old Dominion is filled with creepy tales. Cemeteries, battlefields and inns host haunts from Virginia's earliest days. Some appear as corporeal figures, and some as lights or ghostly noises. Delve into the sad and scary stories of patients who still linger in Victorian-era sanatoriums. Unexplained sightings of mysterious creatures, from Bigfoot to werewolves, are widespread in the western part of the state, and Chessie rears her head in the Bay-for the lucky few! Even prominent buildings like the Executive Mansion in Richmond have their own uncanny legends.
Join master storyteller Sherman Carmichael as he tells spooky tales of the Old Dominion.
Mysterious Georgia
Part of the American Legends (Arcadia) series
A plunge into Georgia history offers no shortage of bewilderment. UFOs, haunted bridges, ghost lights and monsters are just a smattering of the unexplained. At the Jekyll Island Club, a bellhop from the Roaring Twenties does his best to stay busy. A bright golden light hovers above the tracks of Macon and Brunswick Railroad, floating toward spectators before it just…turns off. From the obligatory mountain road 'Squatch sightings to Jimmy Carter's eerie encounter in a stand of Leary pines, Sherman Carmichael leads adventurous readers on a quest through baffling Georgia legends.
Historic Tales of Fort Benton
Part of the American Legends (Arcadia) series
"…more romance, tragedy and vigorous life than many a city a hundred times its size and ten times its age." - Historian Hiram M. Chittenden
Deep in the heart of Blackfoot country on the Upper Missouri River, trade relations opened cautiously in 1831. A series of trading posts and clashes followed. By 1846, Fort Benton had become the center of commerce with Indigenous tribes, including the Blackfoot who dubbed it "many houses to the South." Drawing settlers from eastern states, the head of steamboat navigation became known as "the world's innermost port." As a result, the fort became a multicultural melting pot and home to the "Bloodiest Block in the West." Award-winning historian Ken Robison brings to life dramatic sagas of a rapidly developing frontier, from vigilante X. Beidler to the Marias and Ophir Massacres.
Unnatural Ohio
A History of Buckeye Cryptids, Legends & Other Mysteries
Part of the American Legends (Arcadia) series
Strange things are afoot in the Buckeye State
Across city and country, Ohio echoes with tales of creatures, ghosts, and other unexplained phenomena. A monster that appeared to be half man and half dog and wielding a 2-by-4 terrorized a small Northwest Ohio town during the summer of 1972. Over the years, visitors to a quiet Cincinnati suburb claim to have been accosted by a human-size, leathery frogman lurking near the riverbank. For generations, hikers and hunters have reported seeing Bigfoot throughout forests across Ohio, and some of the most notorious and well-documented UFO encounters on record have taken place here.
Authors M. Kristina Smith and Kevin Moore parse urban legends from history as they explore the unnatural side of Ohio's heritage.
Mysterious Michigan
The Lonely Ghost of Minnie Quay, the Marvelous Manifestations of Farmer Riley, the Devil in Detroit
Part of the American Legends (Arcadia) series
Enigmatic mediums, murders, monsters, and more are all part of Michigan's mysterious and sometimes supernatural history.
The will of Detroit's first millionaire, Eber B. Ward, was hotly contested because he took the financial advice of spirits. Marian Spore Bush, Bay City's first female dentist, moved to New York City, where she became a psychic wonder-and a secret philanthropist. Old witchcraft superstitions drove a Mount Morris family insane and caused another man to murder his godmother in Trenton.
Researcher Amberrose Hammond brings to light strange and unusual tales from Michigan's colorful and exciting past.
Legends & Lore of Southwest Virginia
Part of the American Legends (Arcadia) series
Explore the traditional tales of the hills and hollers of southwestern Virginia. From the infamous Black Sisters of Christiansburg to the ghost of the famed Barter Theatre in Abingdon, the region is filled with stories that have haunted residents for decades. The Woodbooger, a local Bigfoot, is said to roam the mountainsides which are also home to many eccentric and inspiring legendary characters, including Molly Tynes, Reverend Robert Sheffey, Napoleon Hill and Cedar Creek Charlie. Authors Melody West and Shane Simmons uncover tales of unique people and places that have seldom been told.
Wisconsin Legends & Lore
Part of the American Legends (Arcadia) series
Wisconsin is a land rich with stories. It was the "mother of all circuses," a place of buried treasure and home to eerie ghosts and monsters. Native American legends, tall tales told at lumberjack camps and taverns, ghostlore and modern urban legends all form the wonderful mythology of the Dairy State. Many know of Rhinelander's famous Hodag, the Beast of Bray Road in Elkhorn, Milwaukee's haunted Pfister Hotel and the Ridgeway Ghost. But few have heard obscure tales like the Christmas Tree Ghost Ship of Two Rivers, the Goatman of Richfield's Hogsback Road and the legend of the Witch's Tower of Whitewater. Author Tea Krulos, an expert in all things strange and unusual, digs up Wisconsin favorites and arcane lore.
Mysterious Georgia
Part of the American Legends (Arcadia) series
A plunge into Georgia history offers no shortage of bewilderment. UFOs, haunted bridges, ghost lights and monsters are just a smattering of the unexplained. At the Jekyll Island Club, a bellhop from the Roaring Twenties does his best to stay busy. A bright golden light hovers above the tracks of Macon and Brunswick Railroad, floating toward spectators before it just... turns off. From the obligatory mountain road 'Squatch sightings to Jimmy Carter's eerie encounter in a stand of Leary pines, Sherman Carmichael leads adventurous readers on a quest through baffling Georgia legends.
Mississippi Legends & Lore
Part of the American Legends (Arcadia) series
The battle for Vicksburg roils still, the outcome of the Union siege undecided as specters reload and carry on. The Pascagoula River sings out in grief, and a three-legged lady stalks a country lane outside Columbus. The Magnolia State is more than antebellum homes, fish camps and the blues. This is a land worthy of its matchless storytellers. Even after being passed back and forth between the Spanish, French and British, the ancient energy of the original inhabitants still reverberates through the region. From forgotten tales of African slaves, once the majority population, to yarns of bloodthirsty backwoodsmen on the Natchez Trace, author Alan Brown goes beyond the bullet points of Mississippi history. The legends often tell a clearer story than anything else.
Maine Book of the Dead
Graveyard Legends and Lore
Part of the American Legends (Arcadia) series
Maine's graveyards contain the ancient memories and last words of woodsmen, lighthouse keepers, inventors, sea captains and the people who called this rugged land home. In an island cemetery rests Tall Barney, a six-foot-seven folk hero who single-handedly took down fifteen men in a Portland bar. Kittery holds the grave for the crew of the doomed ship the Hattie Eaton. Mount Hope Cemetery in Bangor is the final resting place for the famed "Sky Blue Madam" Fanny Jones and Public Enemy No. 1, gangster Al Brady. Camp Etna contains the grave of famed medium Mary Vanderbilt. Dead Man's Gulch in Wales holds many eerie tales of ghosts that refuse to leave. Join renowned author and tour guide Roxie Zwicker as she explores Maine's historic and legendary graveyards.
Supernatural Lore of Pennsylvania
Ghosts, Monsters and Miracles
Part of the American Legends (Arcadia) series
Strange creatures and tales of the supernatural thrive in Pennsylvania, from ghostly children who linger by their graves to werewolves that ambush nighttime travelers. Passed down over generations, Keystone State legends and lore provide both thrilling stories and dire warnings. Phantom trains chug down the now removed rails of the P&LE Railroad line on the Great Allegheny Passage. A wild ape boy is said to roam the Chester swamps, while the weeping Squonk wanders the hemlock-shrouded hills of central Pennsylvania, lamenting his hideousness. On dark nights, the ghosts of Betty Knox and her Union soldier beau still search for each other at Dunbar Creek. Join Thomas White and company as they go in search of the truth behind the legends of supernatural Pennsylvania.
Legends and Lore of Birmingham & Central Alabama
Part of the American Legends (Arcadia) series
From Jasper to Selma to Hoover, central Alabama is bursting at the seams with unique stories and legendary characters. Read about the Goat Man, the famous wandering traveler who wrestled a bear, narrowly avoided being lynched by the Ku Klux Klan, was pronounced dead and taken to the morgue and later became an ordained preacher. Learn the story of the Alabama White Thang, a seven-foot-tall creature covered in white hair that has appeared all over the region. Be charmed by Fred, the Rockford town dog that became everyone's best friend and had his fifteen minutes of fame on Animal Planet. Author Beverly Crider brings the most bizarre facets of the Alabama spirit to life with dozens of strange stories in central Alabama.
Legends and Lore of the Mississippi Golden Gulf Coast
Part of the American Legends (Arcadia) series
The story of the Mississippi Golden Gulf Coast can't be told without a few tall tales--pirates, buried treasure, ghosts and colorful characters pepper its diverse past. From incredible stories of the pirate Jean Lafitte to iconic legends like Barq's Root Beer, travel from Bay St. Louis to Biloxi and every nook and cranny in between to discover the legends and lore of Mississippi's Golden Gulf Coast. Local historian Edmond Boudreaux explores this exciting history, recounting the fantastic tales that launch the reader into the past and create a truly captivating history.
Lore & True Tales in Mormon Country Legends
Part of the American Legends (Arcadia) series
Utah's Mormon Pioneer National Heritage Area offers breathtaking natural resources, powerful historical drama and intriguing cultural traditions. This rich legacy is built on old-world values of cooperation, industry, ingenuity and true grit-as well as a miracle or two. From frontier justice and lost treasure to the lasting contributions of a Presbyterian minister and a Jewish settlement, talented regional historians, educators and storytellers bring to life these legends, lore and true tales from the heart of Mormon country.
Lore and Secrets of New England Legends
Part of the American Legends (Arcadia) series
New England's history is marked with witch executions, curses and an untold number of cemeteries hiding mysteries beneath their stones. In this sometimes harsh landscape, the truth is often stranger than fiction. Examine the footprints burned into the ledge of Devil's Foot Rock in Rhode Island. Spend a night at the Kennebunk Inn in Maine, where the mischievous specter of Silas Perkins still resides. Traverse an old dirt road near Sterling, Connecticut, where the Darn Man's frozen body was uncovered in 1863. Authors Thomas D'Agostino and Arlene Nicholson uncover the history behind the region's best-kept secrets and lore. As you flip through these pages of New England's legends, tread lightly--you just might find a story that will follow you home.
Framingham Legends & Lore
Part of the American Legends (Arcadia) series
Just hours after the "shot heard 'round the world" marked the start of the American Revolution, the news from Lexington set alarm bells ringing in Framingham. Minutemen from the town rushed along the road to Concord to help cut off the retreat of British troops. In Salem, where dozens of women were accused of witchcraft, Framingham's founder, Thomas Danforth, helped to end the hysteria and afterward provided sanctuary in Framingham for the families of the wrongfully accused. Staring down the barrels of British guns in Boston, Framingham native Crispus Attucks was one of the first to die for American independence. Though rarely in the foreground of history, Framingham pops up again and again as a backdrop to our nation's great historic episodes. With tales of pirate gold, hypnotized evangelists, blundering spies and bravery in battle, this captivating collection of historical episodes sets Framingham squarely in the spotlight.
Pacific Northwest Legends & Lore
Part of the American Legends (Arcadia) series
With its sweeping vistas and rugged beauty, the Pacific Northwest is a natural setting for the extraordinary. Strange tales of paranormal phenomena and other wild stories thrive among the trees and waterways, including sightings of Bigfoot, werewolves, and other mysterious cryptids. Is there a curse tied to the worst streetcar disaster in Tacoma--and America--that resulted in 44 deaths? Rumor has it that a model carved from the wooden remains of the crash claimed at least three more lives. A tree stump in Crater Lake is said to have power over the weather, and Terrible Tilly, a lighthouse on Tillamook Head, claimed several victims both before and after it was built.
Author and historian Ira Wesley Kitmacher explores the mysterious side of the Pacific Northwest.
Tall Tales & Half Truths of Pat Garrett
Part of the American Legends (Arcadia) series
While many lionize Billy the Kid, the man who killed him, Sheriff Patrick Floyd Garrett, has a rarely told but riveting true story all his own. His adventurous life spawned many a far-fetched, exciting legend. In 1896, Garrett's investigation of the still-unsolved murder of Albert J. Fountain on the White Sands led to nothing but a gunfight and a dead deputy. Some say that Garrett faked the details the night the Kid was brought to ultimate justice, while others swear another wannabe hero did him in. In perfect irony, Garrett's own 1908 death is shrouded in mystery. Some report he died by the hand of Billy the Kid himself. Author John LeMay exposes fabricated tales for what they are and focuses on memories long forgotten about Billy the Kid's personal grave digger, Sheriff Pat Garrett.
Legends and Lore of the Hudson Highlands
Part of the American Legends (Arcadia) series
The Hudson Highlands launched revolutions of independence, industry and creativity, and have long enchanted artists and hikers with countless mysteries that still thrive in the area.
Leni-Lenape legend told of an ancient giant slumbering between Storm King and Breakneck Ridge. During the Revolution, George Washington saved the new nation from a military coup by donning glasses. The ghost of the twice-hanged pirate William Kidd returns to secluded caves and hamlets in the Highlands to guard his treasure. Professional storyteller Jonathan Kruk unveils a treasure of stories of the historic, mysterious and colorful Hudson Highlands.
Tennessee Legends and Lore
Part of the American Legends (Arcadia) series
Tennessee history is steeped in local folklore passed from one generation to the next. Learn about the bloody exploits of America's first serial killers, the Harpe brothers. Meet the ghost of a little girl who haunts the Orpheum Theatre. Find out if the
Lore & True Tales of the Chattahoochee Legends
Part of the American Legends (Arcadia) series
The Chattahoochee Trace in southeast Alabama and west Georgia is steeped in Native, African and early American tradition--stories often deeply rooted in folklore. Unusual beasts such as the Kolowa, the Wampus Cat and even Bigfoot roam the area. Crossroads magic, hoodoo and Huggin' Molly make their homes in the storied region. The Native American trickster rabbit, the Nunnehi Cherokee watchers, the tales of the Indian mounds and the saga of Brookside Drive are forever etched in Chattahoochee lore. From the Creek wars to Indian removal and Sherman's March to the Sea, the legends of "the Hooch" have left an indelible mark on Georgia and Alabama. Join author Michelle Smith as she reveals many of the strange creatures and myths that sing "the Song of the Chattahoochee."
Legends & Lore of Somerset County
Knitting Betty, the Great Swamp Devil and More Tales from Central New Jersey
Part of the American Legends (Arcadia) series
Many have heard the legend of the Jersey Devil of the Pine Barrens, but what about his relative in Somerset County? The Great Swamp Devil was captured by an American Patriot, terrorized a Victorian family and was rediscovered by Depression-era adventurers. Clearly, Somerset County has a rich oral tradition filled with a folklore all its own. An encounter with the Dead River Witch of Liberty Corner is linked with the unsolved disappearance of a nine-year-old girl. Alleged Revolutionary War spy John Honeyman never stopped telling tall tales about himself, even after his death. The Pluckemin orbs--more than six thousand years old--frightened Native Americans, intrigued artists and still defy explanation. Discover these and other legends from Somerset County, New Jersey.
Urban Legends & Historic Lore Of Washington, D.C.
Part of the American Legends (Arcadia) series
A carving of General Lee on the back of the Lincoln monument, the birth of lobbying at the Willard Hotel, a romantic gesture that built the distinctive homes of Capitol Hill--these are legends of Washington, D.C. The capital is home to all manner of colorful rumors and tall tales. According to local lore, the missing J Street was L'Enfant's snub to Supreme Court justice John Jay, and the course of history could have been changed if only a young baseball player named Fidel Castro had accepted a contract with the Washington Senators. In search of the truth behind these legends and more, local guide and writer Robert S. Pohl takes readers on a tour of the historic lore and urban legends that surround the monuments, neighborhood streets and even the Metro stations of Washington, D.C.
Legends and Lore of the North Shore
Part of the American Legends (Arcadia) series
For over three hundred years, stories of witches, sea serpents and pirates have amazed and terrified residents of Massachusetts's North Shore. In the summer of 1692, phantom men were spotted in the fields of Gloucester. Farther north, "A" marks the spot for pirate treasure in the marshes of Newbury, while to the east, full moons might bring out the werewolf of Dogtown. The devil himself has burned his mark on the boulder-strewn landscape, while shaggy humanoids have been sighted loping along the coast. From Boston to New Hampshire, Massachusetts's North Shore is filled with remarkable stories and legendary characters. Join author Peter Muise and discover the North Shore's uncanny legends and tales of the paranormal.
Legends & Lore of Cape Cod
Part of the American Legends (Arcadia) series
Cape Cod has a rich tradition of local lore, stretching back to a time before the Pilgrims arrived. Ancient Wampanoag legends like Granny Squannit and Princess Scargo are as familiar as tales of pirates and explorers, including "Black Sam" Bellamy and Donald Baxter Macmillan. Felines often blocked "Cat's Alley" in pursuit of food from fishermen's boats. The remnants of Billingsgate Island can be seen at low tide, and visits from Jenny Lind and Helen Keller contrast with the mysterious stories of the "Lady of the Dunes" and New England's Dark Day. Author Robin Smith-Johnson shares historic tales of shipwrecks, murders, hauntings and more from the Cape.
Legends & Lore Of Western Pennsylvania
Part of the American Legends (Arcadia) series
Oppaymolleah's curse. General Braddock's buried gold. The Original Man of Steel, Joe Magarac. Such legends have found a home among the rich folklore of Western Pennsylvania. Thomas White spins a beguiling yarn with tales that reach from the misty hollows of the Alleghenies to the lost islands of Pittsburgh. White invites readers to learn the truth behind the urban legend of the Green Man, speculate on the conspiracy surrounding the lost B-25 bomber of Monongahela and shiver over the ghostly lore of Western Pennsylvania.
New Mexico Book of the Undead
Goblin & Ghoul Folklore
Part of the American Legends (Arcadia) series
New Mexico is a land of shadow and mystery. From the old coal mines near Raton and the isolation of Isleta Pueblo to the peaks of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and beyond, ghouls and spirits lie in wait. Witches transform into vampire bats, werewolves howl and the undead rise with the light of the moon. La Llorona walks the banks of rivers and roads, her legendary and mournful cries terrifying any who cross her path. They are stories passed down by the fearless Comancheros, devoted Franciscan monks, fierce ciboleros and others to the present day as warnings of the evil in the world. In a captivating exploration of New Mexico's most fearful tales, Ray John de Aragon recounts stories from the state's rich and spine-chilling cultural folklore.
Mississippi Folk and the Tales They Tell
Myths, Legends and Bald-Faced Lies
Part of the American Legends (Arcadia) series
From the hills to the coast, the people of Mississippi have stories to tell. Most would never guess that Raleigh, Mississippi, once played host to the National Tobacco Spitting Contest. Over in Okolona, children are told of the man who lived - and died - deep down in a hole and scared passersby. From the gandy dancers who built the first train tracks in Mississippi to the eight-foot-tall man who lived in the woods of Columbia, read tales that range from common myth to a good bit of righteous gossip. Author and storyteller Diane Williams traveled across the Magnolia State to gather these local legends and has compiled them into an inquisitive, laugh-out-loud collection.
Central New York & The Finger Lakes
Myths, Legends & Lore
Part of the American Legends (Arcadia) series
With this series of tales, local author and longtime storyteller Melanie Zimmer helps us discover the people and places of Central New York and the Finger Lakes region. Whether interested in the Revolutionary War or the founding of the Mormon Church, Zimmer brings the heart of upstate New York to vibrant life. From delightful stories recounting the exploits of the legendary Red McCarthy and the creation myths of the Iroquois to heroic tales of Harriet Tubman and the underground railroad, Central New York & the Finger Lakes: Myths, Legends & Lore is sure to please both the seasoned historian and the casual reader.
Lore and Secrets of Western New York Legends
by Lorna MacDonald Czarnota
Part of the American Legends (Arcadia) series
Like the region's first inhabitants, the 'Cat People,' who made clothing from the mountain lions and panthers that they hunted, Western New Yorkers still savor the tradition of storytelling. Tales such as the 'Mail-Riding Mamma' of Chautauqua County, who carried both the post and her infant child above her head as she journeyed across perilously flooded creeks, and the Ossian Giant, who at age nineteen stood seven feet, six inches tall and weighed 385 pounds, are vividly narrated by Buffalo storyteller Lorna MacDonald Czarnota. Listen to the whispered legends of spirits, heroes and traitors hidden in one of New York's most captivating regions.
Legends And Lore Of Lake Ontario
by Susan Peterson Gateley
Part of the American Legends (Arcadia) series
Named by the Hurons, "Ontario" means "Lake of Shining Waters." Beneath this gleaming surface, though, the easternmost of the Great Lakes hides enigmas from thousands of years of history. Ghosts linger on the surface, and monsters swim below, frightening sailors on the water. Smugglers used Lake Ontario during the War of 1812 and Prohibition and continue to do so today--Ontario's darkness providing the cover needed to elude law enforcement. With this collection of lore, local author Susan Peterson Gateley tracks down the real Maid of the Mist and investigates the meaning behind the names Soup Harbor, Sheba Island and the Devil's Nose. Join Gateley as she delves deep below the waves to uncover these and other legends, lore and secrets from Lake Ontario.
Legends and Lost Treasure of Northern Ohio
Part of the American Legends (Arcadia) series
Unearth the history behind northern Ohio's best treasure tales, from sunken ships to misplaced spoils of war. Encounter a cast of characters as rich as any secret hoard, such as the notorious gangster John Dillinger, who left a trail of robbed banks, dead bodies and buried loot across the northwest stretch of the state. Read about the disaster that befell the "G.P. Griffith," the tragic massacre of a family for money and the Ohio counterfeiters who plagued the nation. But tread cautiously in your treasure hunt--Mad Anthony Wayne's gold is said to be jealously guarded by a dark, ghostly figure..
Legends & Lore of East Tennessee
Part of the American Legends (Arcadia) series
The mountains of East Tennessee are chock full of unique folklore passed down through generations. Locals spin age-old yarns of legends like Davy Crockett, Daniel Boone and Dragging Canoe. Stories of snake-handling churches and the myths behind the death crown superstitions dot the landscape. The mysteries surrounding the Sensabaugh Tunnel still haunt residents. Author Shane Simmons explores tales of bravery, lore and bizarre customs within the East Tennessee region.
Missouri Ozarks Legends & Lore
Part of the American Legends (Arcadia) series
A crossroads energy is the heart and soul of the Missouri Ozarks, where earthquakes, monster lore and UFO sightings are as familiar as limestone bluffs along historic Route 66. When Momo the Missouri Monster materialized amid auditory phenomena and UFO sightings, mayhem consumed a sleepy river town. The Joplin Spook Light has appeared nightly for more than a century. At sunset, park guards at the legendary Zombie Road turn away ghost hunters for their own good. Learn about how historic earthquakes reversed the flow of the Mississippi River. See Missouri native Mark Twain's lifelong interest in the paranormal following a lucid prophetic dream.
Georgia Legends & Lore
Part of the American Legends (Arcadia) series
Settle in for a juicy bushel of Peach State bafflement.
Turn a metaphorical shovel of red Georgia clay to find a world teeming with inexplicable, head-scratching mystery. The legends here predate the state's founding by hundreds of years, when Native people settled in and began grappling with the land. Now treasure hunters ply Civil War sites for the Confederacy's lost treasure, spectral soldiers galloping nearby. Hairy beasts lope through dark woods, the night sky above bustling with disconcerting activity like the UFO once spotted by Jimmy Carter. In this Georgia, psychics help convict murderers. The super strict and thoroughly deceased former owner of Savannah's Telfair Museum punishes rule breakers, and a 10-foot 'squatch emits a pungent stench at Minnehaha Falls. Join folklorist Alan Brown on a jaunt through the most confounding elements of Georgia's long history.