There are places in the South where time feels suspended, where history and memory cling to the air. Some are ghost towns swallowed by forest. Others are ridgelines where mysterious lights still dance in the night. And then, there are places where the haunting is not supernatural at all—but emotional.
For many who grew up vacationing along the Grand Strand, Myrtle Beach’s Pavilion Amusement Park was one such place. Its demolition in 2006 marked not just the end of a landmark, but the fading of an era.
A Different Kind of Ghost Story
The Pavilion wasn’t haunted in the traditional sense. But ask anyone who remembers it, and you’ll hear the same tone of voice reserved for lost loves and childhood summers.
Before: Myrtle Beach felt safer, lighter, and built on tradition. The sound of carnival rides echoed down Ocean Boulevard. The air carried the smell of popcorn, cotton candy, and sea salt. Families made memories that stretched across generations.
After: The rides fell silent. The skyline changed. Progress came in the form of bulldozers, parking lots, and new developments. For many, the Pavilion’s absence felt like a wound—and in its place, Myrtle Beach became a city chasing profit over nostalgia.
This is its own kind of haunting. Not one of spirits, but of memories that linger like ghost lights across the sand.
From Dymond City to Myrtle Beach: The Loss of Place
In our Haunted North Carolina series, we’ve looked at places like Dymond City, a vanished lumber town whose spirit is said to reveal itself as flickering lanterns in the woods. The Brown Mountain Lights glow on mountain ridges. The Maco Light once swayed on phantom rail lines.
Though Myrtle Beach’s Pavilion doesn’t carry ghostly orbs or lantern-bearing phantoms, the sense of loss is eerily similar. A place that once carried life, laughter, and memory is now gone—and in its absence, we are haunted by what once was.
Why We Remember
Whether it’s a ghost town in the mountains or a demolished amusement park on the coast, these stories matter. They remind us of who we were and what we valued. They ask us to reflect on whether we’re honoring our past—or paving over it for something shinier and more profitable.
Places like the Pavilion—and towns like Dymond City—teach us that history isn’t only found in books. It’s in popcorn-scented air, in the glow of neon rides, in the unexplained lights that still flicker through North Carolina’s hills. When those places vanish, we carry their echoes forward, because some part of them refuses to die.
This blog combines history, folklore, and personal reflection. The stories of ghost lights and hauntings are drawn from oral tradition and reported experiences, while commentary on Myrtle Beach reflects personal perspective and cultural observation. No claims are made against any individual, business, or municipality. Readers are encouraged to view these narratives as part of our shared cultural memory.
About the Author
A.L. Childers is a Southern writer and storyteller who explores the spaces where history and folklore overlap. From the haunted hills of North Carolina to the lost landmarks of Myrtle Beach, her work blends research, nostalgia, and cultural insight. She believes the past never truly disappears—it lingers in memories, in legends, and sometimes, in the faint glow of ghostly lights.
Her upcoming book, Phantoms in the Pines: The Ghost Lights and Legends of North Carolina, will dive deeper into the state’s most mysterious stories, from vanished towns to unexplained phenomena.
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There are places in North Carolina where the past refuses to stay buried, where history and folklore blur into something stranger. One of those places lies just outside Jamesville in Martin County—a vanished timber town known as Dymond City, whose story didn’t end when its buildings burned and its people moved on. In the thick woods along Dymond Hill Road, travelers whisper of ghost lights that still dance in the dark, as if the town itself has a spirit unwilling to let go.
From Timber to Ashes: The Rise and Fall of Dymond City
Dymond City came to life in the late 19th century. The Jamesville and Washington Railroad and Lumber Company, formed in 1868, bought vast tracts of virgin forest in eastern North Carolina. By 1877, the “J & W Line” was complete, carrying timber, freight, and passengers. A community quickly formed—complete with a hotel, school, company store, and rows of houses for the workers.
By the early 1920s, the trees were nearly gone, stripped bare by years of logging. Newer railroads bypassed the area, and the lifeblood of the town drained away. The final blow came in April 1927, when a fire consumed much of what remained: the hotel, the school, and many homes. With its purpose gone and its heart burned out, Dymond City slowly faded. By the 1930s, the railroad tracks were pulled up, the land reclaimed, and the town itself erased from the map.
Except, of course, for the lights.
The Ghost Lights: What People Still See
As the town disappeared, stories began to surface. Travelers on the old road swore they saw lantern-like orbs moving through the woods, bobbing as though carried by invisible hands. Others described blue and orange fireballs, sometimes floating 10–15 feet above the ground, bouncing along the ghostly path where the railroad once ran.
Some believe the lights are the spirits of railroad workers still patrolling their tracks, unwilling to abandon their posts.
Others think they are the very soul of Dymond City, manifesting in flickers of flame to remind the world it once existed.
A few warn that the lights draw closer if you watch too long—that if you see them, you’d better run.
Reports place the lights most often near Dymond Hill Road off NC 171, about ten miles south of Jamesville, a quiet stretch where shadows gather thick and the woods seem alive with memory.
Folklore in Context: Other Lights of North Carolina
Dymond City’s mystery is not alone. North Carolina has long been a state of ghostly lanterns and spectral flames:
The Brown Mountain Lights in Burke County have baffled scientists and storytellers for over a century, glowing on mountaintops in hues of white, orange, and blue.
The Maco Light near Wilmington once terrified railroad passengers until the tracks were torn up in the 1970s. Locals swore it was the ghost of a signalman, decapitated in a wreck, forever swinging his lantern.
These stories, like that of Dymond City, mix history with haunting, creating a folklore tapestry as much cultural as it is supernatural.
History That Refuses to Fade
What we know for certain:
1868: Jamesville & Washington Railroad and Lumber Company established.
1877: Rail line completed, Dymond City begins to thrive.
1920s: Timber exhausted, population dwindles.
April 1927: Fire destroys much of the town.
1930s: Railroad tracks removed; town abandoned.
What we don’t know:
When exactly the first reports of the lights began.
Whether the lights are natural—swamp gas, reflections, electrical phenomena—or something that science cannot explain.
Why so many accounts are eerily consistent, decade after decade, of lantern-like orbs moving where no lanterns should be.
Why These Stories Matter
The ghost lights of Dymond City are more than just a spooky tale. They are a reminder that places, like people, have souls. When a town rises, thrives, and then is erased, its story doesn’t always vanish with it. Sometimes it lingers—flickering on the edge of sight, waiting for someone to remember.
Dymond City is just one of North Carolina’s haunted places. From ghost towns to forgotten railroads, from spectral soldiers to phantom hitchhikers, our state is full of stories that refuse to die.
And perhaps this is just the beginning. There are more hauntings, more whispers, more mysteries still to share.
Dymond City may have burned down nearly a century ago, but its spirit still glows in the Carolina night. And this story is only one chapter in a much larger book—one that gathers the haunted places of North Carolina, the ghost towns swallowed by forests, and the lights and shadows that still move when the living aren’t looking.
If you’ve ever felt the thrill of a ghost story whispered in the dark, you’ll want to keep reading. Because Dymond City’s lights are just the beginning.
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Disclaimer
This blog is for informational and storytelling purposes only. The historical details have been drawn from available sources, while the paranormal accounts are based on folklore, oral tradition, and reported experiences. Interpretations of ghostly activity are subjective, and readers are encouraged to view these stories as part of North Carolina’s cultural heritage.
About the Author
A.L. Childers is a storyteller, researcher, and author who brings history to life through the lens of folklore, mystery, and lived experience. With a passion for uncovering forgotten stories—from hidden towns to whispered hauntings—Childers writes with warmth, depth, and curiosity. Her work invites readers to step into the shadows of history and consider what lingers just beyond the veil.
When she isn’t writing about ghostly lights or mysterious legends, she is creating books that blend culture, spirituality, history, and personal insight. Her upcoming work explores the hauntings of North Carolina in full detail, connecting the state’s past with the eerie tales that still captivate us today.
Deep in the winding hollers and misty peaks of the Appalachian Mountains, there lives more than just breathtaking beauty. The region is steeped in Appalachian folklore, ghost stories, cryptid legends, and dark tales passed down for generations. From eerie whispers of supernatural creatures to chilling campfire stories that make the hair on your arms stand up, Appalachia has long been a treasure trove of mystery and fear.
That’s exactly why I wrote Nightmare Legends: Monsters and Dark Tales of the Appalachian Region—a horror folklore anthology that brings these stories together in one haunting collection.
From cryptids like the Mothman and the Flatwoods Monster to shadowy figures that lurk deep in the woods, the Appalachians are crawling with entities that defy explanation. Locals still swear by their encounters, and these stories are more than just entertainment—they are warnings and cultural markers of a land where survival has always depended on listening to both the people and the land.
📖 Appalachian Horror Stories & Dark Tales
This book isn’t just a retelling of the same legends you’ve heard before. It dives into 50 chilling stories that bring together the most spine-tingling Appalachian horror stories and lesser-known dark tales from Appalachia that rarely make it into mainstream collections. Every story is crafted to keep you turning pages late into the night, questioning what is real and what belongs to the supernatural.
🕯 Appalachian Ghost Stories & Folklore
Hauntings are woven into the very fabric of mountain life. From Appalachian ghost stories about spirits wandering old homesteads to mysterious lights in the forest that can’t be explained, this book pulls you into a world where folklore is just as alive as the people telling it. The folklore and legends of Appalachia are not just tales—they’re part of the culture, passed down as lessons, warnings, and shared fears.
💀 Why Nightmare Legends Belongs on Your Shelf
If you love:
Supernatural folklore books that go beyond the surface,
Scary Appalachian stories that chill you to the bone,
Appalachian cryptid legends like you’ve never heard before,
Or simply want a horror folklore anthology that blends culture, mystery, and storytelling…
…then this book is for you.
What makes it so great? It’s authentic, rooted in regional history, and packed with 50 unique tales you won’t find anywhere else. Whether you’re a fan of folklore, horror, or supernatural history, this collection will keep you captivated from start to finish.
📚 About the Author
I’m A.L. Childers, a storyteller with a lifelong fascination for folklore, history, and the supernatural. Growing up in the South, I was surrounded by tales that blurred the line between myth and truth. Nightmare Legends: Monsters and Dark Tales of the Appalachian Region is my way of preserving those Appalachian voices and passing them on to new readers.
🎃 Why You Should Purchase It
50 spine-chilling tales in one collection.
A must-have for fans of Appalachian folklore books and supernatural horror anthologies.
Perfect for Halloween reading, campfire nights, or collectors of folklore.
A journey into the mystery, fear, and wonder of Appalachia like never before.
Step into the shadows of the Appalachian Mountains—if you dare.
✨ Nightmare Legends: Monsters and Dark Tales of the Appalachian Region is available now on Amazon. Add it to your shelf and discover why these stories still echo through the mountains today.
The Appalachian Mountains have always been more than just a breathtaking landscape. Beneath their misty peaks and shadowy valleys lies a legacy of monsters, dark folklore, and spine-chilling tales passed down for generations. My book, Nightmare Legends: Monsters and Dark Tales of the Appalachian Region (A.L. Childers, 2023), captures this haunting heritage in 50 unforgettable stories that blur the line between myth and reality.
Folklore is the heartbeat of Appalachia, and nowhere else will you find such eerie legends, ghostly encounters, and terrifying creatures woven so deeply into daily life. This book isn’t just a collection of scary stories—it’s a journey into:
Local Monsters: From cryptids that stalk the hollers to unexplainable creatures whispered about in mountain towns.
Dark Tales & Lore: Supernatural stories that combine mystery, fear, and the region’s cultural roots.
The Appalachian Spirit: A place where faith, superstition, and survival intertwine—and where every shadow could hide a secret.
What makes it compelling? These stories are not just entertainment—they are oral history, warnings, and proof of the Appalachian people’s deep connection to the land.
👻 Why Readers Can’t Put It Down
If you love:
Folklore anthologies like those by Alvin Schwartz (Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark),
Regional ghost stories with deep cultural roots,
Or simply the thrill of the unknown…
…then this book will keep you turning pages late into the night. Readers have said it feels like sitting around a fire hearing real-life accounts of the supernatural—the kind of stories that stay with you long after the last page.
🖤 Why You Should Buy This Book
50 chilling tales you won’t find anywhere else.
Perfect for Halloween nights, campfire storytelling, or late-night reading.
A deep dive into the mystery and magic of Appalachian culture.
Makes a unique gift for fans of horror, folklore, or the supernatural.
If you’re searching for something that goes beyond cookie-cutter horror and taps into the soul of Appalachia, this is the book for you.
📚 About the Author
I’m A.L. Childers, a writer with a passion for exploring the intersection of folklore, history, and the supernatural. Growing up in the American South, I was surrounded by stories passed down through family and community—tales that were as much a part of our culture as Sunday dinners and front porch swings.
Nightmare Legends was born from my fascination with the Appalachian region and its chilling oral traditions. I believe these stories deserve to be preserved, celebrated, and shared with anyone brave enough to read them.
⚠️ Disclaimer
The stories in Nightmare Legends: Monsters and Dark Tales of the Appalachian Region are drawn from folklore, cultural accounts, and regional storytelling traditions. While they capture the mystique and mystery of Appalachian legends, they are not intended as verified historical accounts. Readers should approach them as folklore—part history, part imagination, and all intrigue.
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horror folklore anthology
✨ Ready to face the shadows? Nightmare Legends: Monsters and Dark Tales of the Appalachian Region is available now—step inside the Appalachian night if you dare.
Fundamentally, handshaking is a sign of courtesy. This custom started in medieval times. The history of the handshake dates back to the 5th century B.C. in Greece but its origins are somewhat murky. Many believe that it began as a symbol of peace, good faith when making an oath or promise and showing that neither person was carrying a weapon. Some even suggest that the up-and-down motion of the handshake was supposed to dislodge any knives or daggers that might be hidden up a sleeve.
Handshakes basically are a form of nonverbal communication.
Much like sniffing, both parties in a handshake are exchanging sensory information about each other. Some people will try to portray certain qualities in a handshake or show their dominance.
There is a societal expectation or pressure that has been created where people feel obligated to accept someone’s handshake.
If you decline or ignore the handshake — the other party may take a defensive stance, feel as if it was a snub, think you’re an awkward person, they may also think you are a germ phobic or that your are just being rude. This can also leave an unfriendly first impression due to the response of denying the handshake conveyed.
This kind of pressure has simply created an extra unnecessary ongoing source of stress for myself over the years.
My main reason for declining something as simple as a handshake is more than just mere germs or to see who has a dominate firm grip.
It’s Spiritual attachments or possessions. People who are aware that there are other things in this world that are “preying”, planting and trying to seduce.
These non-crossed over spirits human or not, will attach themselves to your energy field for the purpose of using your energy and or manipulating your behavior to serve themselves.
Some spirit attachments can actually be friendly, lost individuals who have inadvertently attached themselves as a means to get energy, not realizing it is actually harmful, but others can attach maliciously and intentionally harmful. Spiritual attachment or possession can affect people in many different ways.
When a person, a human being, freely chooses to be possessed completely by a demon or Satan himself, forever.
The ties to God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit are completely severed and cannot be repaired.
It is not often that a person who has passed through the three stages of possession chooses perfect possession.
It is more common that a person who chooses perfect possession has either become a practicing Satanist or has made the decision with their own free will prior to the possession.
They may want to choose it for wealth, power, influence or other reasons.
But they choose it and give their lives over completely at that time.
The Holy Spirit warns us not to get anywhere near that body occupied by Satan.
Once a person has completely given over to the Devil, he/she controls the perfectly possessed person’s body, mind and soul, and ‘lives’ through them, controlling every minute of their life until they die. Only then is that person beyond god’s help but don’t fret there are sources to help those who want to be helped.
Here is a link to contact for help. I can’t speak for their work but it is a beginning and I am not affiliated with them in no way.
We (GITUK) and ( Thehyppothyroidismchick.com) will not be held responsible for death or injury, or increased activity, possession or any other type of unexplained activity that occurs to you or other persons or to your property you conduct the cleansing in. This page is for information only.
If you carry out a cleansing following the information contained in this page or theirs, you do so, ENTIRELEY, at your own risk.
We fully recommend that you do not cleanse your own home. Get reputable help from a reputable medium, or priest.
The method that causes me the least stress, by far, is to place my right hand over my heart and nod once while smiling. This gesture is simple and friendly, and it allows me to take charge of my side of the introduction by showing the other person how I am comfortable interacting. I’ve found that people who have extended a hand to shake mine are quick to “switch gears” (in the friendly sense!) when I set this example.
Before I began using the hand-over-heart gesture, people would often interpret my discomfort at shaking hands as many things. With the best of intentions, these people would then try to find some other innocent way to touch me in greeting: a fist bump, a touch to the arm, or even a hug! Since these forms of contact are as unpleasant to me as handshakes, they caused me to show similar tension in response, and I’m afraid that my reaction reaffirmed any unfriendly first impression that my response to the handshake conveyed.
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