3 Legends of the Smoky Mountains
When you venture into the deep hills of the Smoky Mountains you will feel how deep its roots run. The mountain tops and valleys are filled to the brim with old tales that your grandmother grew up hearing and if you’re going to be staying in these hallowed hills, even just for a week, knowing some of these stories will make you appreciate the land even more.
1. The Legend of Perry Shults
Perry Shults was an Appalachian native. He fought in the Civil War and when he came home, supposedly, he made it big! Perry struck gold, literally. He found a gold mine in Greenbrier Cove, near Webb creek, and began to dig. Some say that he dug so far that he ran into other miners, mining on the other side of the mountain.
Now, Perry had a friend who dug alongside him and this friend used to work for the United States Mint. He had lost his job when he stole some gold coin reproduction plates and fled to the Smoky Mountains. When these two unlikely acquaintances met they struck a bargain, Perry would produce the gold and his friend would counterfeit it.
As the legend goes, the Treasury Department soon got wind of Perry’s schemes and so he fled. However, before he left, Perry tossed the rest of his gold into Pigeon River where some say it still lies, sunk to the bottom in a locked chest, waiting for a lucky soul to discover it.
2. Lucy and The Roaring Fork Motor Trail
In the early 1900’s a young man by the name of Foster was riding his horse one foggy winter night down The Roaring Fork Motor Trail when he came across a strange sight. A girl was walking the road just a few paces ahead of him and she was barefoot. Concerned for her safety he offered her a ride home on his horse. The girl smiled, told him her name was Lucy, and agreed.
Foster took the girl home but couldn’t get her out of his head. Smitten by her charm and beauty he returned the next day to ask after her, only to be greeted by a surprised family. They informed him that Lucy had died several years before during a fire on the farm.
Since that night others have also claimed to see visions of the girl, walking barefoot and smiling kindly, but also a bit hauntingly. If you venture out that way, you too might be able to spot the ghost of a girl who once lived in these hills.
3. Yanu Unadada
The Cherokee were the first people to live in The Smoky Mountains and they knew the land well. One of the oldest stories that has been passed down from generation to generation is the tale of Yanu Unadada. Yanu translates to ‘bear’ and refers to the black bears that roam the hills.
According to legend, the bears of the Smoky Mountains knew of a special place, invisible to the human eye. It was a pool where animals could go and heal themselves after being wounded. It was like the fountain of youth for creatures great and small.
There are several Cherokee tales that describe a similar place, leading one to wonder, what if there really is a secret pool that we will never see but that has the magic ability to heal the sick?
There are many other legends that add to the mystery of the Smokies. If you plan to come see it for yourself then check out these cabins here!