Said to roam Noland Creek Trail and Whiteside Mountain, Spearfinger may be one of the creepiest Cherokee folklore traditions.You might want to stay clear of these haunted places in the Smoky Mountains as Spearfinger is one frightening spirit to encounter. "Boa msica, rango legal, esconderijo perfeito!" A watermill that remains in Cades Cove. Located at Whiteside Mountain in nearby North Carolina, The Devil's Courthouse, like several other haunted places in the Smoky Mountains, makes for a great day trip for guests staying in Gatlinburg cabin rentals which lie around 2 hours from one of the oldest haunted places in the Smokies. She holds a degree in English, and has worked in the digital marketing realm with companies such as Apartments.com, USA Today and HarperCollins Publishing. The Smoky Mountains has several spooky cemeteries that vacationers eager for a scare can add to their list of haunted places in the Smokies to visit. 2023 Copyright Gatlinburg Haunts. Haunted is a haunted house located near Lamar Alexander Parkway. guests staying in Gatlinburg cabin rentals, How to Plan a Weekend Getaway for Couples in Pigeon Forge, Best Meals to Cook on Vacation in the Smoky Mountains, Additional information regarding your stay. on a check box to the left of an item to select. If you have a future reservation and haven't completed the Express Check-In, please send your confirmation number and email used for the reservation to reservations@cabinusa.com to request an invitation to complete the process. for consideration. Gatlinburg cabins and Pigeon Forge cabin rentals in the Great Smoky Mountains in Tennessee. Cades Cove is a very old part of the Smoky Mountains and it's not surprising that there are so many stories to come out of this area. She could appear as another child, a friend, an animal. Today some people say they can spot her up the building's old staircase on the second floor. The wealthy resort-goers pleasure cabins stand empty. They describe this woman as a ghost apparition who appears in full form or just her face. If you go on a hike in a quiet part of the park, it's easy to become spooked by a sudden sound by some unseen animal. Mavis Estep and her husband Basil lived in a quaint two-room cabin along the Whistling Branch stream. Many people claim Elkmont is one of the eeriest places to visit, especially the Wonderland Hotel. The Blackwell House is known for death, though. Call us at1-888-993-7655, Home > Blog > Smoky Mountain Attractions > Top 5 Places in the Smoky Mountains That Might Be Haunted. First, the trail itself boasts tons of cemeteries and old homesteads along its trail. Please Note: Cabins USA LLC's, hereinafter referred to as Cabins USA, area information, The brave young stranger takes the elders up on their offer. Its a 3-story haunted house located in downtown Gatlinburg and has live actors. Needless to say, an old plantation house with this much bloodshed and tragedy is bound to have specters roaming its halls. Cades Cove was once home to a lively population but is now an . Follow the steps in the email to complete the creation of your account. Read Also: Elkmont ghost town: Why was it abandoned, what does it look like today? Mavis did not dare go out in the rain and banished metal beds or furniture from her home. February 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. For more information please read our privacy policy. See 1 tip from visitors to McMiners Hideout #1 - The Cat Cove. Yikes! There are reports of glowing orbs floating above the graves of people who lived in the Cove before it became a tourist track. To help you navigate your Guest User account, we've provided a helpful guide to walk you through the process. Haunted Cades Cove: The Spookiest Places in the Isolated Valley September 28, 2022 The fall season brings about sweater weather and is also known as the spooky season! It is said that if you ever happen to wander close to it, you might hear the sound of birds and ducks flying above. There are plenty of ghost stories associated with the Smoky Mountains, just don't think about them when you're hiking through. It's no wonder that several visitors hold this site to be a haunt for Smoky Mountain ghosts. Over the years, dozens of hikers have gone into backcountry or off-trail areas of in the national park never to be seen again. Liberty Land is said to be haunted by an old carousel worker, a man who leapt to the rescue when a young child lost their balloon - he forgot one very important step, however: turning off the whirring carousel. Explore the most visited national park in the country. After the owner of the estate left Wheatlands Plantation to her grandson, his jealous father confronted him and in turn was murdered by his son with an iron poker. She called it the "Cussing Cover" because Basil was wearing it during one of their first fights, where some swearing occurred. _______________________________________________. https://www.nps.gov/grsm/learn/historyculture/cades-cove-history.htm, https://experiencecadescove.com/blog/cades-cove-ghost-stories/. Basil acquiesced to these requests and Mavis passed shortly thereafter. She would come in the guise of an old woman. Repeat the above steps to find your ultimate vacation accommodations. Treat your sweetheart to an unforgettable trip by trying our ideas for the best weekend getaways for couples in Pigeon Forge! The Primitive Baptist Church in Cades Cove was established in the 1800s, but it's the graveyard on the grounds that has proven to be most eerie. This is one of the favorite haunted places in Gatlinburg, TN which hosts one of the most famous ghosts in the Smoky Mountains. Wheatlands Plantation saw carnage fromof The Battle of Boyds's Creek, where Cherokee supported by the British fought John Sevier and other East Tennessee Revolutionaries. Theres no specific information about who the girl might be or why she likes to watch hikers sleep in the wee morning hours. For future stays with a balance open, you can make credit card payments from $50 up to the total cost of the reservation. The story about the road that leads to nowhere is a tragic one and, while no lives were lost during the events of it, it's sad nonetheless. Spearfinger appears throughout Cherokee stories and is said to make her home in the highest ridges of the Smokies. Lucy still looks for rides along the highway and can be seen in the woods near where her cabin burned to the ground. April 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. We treat all information that customers share with us as private and confidential. I looked up at one of the balconies, and I heard a a young child laughing, and I saw a young girl that looked like she was about 7 years old, and she had brownish blonde hair. Cades Cove Population grew dramatically in the early years of settlement. The antebellum plantation in Sevier County known as Wheatlands is on the National Register Of Historic Places and is the location of the famous Battle of Boyd's Creek. When the sun begins to fall at dusk behind the mountains, the old cabins, churches and graveyards begin to take a far eerier countenance than they do in the daylight. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Many people say they see a sad woman on the staircase. This scenic road is known for its waterfalls, but you may just meet a local spirit. Mavis called her masterpiece, the Cussing Cover because Basil had been wearing the red shirt during the couples first marital spat, in which Basil had used some colorful language. November 9 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. Follow the above "Remove from Favorites" instructions to remove a property from the comparison and your Favorites. Browse our selection of Smoky Mountain cabin rentals to book your next escape! In the middle of the night, Trulie Jane was awoken to an apparition of an angry woman standing at the foot of the couples bed. Known for its sprawling views and light finger on the pulse of Tennessee history, Cades Cove Campground is most likely a spot you happened to visit at one point or another. We know it was a different time, but goodness! When visitors come to Cades Cove at dusk and walk around the cemeteries, they have noted seeing orbs floating around! While no one is quite sure which cabin belonged to the Esteps, one may be able to check the remaining homes near the stream and check for burn marks on the cabin floor! If you encounter a beautiful young woman looking for a ride on the Roaring Fork Trail, you may have just met one of Gatlinburg's most famous ghosts. Distraught, she hangs herself using a rafter, still wearing her dress. Arrival Date: Mandatory, select or enter date you will arrive (MM/DD/YYYY), Nights: Mandatory, select or enter the number of Nights you will be staying with us, Promotional Code: Must enter a valid code. Not only are strange experiences common in the Cove as a whole due to its extensive history, but freak thunderstorms have been reported here as well. Those looking for haunted places in Gatlinburg or the Smokies may need only to drive down to Roaring Fork Motor Trail. There have been multiple books written on the history of Cades Cove, many of which delve into the terror variety. Updated: Oct 31, 2022 / 11:26 AM EDT GATLINBURG, Tenn. (WATE) Many spooky stories come from Cades Cove, but one is especially electric. Cades Cove is a very old part of the Smoky Mountains and it's not surprising that there are so many stories to come out of this area. What a strange thing to have etched forever on your final resting place. Some visitors report seeing spooky things and lost souls in the area. You can visit and take the ghost tour for $20 a person. Backcountry Camping Reservation and permit required Call (865) 436-1297 for information Unfortunately an environmental issue caused construction of the road to end abruptly. My husband and I hiked on a local trail, we heard people talking behind us, and I backed tracked and couldnt find anyone behind us, and that upset me because I felt a hand on my shoulders!! Anthony Creek Horse Camp Call (877) 444-6777 or visit https://www.recreation.gov to reserve a site. Mavis was born during a thunderstorm and had a persistent fear of being struck by lightning. One of the most talked-about places in regard to uneasy feelings is the Baptist Church, which was an early installation by those who settled in the region. than 3 boxes may be selected at one time. It's been said that more than 70 people have been murdered on the property, and 69 of the home slaves and 2 Revolutionary War soldiers are buried on the grounds. When it became clear that she had little time left, Mavis gave Basil permission to remarry but she implored him to promise her two things. One of the eeriest haunted places in the Smokies just might be Elkmont. All the children who grew up there did not stay, however, some leaving for other nearby settlements while . Years ago my family and I were walking on River Road near the big hotels close to The Mysterious Mansion. January 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. September 9 a.m. until 6:30 p.m. That is why it is now one of the most haunted places in Gatlinburg. All rights reserved. You may be wondering who is the ghost woman that people have witnessed around the church. The area and the communities that used to occupy the communities in Swain County actually has several Smoky Mountain legends to tell. At my house, that means my little girl Ainsley woke up in the night and wants something to drink. Is Cades Cove haunted? When she accepted that she did not have much time left, she gave Basil her blessing to remarry but made him promise her two things: one, he could never sell any of her quilts, and two, he was to never under any circumstances place her quilts on a metal bed. But a couple of facts remain: when visitors step foot into the Cove, unknowing of the stories that were born here, they report strange feelings and voices. If you know anyone who has hiked this trail at night or stayed at campsites 61-65, ask them if they ever spotted a floating, glowing orb. After the national park was established in 1934, the NPS began purchasing the land where many vacation homes stood. As Halloween approaches, our thoughts tend to shift to candy, costumes and pumpkin spice. Open from 7 p.m. - 11 p.m.; there are indoor and outdoor haunts. In the middle of the night, Trulie Jane awoke to a startling sight: an apparition of Mavis standing at the foot of her bed. Others have noted strange noises, eerie sounds that echo through the cove at night. After Basils death, Trulie Jane didnt want anything to do with Maviss quilts, so she gave them to one of the Estep daughters, who in turn sold them to a collector. Users of this web site are responsible for checking the accuracy, completeness, currency and/or suitability of She was supposed to marry a man, but he left her at the altar. Read on for our retelling of this classic yarn. Mavis grew ill, and toward the end of her life she gave Basil permission to remarry under two specific conditions: he was never to sell any of her quilts, and absolutely never place any of those quilts on a metal bed. There's no telling what kinds of encounters you could have in this historic community. Few can deny the eerie feeling of Cades Cove at dusk. The first settlers to the area, John and Lucretia Oliver were involved in establishing the Cades Cove Baptist Church in 1827 which would later become the Primitive Baptist Church. Also, consider a walking ghost tour in Gatlinburg, where you'll be guided by a professional to explore the spooky, haunted corners of town on a stroll. You now know the spookiest places in the isolated valley! People have noted a feeling of someone watching them and others have photographed orbs floating around the cabins and other buildings! (3077 Sycamore View). May 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. Despite Trulies fears, Basil told her it was simply a night terror, and they both returned to sleep. Mavis had been born during a thunderstorm, and according to local legend, she was thus fated to be killed by a lightning bolt. Her enemy, Stone Man, also ate livers. area events, and blog pages are provided as a public service. While reports of the nagging apparitions of railmen and loggers are disturbing, its the ghost of the top-hatted Great Gatsby wannabes of the roaring 20s that sends a shiver down my spine. It's been said a man dressed in his formal attire walks the halls at night and lights flicker on and off when no one is around. When she moved in, she told Basil the old wooden bed wasnt good enough, and after some prodding, Basil went against Mavis deathbed wishes and bought a new metal bed for the couple. hit the Compare button. It's been said that more than 70 people have been murdered on the property, and 69 of the home slaves and 2 Revolutionary War soldiers are buried on the grounds. As the population grew, many other buildings were erected in need of things like a schoolhouse and churches. (10042 Campground Drive), There are more than 13,000 acres in the Meeman-Shelby Forest, a stunning spot located in Western Tennessee. from. The Smoky Mountains is one of the oldest mountain ranges in the world and as such, it has borne witness to quite a few major events. Haunted Cades Cove: The Spookiest Places in the Isolated Valley September 28, 2022 Listen To This Blog- Click Play The fall season brings about sweater weather and is also known as the spooky season! Trulie woke up her husband in a panic, but when Basil was roused from his sleep, Mavis had vanished. Before finding a home with TheTravel, her focus was indie publications and she has been published with Bolde, The Arts Fuse, The Silver Tongue, LI Pulse, Tattooed Heroine Magazine, and more. Usually, old folklore traditions are at the root of Smoky Mountain ghost stories. Simply provide your full name and email address in these fields to begin receiving information. Have a spooky good time in the valley! 1-3 of 3 replies. That first trip is what ignited a lifelong passion, and it's one that continues to be fueled through pen and paper Or, in this case, a keyboard and a computer screen. Bears, wild fowl, and other animals bathe in the waters to cure their wounds and sickness. Have you heard of any ghost stories about the Great Smoky Mountains and beyond? Heres Our Top 7, Is the Laurel Falls Hike Easy? White Oak Flats Cemetery is a bit of a hidden gem of haunted places in Gatlinburg, TN. 1,711 views Jul 19, 2021 51 Dislike Share The Wondering Weasel 1.24K subscribers Join us as we explore what legend says is the cabin in Cades. Ignoring the promise he made to his first wife, Basil allowed Trulie to bring a quilt onto the metal bed. There are plenty of haunted places in the Smokies that will send shivers down your spine, but this list of ghost stories and haunted places in the Smoky Mountains are some of the most spine-tingling, spookiest spots in East Tennessee to visit on your fall Pigeon Forge cabin vacation. Here are the top 5 places in the Smoky Mountains that might be haunted: As you may know, Elkmont is home to a ghost town. Some people who tour Cades Cove say they get an eerie feeling around certain buildings or have even seen apparitions floating around the historic site. in English Literature and foray through digital marketing, her life path was made abundantly clear. In the 1930s, a woman named Lydia is jilted at the altar of a Gatlinburg church and returns to the lodge where shes staying. A short walk from Gatlinburg's The Village, you'll find one of the oldest cemeteries in the area. The Roaring Fork Motor Trail is another popular tourist drive, but the trail is reportedly haunted by the ghost of a barefoot woman named Lucy, who passed in 1909. The operating hours, policies and procedures of other businesses may change at any time without notice. Cabins USA does not endorse any of the products, vendors, consultants, or to allow us to collect information through cookies. Just a few hours later, a brilliant flash of light burst into the Estep home and knocked Trulie Jane right out of bed. You can visit and take the ghost tour for $20 a person. It flows better, I assume, in the original Cherokee. November 9 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. Along with the church, this is the area where hikers trek to see the remains of what was once an early settlement, complete with many houses that are still standing to this day. While not strictly a Smoky Mountain legends, the wampus cat is an ancient mythological creature who, according to the Cherokee, was a woman cursed by tribal elders as punishment for watching a sacred ceremony take place. Trulie Jane was a large gal, and she found that Maviss old wooden bed simply wasnt big enough for her. In the end, it was not lightning that took Mavis life from her, but a severe illness. The story of the Elkmont ghost town isn't especially spooky, but anyone who has walked around it can't deny the particularly creepy vibes in the area. Our favorite story is The Cussing Cover. The nearly 30 Cherokees that were slain in the battle now lie in a mass grave behind the home, and many say that they aren't the only bodies buried there. June 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. Cades Cove has been a victim of gruesome murders and tragedies throughout history. Spearfinger was a shapeshifter who would pose as family members of her child victims before cutting them open and eating their livers! It's easy to see why the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most-visited national park in the country. CSGM Theme by carodactyll | Digital Marketing by YlliB, Inc. By continuing to use our website, you are accepting the use of cookies. 7 Steakhouses, Ranked, Who Has the Best Pancakes in Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg? OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. Here are nine of our favorite tall tales and true stories about The Great Smoky Mountains. Why not visit a few haunted places in the Smoky Mountains to get you in the scary spirit of this time of year? All of these cemeteries truly show the large population that once called Cades Cove home! She would offer to brush their hair until they fell asleep, then she would stab them with her finger through the back of the neck and withdraw the liver, which she would eat. Mavis was an avid quilter, and this truly showed how irrational her fear was, with her chances sitting only at 1 in 500,000 of being struck, let alone killed. There are few specific ghost stories about the area, but a place filled with abandoned cabins, churches, and cemeteries is bound to have some spooky history. May 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. To this day, some visitors to the area even report an uneasy feeling as they walk past historic homes in Elkmont or the lingering feeling they are being watched. It was no uncommon for each family to raise 10-12 children each. Up until the past decade, the ruins of the Wonderland Hotel stood as a testament to the fledgling resort community that once thrived in the woods. These hot spots are famous for their hauntings, full of legend and horror. Stay Away From Tennessees Most Haunted Street After Dark Or You May Be Sorry, 5 Haunted Hayrides In Tennessee That Will Scare You In The Best Way Possible, This Overnight Ghost Hunt In Tennessee Is The Creepiest Thing Youll Ever Do, Tennessees Most Notorious Haunted House Is Even Scarier This Year Heres Why, Not Many People Realize These 10 Little Known Haunted Places In Tennessee Exist, We Checked Out The 10 Most Terrifying Places In Tennessee And Theyre Horrifying, The Most Terrifying Ghost Story To Ever Come Out Of Tennessee Is Truly Chilling, The Story Behind This Haunted Battlefield In Tennessee Is Truly Creepy. Forget the bears. These structures are frozen in time and represent when the valley was a heavily populated and lively place. Many photographs have been posted on the internet depicting orbs around gravestones at Cades Cove. After some prodding, Basil agreed to buy a new metal bed for the couple to sleep on. Some say it's Basil Estep, who was supposedly killed by the ghost of his wife. Many residents left willingly, but some others refused to leave the place they had resided in their entire life. While Lydia's tragic death is enough to make Greenbriar one of the most haunted places in the Smokies, her false-hearted fiance's body was found days later mangled by what appeared to be a mountain cat. The tale of the Cussing Cover stems from a small two-room . She loved to sew, but wouldn't even use her quilting needle during a thunderstorm. At LeConte, the little girl is gone before she can tell anyone what she wants. After the residents had all died the buildings remained to let nature take over. Occasionally, visitors have reported strange sightings of figures near grave sights. Full-day Tours. Do you think Cades Cove is haunted? However, I can promise you if I wake up with a ghostly girl at the foot of my bed, Im hiking back down off that mountain. A woman named Lydia lived at Greenbrier Lodge in 1939. For your next cabin vacation in the Smokies, be sure to explore some of these spooky places in the mountains! They drift about over the pews, shriek, moan, and rattle chains. It was built in 1804, and some say they can still hear the cries of the forever entombed and imprisoned, screaming for freedom through the windows. But the truly creepy aspect, to me, is the remote mountain resort that has more than a little taste of The Shining. The rest of the cabin was untouched and undamaged by this strike. The fall season brings about sweater weather and is also known as the spooky season! Monks started to notice that an apparently large . The interesting part about this haunted campground is that it happens to be one of the most popular campsites in Tennessee. Save time and get your Ripleys tickets in advance. She named her masterpiece The Cussing Cover because Basil had been wearing the red shirt during one of the couples first marital argument, in which Basil had spit some very colorful language. Legend has it that Spearfinger was eventually destroyed when a Chickadee tipped the Cherokee warriors off on her weakness. It's no wonder that several visitors hold this site to be a haunt for Smoky Mountain ghosts. In these quiet places that were once filled with life, it's not uncommon to get an eerie feeling while hiking in the mountains. As if that wasn't enough there's an abandoned settlement equiped with all the structural nightmare fuel one could ask for, including two churches, a mill and log houses. Nestled in the beautiful Smoky Mountains, Cades Cove offers wildlife of every sort as well as a few spectral travelers as well. The leading independent voice for aviation news and insight. (115 Academy Street). As the story goes, you might spot blood stains in the homes parlor. Note: If you need to change the email address on your reservation, please contact the reservations office for further assistance. Haunted Cades Cove: The Spookiest Places in the Isolated Valley, Cades Cove Ghost Stories: The Cussing Cover, 3 Interesting Facts About Hyatt Lane in Cades Cove, A Spectacular Cades Cove Waterfall: 3 Interesting Facts About Abrams Falls Trail, Your Guide to Visiting Cades Cove in the Fall, 3 Reasons Why Your Family Will Love Visiting Cades Cove, Preserving History: 4 Interesting Historical Structures in Cades Cove, 3 Tips for Planning Your Spring Stay at The Cades Cove Campground, Cades Cove History: Wallet of Long Time Resident Elijah Oliver Donated to the Collections Preservation Center. The Elkmont Ghost Town is a particular point of interest for those interested in the spookier side of the park's history since it was officially abandoned after the 1930s, which is quite a few decades later than most of the park's settlements. Now it is a symbol of haunted Cades Cove, living on in legend. Now haunted Cades Cove, read on to learn of The Cussing Cover, the most popular haunt of this area! And I aint waiting for the sun to come up. October 9 a.m. until 6:30 p.m. The fear began when local legend told that she was fated to be killed by a lightning bolt since she was born during a thunderstorm. The Esteps enjoyed their quiet life in the Cove, but a persistent but unrealistic fear truly plagued mavis she was absolutely paralyzed by the idea of being struck by lightning. Devastated, Lydia rushed back to the Greenbriar lodge, threw a rope over a rafter, and hung herself still in her wedding dress. Some hikers even report the feeling that they are being watched as they make their way through the forest. Oddly enough, there hadnt been any thunderstorms in Cades Cove that night, just the stray bolt of lightning that ended Basil Esteps life. Cades Cove 5,508 Reviews #26 of 104 things to do in Great Smoky Mountains National Park Nature & Parks, Nature & Wildlife Areas Cades Cove Loop Rd., Great Smoky Mountains National Park, TN 37738-4102 Save Great Smoky Mountains National Park: Audio Driving Tour 1 Book in advance from $12.99 per adult Check availability View full product details Love Tennessee? Report inappropriate content. According to the story, this young woman died in the early 1900s when her family's cabin burned down. While it was once open for tours, it has now been closed for several years. The building that is now recognized as The General Morgan Inn was known as the DeWoody Tavern, a janky wooden structure built in the early 1790s by a man named William Dunwoody. Let us know in the comments! About a year later a man named Foster, who was in the market for a wife, spotted a beautiful woman in the woods and shared his horse with her. Next time you visit, let us know if you experienced a haunted Cades Cove! Need assistance or have questions, please give us a call so we may better The Blackwell House may as well be the Amityville Horror manor of the south - it's been said that a family can't live in the house for more than a month. One of our favorite tall tales from the valley was transcribed in The Granny Curse and Other Ghosts and Legends from East Tennessee, a 1999 book by Janet Barnett and Randy Russell. The tale of the Greenbrier Restaurant in Gatlinburg is the classic story of a jilted lover exacting revenge upon patrons of a popular eatery. For over one hundred years before the park was designated, plenty of families worked and lived in the Cades Cove valley. December 9 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Nothing makes us want to pack up the camping gear more than a night in the woods with a couple of GHOULS. Mavis was born during a thunderstorm and had a persistent fear of being struck by lightning. Get more stories delivered right to your email. Quite a few people have reported that the churches, graveyards, and other historic structures in Cades Cove are haunted. Whether or not the devil makes Huggins Hell his stomping ground, there's no doubting that these remote, inaccessible regions of the park give visitors a spooky, uneasy feeling. Here are the spookiest places in the isolated valley: The Primitive Baptist Church has a rich history in the area! Cades Cove is known for sprawling views and a stunning close up of Tennessee's gorgeous scenery. You must hit the SEARCH button to start your first search. Some diners report seeing a strange young woman atop the pivotal staircase. Some guests have reported seeing glowing orbs from the graves in Cades Cove at night (Illustration of Cades Cove by TheSmokies.com). Thank you! Here are the top six ghost stories about some iconic destinations and top haunted places around Gatlinburg, the Smoky Mountains and beyond: Elkmont is a former logging cabin and upscale mountain resort that has been set empty for generations. If you're headed to the Smoky Mountains, these are some of the most well-known stories that have been passed down for centuries. search. Did you know its actually haunted? As we have with many of the old traditions, weve slowly chipped away at the ancient beliefs, leaving only the shining veneer of modernity. (2507 Boyds Creek Highway) 4. While the pioneers of the Smokies have long since passed on, their legacy (and perhaps their spirits) can still be found in the nooks and crannies of the rolling hills of the Smokies. Diners are said to see a sad figure on the staircase which rests where Lydia hung herself, a strange young woman, or simply feel a sad presence. Little did residents know that their small, happy town would turn into haunted Cades Cove.