The Moonlit Road Podcast - Southern Ghost Stories and Folklore

Deep in the marshes of the South Carolina Lowcountry, something is watching from the shadows. In Gullah-Geechee folklore, the "Plat-eye" is a terrifying shapeshifter that guards hidden treasures and lures the unwary into the swamps. "The Plat-Eye" is a haunting regional ghost story about a man who discovers that some secrets are better left buried. Narrated by Veronica Byrd. Read the full story an...

They say some folks are too mean for Heaven and too ornery for Hell. "The Meanest Man" is a classic Southern tall tale about a man so wicked that even the Devil thinks twice about claiming his soul. Experience this humorous and haunting Savannah legend of a man who tries to outsmart the afterlife. Read the full story here: https://www.themoonlitroad.com/the-meanest-man/ FOR MORE STORIES: This is j...

A tragic tale of forbidden love and a broken heart that manifests in the natural world. "The Bleeding Heart Dove" explores the origins of the beautiful but sorrowful bird that carries a crimson mark upon its breast—a permanent reminder of a devotion that transcended life itself. Read the full story and see the illustrations here: https://www.themoonlitroad.com/the-bleeding-heart-dove/ FOR MORE STO...

Near the mouth of Dunbar Creek on Georgia's St. Simons Island, locals tell of a section of swampy marshland where some fishermen still refuse to cast their lines. It is the site of a powerful act of resistance by the Igbo people, who chose the water over a life of bondage. Listen to storyteller Evelyn McCray share this haunting version of the "flying African" myth, where the sounds of rattling cha...

In the heart of New Orleans' Metairie Cemetery sits a magnificent red granite crypt that locals once called "The Flaming Tomb". It belongs to Josie Arlington, the most notorious madam of the city's infamous Storyville red-light district. For decades, witnesses claimed the tomb's stone urns would burst into ghostly flames and the bronze statue of a girl at the door would vanish into the night. List...

In this classic Uncle Remus folktale, the crafty Brer Rabbit and his clever friend Brer Coon team up to secure an easy dinner. Discover how Brer Coon uses a "playing dead" trick to outsmart the local frogs and fill his belly without breaking a sweat. Written by Joel Chandler Harris, this story captures the wit and survival themes central to African American oral traditions. Read the full story and...

In the heart of the Louisiana bayou, a pair of traveling newlyweds seeks shelter for the night in a secluded home. They expect a quiet evening of rest, but instead find themselves trapped in a house where the spirits aren't the only ones keeping secrets. Join us for a chilling Cajun ghost story where you'll discover that a marriage built on secrets can be more terrifying than any phantom. FOR MORE...

In this chilling Cajun ghost story, a miserly father's cruelty toward his only daughter comes back to haunt him during a massive Gulf storm. Experience the atmospheric storytelling of J.J. Reneaux as she weaves a tale of greed, storms, and a supernatural visitor knocking at the door. Will the father survive the night, or will his past finally catch up to him? Read the full story and see the Cajun...

A Georgia ghost story about a Civil War relic hunter who stumbles across the haunted "Hell Hole" at the Battle of New Hope Church site. As he digs for artifacts in the Paulding County woods, he finds himself face-to-face with the lingering horrors of one of the war's most brutal skirmishes. FOR MORE STORIES: This is just one of the many legends found on the Southern back roads. Visit our archive o...

Terrifying Georgia urban legend of a single woman who wonders why her guard dog starts acting so strangely.   For more strange Southern folktales, including stories not on the podcast, visit https://themoonlitroad.com Follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/themoonlitroad and X/Twitter https://www.x.com/themoonlitroad "The Coughing Dog" was adapted from folklore by Craig Dominey Storyteller...

Deep in the woods of the Chickamauga-Chattanooga National Military Park, a pair of glowing green eyes watches from the darkness. In this episode, we explore the terrifying legend of "Old Green Eyes," a creature that has haunted the Georgia battlefield since the smoke cleared in 1863. From Civil War burial parties to modern-day park ranger sightings, discover why this spectral figure remains one of...

What are those low, guttural growls echoing through the local cemetery at night? In this episode, we explore the terrifying legend of the Graveyard Dogs. Written by Wendy Webb, this story follows a group of unsuspecting visitors who learn the hard way that some burial grounds are protected by a pack of spectral hounds that never let a "trespasser" go unpunished. FOR MORE STORIES: This is just one...

Was it Santa, or a visitor from the other side? On a quiet Christmas Eve, a plate of cookies disappears, sparking a family mystery that blurs the line between holiday magic and the supernatural. Join us for "The Missing Cookies," a heartwarming yet haunting Southern Christmas ghost story perfect for a cold winter's night. FOR MORE STORIES: This is just one of the many legends found on the Southern...

Can a mere mortal outwit the Devil? In this episode, we share a classic Georgia folktale about a blacksmith who refuses to surrender his soul without a fight. With a clever plan and the help of a local witch, he prepares a series of traps that leave the Devil wishing he'd never set foot in Georgia. It's a humorous and haunting "trickster" tale perfect for listeners who love seeing the underdog com...

When a Hollywood location scout arrives in Atlanta to find the perfect backdrop for a new film, he thinks he's found a gem in a historic downtown hotel. But as he settles in for the night, he realizes that some locations come with "extras" that weren't in the contract. In "One More Room," the search for the perfect cinematic setting leads to a terrifying encounter with Atlanta's supernatural past....

In this original Southern ghost story, two children learn that some dares go too far when they venture into the infamous Bell Witch Cave in Adams, Tennessee. Based on the legendary 19th-century haunting that terrified a frontier community and a future U.S. President. Hear the legend come to life on The Moonlit Road. For information on the real Bell Witch hauntings, visit:  The Bell Witch Cave of A...

Deep in the Georgia marshlands, a simple grave marker tells a story of courage. Join us for 'A Beloved Teacher,' an original Southern ghost story from the Georgia coast. Discover why some legacies refuse to be buried and why a brave woman's spirit still resonates through the salt air.  FOR MORE STORIES: This is just one of the many legends found on the Southern back roads. Visit our archive of Sou...

Spooky tale about a young Florida girl who goes to ghastly lengths to get the perfect prom dress.  Teachers can download instructional materials based on this story and others on our Lesson Plans page . For more strange Southern folktales, including stories not on the podcast, visit https://themoonlitroad.com Follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/themoonlitroad and X/Twitter https://www.x...

A mysterious seed from Africa, a cruel plantation owner, and a tree that refuses to be tamed. Dive into 'The Click-Bok Tree,' a compelling African-American slave folktale about the power of ancestral magic and the search for justice. FOR MORE STORIES: This is just one of the many legends found on the Southern back roads. Visit our archive of Southern ghost stories and folklore at https://themoonli...

They say even the Devil can't break a happy home alone. Dive into 'The Barefoot Woman,' a classic African-American folktale from Alabama. When a couple's happiness irritates the Devil, he enlists a clever woman to sow the seeds of suspicion. A witty and wicked tale of trickery and temptation. FOR MORE STORIES: This is just one of the many legends found on the Southern back roads. Visit our archive...

Deep in the Alabama wilderness, some secrets refuse to stay buried.  When two young girls stumble upon a forgotten, vine-covered cottage in the woods, they think they've found a secret clubhouse. But as the shadows lengthen, they uncover the tragic echoes of a Civil War-era mystery that has haunted the land for over a century.  Join us for "Little Cottage in the Woods," a chilling Southern Gothic...

Classic ghost story from the master Ambrose Bierce.  For more strange Southern folktales, including stories not on the podcast, visit https://themoonlitroad.com Follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/themoonlitroad and X/Twitter https://www.x.com/themoonlitroad Performed by Robert Bethune and Susie Berneis of Freshwater Seas Audiobooks. Check their other audiobooks at www.freshwaterseas.co...

In the heart of the Louisiana bayou, the beautiful Marie Jolie finds herself being courted by a stranger with a silver tongue and a mysterious past. But when his true, devilish nature is revealed, Marie must rely on more than just her beauty to survive. Written and told by the legendary J.J. Reneaux, "Marie Jolie" is a classic Cajun trickster tale filled with wit, danger, and the unique spirit of...

"The Black Dog" is a haunting Appalachian legend about a mysterious creature that appears in the darkness of the mines. Is it a ghost, a guardian, or a warning? Join us for this life-changing tale from the heart of Kentucky coal mining country. FOR MORE STORIES: This is just one of the many legends found on the Southern back roads. Visit our archive of Southern ghost stories and folklore at https:...

Two treasure hunters with a case of "gold fever" head up Georgia's Sawnee Mountain in search of lost Cherokee treasure. But some secrets are buried deep for a reason, and they soon discover that the ancient mountain haunts don't take kindly to intruders. In this episode, we explore the chilling legend of Chief Sawnee's Gold. While the story is a "creature feature" fiction, Sawnee Mountain is a rea...