Life > October 25, 2007

By Caroline Edgeton | Contributing writer

Perhaps the most interesting ghost stories are the ones that happen in your own backyard. Students at Wake Forest may or may not know that Winston-Salem has its alleged haunted locations. As a local of Winston-Salem, perhaps I can share a few local legends.

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The haunted Gramley Dormitory at Salem College. (Lizzie Rosen/Old Gold & Black)

Old Salem

Old Salem, the famous establishment of the Moravian community that settled here in 1766, is a place where tourists, residents and students alike enjoy taking a walk in the crisp fall air. Though Old Salem is still a bustling community with shops, restaurants and two schools (Salem Academy and Salem College), it still exudes a lingering past from the earlier days.

Old Salem has various local legends pertaining to haunted locations within the establishment. Salem Academy and Salem College both have reputable stories concerning apparitions and creepy occurrences that appear in different locations of the schools. Perhaps the most well- known story is about a young girl who hanged herself on the third floor of the then- attic of the Gramley Dormitory on the Salem College campus.

Today, it is reported that at night girls who live on the second floor of the dorm can hear a trunk being dragged across the floor followed by the sound of marbles dropping. Ironically, girls who live on the third floor cannot hear any of this. Other reports of random knocking on the doors, a girl’s voice and a girl’s ghostly presence in the dorm are still circulated throughout the community.

Rural Hall

Quite possibly the most well-known local legend pertains to a little area on the border of Forsyth and Stokes Counties called Rural Hall. Legend has it that Charlie Lawson, a plantation owner, was enraged by the fact that one of his daughters was impregnated. Lawson, a raging alcoholic and an ill-tempered man, was reported to have killed his entire family in his rage. His and quite possibly other people’s presences are still a part of this location called Payne Road. In 1980, it was renamed to Edwards Road but traditionally is referenced by its maiden name.

Today, people drive up to Edwards Road for a good scare. I do not recommend going very late at night, because there are many reports of cults meeting in the area and other questionable people who do not like uninvited guests. I am going to be honest, Edwards Road is a pretty scary location at night (and it’s certainly not the safest). If you park your car on an old bridge where a slave was apparently hanged and whistle the song “Dixie,” your car may not start back up for a while.

Another popular account from Payne Road is an old 1930s car with bright headlights that will begin to follow you down the road. It will not be close behind you, but close enough that you can see it following you. All of the sudden, the car will disappear and you will not see where it actually went.

Overall, Winston-Salem has many reputable legends that many residents of the city know about. Ask a local sometime and see what they come up with in case you are looking for something a little out of the ordinary this Halloween.

Greensboro Ghouls

A place not too far away, Greensboro has some spooky local legends. One of the most famous is the story of little Mary Hobbs and her perpetual presence at the Hobbs house, now a dormitory on the Guilford College campus. The third floor (also the attic) of the house, however, is not true to the original. A tragic fire completely destroyed the attic, and killed the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Hobbs, Mary.

Mary Hobbs decided to have a slumber party in the attic of her parents’ house. Apparently, word spread pretty quickly that Mary was having girls over to the house. So quickly in fact, that some boys from school decided to play a trick on the group of girls by making cloth bags filled with rocks, setting them on fire and throwing them into the attic window. All the girls made it out except for Mary.

Rumor has it you can still hear faucets turn on and off followed by a faint scream from a little girl’s voice. People have also reported hearing footsteps go up and down the hallway in the middle of the night. Perhaps if you have a friend that attends Guilford College, or better yet, lives in the Hobbs Residence Hall, you may want to inquire about this mysterious presence in the building.

The Grove Park Inn

The mountains are always a favorable getaway during the fall season simply because of the scenery. If you plan to escape to the lovely city of Asheville this autumn, I suggest making a stop at a famous location.

The Grove Park Inn of Asheville is famed for its interesting past involving the death of a young woman dressed in pink. In 1920, a woman plunged to her death at the hotel’s Palm Court Atrium. Nobody seems to know if her death was a suicide attempt, murder or plain accident. All people seem to truly understand is that her presence is definitely still a part of the building.

Many employees and guests claim to have seen this pink lady roam the halls of the hotel. Taking a liking to children, she makes her spirit known when kids stay at the hotel with their parents. She also plays childish games like turning light switches on and off in the middle of the night. Reports of a female voice being heard and doors opening at random are also a part of the hotel’s reputation.

Undeniably our state has its local legends that never seem to die out. Simply ask a local who is sure to provide you with a satisfying tale.