Devil's Tramping Ground facts for kids
The Devil's Tramping Ground is a special camping spot. It's found deep in a forest near Harper's Crossroads in Bear Creek, North Carolina. For a long time, people have told spooky stories about this place. They say the Devil himself walks in a strange, empty circle of ground there. The weirdest part? Nothing is supposed to grow inside this circle! It's even famous for having one of the most unusual names for a place.
The Mystery of the Devil's Tramping Ground
Many exciting stories are told about this mysterious circle. People say that if you leave things inside the ring overnight, they might disappear! Dogs are also said to bark and howl, refusing to go anywhere near it. Some brave people have even tried to spend the night there. They often report strange things happening around them.
It's believed that nothing has grown inside this circle for over a hundred years. The circle is about 40 feet (12 m) wide. One popular legend says this is where the Devil can come up from a fiery place below the Earth. He is said to walk in circles here on certain nights. People believe he brings his evil plans into the world from this very spot.
John William Harden (1903–1985) was a famous writer and newspaper editor from Greensboro, N.C.. He also advised North Carolina governors. He wrote about the Devil's Tramping Ground, saying:
- People from Chatham County say... that the Devil goes there to walk in circles. He thinks up new ways to cause trouble for people. Sometimes, during the dark of night, the leader of evil silently walks around that bare circle. He is thinking, plotting, and planning against good things.
The Devil's Tramping Ground in Stories
The Devil's Tramping Ground has even appeared in books! It is mentioned in two scary novels by Poppy Z. Brite. These books are called Lost Souls and Drawing Blood. Both stories take place in a made-up North Carolina city called Missing Mile. This city was inspired by real places like Duncan and Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
