Haunts of Virginia's Blue Ridge Highlands

Haunted America

by Joe Tennis

A Confederate soldier forever lost at Cumberland Gap, the wispy woman of Roanoke College and the spectral horse that runs the streets of Abingdon are among the restless spirits of southwestern Virginia. Join local author Joe Tennis as he takes readers on both sides of the Blue Ridge to explore the ghostly tales of Appalachia and the Crooked Road. Peer over the rim of the New Castle Murder Hole, dive into the mysteries of Mountain Lake and wander among the lost graves of Wise County to discover the haunted lore of Virginia's Blue Ridge Highlands.This book bridges the Blue Ridge Parkway and follows the entire length of the Crooked Virginia's Heritage Music Trail. It explores a couple dozen counties, with tales of towns called Fincastle and Saltville tucked away in Virginia's scenic southwestern corner. Each chapter is based on a blend of folk legends, longtime traditions, historical research and firsthand accounts.A bibliography is included, along with a map and 45 photographs.

Genres: Ghosts, Nonfiction, Supernatural, Paranormal

112 pages, Paperback

First published August 30, 2010

Reviews

[Denver Michaels · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having been born in southwestern VA with family there today, I really enjoyed the book. I have been to many of the places listed and can vouch for their creepiness! If you are from the area, familiar with it, or just a fan of ghost stories from the mountains, I think you'll enjoy this book.

[Chelsea Skinner · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars rounded up.

The cover of this book made it seem like this was going to be a fantastic novel full of ghostly apparitions, noises in the night, and terrors lurking in the shadows.

I was disappointed to find it was mainly the history of a location with a teensy bit of ghosts thrown in. While it was interesting to read said history, I was looking more for the ghostly stories, and not the eh, maybe it's haunted kind of feel to this book. There was only one photo with a possible apparition, and that was the most interesting part of the book by far.

It may be on me that I went in expecting one thing and getting something different, so I would recommend this to those who like history with a little spooky thrown in.

[Daniel Greear · Rating 4 out of 5]

Joe Tennis writes for my hometown paper, and this was a good collection of local stories from the Cumberland Gap to Bedford Country, Virginia.

Many of the stories interested me, for example, the ones about the Breaks and UVA-Wise. The most chilling was perhaps the Black Sisters of Christiansburg, which has been referenced multiple times. Happy Halloween!!!!

[Christy Myers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good

I was born and raised in Hilton, VA. And I really enjoyed reading about some of the places I've actually been around. Very good details and lots of facts that made me miss home. Highly recommend.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a short little fun read about places that are really relatively close to me since I am from Southwest Virginia. Some I didn't even know where reportedly haunted and others I did.

[Amber A · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book was very good! Liked the way he writes and thr stories were interesting. Had the pleasure to meet the author back in 2019 where he signed my book, nice man!

[Terry Gonzales · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quick Easy Read

I found the flow very easy and quick to read. There’s enough to keep you interested but doesn’t get wordy.

[Krista · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good. Did not read cover to cover but jumped around to the chapters that caught my interest. Would read more by this author.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great haunting short stories.