Away from the Crowds in North Carolina

Built by local artist Robert Mihaly, Castle Mont Rouge is located in Rougemont. The castle was built out of marble and cinder blocks, combining European and Middle Eastern architecture. The interior was left uncompleted when the artist’s wife died. Today the castle sits abandoned but is an interesting site to see and has recently become popular with graffiti artists.

In Bear Creek, you’ll find the Devil’s Tramping Ground. A strange phenomenon is attached to this barren patch of ground, according to fables dating back to 1882. Stories told say that no matter what object you might throw in the middle of this patch of ground, the following morning the object will have been thrown back out. There are those who believe that the Devil dances here at night, and some have seen red glowing eyes in the dark.

Asheville has Helen’s Bridge, which was mentioned in the book “Homeward Angel” written by Thomas Wolfe. The bridge was built in 1909 to give access to Zealandia Mansion.

Built in 1908, Zealandia is a Tudor Revival-style home featuring distinctive architectural elements like steep gables and wrought iron gates. There are legends that say the mansion was once home to a woman named Helen, who lived there with her daughter. When a tragic fire broke out and the daughter lost her life, Helen took her own life, hanging herself from this bridge. Now the spirit of Helen appears to anyone who calls her name. Even though some visitors have tried calling her and been disappointed not seeing the spirit, their car would not start, so Helen wants to have company and does not want visitors to go away.

Henry River Mill Village was once a major mill town. Opened in 1905 the Henry River Mill, the thriving mill, lost its chance at production when technology evolved, and it closed in 1973. By 1987 the village was completely abandoned. This village was featured as “District 12” in the film “The Hunger Games.” Henry River Mill Village is owned by Wade Shepherd, who lived nearby. This has mostly become a ghost town with known paranormal activity.

Collettsville is home to the House of Mugs. If you never thought you’d see a house made out of mugs, then this is for you. The owners, Avery and Doris Sisk, created this mug-covered home, which is found at the end of an unpaved country road. This masterpiece of imagination, consists of 20,000 mugs. Visitors are welcome to hang their own mug if they can find an empty nail.

Judaculla Rock is an ancient boulder with a mysterious past. The Cherokee Indians worshiped at this site, believing that the unusual seven-fingered hand imprint on the rock was left by Judaculla, an ancient creature. The creature known to jump from mountain to mountain supposedly accidentally landed on this rock. There are urban legends about supernatural sounds that surround the rock.

Venturing to Bird Island, you’ll be surprised by the Kindred Spirit Mailbox. The mailbox has a communal notebook for written messages and signatures of people who have been there. These notes and messages left in the notebook saved Bird Island from being urbanized as a commercial resort. Many of the messages and thoughts expressed in the notebook now appear on the ‘Kindred Spirit’ website.

Land of Oz Theme Park opened in 1970 in Beechmont to honor the original book written by L. Frank Baum. Actors in costumes depicted the characters in the book. Visitors could stroll down the Yellow Brick Road, experience the cyclone taking Dorothy out of Kansas, and meet the Tin Man and the Wizard of Oz. Unfortunately, the park shut down in 1980. Those who want to visit can take part in the annual event The Autumn of Oz or get permission to visit from the owners.

For fans of the horror movies from the 1978 “Halloween” film cycle about spooky and creepy killer Michael Myers, there is Myers House in Hillsborough. The replica of the original Myers House in California was built in 1978 as a movie set. A big fan of the movie, American actor and producer Kenny Caperton built this replica of the Myers House, where he lives with his wife. He designed the corridors just as they were in the movie, making them creepy and claustrophobic. There is a bookshelf with collectibles from the movie, among them masks from the third series in the Halloween cycle. Do announce your visit, but the best time to visit is in October, when it all began once upon a Halloween.

Amazing as it might seem, in Prospect Hill you’ll come across the miniature Shangri-La Stone Village. It was the inspiration of tobacco farmer Henry L. Warren. This gnome-sized village consists of 27 buildings, like a hotel, a theater, and a water tower. It was constructed out of stone.

In Wilmington you’ll find the Stanley Rehder Carnivorous Plant Garden. It is dedicated to “flytrap man” Stanley Rehder, a horticulturist. The garden full of carnivorous plants is located behind Alderman Elementary School.

The plant species here include sundews, Venus flytraps, and pitcher plants.