Haunted Places in and Around King, NC

I have lived in and around King, NC for more than twenty years. Many of my friends and family members were raised in the area as well, so when it comes to local legends and haunted tales, we've heard or witnessed a few.

King, NC

While there aren't too many haunted places to speak of in our little town of King, NC, there are a few, though more hearsay then anything else. One of these so-called haunted places happens to be the local middle school, Chestnut Grove. Chestnut Grove Middle School is located just off Highway 66 on Chestnut Grove Road. It is thought to be haunted by the school janitor, who suffered a tragic death brought on by a sudden heart attack while working. That was over twenty years ago. Since then, there have been numerous claims from both teachers and students alike that you can still hear the man sweeping or walking the halls. Of course, this is when you're alone and the place is quiet. Neither of my kids has ever witnessed anything unusual, however, nor has their uncle, who is currently the school's custodian. Nonetheless, the haunted tales remain quite active.

Not too far from the school is Dalton road, once home to the infamous Dalton house, another haunted place in King, NC. I recall hearing much about it as a child; my parents even went there once, leaving my brother and me in the car. I'll never forget how eerie it felt, the huge white house, the overgrown fields, the cow skull lying nearby. Yet, my parents and their friends witnessed nothing frightening but did admit to feeling a presence. Mom said later that she saw something but upon looking again, there was nothing there. As with many local legends, numerous stories exist surrounding haunted places. The Dalton house is no different. A once large plantation home owned by a local physician and slave owner, unspeakable crimes occurred here. The house was said to be very haunted and captured the attention of many onlookers, which unfortunately led to vandalism. As a result, the house was torn down, but the lot remains, overgrown with weeds and alive with haunted tales.

Rural Hall, NC

If you're ever near King, NC, you may want to visit nearby Rural Hall. This small town is home one of the most popular local legends around, that of Payne Road, located just off Highway 66 near the Forsyth/Stokes county line. This infamous dirt road, now paved, has spawned many a curious visitor over the years, including me. There are numerous stories surrounding this haunted place, still in spite of all its various versions, one thing holds true-there is definitely something unnatural about this place. According to legend, tobacco farmer Edward Payne, a man well known for his prejudice and quick temper, and who upon hearing about his daughter's pregnancy by one of his slaves, went mad, killing his entire family (and the slave) before hanging himself from a nearby tree overlooking the bridge. There has been speculation that Payne also dabbled in devil worship, and this was his sacrifice to Satan. Some of these haunted tales include him drowning his baby in the family well, which some claim to hear crying. Other accounts say the hauntings are the result of the slow, agonizing death of a driver who wrecked his 1930-something car in one of Payne Road's deadly curves. Whatever version is told, they were tragic deaths nonetheless.

Along the stretch of winding curves are said to be the remnants of Payne's slave shacks overgrown with vegetation. However, being that he was a tobacco farmer; some people believe these are nothing more than old tobacco barns. Who knows? One thing is certain; they're creepy. There are also the remaining pieces of the nearby church. The old farmhouse is nothing more than a beaten up foundation now and even the infamous bridge, from which most activity was thought to occur, is now gone. But the road is still there. I have traveled it many times and though I never personally witnessed anything unusual, the place does have that dreadful feeling, the kind where your hairs on the back of your neck stand on end. I have no doubt that something horrible happened here, and its energy remains. It was said that if you stopped on the bridge (which we did), got out and whistled "Dixie" (which we did), then your car would not start back (which it did). Many people have claimed to see the headlights from an old car appear from nowhere, following them a ways before disappearing again. Others have seen dogs or lights on in the house (when it still stood). Local law officials perform periodic patrols, as it is thought that the KKK frequents the area. There have also been reports of other tragic deaths, vandalism, and satanic rituals. Regardless, people still venture down the old road in search of a good scare; perhaps, you might do the same.

Walnut Cove, NC

Just outside of King, NC is another small town known for its haunted place, allegedly haunted anyway. There have even been books and a documentary associated with it. The Lawson family lived on Brook Cove Road, just off the main road. On Christmas day in 1929, Charlie Lawson, for whatever reason, brutally shot and killed his wife and six of his seven children. Then he shot himself. As with Payne Road, these haunted tales are eerily alike. Both share tragic deaths and both involve a bridge, in which your car will not start once it stalls. This particular wooden-covered bridge was constructed from the floorboards of the original Lawson home, which was torn down long ago. The Lawson family is said to be buried in a mass grave at Browder Cemetery in Walnut Cove.

Haunted places in and around King, NC may be few, but the local legends and haunted tales are quite numerous. So whether you choose to see for yourself in person or simply entertain your curiosity through stories alone, it's always fun (though I'm not sure why) to chase after a good scare. However, you should keep in mind that it's very important to obtain permission beforehand if you plan to visit or investigate any alleged haunted place.