Where Nothing Will Grow: The Devil’s Tramping Ground – Moon Mausoleum

In North Carolina you will find The Devil’s Tramping Ground where it is said that the Devil walks at night and because of it, nothing will ever grow there. It is also connected to the story about Croatan and the Lost Colony of Roanoke Island.

In the depths of the Harper’s Crossroads area in Bear Creek, North Carolina, lies a camping spot that has become the epicenter of persistent local legends—the notorious Devil’s Tramping Ground, a sort of barren circle of around 40 feet in diameter on the ground where nothing is said to grow. 

The Devil’s Tramping Ground has written records dating back as far as the 1700s, calling it “poisoned land”. Not even a strain of grass will grow and anytime someone tries to sow a seed there, it will only wither away.

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The area is perhaps known as one of the most haunted and mysterious places in North Carolina with its lush green pine forest. It is also said to be the place where the devil himself comes to, as he paces around the circle, contemplating on his evil plans. It is also said he dances around the campfire in the middle of the circle and people have even seen his red glowing eyes. 

The name The Devil’s Tramping Ground comes from the settlers, mainly people from Scotland and Ireland and in particular Ulster, that brought their stories and ideas about the Devil with them and eventually became part of the Americana folklore. But some claim that the strange and mysterious stories about the Devil’s Tramping Ground started way before it. 

Is The Devil’s Tramping Ground the Real Croatan?

Another legend about this place was that it was a meeting place for the local native tribes where they would meet in the circle for their feasts as well as ceremonial dances. In an article from 1882, it was even mentioned how some of the tribes had a “superstitious dread” for the place. 

The Croatan, also known as the Croatoan or Hatteras, were a Native American tribe that inhabited the coastal regions of present-day North Carolina. Believed to be part of the Algonquian-speaking family of tribes, the Croatan people played a significant role in the history of the Roanoke Island area.

Also known for being connected with the Lost Colony of Roanoke Island and the very place itself is Croatan, or referring to the Croatan tribes that used to live in the area. 

This is allegedly the name of the fallen tribal chief or the tribe itself that is buried there after a big battle between two opposing Indian chiefs and tribes. The losing tribe allegedly then ran off to the Outer Banks and became a part of the Lost Colony. Because as the famous story would have it, suddenly, the entire colony with its 118 settlers suddenly vanished.

The word Croatan is carved into a tree on Roanoke Island or a fort gatepost, and some claim it is referring to this place, the chief that died in the battle or the tribe.  

This story about The Devil’s Tramping Ground being a haunted place long before the settlers arrived has been told in writing for at least dating back to 1905 in The Carolinian. When it got connected with the legend of Roanoke Island and the Lost Colony is a little bit more unclear.

In this story though, the Gods themselves made the circle barren as a memorial to those faithful who lost their lives in battle. 

Lore and Legends of The Devil’s Tramping Ground

Those brave enough to spend a night within the boundaries of the Devil’s Tramping Ground report strange and unsettling events. From inexplicable noises echoing through the forest to an overwhelming sense of malevolence, the haunted atmosphere leaves an indelible mark on those who dare to test the boundaries of the supernatural.

The owner of the land, Tamara Owen has had the ground in their family for more than 100 years, and she doesn’t dare to venture close to the circle of The Devil’s Tramping Ground at night. 

Some of the many legends that are told about the Devil’s Tramping Ground range from objects left within the ring mysteriously vanishing overnight, and dogs are said to yip and howl, refusing to approach the haunted grounds. 

Some even claim that when people have spent the night by the circle, it has driven them insane and some never recovered from it. 

In the 1930s it was even written in the Chatham Record about a big black beast that chased hunters and their dogs away from the place. 

In Popular Culture:

The Devil’s Tramping Ground has transcended local legend to permeate popular culture in both books, movies and music. Renowned Horror novelist Poppy Z. Brite has incorporated the haunting locale into two chilling novels, “Lost Souls” and “Drawing Blood.” 

The legends have also found their way into music with bluegrass singers Tommy Edwards and the Bluegrass Experience song, The Devil’s Tramping Ground. This is also the case with the song by Russell Johnson from 1995:

Scientific Reasons to this Strange Phenomenon

Some claim The Devil’s Tramping Ground was a place where horses created the path as they went round and round with ether paths as it was used as a spot for an old molasses mill. It could also have been used as a burning pit when the locals in the area started to produce pine tar to export, all up to the 1940s. 

Soil scientists have taken a closer look to what the scientific reason for this place could be. Tests have shown that the chemistry of the soil is vastly different from the rest of the surrounding area, but it is not toxic, and seemingly, plants should be able to grow there. 

Some also say that the soil itself was salted by purpose and therefore sterile to its cause as shown in tests done by the North Carolina Department of Agriculture. People also think that the amount of ashes from it being used as a campsite has something to do with the soil’s ability to grow anything. 

Although the spot has written reports about it being a barren land dating back at least a century, before becoming the local party spot. Or maybe there is something else meeting up in the circle of darkened soil in the forest?

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