EDITOR’S NOTE: Strangeville explores the legends, folklore, and unexplained history of Western North Carolina. From Cherokee mythology and Appalachian ghost stories to Bigfoot sightings and UFO encounters, the Blue Ridge Mountains have long been a hotspot for the strange and mysterious. Join us as we dig into the past and uncover the truth behind the region’s most curious tales.
LAUREL PARK, N.C. – A steep cliff overlooking the Blue Ridge Mountains draws visitors for its views but it’s the story behind Jump Off Rock that has kept some coming back after dark, hoping to catch a glimpse of a legend in the moonlight.
The story dates back nearly 300 years, to a time when Cherokee tribes gathered each summer at Kanasta, now known as Connestee. According to the Henderson County Tourism Development Authority, a young Cherokee chieftain once fell in love with one of the tribe’s fairest maidens. The two secretly met at a rock cliff on Jump Off Mountain, sharing quiet moments…