The Moonlit Road Podcast - Southern Ghost Stories & Folklore

Memphis is a city of music and history, but it is also a city of ghosts. Today, we explore one of its most enduring and debated legends: the haunting of Brinkley Female College by the mysterious Lizzie - and the hunt for an elusive buried jar that captivated an entire city. READ THE FULL STORY & SEE PHOTOS: https://www.themoonlitroad.com/lizzie-ghost-brinkley-female-college-memphis-tennessee/ In this episode, we cover: The origins of the Brinkley Female College and its place in Memphis history. First-hand accounts of the terrifying encounters with "Lizzie." Why this specific ghost story remains one of the most controversial legends in Tennessee folklore. Listen now to decide for yourself: is Lizzie a product of imagination, or a spirit that refused to leave school? FOR MORE STORIES: Visit our archive of Southern ghost stories and folklore at https://themoonlitroad.com. FOLLOW US: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/themoonlitroad X/Twitter: https://www.x.com/themoonlitroad CREDITS: "Lizzie, Ghost of Brinkley Female College" was adapted and directed by Craig Dominey. Storyteller: Cathy Kaemmerlen (https://tattlingtales.com/). Audio Production: Henry Howard. Piano improvisations by Carole Mitchell ABOUT THE MOONLIT ROAD: The Moonlit Road has been exploring the dark back roads of the American South since 1999. We are a massive online archive of regional ghost stories, tall tales, and folklore from the Appalachians to the Gulf Coast, told by authentic local storytellers. #MemphisGhosts #PinkLizzie #SouthernFolklore #HauntedMemphis #TennesseeLegends #TheMoonlitRoad

Ever wonder why mosquitoes are so thirsty for blood? According to this legendary Tlingit tale—retold with a Southern twist—the answer lies in the defeat of a blood-thirsty giant. Discover the chilling and clever story of how a single monster became a swarm of thousands. Read the full story and see the illustrations here: https://www.themoonlitroad.com/where-mosquitos-come-from-tlingit-legend-southern-version/ Follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/themoonlitroad and X/Twitter https://www.x.com/themoonlitroad "Where Mosquitoes Came From" was adapted from folklore and directed by Craig Dominey. Storyteller: Veronica Byrd Audio Production: Henry Howard ABOUT THE MOONLIT ROAD The Moonlit Road has been exploring the dark back roads of the American South since 1999. We are a massive online archive of regional ghost stories, tall tales, and folklore from the Appalachians to the Gulf Coast, told by authentic local storytellers. The Moonlit Road Podcast is a production of The Moonlit Road, LLC. #NativeAmericanFolklore #OriginStories #SouthernFolklore #TlingitLegend #Mythology #TheMoonlitRoad #Folktales #NatureMyths

How far would you go for the love of your life? In this Louisiana tale, a young deputy is given a terrifying task to prove his worth: he must capture and kill the Loup Garou (or Rougarou), the shapeshifting werewolf of the Cajun swamplands. Read the full story and see the history of the Loup Garou here: https://www.themoonlitroad.com/the-sheriff-and-the-loup-garou/ FOR MORE STORIES: This is just one of the many legends found on the back roads. Visit our archive of Southern ghost stories and folklore at https://themoonlitroad.com. Follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/themoonlitroad and X/Twitter https://www.x.com/themoonlitroad "The Sheriff and the Loup Garou" was written and told by Tom Coleman.  Listen to more of his stories at https://cajunstoryteller.com Director: Craig Dominey Audio Production: Henry Howard ABOUT THE MOONLIT ROAD The Moonlit Road has been exploring the dark back roads of the American South since 1999. We are a massive online archive of regional ghost stories, tall tales, and folklore from the Appalachians to the Gulf Coast, told by authentic local storytellers. The Moonlit Road Podcast is a production of The Moonlit Road, LLC. #LoupGarou #CajunFolklore #WerewolfStories #LouisianaLegends #BayouStories #SouthernFolklore #TheMoonlitRoad #SpookyStories

Every October, millions of pumpkins are carved into glowing faces. But do you know the dark legend of the man who gave them their name? Meet Stingy Jack—a man so cunning he managed to trap the Devil himself. This classic folktale explains why Jack is forced to wander the night with nothing but a hollowed-out turnip and a coal from the fires of Hell. Read the full story and see the history here: https://www.themoonlitroad.com/why-is-a-jack-o-lantern-named-jack/ Follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/themoonlitroad and X/Twitter https://www.x.com/themoonlitroad "Why is a Jack-o-Lantern Named Jack?" was adapted from folklore and produced by Craig Dominey. Storyteller: LaDoris Bias Davis http://kuumbastorytellers.org/ladoris-bias-davis/ Audio Production: Henry Howard ABOUT THE MOONLIT ROAD The Moonlit Road has been exploring the dark back roads of the American South since 1999. We are a massive online archive of regional ghost stories, tall tales, and folklore from the Appalachians to the Gulf Coast, told by authentic local storytellers. The Moonlit Road Podcast is a production of The Moonlit Road, LLC. #JackOLantern #StingyJack #HalloweenFolklore #SouthernFolklore #OriginStories #GhostStories #TheMoonlitRoad

What happens when a traveling preacher seeks revenge on an inhospitable farm couple? This darkly funny ghost story—passed down from Ireland to the Arkansas hills—follows a man of the cloth who decides to teach his unkind hosts a lesson they'll never forget. But in the world of folklore, revenge often takes a very strange and unexpected shape. Advisory: This is an un-sanitized traditional folktale featuring dark themes and descriptions of physical injury/remains, typical of classic Brothers Grimm-era stories. Another version of this story by storyteller Bill Harley can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ltKUDHBCEGA FOR MORE STORIES: This is just one of the many legends found on the back roads. Visit our archive of Southern ghost stories and folklore at https://themoonlitroad.com. Follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/themoonlitroad and X/Twitter https://www.x.com/themoonlitroad "The Cow That Ate The Preacher" was adapted from folklore and directed by Craig Dominey Storyteller: David Hirt Music: Randall Franks - hear more of his work at https://randallfranks.com/ Audio Production: Henry Howard ABOUT THE MOONLIT ROAD The Moonlit Road has been exploring the dark back roads of the American South since 1999. We are a massive online archive of regional ghost stories, tall tales, and folklore from the Appalachians to the Gulf Coast, told by authentic local storytellers. The Moonlit Road Podcast is a production of The Moonlit Road, LLC.  

Episode Summary: Would you spend the night in a house the rest of the world has abandoned to the dead? This episode takes us to historic Charleston for an adaptation of B.M. Croker's Victorian ghost story, "Number Ninety." In this episode: The Challenge: A group of gentlemen at a social club issue a terrifying dare that cannot be ignored. The Setting: Number Ninety, a house with a reputation so dark that even the bravest locals avoid its shadow. The Encounter: A psychological and supernatural descent into a night that changes a man forever. Listen in as we explore a masterclass in Victorian suspense, reimagined for the shadows of the American South. Further reading: Wikipedia article on B.M. Croker FOR MORE STORIES: This is just one of the many legends found on the back roads. Visit our archive of Southern ghost stories and folklore at https://themoonlitroad.com. Follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/themoonlitroad and X/Twitter https://www.x.com/themoonlitroad "Number Ninety" was told by John Gentile Director: Craig Dominey Audio Production: Henry Howard The Moonlit Road Podcast is a production of The Moonlit Road, LLC. ABOUT THE MOONLIT ROAD The Moonlit Road has been exploring the dark back roads of the American South since 1999. We are a massive online archive of regional ghost stories, tall tales, and folklore from the Appalachians to the Gulf Coast, told by authentic local storytellers. #NumberNinety #CharlestonGhostStories #SouthCarolinaFolklore #VictorianHorror #HauntedHouse #GhostStories #TheMoonlitRoad #SouthernGothic

The haunting conclusion to Ambrose Bierce's masterpiece. In 'The Spirit's Testimony,' a voice reaches out from beyond the grave to reveal the final, heartbreaking truth of that moonlit night. This third and final chapter completes the chilling mystery of a family destroyed by silence and the supernatural.   Read the full story: https://www.themoonlitroad.com/the-moonlit-road-ambrose-bierce-audio-version/ FOR MORE STORIES: This is just one of the many legends found on the back roads. Visit our archive of Southern ghost stories and folklore at https://themoonlitroad.com. Follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/themoonlitroad and X/Twitter https://www.x.com/themoonlitroad "The Moonlit Road, Part Three" was told by Trudy Leonard Audio Production: Henry Howard Music: Michael Thomas Roe The Moonlit Road Podcast is a production of The Moonlit Road, LLC. ABOUT THE MOONLIT ROAD:  The Moonlit Road has been exploring the dark back roads of the American South since 1999. We are a massive online archive of regional ghost stories, tall tales, and folklore from the Appalachians to the Gulf Coast, told by authentic local storytellers.\ #TheMoonlitRoad #AmbroseBierce #SouthernGothic #ClassicHorror #GhostStories #VictorianHorror #LiteraryGhostStories #TheMoonlitRoadPodcast

In Part Two of our Ambrose Bierce adaptation, the mystery deepens with 'The Confession of the Father.' Haunted by a spectral encounter on a dark road, a man is forced to confront the truth behind his wife's death. The second chapter in this chilling 3-part Southern Gothic masterpiece.   Read the full story here: https://www.themoonlitroad.com/the-moonlit-road-ambrose-bierce-audio-version/ FOR MORE STORIES: This is just one of the many legends found on the back roads. Visit our archive of Southern ghost stories and folklore at https://themoonlitroad.com. Follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/themoonlitroad and X/Twitter https://www.x.com/themoonlitroad "The Moonlit Road, Part Two" was told by Thomas E. Fuller Audio Production: Henry Howard Music: Michael Thomas Roe The Moonlit Road Podcast is a production of The Moonlit Road, LLC. ABOUT THE MOONLIT ROAD: The Moonlit Road has been exploring the dark back roads of the American South since 1999. We are an online archive of regional ghost stories, tall tales, and folklore from the Appalachians to the Gulf Coast, told by authentic local storytellers. #TheMoonlitRoad #AmbroseBierce #SouthernGothic #ClassicHorror #GhostStories #VictorianHorror #LiteraryGhostStories #TheMoonlitRoadPodcast

Part One of our adaptation of Ambrose Bierce's masterpiece. A chilling mystery begins with the 'Statement of the Son,' as a family is shattered by a brutal murder. Experience one of American literature's most famous ghost stories told from three haunting perspectives.   Read the entire story here: https://www.themoonlitroad.com/the-moonlit-road-ambrose-bierce-audio-version/ FOR MORE STORIES: This is just one of the many legends found on the back roads. Visit our archive of Southern ghost stories and folklore at https://themoonlitroad.com. Follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/themoonlitroad and X/Twitter https://www.x.com/themoonlitroad "The Moonlit Road, Part One" was told by John Gentile Audio Production: Henry Howard Music: Michael Thomas Roe The Moonlit Road Podcast is a production of The Moonlit Road, LLC. ABOUT THE MOONLIT ROAD: The Moonlit Road has been exploring the dark back roads of the American South since 1999. We are a massive online archive of regional ghost stories, tall tales, and folklore from the Appalachians to the Gulf Coast, told by authentic local storytellers. #TheMoonlitRoad #AmbroseBierce #SouthernGothic #ClassicHorror #GhostStories #VictorianHorror #LiteraryGhostStories #TheMoonlitRoadPodcast

Uncover the chilling legend of the "Nut Eating Devil," a classic Tennessee mountain ghost story. Follow young Tom McBride as he investigates eerie sounds haunting a remote cemetery in the middle of the night. Why do the noises sound exactly like his dead Grandpa cracking open hickory nuts? Is it a restless ghost, or a meeting with the Devil himself? Read the full story and learn about the storyteller here: https://www.themoonlitroad.com/the-nut-eating-devil/ FOR MORE STORIES: This is just one of the many legends found on the back roads. Visit our archive of Southern ghost stories and folklore at https://themoonlitroad.com. Follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/themoonlitroad and X/Twitter https://www.x.com/themoonlitroad "The Nut Eating Devil" was written by Jim McAmis and Craig Dominey Storyteller: Jim McAmis Audio Production: Henry Howard Music: Les Scott The Moonlit Road Podcast is a production of The Moonlit Road, LLC. ABOUT THE MOONLIT ROAD:  The Moonlit Road has been exploring the dark back roads of the American South since 1999. We are a large online archive of regional ghost stories, tall tales, and folklore from the Appalachians to the Gulf Coast, told by authentic local storytellers. #TheNutEatingDevil #AppalachianFolklore #TennesseeGhostStories #SouthernHumor #TallTales #GhostStories #TheMoonlitRoad #MountainLegends

A Southern supernatural folktale with Irish roots: An early Louisiana settler rescues a turtle and is transported into the strange world of The Fair Folk. Read the full story and learn about the Irish in Louisiana here: https://www.themoonlitroad.com/irwin-tarheel-fair-folk-louisiana-folktale/ BEYOND THE PODCAST: This is just one of the many legends of the bayou. Discover many more Southern folktales not found on this podcast by visiting our archive at https://themoonlitroad.com. Follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/themoonlitroad and X/Twitter https://www.x.com/themoonlitroad "Irwin Tarheel and the Fair Folk" was written by Sam McDonald. Storyteller: Otis Jiry The Moonlit Road Podcast is a production of The Moonlit Road, LLC. #IrwinTarheel #FairFolk #LouisianaFolklore #IrishMythology #SouthernFolktales #ShreveportHistory #TimeTravelStories #TheMoonlitRoad #OtisJiry

An Alabama widow lives in fear of the terrifying murderer Railroad Bill.  But is he really what the townsfolk say he is?   For more strange Southern folktales, including stories not on the podcast, visit https://themoonlitroad.com Follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/themoonlitroad and X/Twitter https://www.x.com/themoonlitroad "Railroad Bill" was written by told by Christine Horn.  As told at the Tour of Southern Ghosts, ART Station, Stone Mountain, Georgia. Audio Production: Henry Howard The Moonlit Road Podcast is a production of The Moonlit Road, LLC.        

Experience the legend of Thomas Lester, a man whose high-speed encounter with a headless ghost left him running faster than a jackrabbit. This humorous Southern ghost story explores the folklore of 'the spirit that passes you real quick-like,' giving you a chill up your spine. Narrated by Yomi Goodall and recorded for the Tour of Southern Ghosts in Stone Mountain, Georgia. FOR MORE STORIES: This is just one of the many legends found on the back roads. Visit our archive of Southern ghost stories and folklore at https://themoonlitroad.com. Follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/themoonlitroad and X/Twitter https://www.x.com/themoonlitroad "The Spirit of Thomas Lester" was written and told by Yomi Goodall Audio Production: Henry Howard The Moonlit Road Podcast is a production of The Moonlit Road, LLC. ABOUT THE MOONLIT ROAD The Moonlit Road has been exploring the dark back roads of the American South since 1997. We are a massive online archive of regional ghost stories, tall tales, and folklore from the Appalachians to the Gulf Coast, told by authentic local storytellers.  

High in the mist-covered peaks of North Carolina lies the story of a man who chose sacrifice over surrender. Tsali was a Cherokee farmer who became a martyr during the forced removals of the 1830s. This isn't just a ghost story; it is a legend of bravery and a haunting reminder of the lives lost along the Trail of Tears. Some say his spirit still watches over the mountains he died to save. Read the full story and historical background here: https://www.themoonlitroad.com/tsali-cherokee-ghost-story-north-carolina/ FOR MORE STORIES: This is just one of the many legends found on the back roads. Visit our archive of Southern ghost stories and folklore at https://themoonlitroad.com. Follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/themoonlitroad and X/Twitter https://www.x.com/themoonlitroad "Tsali" was written by Craig Dominey Storyteller: Jim McAmis Audio Production: Henry Howard The Moonlit Road Podcast is a production of The Moonlit Road, LLC. ABOUT THE MOONLIT ROAD The Moonlit Road has been exploring the dark back roads of the American South since 1999. We are a massive online archive of regional ghost stories, tall tales, and folklore from the Appalachians to the Gulf Coast, told by authentic local storytellers. #Tsali #CherokeeHistory #SmokyMountains #NorthCarolinaFolklore #TrailOfTears #SouthernGhostStories #TheMoonlitRoad #AppalachianLegends

Experience the chilling legend of the Maco Light. From the tragic night of Joe Baldwin's sacrifice to the mysterious lantern light that haunted the North Carolina rails for over a century, this episode explores one of the South's most famous paranormal phenomena. Narrated by Jim McAmis, it's a journey into the heart of railroad folklore. Read the full history here: https://www.themoonlitroad.com/maco-light-north-carolina-railroad-ghost-story/ FOR MORE STORIES: This is just one of the many legends found on the back roads. Visit our archive of Southern ghost stories and folklore at https://themoonlitroad.com. Follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/themoonlitroad and X/Twitter https://www.x.com/themoonlitroad "The Maco Light" was written by Jim McAmis and Craig Dominey Storyteller: Jim McAmis Audio Production: Henry Howard The Moonlit Road Podcast is a production of The Moonlit Road, LLC. ABOUT THE MOONLIT ROAD The Moonlit Road has been exploring the dark back roads of the American South since 1997. We are a massive online archive of regional ghost stories, tall tales, and folklore from the Appalachians to the Gulf Coast, told by authentic local storytellers. #TheMacoLight #NorthCarolinaGhostStories #RailroadFolklore #JoeBaldwin #HauntedRailroads #WilmingtonNC #SouthernGhostStories #UrbanLegends #ParanormalInvestigation #TheMoonlitRoad  

Experience 'Mississippi Rose: A Southern Ghost Story.' This episode follows a young man's encounter with a mysterious figure on a dusty backroad in turn-of-the-century Mississippi. Part romance, part supernatural legend, this African American folktale explores the tragic history of the Simmons homestead. FOR MORE STORIES: This is just one of the many legends found on the back roads. Visit our archive of Southern ghost stories and folklore at https://themoonlitroad.com. Follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/themoonlitroad and X/Twitter https://www.x.com/themoonlitroad "Mississippi Rose" was written by LaDoris Davis and Craig Dominey Storyteller: LaDoris Davis Audio Production: Henry Howard The Moonlit Road Podcast is a production of The Moonlit Road, LLC. ABOUT THE MOONLIT ROAD The Moonlit Road has been exploring the dark back roads of the American South since 1997. We are a large online archive of regional ghost stories, tall tales, and folklore from the Appalachians to the Gulf Coast, told by authentic local storytellers.

Explore the legend of Chloe, the slave ghost of Myrtles Plantation. In this episode, we delve into the haunting history of one of the South's most famous antebellum homes and the tragic figure believed to haunt it to this day. This classic Louisiana ghost story is narrated with dramatic flair by storyteller Veronica Byrd. Read the full history and see the "ghost photo" here: https://www.themoonlitroad.com/chloe-slave-ghost-myrtles-plantation-louisiana/ FOR MORE STORIES: This is just one of the many legends found on the Southern back roads. Visit our archive of Southern ghost stories and folklore at https://themoonlitroad.com. Follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/themoonlitroad and X/Twitter https://www.x.com/themoonlitroad "Chloe, The Slave Girl of Myrtles Plantation" was written and directed by Craig Dominey. Storyteller: Veronica Byrd Audio Production: Henry Howard The Moonlit Road Podcast is a production of The Moonlit Road, LLC. ABOUT THE MOONLIT ROAD The Moonlit Road has been exploring the dark back roads of the American South since 1997. We are a large online archive of regional ghost stories, tall tales, and folklore from the Appalachians to the Gulf Coast, told by authentic local storytellers. #MyrtlesPlantation #ChloeTheGhost #HauntedLouisiana #SouthernGhostStories #TheMoonlitRoad #AmericanHauntings #PlantationLegends #StFrancisville

Experience one of the French Quarter's most infamous urban legends. 'The Sausage Man of New Orleans' is a gruesome ghost story exploring the depths of murder and madness. In the 1800s, Hans Mueller was a respected butcher with a thriving shop on Ursulines Street—until he found a truly grisly way to 'dispose' of his marriage. Follow the chilling tale of a man who tried to grind his problems away, only to discover that some secrets won't stay buried... even in a sausage vat. Narrated with dramatic flair by storyteller Kodac Harrison. Content Warning: This episode contains descriptions of murder, graphic violence, and disturbing imagery. Listener discretion is advised. FOR MORE STORIES: This is just one of the many legends found on the Southern back roads. Visit our archive of Southern ghost stories and folklore at https://themoonlitroad.com. Follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/themoonlitroad and X/Twitter https://www.x.com/themoonlitroad "The Sausage Man of New Orleans" was written by Craig Dominey Storyteller: Kodac Harrison Audio Production: Henry Howard ABOUT THE MOONLIT ROAD The Moonlit Road has been exploring the dark back roads of the American South since 1997. We are a large online archive of regional ghost stories, tall tales, and folklore from the Appalachians to the Gulf Coast, told by authentic local storytellers.      

Desperate for work during the Depression, a drifter takes a job at a remote Mississippi farm—only to find a mysterious black cat whispering at his dinner table. Discover the terrifying secret of the 'Sop Doll' and why some jobs are better left untaken. A classic Southern 'witch-cat' legend narrated by Jim McAmis. Read the full story and see the Appalachian mountain archive here: https://www.themoonlitroad.com/sop-doll/ Follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/themoonlitroad and X/Twitter https://www.x.com/themoonlitroad "Sop Doll" was adapted from folklore by Craig Dominey Storyteller: Jim McAmis Audio Production: Henry Howard Music: Les Scott ABOUT THE MOONLIT ROAD The Moonlit Road has been exploring the dark back roads of the American South since 1997. We are a large online archive of regional ghost stories, tall tales, and folklore from the Appalachians to the Gulf Coast, told by authentic local storytellers. #SopDoll #AppalachianFolklore #WitchStories #BlueRidgeMountains #GhostStories #SouthernFolklore #TheMoonlitRoad #MountainMyths

Caught in a fierce Mississippi rainstorm, an exhausted salesman seeks refuge in an abandoned hillside house. He finds a warm fire—and a trio of black cats who are much more than they appear. As the cats grow in size and malice, they whisper a chilling warning: 'Wait 'til Jesse comes.' A classic Southern spooky story narrated by LaDoris Davis. Read the full story and meet the storyteller here: https://www.themoonlitroad.com/wait-til-jesse-comes/ FOR MORE STORIES: This is just one of the many legends found on the Southern back roads. Visit our archive of Southern ghost stories and folklore at https://themoonlitroad.com. Follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/themoonlitroad and X/Twitter https://www.x.com/themoonlitroad "Wait 'Til Jesse Comes" was adapted from folklore by Craig Dominey Storyteller: LaDoris Davis ABOUT THE MOONLIT ROAD The Moonlit Road has been exploring the dark back roads of the American South since 1997. We are a large online archive of regional ghost stories, tall tales, and folklore from the Appalachians to the Gulf Coast, told by authentic local storytellers. #WaitTilJesseComes #MississippiGhostStories #TalkingCats #SouthernFolklore #ScaryStories #TheMoonlitRoad #SpookyCats #CampfireTales