Mermaids in the Cape Fear River: North Carolina's Mysterious Folklore

Photo byChalo GarciaonUnsplash

North Carolina’s folklore is rich with magical creatures and mysterious legends, many of which have been passed down for centuries.

From the mountains to the coast, North Carolina holds a variety of mythical tales, including fairies, Bigfoot, and mermaids.

One such legend is the story of Mermaids in the Cape Fear River, which dates back to the 1700s during the Revolutionary War.

According to the legend, soldiers claimed to see mermaids sitting on a sandbar, washing seawater from their hair under the moonlight. This spot, now known as Mermaid's Point, was located near the intersection of the Deep River and Haw River, at the headwaters of the Cape Fear.

It wasn’t far from Ramsey’s Tavern, a watering hole where soldiers gathered for drinks after long, grueling days of battle. The mermaids were spotted multiple times during this period, but interestingly, these sightings always occurred after the soldiers had been drinking, perhaps adding a hint of skepticism to the legend.

The British Army eventually took over Ramsey’s Mill in 1781, and the mermaids were never seen again after the war. Today, both Mermaid’s Point and Ramsey’s Tavern are submerged underwater, leaving only stories and a historic roadway sign as reminders of this enchanting North Carolina folklore.

Do you believe these sightings were real, or just a product of a weary soldier’s imagination?