EDITOR’S NOTE: Strangeville explores the curious and unexplained stories that have long defined Asheville and Western North Carolina. The region is full of unanswered questions, from old folklore and local legends to eerie encounters, unsolved moments in history, and the true-crime mysteries that still leave people wondering. Each week, we look back with an open mind and a sense of curiosity, trying to understand why some stories take hold and why some can never be explained.
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.
When war called the braves away, the couple parted with heavy hearts. Each evening, the young woman returned to the cliff, watching the horizon and calling out to her love with a mournful song, hoping for a reply that never came.
Eventually, the warriors returned to the village and brought news that the young chieftain had been killed in battle. As twilight settled over the mountains, the maiden made one final journey to the cliff. She stepped to the edge and her love call faded into silence. Hunters later discovered her body below the rock.
Some say the maiden’s spirit still lingers. Witnesses have reported seeing a faint figure standing near the cliff, glowing in the silver light on moonlit nights.
The legend has become part of the mountain’s identity and remains an important link to the region’s Cherokee heritage. Stories like this one speak to the lasting influence of Native peoples and the emotional weight their history holds.
Jump Off Rock is now a public park in Laurel Park. Visitors come for the views, the walking trails, and, for some, the chance to experience a place where the line between past and present feels thin.
Many consider it a peaceful place to reflect. Others say it’s where love, loss, and legend meet in the mountains.
Visit Jump Off Rock Park
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