We love strange and spooky legends here in Maryland! We have a rich history of the macabre and odd, and now that Halloween approaches, there's no better time to read about just a few of them. Which local legend is your favorite?
Poe's Grave
Though the acclaimed poet and author Edgar Allan Poe spent most of his life elsewhere -- he was born in Boston and spent time in New York, Pennsylvania, and Virginia -- he lived and died in Baltimore, and is buried here, too. A mysterious man left roses and cognac at his grave for many years, and people come from all over to pay their respects. Some say they've seen the spirit of Poe at the site of his burial, too.
Moll Dyer
The Blair Witch Project -- Maryland's finest found footage horror film -- is not real. We know. But that doesn't mean there is no good witch lore here in Maryland. In fact, there's a terrifying tale that comes out of Leonardtown! The exact details vary, but people say a woman named Moll Dyer was cast out of her colonial-era community for being a witch. She died of exposure to the elements, lying on a large rock at the very end. Legend says if you touch the rock, you could experience bad luck or even illness.
The Goatman
A horrifying goat-human hybrid lurks in the woods of Prince George's County! Some say he is the result of a science experiment at the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, while others say he's simply a demon. Whatever he is, he's been blamed for attacking pets and rushing at drivers with an axe. Is he real, or a figment of imaginative teens? We may never know.
Chessie
Forget that Scottish sea monster -- Maryland is home to Chessie, the Chesapeake Bay monster! People have claimed to have seen a strange serpentine creature in the waters of the bay since the 40's. Could it be that those were actually sightings of an eel or a shark, or maybe a manatee? Well, maybe. But it's more fun to believe that a mysterious yet friendly monster lurks in the waters of the bay.
The Blue Dog
Let's end on a nice note. Man's best friend will always be loyal -- even from beyond the grave! A legend from Charles County maintains that a soldier and his blue tick hound were killed after the soldier bragged about gold he had had the good fortune to have. The dog tried to protect his master, but it was in vain...or so the murderer thought. After the soldier's murderer killed the two, he buried the gold, hoping to return for it later. But when he came back, a terrifying ghost dog frightened him to death. However, if you're not a greedy murderer, you have nothing to fear from this very good boy.
