The Devil’s Tramping Ground

In Chatham County, North Carolina, there is a bare path through the crab grass where no plants will grow. The path measures about a foot wide, and follows a rough 40 foot circular trail. It is said that Satan follows the path at night, scheming evil deeds and rendering the soil sterile.

According to local legend, any items left inside the circle overnight will disappear.

The Chatham Record, 1935 via newspapers.com

Devil Tramping Ground Road, Chatham County

A path where nothing grows, Chatham County

Bones found on site, Chatham County

I traveled to Chatham County in July, 2021 to visit the Devil’s Tramping Ground and explore nearby ghost town, Coleridge.

Coleridge grew around the Enterprise Manufacturing Company, a water-powered industrial giant built on the Deep River in 1882. The facilities included a cotton mill, saw mill, flour mill, and company general store until its closure in 1958.

Enterprise MFG CO storefront via Randolph County Public Library

Enterprise MFG CO storefront, Coleridge

Enterprise MFG CO storefront, Coleridge

A pile of debris near the store, Coleridge

The General Store of the Enterprise Manufacturing Company is still standing, overgrown with vines and surrounded by piles of debris.

While picking through the remains of furniture and newspapers, I discovered three unlabeled VHS tapes. These are the Tramping Ground Tapes.

VHS tapes found in the debris, Coleridge