History

The early history of slightings of the lights is somewhat unclear, at least to these investigators. There are some web sites and other writings that claim that they were seen by Native Americans, perhaps several hundred years ago. So far, we have located only one reference that may associate the lights with a Cherokee myth. See the Legends section for what we know and interpret of that potential myth.

More recent than the Indian legends is the apparent claim of sightings by the early surveyor DE Brahm, who surveyed the region in the 1770s.

The lights were reported seen by members of the Morganton Fishing Club, as publshed in an article in the Charlotte Obsever. That article is found in our References section.

Modern investigations started at the request of some US Congressmen to the U.S. Geologic Survey. Two investigations were made, the first in 1913 and the second in 1922. The latter was a more comprehensive study that included the collection of witnesses sightings and opinions, as well as original observations from several viewing points in the regions. That survey concluded that they lights were attributed to locomotive and car lights, and to fires. The entire USGS report in found posted in our References section.

Other investigations have been made by other groups with little known today about their results.

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