Halloween pumpkins are also known as jack-o'-lanterns. But were did the name Jack come from? Why do we carve and light them up each year? Find out in this old Southern ghost story.

For more strange Southern folktales, including stories not on the podcast, visit https://themoonlitroad.com

Follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/themoonlitroad and X/Twitter https://www.x.com/themoonlitroad

"Why is a Jack-o-Lantern Named Jack?" was adapted from folklore and produced by Craig Dominey.

Storyteller: LaDoris Bias Davis

http://kuumbastorytellers.org/ladoris-bias-davis/

Audio Production: Henry Howard

The Moonlit Road Podcast is a production of The Moonlit Road, LLC.

Traveling preacher seeks revenge on a inhospitable farm couple in this darkly funny ghost story from Arkansas (by way of Ireland).

Advisory: This is an un-sanitized traditional folktale featuring dark themes and descriptions of physical injury/remains, typical of classic Brothers Grimm-era stories.

Another version of this story by storyteller Bill Harley can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ltKUDHBCEGA

For more strange Southern folktales, including stories not on the podcast, visit https://themoonlitroad.com

Follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/themoonlitroad and X/Twitter https://www.x.com/themoonlitroad

"The Cow That Ate The Preacher" was adapted from folklore and directed by Craig Dominey

Storyteller: David Hirt

Music: Randall Franks - hear more of his work at Randall Franks | Actor Entertainer Author Columnist

Audio Production: Henry Howard

The Moonlit Road Podcast is a production of The Moonlit Road, LLC.

Based on the true Christmas story of the annual CSX Santa Claus Special train, bringing Santa Claus by rail to remote Appalachian communities. 

Additional reading:

Visit Kingsport 

Guide to Seeing the CSX Santa Train

For more strange Southern folktales, including stories not on the podcast, visit https://themoonlitroad.com

Follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/themoonlitroad and X/Twitter https://www.x.com/themoonlitroad

"The Santa Claus Special" was written and directed by Craig Dominey

Storyteller: Jim McAmis

Audio Production: Henry Howard

Santa Claus Clinchfield Train photo courtesy of the Kingsport Chamber of Commerce.

The Moonlit Road Podcast is a production of The Moonlit Road, LLC.

Christmas kids story about a scarecrow who teaches a holiday lesson to a grumpy snowman.

For more strange Southern folktales, including stories not on the podcast, visit https://themoonlitroad.com

Follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/themoonlitroad and X/Twitter https://www.x.com/themoonlitroad

"The Snowman and the Scarecrow" was written by Jim McAmis and Craig Dominey

Storyteller: Jim McAmis

Audio Production: Henry Howard

The Moonlit Road Podcast is a production of The Moonlit Road, LLC.

Adaptation of the classic ghost story by B.M. Croker (1849-1920). About a terrifying dare between gentleman for one to spend the night in a Charleston haunted house. What happens next will chill your blood!

Further reading: Wikipedia article on B.M. Croker

For more strange Southern folktales, including stories not on the podcast, visit https://themoonlitroad.com

Follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/themoonlitroad and X/Twitter https://www.x.com/themoonlitroad

"Number Ninety" was told by John Gentile

Director: Craig Dominey

Audio Production: Henry Howard

The Moonlit Road Podcast is a production of The Moonlit Road, LLC.

Part Three of our adaptation of one of American's literature's most famous ghost stories - a chilling tale from Ambrose Bierce detailing a murder from three perspectives, including the victim herself.

Part Three, STATEMENT OF THE LATE JULIA HETMAN, THROUGH THE MEDIUM BAYROLLES

For more strange Southern folktales, including stories not on the podcast, visit https://themoonlitroad.com

Follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/themoonlitroad and X/Twitter https://www.x.com/themoonlitroad

"The Moonlit Road, Part Three" was told by Trudy Leonard

Audio Production: Henry Howard

Music: Michael Thomas Roe

The Moonlit Road Podcast is a production of The Moonlit Road, LLC.

Part Two of our adaptation of one of American's literature's most famous ghost stories - a chilling tale from Ambrose Bierce detailing a murder from three perspectives, including the victim herself.

Part Two, STATEMENT OF CASPAR GRATTAN

For more strange Southern folktales, including stories not on the podcast, visit https://themoonlitroad.com

Follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/themoonlitroad and X/Twitter https://www.x.com/themoonlitroad

"The Moonlit Road, Part Two" was told by Thomas E. Fuller

Audio Production: Henry Howard

Music: Michael Thomas Roe

The Moonlit Road Podcast is a production of The Moonlit Road, LLC.

Part One of our adaptation of one of American's literature's most famous ghost stories - a chilling tale from Ambrose Bierce detailing a murder from three perspectives, including the victim herself.

Part One, STATEMENT OF JOEL HETMAN, JR.

For more strange Southern folktales, including stories not on the podcast, visit https://themoonlitroad.com

Follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/themoonlitroad and X/Twitter https://www.x.com/themoonlitroad

"The Moonlit Road, Part One" was told by John Gentile

Audio Production: Henry Howard

Music: Michael Thomas Roe

The Moonlit Road Podcast is a production of The Moonlit Road, LLC.

Uncover the chilling legend of the 'Nut Eating Devil' as young Tom McBride investigates the eerie sounds haunting a Tennessee mountain cemetery. Why do they sound like his dead Grandpa cracking open hickory nuts? Is it his ghost - or the Devil himself?

For more strange Southern folktales, including stories not on the podcast, visit https://themoonlitroad.com

Follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/themoonlitroad and X/Twitter https://www.x.com/themoonlitroad

"The Nut Eating Devil" was written by Jim McAmis and Craig Dominey

Storyteller: Jim McAmis

Audio Production: Henry Howard

Music: Les Scott

The Moonlit Road Podcast is a production of The Moonlit Road, LLC.

Civil War creature story amidst the ruins of post-Civil War Charleston, where a mysterious apothecary builds a marine attraction like no other.

For more strange Southern folktales, including stories not on the podcast, visit https://themoonlitroad.com

Follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/themoonlitroad and X/Twitter https://www.x.com/themoonlitroad

"The Hall of Wonders" was written and told by Thomas E. Fuller

Audio Production: Henry Howard

The Moonlit Road Podcast is a production of The Moonlit Road, LLC.