Dragons Cave

Not too far from the tourist friendly Crystal Cave, rests another grotto, but with a much darker history. Part of the same system of caverns as Crystal Cave, this one is not quite as tourist friendly. Due to it's natural opening in the Earth, this cave may have been used for thousands of years.

The Dragon's cave is one of the oldest known caves in the state of Pennsylvania. Located in the town of Virginville, the cave has been on maps since the 1770's. And since then the cave has had it's problems. Initial adventurers into the cave would often have to be rescued. One such group was found in a frenzied panic after losing light and being trapped for hours in the darkness. The cave attracted visitors from as far as New York and Philadelphia. However this all became overshadowed when the much larger Crystal Cave was discovered nearby. Crystal Caves marketing strategies and sheer size difference quickly made Dragon Cave irrelevant.

Many believe the cave is named for a large formation located inside resembling a dragon. But others believe the name was given for a different reason. An old folk tale dating over 200 years; tells the tale of a young Native Indian who had fallen in love with a European settlers daughter. The man's family forbade the relationship and refused the two to ever speak again. In a haste the two young lovers ran off to die together in a nearby cave. Before parting from the tribe, the young Native told several friends to keep on the lookout for a dragon flying over the Blue Mountains. The dragon would come to the place where their young bodies would rest in eternal peace.

The Tommyknockers

October 1824, deep in the coal mines of Western Pennsylvania, two miners are working alone in a small shaft.
"Where's my hammer?" exclaims Henry.
"I don't know!" replies John.
Henry fires immediately back "c'mon I got lots of work to do yet!"
"Seriously, I haven't seen it" John snaps back at his co-worker.
"Well it didn't just get off and walk away!" Henry shouted back.

Suddenly a obvious knocking sound was heard coming from the other end of the shaft.
Knock, knock, knock!
As the knocking became louder and closer, dirt began to crumble onto the top of the miner's heads. The supporting timber beams began to splinter and bend as the weight of the above ground was forcefully coming down. The two men eagerly grabbed their tools and hoped to make a quick retreat. Unexpectedly and out of nowhere the two men spotted a green gnome creature go barreling right past them. The startled pair stood in amazement and disbelief at each other as the weight of the earth came collapsing upon them.

The Tommyknockers are a greenish gnome-like creature originating out of Cornish folklore. They are closely similar to Leprechauns, except they primarily occupy mines, often seen working side by side with the miners. Tales of their existence in Western Pennsylvania began in the 1820's. As more and more immigrants descended on the area, the popular myths and legends from the Mother countries became more prevalent. The Tommyknockers name is derived from the knocking sounds miners would often hear before a cave-in. Many believed these impish trolls were actually the spirits of previous miners who succumbed to the industry.

The Tommyknockers were known to be a very mischievous bunch. They would often play practical jokes on the miners, often times taking the food from the lunches, as well as hiding their tools. Many in the mining field believed theses strange gnomes possessed the powers to change your life, for the better or worse. In fact, in some parts of the country miners were so fearful of the Tommyknockers that mines were actually closing due to overwhelming anxieties.

The Tommyknockers were known to do tremendous deeds. They would do favors and bring fortunes to those who believed. They were also known to cause mayhem, injury and even death to those who refused to believe!
(Art by Sam Thiewes)

Pottstown Pig Tree

(Photo from Creepy Places)
The Skull tree along Devil's road isn't the only tree in Pennsylvania with folklore surrounding it. With roots shaped like a pigs snout, and a set of holes where eyes would set, it's easy to see how the pig tree got its name. What's not so simple to figure out is why its become so mysterious.

The legend of the pig tree states to take a personal item from someone you wish to cause harm to, you then place the item into the eye hole of the tree. It's thought that if the sun pierces through the object, the curse has worked. It should also be known that if the sun doesn't shine through, the curse is than reversed onto you. I'm not too sure there's anyone I despise that much to take that risk!