Moss Mountain is located on the Arkansas River not too far from the capital city of Little Rock.
The area is very beautiful and is well known as the home of the famed horticulturist and lifestyle guru P. Allen Smith. His home tours draw visitors from all around the region.
However, there is also an interesting and spooky legend associated with the mountain. Here is the story of a deeper mystery that began at the base of Moss Mountain.
The Legend of Moss Mountain
The legend of Moss Mountain is one that intertwines nature, history, and folklore.
The Beginning of the Story
The legend of Moss Mountain begins with a man named Thomas Nutall.
Thomas Nuttall was a naturalist who was born in England and came to America in 1808. He was one of the early scientific explorers of what is now Arkansas and was known for documenting a wide variety of flora and fauna.
He was also known for his descriptions of life in Arkansas during this era. Many of which, by the way, weren’t particularly favorable. He often made remarks about the uneducated and unsophisticated manners of the American settlers in the area.
Even though he didn’t like the locals, his notes have provided valuable information for historians.
Here are some other Arkansas legends that you might interest you!
Exploring the Arkansas River
In the year 1819 Thomas Nuttall was leading an expedition up the Arkansas River. The goal was to map the area and search for new plants and animals.
As they traveled through the summer the naturalist and many of his crew began suffering from the headaches and chills and fever of malaria. Although they were ill Nutall insisted on pushing onward.
By October the expedition arrived to Beaverdam Island just near the base of Moss Mountain. This is the island that you can see from Moss Mountain Farm. It lies in the middle of the Arkansas River.
At this point Nuttall and many of the men were still suffering from malaria which can also cause delirium.
The Moss Mountain Legend Begins
This is where the story takes a turn into “legend” status.
On the night of October 31, 1819 (yes, on Halloween night) Nutall and his men had pulled their flatboats to the shore and were camping on the island. They were sleeping all scattered around, some near the fire and others further on the perimeter.
Perhaps because they felt safe due to being on an island or perhaps because of the lingering effects of malaria they all fell into a deep sleep.
Nuttall had placed his bed farther away from the fire than most of the crew.
Humans in the Mist
At one point he awoke to the sounds of screaming. There was a heavy fog this night but Nuttall reports that he could see his men being slaughtered by “human figures in the mist.”
He claimed that the attackers were larger than normal and were walking on two legs. He saw men being easily thrown about and torn limb to limb.
He closed his eyes to block out the carnage and the attackers disappeared back into the surrounding wilderness.
At daylight he discovered the campsite littered with bloody bedding, body parts, and dead adventurers. Only Nuttall and 4 other men had survived.
Some of the survivors claimed that they were attacked by animals, but Nuttall always maintained that it was some type of human creature.
The story has also been discounted as a malaria induced hallucination.
Later Years
In the subsequent years as more settlers began to arrive and farm the land there began to be tales odd happenings on the mountain.
Settlers spoke of mysterious lights flickering in the distance at night, sudden drops in temperature, and glimpses of misty men.
The Spirits of the Mountain
Today, many claim that each Halloween night, on the anniversary of the massacre, the spirits of those who were massacred on the island come back to haunt Moss Mountain.
P. Allen Smith says on his website: “Each year the ghouls come up from the river; presumably the spirits of those who met their end on that isle.”
PinMoss Mountain Today
Today, Moss Mountain is best known as the home of P. Allen Smith’s Moss Mountain Farm, a destination for gardening enthusiasts and lovers of natural beauty.
The farm, which includes an extensive gardens, a gorgeous farmhouse, and sweeping views of the Arkansas River, is open to the public for tours.
Whether or not you believe in the legends, there’s no denying that Moss Mountain is a place of beauty and wonder.
And perhaps you can sense the legend of Moss Mountain lingering in the air.
PinThanks for stopping by.
