About This Location
Spook Rock Road in Columbia County carries a legend rooted in Native American tragedy. According to the tale, a Mohican princess fell in love with a warrior her family disapproved of. When they ran away together, the Sky-Holder God sent torrential rains to flood the area and drown the couple as punishment for defying her family's wishes. A large boulder on the roadside is said to mark the site of their deaths.
The Ghost Story
The legend of Spook Rock Road has been passed down for generations. At night, travelers report hearing the mournful moaning of the Mohican princess as death carries her away. Some claim to catch glimpses of her apparition wandering the road, still searching for her lost love. The atmosphere on the road becomes oppressive and heavy, especially on moonless nights. Cars have stalled inexplicably near the rock, and drivers report feeling overwhelming sadness. The tragic love story has left a permanent imprint on this stretch of road, making it one of the Hudson Valley's most enduring supernatural legends.