Secrets abound in Booger Hole – a hidden gem nestled in the heart of West Virginia and the majestic Appalachian Mountains. You won’t find Booger Hole on a map these days, but in the early 1900’s, it was a log cabin settlement in an isolated hollow in the Rush River Valley.

Legend has it that Booger Hole derived its peculiar name from the hauntingly eerie howls and moans that echoed through the dense woods. The creek that flows through the area was said to be the favorite hiding spot of a mythical creature known as a booger, which is akin to a mischievous gnome or goblin. According to local legend, these creatures would emerge from their hiding places at night, causing mischief and scaring unsuspecting passersby. The tales of these boogers have been passed down through generations, evolving with each retelling. Some say that the boogers were mischievous woodland spirits who would play pranks on unwary travelers, while others believe they were protectors of the land, ensuring its harmony and balance.

And the name? It isn’t pronounced the way you think. Booger rhymes with cougar. Except it’s Booger. Now that we have that out of the way…

Booger Hole boasts a checkered past. One rife with tales of stolen money, murder, and witchcraft. Because Booger Hole was an isolated holler, or hollow, for those of you that “ain’t from around here,” it made an excellent hideout for those with a criminal bent.

Lawman Daniel Cunningham wrote in his memoirs that, “many murders and other crimes have taken place in and near this bogey hole.” Fiddler Wilson Douglas said, “I can tell a million tales about that place.” He claimed to have seen ghostly figures, including a woman dressed head to toe in white, “with hair as black as the crow, who cried and wailed.” Another resident, Nettie Chatman, described the Booger Hole community: “The people who live here have no respect for the law and ignore the teachings and principles of every religious sect.”

Maybe this is why Booger Hole was said to have been the Bermuda Triangle of West Virginia. People seemed to have a way of disappearing, never to be seen or heard from again. 

A little over a century ago, in 1917, the small community was subjected to about a dozen murders during a short period of time. A special grand jury was convened to investigate the incidents, and the community itself formed what they referred to as ‘the mob.” Handbills tacked on trees around the area notified the citizens of Booger Hole that they, the mob, would “get bloodhounds and detectives and run [the murderers] to the ends of the earth.”  

The notice read as follows:

We, the citizens of Clay County, seeing that we cannot get justice by the law, have organized the Clay County Mob. We have pledged our lives to drive these people from our country, or kill them. If we cannot catch and hang you, we shall sneak upon you and kill you as you killed Henry Hargis, Lacy Ann Boggs, the old peddler, and Preston Tanner. If, before you leave, there is any stealing, killing, or burning, we will get bloodhounds and detectives and run you to the ends of the earth. Bill Sampson, Kooch Sampson, Fred Moore, and Aaron Runyon are hereby notified to leave the state within ten days. Rose Lyons, Bill Moore, and Elizabeth Sampson are hereby notified to leave within thirty days.”

P.S. Do not stop this side of the Ohio River.

An article written in the Charleston Mail Newspaper declared that because of the violent nature of the occurrences in a location where lawlessness abounds, Booger Hole should be removed from the map and the state of West Virginia, and the sooner, the better.

Over time, the legend of Booger Hole has gained popularity, attracting visitors from far and wide who are intrigued by its nefarious, otherworldly reputation. Urban legends have sprouted up, adding to the allure of the place. One of the most famous urban legends is the story of a lost treasure hidden somewhere within the depths of Booger Hole. Some claim that those who stumble upon it will be granted great wealth, but only if they can navigate the treacherous terrain and outsmart the boogers who guard it.

Another popular urban legend revolves around a supposed haunted house deep within the holler. According to the tale, the house is inhabited by restless spirits who died under mysterious circumstances and have been known to manifest themselves as eerie apparitions. Brave thrill-seekers venture into the darkness, hoping to catch a glimpse of the supernatural and experience the thrill of the unknown.

While these urban legends add a sense of excitement and adventure to the captivating folklore surrounding Booger Hole, it’s important to remember that they remain legends, meant to entertain and intrigue rather than be taken as fact.

Booger Hole, WV, continues to embrace its reputation as a place of mystery and legend. Whether you’re a believer or a skeptic, it’s hard to deny the allure of this enigmatic location, which has become a symbol of the power of folklore and the human fascination with the unknown.