How Old Woman's Run Got Its Name

Elk Hotel
Photo by Theresa ca 2017

2017 is the year I really started getting acquainted with the spooky little town of Sutton, West Virginia. One such trip led me to the end of the downtown district to check out the Elk Hotel, then known as Cafe Cimino. The beautiful historic home (which I'll be posting about in a different blog post!) sits at the confluence of the Elk River and a small creek and accompanying road named Old Woman's Run. 

At the time, I was intrigued with the odd name and even remarked to my partner that I bet there was a cool story behind it. And there was. It would just take me quite a while to find it and even longer to write about it.

The answer was waiting within the pages of The History of Braxton County and Central West Virginia, by John Sutton, grandson of the town founder. (You can read it for free at Internet Archive) It was published in 1919 and on page 40, tells exactly how Old Woman's Run came to be. 

During the early days of white settlement in the area, the area between Old Woman's Run and Granny Creek was filled with laurels, rocky cliffs, and dens. A large female bear roamed this area for years, giving birth to several litters of cubs. The she-bear wasn't seen for several years, but hunters in the area knew she was around by the extremely large tracks she would leave behind. It was these hunters who named the bear "Old Woman" and the creek near her stomping grounds, Old Woman's Run. 

The book goes on to mention that Old Woman was finally killed by hunters in the area where Moman Rhea lived. Although the book doesn't specify where exactly Rhea lived, it does give a little blurb about him later on. Rhea was one of the very few people of color in the entire county at the time the book was written. He was a former enslaved person, who, after his bondage had acquired quite a bit of land and become a progressive farmer known for his acts of kindness. 

To be honest, I'm kind of sad that the Old Woman of this story is simply a bear and not related to some ghostly apparition of an elderly woman haunting the hillside. However, this bear was described as being quite large and leaving behind large tracks. The book even notes that people of the area had always had issues raising pigs and lambs. What else leaves big tracks and steals livestock? Some may say Bigfoot. Interestingly enough, there are tales of just such a creature!

Reports of a possible Bigfoot have lasted up through modern day in the area of Sutton Lake....right near this confluence of the Elk River and Old Woman's Run Creek. These reports date back to at least 1919 when an interesting newspaper article about a wild man was published in the Evening Telegram out of Lakeland, Florida. The article reads:

Return of Wild Man Revives Old Terrors

Flatwoods, W. Va. – The belief that a wild man is still lurking in this vicinity, stealing and killing children and young pigs, is stronger than ever just now. A story related by Luther C. Douglas has dispelled all hopes that the terrible creature had fled to other localities. Douglas’ story follows:

“I was on my way home from lodge meeting,” said Douglas, “when I heard a noise near Ed Wiley’s barn, which is close to the road. I thought it might be a dog and paid little attention to it at first. Then, as I was passing a vacant house a short distance from Ed’s place, I heard a distant door slam and a wild-looking fellow, in rags and with long hair and beard that others who have seen him have described, came rushing out of the front door of the old house, brandishing a huge knotted club and uttering the most horrifying sounds I ever have heard.

“Being convinced by his actions that I was to be assaulted and possibly killed, I drew my revolver and took two shots at him. With this he turned and fled, screaming louder than ever. I didn’t pursue him. Not me. It would take a braver man than I profess to be to go on the trail of that horrible creature.”

The authorities are again agitating the question of taking some means to capture the much-feared lunatic, or whatever he is.

Obviously, whatever or whomever was stealing children and pigs in 1919 was described as being more human (even wearing some type of clothing and brandishing a weapon) than a she-bear, it gives one pause as to what exactly was going on in the little town of Sutton, so close to Flatwoods. 

Evening Telegram (Lakeland Florida)
08 March 1919

The West Virginia Bigfoot Museum in Sutton

After my recent trip to Sutton, I realized I have never dedicated an entire blog post to the WV Bigfoot Museum! Sure, I've shared photos on my social media platforms and mentioned going there a few times, but I never gave this awesome spot the attention it deserves. So, today I'll hopefully remedy that.

In regards to the other popular museums throughout WV dedicated to the fringe sciences (The Mothman Museum, The Archive of the Afterlife, and the Flatwoods Monster Museum), The West Virginia Bigfoot Museum is fairly new to the scene. However, it's been awesome seeing how quickly they've grown and become another great resource for those interested in exploring and learning about WV's unique (and sometimes spooky!) history.

Back in 2019, Louis and Laurel Petolicchio opened up the Mountain Laurel Country Store, located at 400 4th St. in downtown Sutton. The building dates back to 1900 and was built by William Hampton (W.H.) Lee and was used as the home of the W.H. Lee Wholesale and Retail Hardware and Furniture Company. The shop is a cozy, welcoming space filled with one of a kind, handmade gifts and crafts from local artisans. There's jewelry, toys, books, home goods, indoor and outdoor decor, soaps and munchies, and so, so much more. Recently, they've also added a little on-site cafe, Main Street Coffee, serving up coffee, sandwiches, and lots of different goodies. It's an ideal spot for picking up unique gift items and supporting local business/local artisans, as well as just being a wonderful addition to Sutton's growing revitalized downtown.  But, within two years, it would become so much more. 

A local woodcarver who sold pieces through consignment at the shop brought in a HUGE 6 foot, 300lb carving made from a solid block of hemlock. The carving was of a Bigfoot. The Stone Man, the Yahoo, Sasquatch---he goes by many names, but the hairy man of the woods has long been sighted throughout West Virginia, with plenty of reports coming from right in the area around Sutton! Locals and visitors alike visiting the store would see this beautiful wood carving of a Bigfoot, and it would spark their own stories and sightings. Now, not only was the Mountain Laurel Country Store a gift shop, but it was quickly becoming a repository for Bigfoot reports! 

That seemed to suit Louis and his son, David, just fine, as both had an interest in the phenomenon. Around the same time, researcher and investigator, Les O'Dell of WV Cryptids and Strange Encounters was needing a spot to showcase his personal collection of plaster casts of Bigfoot tracks found in the state, as well as his massive collection of reports, spanning back decades. At the same time, more and more reports, including RECENT reports, of Bigfoot activity from the Sutton area were coming to light...and thus, the idea for the West Virginia Bigfoot Museum was born.

Opening officially in May of 2021, the West Virginia Bigfoot Museum's GRAND OPENING would wait until July to coincide with the First Annual  WV Bigfoot Festival! The event was a huge success, and has become an annual event, featuring awesome speakers and vendors showcasing all sorts of Squatchy goodness. But, you don't have to wait for the festival or any of the other Bigfoot-related events happening in Sutton---the museum is open year round! 

And, it's definitely a cool spot to check out, whether you're a complete skeptic or whether you relish in the idea of an unknown primate lurking about. The collection focuses on West Virginia sightings, reports, and evidence, but a general overview of the Bigfoot phenomenon is displayed. You'll find information on famous cases, such as the Patterson-Gimlin footage, as well as information on Bigfoot's cold weather cousin, the Yeti. It's a neat space filled with Bigfoot artwork (including some new wall murals featuring hidden Bigfoots), plaster casts, and photographs. There's also a HUGE gift shop featuring books, T-shirts, jewelry, home decor, and every manner of Bigfoot novelty you can think of. 

Unfortunately, Louis passed away in 2022, but through the rest of the family and support from the community, the WV Bigfoot Museum is still going strong with plans for new exhibits and upcoming events. I cannot recommend this little gem of a museum enough, and even though I've been there a handful of times now, the warm, welcoming atmosphere and hospitality from the owners never changes. They truly want to make sure you enjoy yourself and feel right at home. And, I always happen to see or notice something new, whether in the museum itself, or the gift shop. Definitely add it to your itinerary if you're coming through the area! 

Know Before You Go:

This museum is completely FREE to visit and is family-friendly! If you'd like to help support their continued work in the preservation of Bigfoot memorabilia and the education of this fascinating subject, they do accept donations. There is also an extensive gift shop with really cool souvenirs in all price-ranges.

The WV Bigfoot Museum is open year-round. Their current hours are:

Wednesday-Friday: 10am to 6pm

Saturday: 10am to 4pm

(Closed Sunday, Monday, Tuesday)

WV Bigfoot Museum Website

WV Bigfoot Museum FaceBook

WV Bigfoot Festival FaceBook (June 23-24, 2023)

A Woman in White at the Haunted Elk Hostel

The Elk Hostel in Sutton
Source: Elk Hostel FaceBook

As many people in the paranormal community are discovering, the little town of Sutton, WV, located in the central part of the state, has quickly become a can't-miss paranormal tourist destination. Sutton is home to both the Flatwoods Monster Museum and the West Virginia Bigfoot Museum. It's home to one of SRI's favorite haunted locations, a charming Victorian home known as the William Edgar Haymond House, which can be rented out overnight for paranormal investigations or simply as a cool, spooky place to stay the night. Several festivals are held throughout the year celebrating the area's unique contributions to the world of paranormal research, and there are plenty of local businesses and attractions celebrating the town's history and its lore. 

However, there's one location in Sutton that has a long reputation of being haunted, but surprisingly doesn't get as much attention. It's a historic building where you can stay the night when you're in town, and has been the filming site of several interesting movie projects. This building is the Elk Hostel, which can be found right downtown at 200 Main Street. 

Before it was the Elk Hostel, the old building started as The Elk Hotel. Construction of the hotel was completed and it was ready for guests by April of 1894. However, the Sutton Hotel Company, which was behind the project, was formed on June 6, 1891. J.S. Hyer, a local politician and businessman, was a member of this committee, and would ultimately become the first official owner of the hotel, which was occasionally referred to as The Elk House. 

Elk Hotel prior to 1910
Source: Clio

By 1909, the Home National Bank was incorporated and moved into the bottom floor of the Elk Hotel. The following year, the hotel underwent some renovations. The outside facade was covered in a stucco, scored to imitate stone blocks. The corner entrance into the bank lobby and the Doric columns adorning this section were also added. 

Over the years, the hotel changed owners and management several times, and even became known under the ownership of Mr. and Mrs. Lester Gerwig as The Midway Hotel, because it had become a midway stop on the WV Bus Company's route. Space in the building was used as a bank, a general store, a billiards hall, and even a restaurant before the building finally was abandoned. It sat abandoned for 20 years until it was purchased by Kevin Carpenter around 1999. Kevin began the process of restoring the hotel, and opened it up as a cool little place to stay in downtown. 

But during those 20 years when the old hotel sat abandoned, it might not have been as empty as it appeared. On October 31, 2003 NPR published a wonderful little Halloween ghost story piece with reporter, Erika Celeste, talking about the alleged hauntings of the Elk Hotel/Hostel. Weird sounds, doors slamming shut, misty apparitions, and strange feelings were all experienced after Kevin purchased the building. However, two witnesses came forth and claimed that they saw something...

Lobby of the Home National Bank
Source: Sutton, West Virginia, Looking 
Back Again, by Craig A. Smith

Colleen Dickerson worked across the street from the Elk Hostel and she reports that one night about 2am, she happened to glance at one of the windows of the then-abandoned building. Knowing the building should be empty, she was shocked to see a young woman with long, blonde hair wearing an old fashioned white blouse looking out. 

Janet Butler possibly saw the same ghostly woman. She saw the apparition of a woman, possibly holding a candle as it was bathed in a dim light, looking out from the hotel's enclosed balcony. But who was this woman?

The NPR recording goes on to state that there was some historical precedence for why the Elk may be haunted by this woman and several others. To begin with, it was stated that downtown Sutton was once home to an Adena Burial Mound, which was leveled by early settlers to make room for the town. Further, there were some deaths associated with the Elk Hotel, including a story about a guest who went missing, only to be found a short distance away. He was deceased and his body was being eaten by pigs. Another story tells of a mother who took her own life at the hotel shortly after losing her child to a fever. Could this mother be the phantom woman seen by both Janet and Colleen?

As with many projects, research into this location is on-going, and I'm hoping to find some documentation of the deaths mentioned above, as well as get to finally tour the site for myself! I'll update as needed, but until then, if you have had any experiences yourself at the Elk Hostel or anywhere else around Sutton, I'd love to hear from you! Please share your story in the comments below, or find me over on Theresa's Haunted History of the Tri-State FaceBook. And as always...happy haunting! 

For further reading and information:

Elk Hostel FaceBook Page

Info on the Elk Hostel from the Braxton County WV website

NPR Interview with Erika Celeste

Downtown Sutton Historic District Nomination for National Register of Historic Places

The Haunting of Haymond House (Sutton, WV)

Theresa's Note:  Today's blog is a wonderful Guest Blog Submission from Carrie Holcomb-Snuffer about the historic William Edgar Haymond House of Sutton, WV.  The Haymond House is a gorgeous home, which has recently opened up for public and private paranormal investigations, metaphysical and psychic fairs, and much more!  I'm thrilled to be able to bring you information about this location...albeit a bit late, lol.  I meant to run this story weeks ago, but just didn't have the time since I was busy running back and forth between Teays Valley and Grafton every few days.  So, a big apology to Carrie (and you all) for being late!  But, better late than never, and I if you're in the Sutton area, I highly encourage you to check out the historic and haunted Haymond House, located just a short drive from the Braxton County Monster Museum. 

The William Edgar Haymond House is a Queen Ann style home built in 1894. It still has it's original floors and staircase, both of which are beautiful and without any creaking you would expect to find in a home that is over 100 years old. It sits on a sandstone foundation as well.

The home was built by prominent lawyer, William Edgar Haymond, and was home to two of his wives; Emma Catherine (mother of his two children) (1864-1907) and Ethel Rhodes (1871-1932).  His grandchild, who died at the age of 8, was listed as living in the home at the time of death.

During our investigation weekend we recorded a woman’s voice that was in total shock while we were discussing removing a couple of things from the home (original items). 

Us: “a man told us that these could be removed and sold for a certain amount of money.” 

Woman’s voice: “THOSE???” 

Us: “I think they should stay even if they do not work”

Woman’s voice whisper: “yes” 

On the second floor I had someone or something grab the back of my arm in an innocent way, like it was leading me away from the servant stairs. The next morning (around 5:30am) we captured a voice saying a team member's name.  According to recorders, that member woke up a few minutes later for no reason. We also caught footsteps coming down the steps, along with what sounded like the front door lock unlocking. There were sounds of doors opening and closing all night. We shut the blinds early that evening and left to get dinner. Two were opened when we returned. 

We had a psychic come in, at his request, and said he could feel the energy of a mentally challenged spirit. And also felt that a death occurred in the servant stairwell, either by strangulation or by a hanging. He confirmed that the home holds many spirits but none of them wished any harm to anyone. I have spent two nights in the home and always felt at ease there. 

On a separate weekend stay I had two of our Jr Investigators come along. We caught the sound of a bell ringing on our recorder and having one go outside to the yard where there is a bell still standing and ring it while I recorded it, we got the same sound. On the second floor in the “Pink Room” one of our Jr Investigators became overwhelmed with a panic feeling in her chest. We walked out to the hallway and she felt fine. We reentered the room and she became overwhelmed again, and the ghost box said, “OUT.” Back in the hall we still had the ghost box going. The next three words were 'lifetime', 'exit', and 'terrible.' We feel as though this may be the spirit of the one who died in the house by strangulation or by hanging.

Other reports include the same sounds we caught, along with seeing a woman in white on the stairwell landing between 1st and 2nd floor. The woman in white is also seen going in to the bedroom on the 2nd floor. Reports of a child being seen playing in the basement are recorded as well.

Please go give the William Edgar Haymond House a LIKE on Facebook for updates on future events and information on how you can book an investigation at this hot new haunted location here in the Mountain State, which has already been investigated by prominent local investigators including Dave Spinks and Les O'Dell from WV C.A.S.E.! This sounds like a fascinating location, full of history and spooky (yet benevolent) activity and I cannot wait to visit for myself.