Booger Swamp

Booger Swamp is a small swampy area near Yadkinville, North Carolina (36°08'33.1"N 80°41'36.4"W). The area is best known for Booger Swamp Road, which travels just north of the site.
History
Booger Swamp's name origins have taken on several versions. One unverified origin of the name was attributed to Native Americans who lived in the area. Settlers who moved to the area are said to have distorted the native language pronunciation of the swamp's name.
Another origin suggests that during the Civil War, confederate soldiers would hide in the swamp to avoid capture by union soldiers who were passing through the area. To keep children from wandering into the swamps, parents would tell stories of ghosts or "boogers" who lived in the swamp.
Residents who have lived in the area since 1920 say that the area was not known as Booger Swamp until around 1950. Jericho Road was a connector between Harmony Heights and Center community. A small creek flowed out of the swamp and crossed Jericho Road. With no bridge, cars had to slowly ford the creek. Local teenagers would hide along the creek banks at night and scare travelers as they forded the creek. Stories of monsters, bogeymen, or "boogers" who lived in the swamp spread. The road became known as Booger Swamp Road and it's previous name was forgotten.
The swamp still exists, but it has reduced in size due to improved drainage by the NC Department of Transportation when the bridge was replaced by corrugated metal pipe in 2006.

Main Menu

See Also

Main Menu