Mythology in Virginia history

This legend, is an interesting story. It is not your standard ghost story, but yet, that of a werewolf type creature. According to legend, in the sparsley populated area between Shawsville and a Christiansburg, the creature is said to exist. According to legend, it is simply a ferocious wolf like creature, that was said to have a bloodthirsty hunger. Exact descriptions of the creature are unknown.

It is also unknown exactly when the legend was started, but all historical accounts date somewhere to the mid 1700's. It should be noted of course, that this legend is known only by a handful of people in present day, mainly with the longtime residents of the area. In the 1800's, the area around the White Sulphur Springs was still known as the Devil's Den, the name residents of the nearby community of Lafayette had named it. Currently, Den Hill Road leading through the area, is still representing a 300 year old legend. The woods certainly have a forboding sense to them, they are thick, and very hard to traverse in some ares.

Many theories exist about the creature. According to some, it is an actual werewolf. According to some, it was simply a wolf, which were known to inhabit the area at the time, that had grown larger on feeding on livestock of the nearby French settlement of Lafayette.

The origins would make sense attributing it to the French settlers. With the notable story of the French beast of Gévaudan fresh on the minds of many French immigrants and settlers, it would certainly make sense that the legend would be carried with them. Or it could be based on something more than a legend. Due to very few letters and such existing from those years, it is something that may never be solved.

Throughout the years though, the legend has faded; as well as the fear that once gripped the area, although whether the legend is real or not, it certainly makes you think when hiking through the thick forests of the area at the base of Christiansburg Mountain. Still known to this day as the Devil's Den.