What do you think?
Rate this book
Supernatural Lore of Southern Utah
From the fanciful and revelatory to the horrifying and sorrowful, the folklore of southern Utah hints at a complex history. Whether spiritual or spooky, home-grown legends are a window to understanding local culture. Visit Grafton, Utah's most haunted ghost town. Explore what haunts Southern Utah University in Cedar City, the St. George Temple and Touquerville's "murder house.'? Learn about skinwalkers and the theft of Native American beliefs. Examine the numerous urban legends surrounding Route 666, "The Devil's Highway.'? Uncover the secrets of the Mountain Meadows Massacre and the curse of Escalante Petrified Forest. Drawing on information from more than two hundred interviews, Darren M. Edwards investigates the tales and myths that permeate and persist in communities throughout red rock country.
- GenresNonfiction
160 pages, Paperback
First published September 12, 2022
2 people are currently reading
19 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
November 10, 2022
What a great read for October! While I'm no paranormal expert, these stories drew me in with their setting in my own backyard. (Well, sort of--I'm in northern Utah, but I visited many of these areas on vacation growing up.) I loved the unique blend of personal narrative and scholarship on the supernatural. Edwards has done firsthand research on each of the places mentioned and includes photographs of each area. The book engages with the unique Utah combination of both LDS and Native American lore, along with the more generic haunted houses. I'm still mulling over his thoughts on the Saint George temple and the line between the holy and the frightening. A fun, accessible read for any Utahn.
November 28, 2022
I really enjoyed this book and I think it could use a sequel.
I've lived in Southern UT since I was a toddler and have heard many stories about paranormal/supernatural activity here, so when I heard about this book, I knew I had to get it.
It didn't disappoint. The pictures are haunting, and the stories and experiences were so interesting. I like how the author wrote it without his own judgements on whether or not the stories were true or false.
Overall, highly recommend, especially for those who live in Southern UT.
I've lived in Southern UT since I was a toddler and have heard many stories about paranormal/supernatural activity here, so when I heard about this book, I knew I had to get it.
It didn't disappoint. The pictures are haunting, and the stories and experiences were so interesting. I like how the author wrote it without his own judgements on whether or not the stories were true or false.
Overall, highly recommend, especially for those who live in Southern UT.
May 1, 2023
Such a thoughtful and thought-provoking way to examine folklore and the supernatural! The word-that-shall-not-be-spoken/written chapter was my favorite, hands-down. I loved hearing from the people who have the most experience with these individuals. Darren is a fantastic writer, and his inclusion of diverse voices was particularly helpful to add new perspectives on the topics discussed. It was also interesting to think about the differences between "haunted" and "holy", and where the line is in spiritual experiences being accepted as paranormal. Will definitely read again!
December 21, 2025
Still, I hold firm to the belief that whenever the factual truth, and the emotional, or let's say, cultural truth, seems to be in conflict, one should certainly not ignore the facts, nor should they abandon the emotion; rather, they should explore the fertile ground that lies in between the two.
I picked up this book on a trip to St. George and it did not disappoint.
Edwards explores local lore, but also examines where the lore came from and it's cultural significance. It was exceedingly captivating and fascinating. The book itself it also pretty. Glossy pages, great supporting pictures, and it's easy to read.
(If you consider nonfiction having spoilers, there might be some below.)
Edwards would go back in time, trying to figure out where the lore came from. In one ghostly case, it came from a newspaper story that the author fully admits he made up. That story reminded me of the Psych episode where Shawn and Gus realize they created an urban legend about "Scary Sherry."
Can we call spiritual encounters supernatural when they take place within a religious context? What makes one spooky and another holy?"
Edwards, of course, had to examine some Mormon lore. He points out that Mormons always think of doctrine coming from on high, but a lot of common beliefs actually began at the bottom and then spread. A lot of spiritual encounter stories are told through "a friend of a friend."
Interestingly, he compared stories of spiritual encounters in Mormon temples to ghost stories of Victorian mansions. They are both places that the general populace can't access and people aren't sure what goes on inside.
American identity has long been tied to our cars, so it's not surprising that American pop culture is filled with examples of that connection going horribly wrong. Automobiles and the open road, for that matter, represent freedom, embracing risks, and establishing status.
I had never heard of Route 666 so that was fun to learn about. I'll have to go travel it, but during the summer. Apparently it can actually be quite dangerous in spots.
I grew up hearing the tale of the Native American maiden of Mount Timpanogos. I was surprised to learn that was all false. It was probably invented by a tour guide who loved the mountain and was famous for taking people up the mountain. He explores this story in a chapter discussion how white people latch onto Native American lore and even make up their own Native American stories.
He talks about Skinwalkers and how they mean different things to the Native Americans and others outside the culture. Incidentally, the skinwalker story he shared is exactly what my 6th grade teacher shared with us on an overnight camping trip. (Our district owned a camp.) It freaked me out then, and still gave me shivers now.
Great book! I would definitely recommend.
Read the States
1. Alabama
2. Alaska
3. Arizona - A Walk in the Park 3 stars (Nov 2025)
...
7. Connecticut - Yale Needs Women 4 stars (Nov 2025)
...
20. Maryland - The Yoga Store Murder 5 stars (Nov 2025)
...
40. South Carolina - The Home Place 2 stars (Nov 2025)
...
44. Utah - Supernatural Lore of Southern Utah 5 stars (Dec 2025)
I picked up this book on a trip to St. George and it did not disappoint.
Edwards explores local lore, but also examines where the lore came from and it's cultural significance. It was exceedingly captivating and fascinating. The book itself it also pretty. Glossy pages, great supporting pictures, and it's easy to read.
(If you consider nonfiction having spoilers, there might be some below.)
Edwards would go back in time, trying to figure out where the lore came from. In one ghostly case, it came from a newspaper story that the author fully admits he made up. That story reminded me of the Psych episode where Shawn and Gus realize they created an urban legend about "Scary Sherry."
Can we call spiritual encounters supernatural when they take place within a religious context? What makes one spooky and another holy?"
Edwards, of course, had to examine some Mormon lore. He points out that Mormons always think of doctrine coming from on high, but a lot of common beliefs actually began at the bottom and then spread. A lot of spiritual encounter stories are told through "a friend of a friend."
Interestingly, he compared stories of spiritual encounters in Mormon temples to ghost stories of Victorian mansions. They are both places that the general populace can't access and people aren't sure what goes on inside.
American identity has long been tied to our cars, so it's not surprising that American pop culture is filled with examples of that connection going horribly wrong. Automobiles and the open road, for that matter, represent freedom, embracing risks, and establishing status.
I had never heard of Route 666 so that was fun to learn about. I'll have to go travel it, but during the summer. Apparently it can actually be quite dangerous in spots.
I grew up hearing the tale of the Native American maiden of Mount Timpanogos. I was surprised to learn that was all false. It was probably invented by a tour guide who loved the mountain and was famous for taking people up the mountain. He explores this story in a chapter discussion how white people latch onto Native American lore and even make up their own Native American stories.
He talks about Skinwalkers and how they mean different things to the Native Americans and others outside the culture. Incidentally, the skinwalker story he shared is exactly what my 6th grade teacher shared with us on an overnight camping trip. (Our district owned a camp.) It freaked me out then, and still gave me shivers now.
Great book! I would definitely recommend.
Read the States
1. Alabama
2. Alaska
3. Arizona - A Walk in the Park 3 stars (Nov 2025)
...
7. Connecticut - Yale Needs Women 4 stars (Nov 2025)
...
20. Maryland - The Yoga Store Murder 5 stars (Nov 2025)
...
40. South Carolina - The Home Place 2 stars (Nov 2025)
...
44. Utah - Supernatural Lore of Southern Utah 5 stars (Dec 2025)
January 9, 2024
Edwards does a fantastic job succinctly explaining Southern Utah culture and history. I found the instances elaborated on here illuminating and helpful to my research! The images are beautiful and engaging as well.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews