Stephen Barcelo doesn't fit in the small town of Littleton, NC, Traveler.
A few weeks ago, I found myself in Richmond, VA, on one of my many road trips while researching The Poe Trail. (I swear I'm going to work on this thing. I have to. I even started work on the first section.) While I galavanted around below the Mason-Dixon line, a thing occurred to me.
I'm only a stone's throw from the Devil's Trampling Ground in North Carolina, right?
I was right, Traveler. I did end up visiting the Devil's Trampling Ground. But that's another story for another day. There was something else in North Carolina I was itching to see before I made my way back towards America's Playground.
The Cryptozoology and Paranormal Museum of Littleton, North Carolina, has been on my list since I first learned of it. It came up on my Facebook feed for several reasons, and I thought I should if I could get to the museum. Initially, Steve ran it out of his home, but he moved to a new location at a storefront that, funny enough, had been a church at a point.
The store fits in with the town of Littleton. Well, it fits in now. As I was told by then councilman Barcelo (I hope you ran again, Steve!), the local government wasn't really a fan of him. As I said, Steve doesn't really fit in with things. He's from Long Island, NY. According to his LinkedIn, he worked as a New York Daily News photojournalist. There is more to his background, much, much more, Traveler.
But Steve ran, and he won. And Steve became the Councilman of both Littleton and Bigfoot. In 2016, a local resident sighted a 'squatch near her property, which set off a local firestorm of interest. From there, the hunt began.
I called the listed phone number from my car the day I was in Richmond, Virginia. Richmond is about two hours north of Littleton, give or take traffic. I was greeted by a thick, Long Island accent. Steve told me, "I was gonna go down to the shore, you know, but I'll stop back if you're there, or I'll be there tomorrow."
This guy lives the life, Traveler.
I told him I would be in North Carolina the following day and would stop by on my way back to Middletown, VA. The day came, and after a quick ghost hunt at the legendary Devil's Tramping Ground in Bear Creek, North Carolina (the hunt can be found on my YouTube channel, Destination Spooky), I hauled it over to Littleton.
The museum is impossible to miss, probably because it was an old church. Steve
likes to spotlight local businesses, and they do the same for him. I recall him speaking fondly of the Mexican restaurant nearby and collaborating with them.
Admissions to the museum are interesting in a good way. A ticket is five dollars in cash or credit. However, the entry is waived should you decide to buy some merchandise, Traveler.
If you're like me, you'll spend $50 or more!
The museum includes haunted objects, a rolling news broadcast of the Bigfoot sighting, and trail cam evidence of that same 'squatch caught by Steve himself!
And if you're like me, Steve will let you perform a séance! (Yes, it's haunted.)
As for the pulpit and the pews, Steve wants to start hosting events in the future. It's a fun venue! I hope he can get them going, as I'll absolutely be back someday.
In the meantime, though, I must move on.
Until again,
Safe Travels!
THE EXIT 13
This Spooky Traveler’s column focuses on haunted locations around the New England area. Victor S. Johnson is an adventurer, tour guide, and published author. His dedicated hobby is traveling through the United States (and soon after, the world), checking out old reported hauntings and sharing his findings with his audience over on his YouTube channel, Destination Spooky.
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