Unlike New Hampshire which boasts many beautiful covered bridges, there is only one covered bridge, to my knowledge, in the state of South Carolina. It is found in Greenville County in the Upstate and has always been, according to old timers, home to a family of Trolls...

Now, there are a handful of unpublished tales concerning Trolls which claim this bridge as their home. According to local folklore, no one has ever attempted to cross the bridge without first seeking permission from the Trolls--except for one unsuspecting transplanted corn farmer from Pennsylvania.

In 1909, shortly after the bridge was built, his horse and buggy attempted to cross the bridge, without first stopping to inquire of the Trolls. The gentleman suddenly, and without warning, found his mode of transportation precariously tottering over a large gaping hole in the bridge's center making visable the beckoning fingers of the deadly swirling whitewater below.

As luck would have it, a very happy corn farmer was able to free his horse from the buggy. Holding onto the horse's tail, the animal pulled both to safety as the buggy fell into the unforgiving water and disappeared. He later reportedly told wild tales of the Trolls jumping up and down in scathing anger at his escape from what should have been a certain death.

Trolls are great tempters, often luring their victims to their doom by making knocking noises on wooden bridges to draw humans closer. So today, on any given day of the week, a visitor to the Campbell Covered Bridge of North Greenville County can observe offerings of food left at the bridge for the Trolls who would otherwise egg them on to their demise.

In the old days, gold was fairly plentiful in the waters of North Greenville County, so many miners had occupied the land in the past. Even as late as the early 1900's gold was still fairly plentiful in the rivers and streams. Apparently, these late miners being aware of the Trolls followed the European courtesy of leaving for them a small piece of a miner's traditional underground meal--pasties. If a token amount is not left for the Trolls, they will cast spells of ill luck on the unfortunate men.

In addition to spells, the miners also had to contend with other actions of the Trolls. Now, miners were fond of whistling and swearing. This habit became an irritating irritation to the Trolls, who reportedly often showered the men with ouchful, but harmless, stones which they enjoyed throwing at them.

Even in this day and time, according to one local mountain man with whom I spoke, one can find Trolls not only under the covered bridge, but in any of several abandoned local mines just waiting to lead someone to a wealthy lode for a pastie.

One best avoid the abandoned mines, however, for according to local belief, the entrances are guarded by huge black crows whose duty it is to kill anyone foolish enough to attempt entry. The hungry crows carry out the infliction of harm on humans for the Trolls who prefer to remain under the bridge.

Some of the Trolls are said to be fond of dressing in red like British soldiers, for many of the early settlers in North Greenville County remained faithful to England during the American Revolution.

Well, if you ever find yourself at the Campbell Covered Bridge of North Greenville County, it would not hurt to leave a bit of candy, popcorn--or even a Cornish pastie at the entrance.

Now, in order to leave a Cornish pastie one must, of course, know how to make delicious and Troll-tempting pasties which any Troll will appreciate, especially the Trolls of North Greenville County. The recipe is under the bridge, IF you dare.

This is your storyteller
Edisto Island, South Carolina
Kingdom of Atlantia