South Mountain Magic: Tales of Old Maryland (America Obscura) [Paperback]

Madeleine Vinton Dahlgren (Author)

Book Description

Series: America Obscura | Publication Date: August 1, 2002

The story behind this book begins in 1876, when, the author, a widow from Washington Society, purchased the old South Mountain Inn in Maryland and transformed it into a private summer residence. Madeleine Dahlgren fell in love with South Mountain House and the fascinating local legends and lore of the surrounding townsfolk.

This book is the first title in the new series, America Obscura, which offers readers some of the more interesting supernatural legends and superstititons of the States.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

This book is the first title in the new series, America Obscura, which offers readers some of the more interesting supernatural legends and superstitions of the States.

About the Author

Sarah Madeleine Vinton Dahlgren, was the daughter of Congressman Samuel Finlay Vinton of Ohio. Her first husband, David Converse Goddard, died in 1862, leaving her with one daughter. She married John A. Dahlgren, a widower with two children, in 1865. Together they had three more children and were very active in Washington Society.

Madeleine Dahlgren published several works, among them the memoirs of her husband. She also translated a number of Catholic works from French and Spanish and was identified with her missionary work. Her book South Mountain Magic described the folklore of the people she came to know and appreciate. As a wealthy widow, Mrs. Dahlgren maintained both her summer residence on South Mountain and a home on Sheridan Circle in Washington, DC

Product Details

• Paperback: 136 pages
• Publisher: Lethe Press (August 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1590210034
• ISBN-13: 978-1590210031
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.7 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,918,184 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book captures the essence of rustic folklore, August 19, 2002

By 

Joseph P. Pyne "shadowfest13" (HAGERSTOWN, MARYLAND United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: South Mountain Magic: Tales of Old Maryland (America Obscura) (Paperback)

I highly recommend this book to those who have an interest in folklore and legends, particularly to persons that live in the shadow of South Mountain itself. Being a resident of this area, and a descendant of folk who lived on the mountain itself, I have always been familiar with the tales and stories contained within this book, as they were told to me as "ghost stories" by my parents, grandparents, aunts, etc. Hardcover versions of this book are now out-of-print.I am very pleased that Lethe Press re-released this timeless book as an affordable paperback. If you have an interest in folklore, legends, ghosts, or the supernatural......then read this book. You may find the legends of this area, such as the Black Dog, very interesting.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars South Mountain Magic and genealogy, August 22, 2010

By 

K. A. Bernstein (Baltimore, MD USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: South Mountain Magic: Tales of Old Maryland (America Obscura) (Paperback)

I found this book helpful for information about my ancestors who are mentioned in the book.