09/27/2026
New York State folklore ~ Mountain Witch~
This is Legends and Lore Marker is placed in Sugar Loaf New York. I have started to make mini replicas of the sign.
Here is some information on the Mountain Witch.
The History Behind the “Mountain Witch” Marker
The history behind the “Mountain Witch” marker connects early European settlement in colonial New York with traditional folklore that developed from isolation, hardship, and the fears of a growing community.
The Real Elizabeth Dobbin
The First Settlers
Hugh and Elizabeth “Lizzy” Dobbin were among the earliest European settlers to move into the Sugar Loaf area during the mid-1700s. Local history records that they initially maintained peaceful relations with the local Lenape Native Americans.
Naming Sugar Loaf
According to local lore documented by area historians, Elizabeth is credited with giving the area its name.
During her first harsh winter around 1738, she reportedly looked toward the mist-shrouded mountain peak and remarked that it resembled the hard, conical “loaves of sugar” that colonial housewives kept in their kitchens.
How the Legend Formed
Tragedy and Isolation
After her husband, Hugh, passed away, Elizabeth was left alone to manage their remote mountain farm at the base of the ridge.
Running a homestead by herself became an overwhelming burden. Over time, the property reportedly fell into severe disrepair, while Elizabeth increasingly withdrew from the surrounding community.
Fires on the Mountain
To survive the brutal Hudson Valley winters and protect herself from predators, Elizabeth reportedly burned large bonfires on the mountain to discourage roaming wolf packs.
From the valley below, newer residents could see the late-night fires illuminating the mountain. To those unfamiliar with Elizabeth’s circumstances, the mysterious fires were unsettling and fueled speculation about the solitary woman living on the mountain.
Villager Suspicions
On the rare occasions Elizabeth traveled into town to obtain supplies, she reportedly made a striking appearance.
She was described as wearing a long, tattered coat and a large, floppy, pointed hat while smoking a to***co pipe. Her unkempt appearance and isolated lifestyle frightened and fascinated the local townspeople.
Rumors eventually began circulating that Elizabeth had returned to the old folk traditions of her Irish homeland. Over time, these stories transformed her from an isolated mountain resident into the local legend of a “witch.”
The Marker Grant
The “Mountain Witch” historical marker was authorized by the Sugar Loaf Historical Society through a grant from the William G. Pomeroy Foundation’s “Legends & Lore” program.
