Ellen Lloyd - AncientPages.com - Hidden in the woods of Waterbury, Connecticut, is an adorable village of the Little People. The miniature village has a series of wonderful small houses and some unusual structures, like a mysterious throne.
Most fairy houses are overgrown today by the forest, but the miniature village is still visible to those who want to experience something quite extraordinary. Known as the Fairy Village, the entire place reminds us of a scene straight from a fairy tale.
Credit: e1savage/Atlas Obscura
Many local myths and legends are associated with this magical place hidden in the forest. No one really knows why these tiny houses were built and by whom. Locals say that there was once a mad woman who lived in the nearby town of Middlebury. She was convinced that she was followed by little fairies who didn’t want to leave her alone. One day, she told her husband to build the fairies a village far away in the forest so these small creatures would live in peace once and for all. Some say that the odd structures built near the tine houses offer evidence of the builder’s insanity.
Another tale tells there was once an old man who lived alone in a stone house. He said he heard the voices of the little people who told him to build the village. In time, the voices became agony, and he killed himself.
Locals say the spirits of the Little People inhabit the Fairy Village. Some believe the village is haunted by the ghosts of tormented tiny beings who once lived there. It is said that hearing the voices of these frightening ghosts drives you insane.
Credit: e1savage/Atlas Obscura
According to local folklore, the voices of the fairies are especially dangerous on the night of the full Moon. One can hear how they are laughing and screaming, giving you an unpleasant and slightly scary feeling.
The truth behind the Fairy Village is actually less mysterious than most think. The place was constructed in the early part of the 20th century as an elaborate attraction on a trolley line that was part of nearby Lake Quassy Amusement Park.
Credit: Flickr/Graham Reznick
This fact doesn’t, however, make the Fairy Village less interesting. It’s a beautiful miniature village that can still be admired today. Let us also not forget that stories of the Little People are well-known in other parts of North America. Native Americans have a rich oral tradition that tells of a race of tiny people, commonly known as “little people.” The Shoshone Indians of Wyoming tell about the Nimerigar, who were aggressive little people one should definitely avoid due to their hostile nature.
The Catawba Indians in South Carolina have stories about the spirit world that reflects their own native traditions and Christianity. According to the Catawba Indians, the Yehasuri, which translates to "wild little people," live in the woods.
The Yehasuri are very similar to the Leprechauns encountered in Irish mythology. Another interesting character is the Pukwudgie, a small, grey-faced humanoid that lives in the forest.
Legends and myths of the Little People are alive and keep fascinating us.
Updated on December 2, 2023
Written by Ellen Lloyd – AncientPages.com
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