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The Burdale Historical Association
Burdale Through The Years
Just A Simple Mining Town
Bonanza! Well, not exactly. In Burdale, it was coal. You see, in the year 1799, with just 53 residents, Burdale became one of the earliest coal mining locations in the country. With rich coal deposits located within our very own Conjure Mountain, we remained a substantial provider of coal to the towns surrounding the valley (which would later be called The Phantom
1840 - A group of miners hard at work
Valley) for decades. In the 65 years between 1799 and 1864, the town’s population had grown to 130. Burdale was officially incorporated in 1814. Though still very much a mining town, families began to settle and enjoy the natural beauty the area possessed. From the mountain ranges, to the lush forests, our quaint little town was a hidden spectacle to behold.
On October 21, 1864, the tragedy that was The Conjure Quake Event would change the course of Burdale's future forever. The coal mine that provided fuel to power the growing town, not to mention the livelihoods of a majority of the families who resided here, collapsed which trapped and killed 23 miners. The collapse of the mine forced the town to rethink it's entire economic landscape.
The tragedy not only claimed lives but also highlighted the vulnerabilities of relying solely on coal mining. As a result, the community came together to explore new opportunities, eventually shifting towards sustainable industries such as nuclear energy, and local agriculture. This transformation not only fostered resilience but also breathed new life into the town, allowing it to emerge stronger and more diversified than ever before.
Since the closure of the mine, the town’s population size has sluggishly climbed to an approximate population of 530 residents today.
Hale Forest Park - a walking trail that leads around Serpent Creek
The Natural Landscape of Burdale
Burdale is located in The Phantom Valley, adjacent to Hale Forest Park. The park is a massive, dense forest that has become home to many walking trails, from which you can experience the natural beauty of the area. Ponds, creeks, and beautiful wildlife can found throughout. The foliage is made up of fir, pine, and
spruce trees as well as walnut, oak, and mountain mahogany. Birch, aspen, alder, quercus robur, and beech trees have also been discovered in Hale Forest Park despite them not being native to this region. The town and forest are situated in a valley with mountains surrounding from virtually all sides. Burdale’s northern mountain, Crown Rock, holds special significance to The Hale Tribe, with the lone tree atop the mountain, The Crown Tree, being utilized as an altar for rituals and sacrifices for centuries.
The forest spans roughly 26.5 square miles, though only about 7 square miles (4480 acres) belongs to Burdale as Hale Forest Park. The park includes much of Crown Rock as well as The Witch’s Well (a beautiful pond, perfect for fishing and taking a swim!), and wraps around to Burdale’s east, beneath Specter Ridge. Hale Forest Park was named after the notable arborist and Burdale resident, Silas Hale, who first began maintaining the trees and grounds around Burdale in 1907. He created trails, picnic areas, and lobbied to have the first camping ground designated. Silas inspired Burdale officials to commission a parks maintenance department to our town's municipality, which expanded in 1910 to include a Park Ranger division. Today, this ranger division consists of a dozen rangers, three ranger stations, and one fire-watch lookout station.
Our four mountain ranges almost completely encompass the town. To the north is Crown Rock, which peaks at 1708 ft. The remnants of a stone castle lay on a lower peak, perplexing even the most knowlegable historians. The high peak is home to The Crown Tree. There are also remnants of small tribe settlements built into the walls of the mountain, but they have long been abandoned. Additionally, ancient cave drawings and glyphs have been discovered - some depicting what we believe to be The Wildwood Man, others seem to portray flying disk shaped objects.
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To the Town's east is Specter Ridge, which stands at a staggering 4828 ft. This mountain range has a lift that can take a dozen people at a time up to its summit. At the top is a nature lodge which includes an elevator tower that takes you up to the observation deck/nature museum. From this observation tower, you can get a 360 degree view of the valley, including all of Burdale and Hale Forest Park, as well as the Spectral Spectacles Theme Park! This tower is the highest stationary vantage point in all of Phantom Valley.
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Conjure Mountain (3025 ft) and Mt. West (2113 ft) are located to the town's south and west, respectively.
Sounds of The Hale Tribe, and
The Lightbeam Incident
For decades, as night fell over Burdale, captivating melodies could often be heard drifting through the air, intriguing the local community. This enchanting music, originating out of Hale Forest Park, would linger in the ears and minds of Burdaliens like an enchanting story
An artist's depiction of The Hale Tribe
from the distant past. The forest is known for it's connection to The Hale Tribe, who have long been regarded as the guardians of the forest, honoring the natural forces that shaped their heritage. A unique blend of history and tradition continues to draw the interest of residents, both young and old, as well as visitors. Though the tribe avoids interacting with the town’s modern civilization, thanks to the likes of Silas Hale, Burdaliens are all too familiar with the tribe and their ways. The Hale Tribe is just as enamored by Burdale's pseudo "mascot", the ever-so illusive Wildwood Man, as our townsfolk are - to the tribe, he is seen as some sort of a God.
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The ethereal music that permeates the night air is often regarded as a tribute to The Wildwood Man, a figure famously steeped in folklore. The Hale Tribe, recognized for their profound connection to nature and the spirits of the forest, is said to perform these melodies in honor of this enigmatic entity that they believe oversees and protects the woods. As the notes drift through the moonlit atmosphere, they evoke a sense of reverence and ancient wisdom, inviting those fortunate enough to witness the sounds to engage with the timeless mysteries of the melody. This cultural practice highlights the deep-rooted traditions and beliefs that continue to resonate within our own community.
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On the other hand, there are those who speculate that the music resonating from Hale Forest Park is a chant of supplication to a deity believed to have manifested in the wake of The Lightbeam Incident. Burdaliens continue to puzzle over the strange occurrence in 1914 when for no more than 30 seconds a blinding beam of light pierced the night sky, leaving behind a sense of awe and trepidation in its wake. What's more, The Lightbeam Incident occured on October 21, 1914 - exactly 50 years to the day of The Conjure Quake Event, further fueling theories that supernatural forces were at play. Researchers believe that some members of The Hale Tribe are convinced that this luminous event was a divine intervention, a sign from a higher power that has since become a focal point of their devotions.
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​While the two interpretations of the haunting music seem to diverge, a common thread weaves through both narratives – the reverence and dedication of The Hale Tribe to forces beyond human comprehension. The dichotomy between honoring The Wildwood Man and venerating the deity linked to The Lightbeam Incident reflects the complex tapestry of belief and tradition that defines the tribe's spiritual practices.
Statue depicting The Wildwood Man - located across from the corder of Cliffside Dr and Birdview St
The Town Of Burdale Today
Today, Burdale still sits nestled in our beautiful Phantom Valley, fairly isolated from any nearby towns. It's small-town identity allows townsfolk to build relationships with one another in ways larger towns can't. It's very much a everyone knows everyone's name kinda town and that's how Burdaliens like it. In addition to
Hale Forest Park, we have three more parks, a drive-in movie theatre, a quaint little cafe/diner (The Not Alone Cafe), a few fast food restaurants, the country's smallest nuclear power plant, a mountain top nature center with a 360 degree observation deck, an amusement park (believe it or not), and some of the most beautiful walking and hiking trails you'll ever experience. And that's just the tip of the iceberg - have you tried the Bermuda Blend signature roast at Alien Aroma Coffee? It's outta this world!
Burdale has also been called home by a few celebrities. Famous arborist Silas Hale set down roots in Burdale in 1895. Just over a decade later, he began transforming much of the surrounding forest into what eventually became Hale Forest Park.
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Another claim to fame for the town is that it was the birthplace and lifelong home of the 1940's/1950's swing-jazz mega-star Tommy Hart. Tommy, and his backing band The Swing Set, became nationally recognized in 1943 after his smash hit No Earthquake Will Shake Me Down made it to #1 on the charts. He lived in Burdale until his death in late 1964. His final release, a song called I Heard Commotion From My Window, released just months before his passing. He, like Silas Hale and many others, is buried in Bridwell Cemetery beneath Bridwell Manor on Mt West.
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Author Jonathan Gray also called Burdale home for a short time. From 1964 - 1966 he lived in Burdale, researching all things relating to Tommy Hart for his latest book. Normally a fiction writer, Gray took his first leap into the non-fiction world with a biography - Riding The Swings: The Ups & Downs of Tommy Hart. Published in December of 1966, the book became a bestseller, though Burdale town officials were unhappy with the way it portrayed the town. After leaving Burdale, Gray published his most famous work in early 1968 - Fragments Of Sanity: Conspiracy Inside Ashdown Cottage - another non-fiction investigative works which sold overwhelmingly well and garnered him international notoriety.
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*The Burdale Historical Association Museum is a fictional place and does not actually exist.
The exhibits at The Burdale Historical Association Museum are made possible by the generous contributions from The Town Of Burdale and The Never County Sheriff's Office
The content of this website is fiction created for the purpose of lore expansion and is in no way related to any real person or organization.