Mohawk Charlie Memories

Alumni Question of the Quarter: Spring 2025

For the next edition, we want to hear about a camp experience that changed your life.  Did you have a non-U.S. counselor who inspired you to travel?  Did you pick up a skill or talent that become a lifelong hobby or even career?  We know for sure you made a friend who has impacted you. Send an e-mail at alumni@campmohawk.org or leave a comment on the Question of the Quarter thread in the Camp Mohawk Alumni Association Facebook group.

Stories of Mohawk Charlie

Last quarter, we asked Alumni to tell us their stories about Mohawk’s favorite spooky visitor, Mohawk Charlie.  Come join the discussion on the Camp Mohawk Alumni (Litchfield, CT) Facebook page!

Author and Mohawk alum Liz Delton: I may or may not have written and had published a short story called “Red Sneakers” about a camper coming across “Montague Mary” on a blue moon at her summer camp.

All I remember [about Mohawk Charlie] is don’t wear red shoes or Mohawk Charlie will “get you,” never really knew any more than that!

Jennifer Hochberg Toller: I remember going on hikes up Mohawk Mountain from Camp and heading to what was supposedly Mohawk Charlie’s “castle.” That was fun times!  I wouldn’t even think about camp out there overnight!

Cathy Horne: The version of the story I heard in the 70s was that Charlie had a wife and daughter whom he loved very much, and they lived in Heep's Castle up on Mohawk Mountain. He arrived home from a business trip to find the castle on fire with his family inside. He was unable to save them and badly burned one leg while trying. His daughter had always worn red sneakers and he would come to Camp to try to kidnap girls who wore red sneakers. He wasn't successful (to my knowledge!) because you could hear him coming, as he walked with a thump, drag, thump, drag, thump, drag, because he had to drag his injured leg.