Explore Tennessee’s spooky history

Image courtesy of Tennessee Tourism

When you come to Tennessee, expect things to go bump in the night.

Ghostly encounters are tied to Tennessee’s rich history, connected to hotels, theaters, historic homes, hospitals, battlefields, infamous prisons, caves and bars.

Discover some of Tennessee’s historically haunted destinations.

Historic Harriman Hospital

Overlooking the charming town of Harriman in the rolling hills of the Cumberland Plateau sits Old Historic Harriman Hospital, rumored to have ghosts roaming the halls even when it was in operation. Built in 1939 and spanning an entire city block, this four-story hospital was a community staple for nearly 80 years. The hospital property was once home to a hotel, bank, general store, attorney’s office and roller rink. The hospital closed in 2013. A paranormal research group saved this historic building from decay and demolition. Now, the hospital is open for daytime guided tours, as well as public and private overnight paranormal investigations. Check out @TNvacation’s Instagram reel from a private overnight investigation. One of the most active and legendary locations in the hospital is the ICU and cardiac care unit. A beloved nurse named Joanna, who worked tireless long hours, suffered a sudden heart attack at the hospital, and is rumored to be still making her rounds and overseeing patients. It seems she’s not the only one who never left.

Haunted Rugby

The entire village of Historic Rugby is rumored to be haunted. Originally founded in 1880 as the Rugby colony by British author Thomas Hughes, you can now tour the living Victorian village on an After Dark Tour Thursdays-Sundays. Choose the Haunted Village Lantern Tour or the Haunted North Village & Cemetery Tour, both conducted by lantern light, to hear the ghost stories yourself. The village of Rugby preserves the history of the community that called it home in the 1880s. Tours, conducted by History, Highways, and Haunts, LLC, blend the village’s rich history with ghost stories and include Haunted History and Ghost Walks, guided ghost hunts and private paranormal investigations.

Historic Scott County Jail in Huntsville

Built in 1904, the former Historic Scott County Jail housed some of the worst inmates in the county. The storied history includes an unsolved murder of a sheriff, lynching of inmates and inmate suicides. Guests can contact the jail or set up a public tour, public ghost hunt or private paranormal investigations led by one of the professional paranormal investigators. The jail is also on the National Register of Historic Places.

Mabry-Hazen House in Knoxville

During the Halloween season, Mabry-Hazen hosts a “Victorian Séance Experience.” Under the guidance of a Victorian medium, the seances reenact a nineteenth-century Spiritualist séance filled with mysterious and startling wonders. Whether true manifestations or clever parlor tricks, sitters will get an immersive, eerie experience. Mabry-Hazen was built in 1858, and three generations of the same family resided in this Italianate home overlooking downtown Knoxville. Evelyn Hazen claims a ghost of an old friend, Jack, visited her in the home for several weeks. Learn in this interesting article why this Victorian mansion is an excellent example of being a default haunted house.

Bell Witch Cave in Adams

Dating back to the early 1800s, Bell Witch Cave is one of the most haunted places in the country. The cave is located on the property once owned by the Bells, a family haunted by an entity now referred to as the Bell Witch. As the legend goes, the family lived peacefully on the farm for 13 years, but in the summer of 1817, they began seeing strange animals on the farm and hearing eerie sounds, including a disembodied voice throughout their cabin. The Bell Witch Cave is located near the site of the old family farm where John Bell mysteriously died. It is where many believe the Bell Witch fled and currently resides. Unexplained activity reported includes rocks being thrown to eerie noises, even mysterious lights being seen and caught on camera. The Bell Witch Cave hosts public paranormal investigations through Black Wolf Paranormal. Spots fill up fast and booking opens a month before each event. Read about personal encounters at Bell Witch Cave and other Tennessee haunted places, including the infamous Brushy Mountain State Penitentiary.

Lotz House in Franklin

The Lotz House, an 1858 home, was at the epicenter of fighting in the Battle of Franklin during the Civil War. The rich history of the home carries tales of unexplained phenomena like an apparition of a woman crying for a loved one, a little girl staring out the window, the sound of drums and items being moved. The Travel Channel dubbed the Lotz House “The Second Most Terrifying Home in America.” Franklin on Foot tours share stories of the soldiers who fought the battle at 6 p.m. every Friday in October at Lotz House. Reservations are required.

Cragfont in Castalian Springs

Paranormal teams have investigated Cragfont, one of the oldest houses in Middle Tennessee numerous times. Orbs, noises and objects seemingly moving on their own have all been recorded at the 1800s home of General James Winchester. The general’s brother was killed by Native Americans before the construction of the house began. It’s said his spirit still wanders the property. The caretakers of the property have seen unexplained, numerous dead insects in one of the bedrooms, deep impressions of bodies lying in beds and have experienced pushing and hitting from invisible forces. Tours are available April 15-Nov. 1 weekdays, except Mondays and Sundays.

Earnestine & Hazel’s in Memphis

Earnestine & Hazel’s represents the history, soul, jazz and blues that echoed into streets and hosted legends like B.B. King, Tina Turner and Aretha Franklin. Originally built in the late 1800s, Earnestine & Hazel’s was formerly a church, then became a pharmacy and sundry store and even a jazz club before it transformed into a bar in the 1950s. Employees have heard the piano playing upstairs by itself when no one is up there, disembodied voices and phantom footsteps. Earnestine & Hazel’s has earned the title of one of the most haunted bars in America. If you’re searching for more, BackBeat Tours shares historically spooky tales with walking ghost tours through some of the most haunted places in Memphis.

Loretta Lynn’s Ranch in Hurricane Mills

Nestled in the rolling hills of Hurricane Mills, Loretta Lynn’s Ranch is the home of country music legend Loretta Lynn. It hosts guided tours, events and live music, and also draws intrigue from those interested in the paranormal. Members of the Lynn family and tour guides report strange experiences like hearing a woman in white on the balcony crying, picture frames being moved and footsteps. Research showed the ranch was once the site of a Civil War battle.

Shiloh National Military Park

Shiloh National Military Park preserves the site of one of the bloodiest battles of the Civil War. There are many legends surrounding the battlefield. Visitors and staff have reported seeing apparitions, hearing drumming, voices, footsteps and ghostly gunshots. Guests can explore the park, hike the grounds and follow trails that lead to tablets and monuments away from the auto tour roads. There’s also a 1.1-mile trail that leads to the historic Shiloh Indian Mounds village. You can pick up a map from the visitor center and drive the 12.7-mile, 20-stop, self-guided tour of the battlefield. 

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