It’s October, which means all the scary and creepy and downright terrifying is out and about. We’ve found some Tennessee ghost stories from all over the state to keep those goosebumps coming and lights on late at night. Autumn isn’t just for pumpkin pies, you know. Here’s a little bit of horror to keep you up this evening.
- The Phantom Monk
Sadie Heilelmann / Flickr Charleston, TN is known for the resident phantom monk, a young man who died in the Hiwassee River when his train was derailed in 1867. His bones were bleached and boiled after his death by the local doctor for scientific purposes, but it is said that the haunts the town doctors office to this day. Supposedly, when the original building was torn down in 1932, they found a monk’s habit and rosary hanging between the walls. Creepy.
- Stones River Battlefield
Ron Zanoni / Flickr A headless horseman is said to haunt the grave stones at the Stones River Battlefield National Cemetery. There are many souls that were lost, so the number of spirits goes uncalculated. Be careful at night. Tourists have reported strange lights flickering in the dark, eerie noises, and even a handful of headless horseman sightings.
- Orpheum Theater
mwms1916 / Flickr Located in Memphis, this haunted theater is said to play host to more than 10 ghosts. Sweet little Mary, a child killed by a speeding car in front of the theater in the early 20th century, is said to sit in the balcony and watch dress rehearsals. She is the most prominent, as most other reports consist of swinging doors and masked figures whispering through the halls in the quiet hours. Creepy.
- Rotherwood Mansion
DM / Flickr This gorgeous mansion has a history that stretches back to 1818, when it was first built by Reverend Ross. His daughter, Rowena’s, betrothed was killed in a fluke accident on the river the day before their wedding. She then faded from sight until she married, a few years later, a man from Knoxville. She had a little girl, but only after her new husband died of yellow fever. The death of her little girl finally pushed Rowena to kill herself in the same river that claimed her first love.
- Craigmiles Family Mausoleum
Brent Moore / Flickr The bleeding mausoleum has been calling to skeptics for years. Young Nina Craigmiles was killed in an unfortunate buggy accident in 1871, following which the family created an impressive mausoleum for their little girl. Other family members have followed her into the intense looking tomb, and with each internment dark, bloody stains become deeper and darker, seeping from the marble. No one is sure where they came from, or why they cannot be wiped away. If you look closely, you can even see them in that photo up there - any guesses?
- Ryman Auditorium
Cliff / Flickr The building opened in 1892, and is said to be haunted by everyone from the former Captain Ryman to Patsy Cline. Flickering lights and moans from the back dressing rooms can be heard, and even a few ghostly figures make themselves known up in the balcony. Enter, if you dare.
- Hurricane Mills
Carol von Canon / Flickr Loretta Lynn has always believed in ghosts, and there are quite a few that supposedly hail from the Civil War days and wander her property. She has proven herself a psychic, and has since opened her home to tourists.
- Fiddler’s Rock
M Fletcher / Flickr Fiddler’s Rock is known to locals as “Screaming Rock,” supposedly frequented by the fiddler that once played his tunes atop it. Supposedly, his playing was so sweet it wooed rattlesnakes out of their holes. Cause of death? You guessed it. A plethora of snake bites.
- Carter House
Brent Moore / Flickr The Carter House was on the front lines during the Battle of Franklin, and ghosts are said to make their home in this pretty little place of brick. Tours are given daily, so you may have the chance to see one breeze past you as you walk by. There’s nothing quite like a Confederate ghost, you know.
- Bell Witch Cave
Cameron Daigle / Flickr The Bell Witch haunting is one of the most famous legends in American history. The Bell family found themselves violently haunted by a poltergeist for close to four years, before its murderous tendencies killed the family patriarch. After being found dead, the legend reached such a fever pitch that President Andrew Jackson was noted saying, “I would rather take on the entire English fleet than stay one night in the Bell House.” A movie titled “An American Haunting” was based on the horror story, hitting theaters in 2006. If you’re interested in the place yourself, you can even take a tour of the haunted homestead.
Oooh we have SO many goosebumps. Have you heard these horror stories before? Maybe have something a little better to share? Let us know in the comments below!
Sadie Heilelmann / Flickr
Charleston, TN is known for the resident phantom monk, a young man who died in the Hiwassee River when his train was derailed in 1867. His bones were bleached and boiled after his death by the local doctor for scientific purposes, but it is said that the haunts the town doctors office to this day. Supposedly, when the original building was torn down in 1932, they found a monk’s habit and rosary hanging between the walls. Creepy.
Ron Zanoni / Flickr
A headless horseman is said to haunt the grave stones at the Stones River Battlefield National Cemetery. There are many souls that were lost, so the number of spirits goes uncalculated. Be careful at night. Tourists have reported strange lights flickering in the dark, eerie noises, and even a handful of headless horseman sightings.
mwms1916 / Flickr
Located in Memphis, this haunted theater is said to play host to more than 10 ghosts. Sweet little Mary, a child killed by a speeding car in front of the theater in the early 20th century, is said to sit in the balcony and watch dress rehearsals. She is the most prominent, as most other reports consist of swinging doors and masked figures whispering through the halls in the quiet hours. Creepy.
DM / Flickr
This gorgeous mansion has a history that stretches back to 1818, when it was first built by Reverend Ross. His daughter, Rowena’s, betrothed was killed in a fluke accident on the river the day before their wedding. She then faded from sight until she married, a few years later, a man from Knoxville. She had a little girl, but only after her new husband died of yellow fever. The death of her little girl finally pushed Rowena to kill herself in the same river that claimed her first love.
Brent Moore / Flickr
The bleeding mausoleum has been calling to skeptics for years. Young Nina Craigmiles was killed in an unfortunate buggy accident in 1871, following which the family created an impressive mausoleum for their little girl. Other family members have followed her into the intense looking tomb, and with each internment dark, bloody stains become deeper and darker, seeping from the marble. No one is sure where they came from, or why they cannot be wiped away. If you look closely, you can even see them in that photo up there - any guesses?
Cliff / Flickr
The building opened in 1892, and is said to be haunted by everyone from the former Captain Ryman to Patsy Cline. Flickering lights and moans from the back dressing rooms can be heard, and even a few ghostly figures make themselves known up in the balcony. Enter, if you dare.
Carol von Canon / Flickr
Loretta Lynn has always believed in ghosts, and there are quite a few that supposedly hail from the Civil War days and wander her property. She has proven herself a psychic, and has since opened her home to tourists.
M Fletcher / Flickr
Fiddler’s Rock is known to locals as “Screaming Rock,” supposedly frequented by the fiddler that once played his tunes atop it. Supposedly, his playing was so sweet it wooed rattlesnakes out of their holes. Cause of death? You guessed it. A plethora of snake bites.
Brent Moore / Flickr
The Carter House was on the front lines during the Battle of Franklin, and ghosts are said to make their home in this pretty little place of brick. Tours are given daily, so you may have the chance to see one breeze past you as you walk by. There’s nothing quite like a Confederate ghost, you know.
Cameron Daigle / Flickr
The Bell Witch haunting is one of the most famous legends in American history. The Bell family found themselves violently haunted by a poltergeist for close to four years, before its murderous tendencies killed the family patriarch. After being found dead, the legend reached such a fever pitch that President Andrew Jackson was noted saying, “I would rather take on the entire English fleet than stay one night in the Bell House.” A movie titled “An American Haunting” was based on the horror story, hitting theaters in 2006. If you’re interested in the place yourself, you can even take a tour of the haunted homestead.
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