5 Of The Most Haunted Places Around Nashville
By Sarah Tate
October 23, 2020
Tennessee was founded over 220 years ago and has been the site of amazing victories and terrible battles ever since. The energy of experiencing the highest highs and the lowest lows is believed as the reason behind many of the state's reported hauntings. Whether you think ghosts are real or not, visit the five places below and decide for yourself if you believe the stories.
The Hermitage
The former home of 7th U.S. President Andrew Jackson provides visitors with a snapshot of the past. Tour the preserved home or walk along the expansive grounds, but be wary of potential lingering spirits. Over the years, visitors and guides alike have reported experiencing cold spots and seeing apparitions of soldiers and even the president himself.
Tennessee State Capitol
One of Nashville's oldest buildings is also reported to be one of its most haunted. While politics can give anyone a fright, the scares in the Capitol building are attributed to an eternal feud between architect William Strickland and Chairman Samuel D. Morgan who would often get into heated arguments in the 19th century. Many people claim to still hear shouting throughout the building. This, along with the fact that both men are buried on the property, is bound to give you a chill.
Ryman Auditorium
Originally built as a house of worship, this historic music venue was also the previous home of the Grand Ole Opry. The energy from three decades of performances and countless crowds has left its mark, and even some famous faces are said to still roam the halls. The most common reported haunting is that of a man on the balcony, which many people have seen while rehearsing.
Tennessee State Prison
While the Tennessee State Prison is known for being the setting of many movies, including Ernest Goes to Jail, The Last Castle, and most notably The Green Mile, it's real-life horrors have left lasting impressions on everyone who enters and even on the building itself. While in operation, the prison executed more than 100 prisoners using "Old Sparky," the state's electric chair. The inhumane conditions and violent deaths are most likely the cause of many of the reported hauntings.
Bell Witch Cave
Arguably the most famous ghost story in Tennessee is that of the Bell Witch. The legend dates back to the early 1800s when John Bell was accused of cheating his neighbor, Kate Batts, out of money. On her deathbed, Batts swore she would come back to haunt him and his descendants. Visitors to the cave have heard chains rattling and knocking on the walls, and some have even claimed they've captured the Bell Witch in photographs.
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