ghost town Archives - Homespun Haints

Becky and Diana set out on a paranormal road trip to find ghosts nestled in the nooks and crannies of the Appalachian mountains—and they find them!

Listen to today’s episode:

Haunted places in Tri-Cities Appalachia

The Broad River Inn in Chimney Rock, NC

You may recognize Chimney Rock from the film “The Last of the Mohicans.” This inn provides a picturesque setting along the Rocky Broad River, in Western North Carolina. In addition to quaint and cozy rooms with separate balconies, the property includes a restaurant and a miniature golf course. We didn’t notice an elevator, so ask about accessibility at booking.

This inn is good for travelers to the area who would like to stay somewhere more rural and peaceful than the city of Asheville. Or, for those who’d like to potentially witness some mild paranormal activity in an otherwise cozy setting. You can visit the Broad River Inn website here.

Becky and Diana, hosts of the Homespun Haints podcast, share a laugh while pointing at Chimney Rock in North Carolina, poking fun at its amusing weenie shape. Their mischievous expressions add a lighthearted touch to their adventurous paranormal Appalachian road trip. — Ok, ok, I see it too, Becky.

Is The Broad River Inn Haunted?

One employee said she experiences fleeting amnesia and disorientation every time she passes through a particular area. Two of our friends had a similar experience in the hallway outside room number 4. They both remembered a full length mirror hanging on the wall where the odd disorientation occurred. Strangely, those of us who didn’t have that experience recall a painting hanging on that wall, rather than a mirror. Perhaps relatedly, the spot where the inn is now used to be a stage coach stop. Both inns and travel stops are liminal spaces. This location followed the trend of liminal spaces being haunted by phantoms that come and go, instead of consistent characters.

In a one-off paranormal event in this inn, an employee told us of a water leak in the bar’s ceiling. Water appeared to be dripping from room number 3. Except when she went to investigate, she found nothing wet in the room above. When she returned downstairs, the leak had vanished.

All five of us had dreams about being in the rooms we were actually sleeping in. This differs from our normal dreams, which usually take place in random locations that have nothing to do with where our sleeping bodies lie.

Chimney Rock is also the location of another very haunted inn. Becky’s family has stayed at the haunted Lake Lure Inn since this episode, where her son had an even more intense ghostly experience.

The Nickerson Snead House in Glade Spring, VA

Originally constructed as a two-room log cabin by Francis Kincannon, the house served as a fort during the French and Indian War and the Revolutionary War in the mid 18th century. In 1835, Dr. Snead acquired the property, expanding it into an Antebellum mansion. Because of the gradual expansions of the property, inside rooms feature exterior windows and exposed brick and log walls. The incongruity creates an overall sense of disorientation, that really helps amplify the haunted vibe. The house also functioned as a Civil War hospital. As such, its tiny, creepy cellar was used as a morgue during the war.

Diana, co-host of the Homespun Haints podcast, peeking out of of the historic and haunted Nickerson Sneed House in Glade Spring, VA, a notable site on a paranormal Appalachian road trip, showcasing the classic brick architecture surrounded by lush greenery. — Not an apparition at the Nickerson-Sneed House.

Over the years, the property changed hands several times. The Mason family owned it from the late 1800s until the 1980s. Ronda Caudill, recent guest on our podcast, transformed it into a museum in 2004. Today, the museum is a delightfully goth menagerie of arcane oddities, intriguing antiques, and goofy Halloween decorations.

The Nickerson Snead House Museum hosts a variety of events. Festivals, séances, and paranormal investigations happen on a regular basis. At Halloween, the real haunted house becomes a haunted attraction. Ronda recently opened the house to overnight guests as a haunted B&B. Becky, Diana, and friends had the honor of being the first overnight guests in the newly opened B&B!

Becky and Diana, hosts of the Homespun Haints podcast, standing solemnly in front of the white and aqua carved fireplace mantle adorned with spooky gargoyles, dripping black pillar candles, and a gilt-framed Rococo painting of young women in silk gowns, at the haunted Nickerson-Sneed House. — The haunted Nickerson Sneed House, at the figurative crossroads of Historic Landmark and Spirit Halloween.

Is The Nickerson Snead House Haunted?

Uhhhh, that’s a resounding “hell yes”! Deaths on the property include a young boy who was kicked by a horse, and two 1-year-old babies named William. The property was a fort that saw combat, and later became a surgery, so surely soldiers perished there as well. Investigators have captured images of several entities on the property. Repeat guests include Dr. and Betsy Sneed, Josephine, and Douglas, as well as a few unnamed children and soldiers.

A cozy and mysterious setup at the Nickerson Sneed House featuring séance and ghost hunting equipment including a Ouija board, tarot cards, and a flickering candle, a perfect road trip stop for paranormal enthusiasts exploring Appalachia — There was already a séance room, so…

Perhaps most creepily, Becky had a prophetic dream about this house long before seeing it in person. She tells us about it in this episode. Listen to Ronda tell Becky and Diana all about the ghosts at the Nickerson Snead House:

For more details and events at the Nickerson Snead House, please visit their official website here.

The Exchange Place in Kingsport, TN

Becky volunteered at this historic landmark when she was much younger. We pet a donkey, and saw some nekkid sheep. Initially part of a land grant given in 1750, it was developed by John Gaines post-1812 as a hub on the Old Stage Road for trading goods and currency. Later owned by the Preston family, the property was a significant local economic center until after the Civil War.

Today, the Exchange Place in Kingsport, Tennessee, is a living history farm that illustrates Appalachian life during the 1830s-1850s. It operates as a museum, and a meeting space for quilters and weavers, including educational programs and events. For more details or to plan a visit, see their official site: Exchange Place.

A close-up view of two people petting an extremely blissed-out donkey named Ginny over a wooden fence. The adorable donkey's eyes are closed in ecstasy, her thick grey and white coat is being caressed on her neck and side by a person wearing a black sleeve and another, smaller hand. The setting is the farm at the Exchange Place in Kingsport, Tennessee.

Is The Exchange Place Haunted?

People see the apparition of Aunt El, previous resident of the house before it became a historical landmark. We actually received a tour of the property by a descendent of Aunt El. We’ll let you know on Patreon what we find when we listen for EVPs!

a selfie of Becky and Diana, co-hosts of the Homespun Haints podcast, smiling in front of the historic Exchange Place in Kingsport, TN, a key destination on their paranormal Appalachian road trip, with the rustic, stone facade of the building providing a timeless, somber backdrop. — The spirit of Aunt El lingers at the Exchange Place in Kingsport, TN.

The Deery Inn in Blountville, TN

Originally the building was a post office and general store on the Great Stage Road. The Deery also served as a key inn during the 19th century, hosting historical figures including Presidents Andrew Jackson, James K. Polk, and Andrew Johnson. During the Civil War, the inn was spared from destruction in the Battle of Blountville through strategic bribery by Gideon Cates. Today, it functions as a museum, managed by the Sullivan County Historical Preservation Association.

The image shows a close-up view of a worn door frame with the hand-written inscription "Jimmy Carter, President of the U.S.A., 9 October 1980." Below this inscription, there is a small, clear plastic pocket attached to the door containing a faded black and white photograph of two people. The entire scene is tinged with a vintage, historical ambiance. — The walls and doors of the Deery Inn serve as a historical autograph book.

Plan a visit at the Deery Inn on the Historic Sullivan site or read about it on the Tennessee Vacation website. And while you’re there, do head across the street to the Ralph Blizzard Fiddling Museum. They have a neato display where you can visualize exactly how different sound waves are generated by the body of a violin. I won’t give away the whole plot here…let’s just say there was A LOT of glitter in that two room cabin.

The image depicts an unfinished violin body displayed on a wooden phonograph inside the Ralph Blizzard museum. Behind the violin, several documents, newspaper clippings, and a blueprint are framed, detailing violin construction and related musical notes. The overall setting is a historical exhibit, with rich wood paneling adding to the ambiance. — Ralph Blizzard Museum in Blountville, VA.

Is The Deery Inn Haunted?

Ronda has investigated there, and found quite a bit of evidence that yes, the Deery Inn is haunted. While we were there, a bellows apparently moved on its own, according to one docent. We hope to do some paranormal investigating there someday. Until then, if you have any information about the ghosts of the Deery Inn, please get in touch to tell us about them!

The image displays a large, vintage map of the Indian subcontinent framed and mounted on a wall. The map, which appears aged and worn, features detailed geographical labels including major cities like Bombay and Calcutta, regions such as Ceylon and Mysore, and bodies of water like the Bay of Bengal. The map is illuminated by overhead lighting, casting a warm glow over the textured surface. — Antique map of South Asia located at The Old Deery Inn.

The Historic Utopian Town of Rugby, TN

Founded in 1880 by British author Thomas Hughes, Rugby, Tennessee, was established as a utopian community for the younger sons of English gentry. It aimed to create a class-free society focused on agriculture and Christian values. Despite early struggles with disease and fires, Rugby is preserved as a historic site that showcases Victorian-era fronteering life. Historic Rugby, Inc., offers tours, lodging, and cultural events, maintaining an educational focus. For more information, visit the Historic Rugby website. Our friends at History, Highways, and Haunts, LLC, do the nighttime paranormal tours in Rugby.

If you visit, we recommend printing out a paper map. It sure is remote!

Diana and Becky of Homespun Haints podcast, smiling in front of Madame Hughes' house at the historic Town of Rugby, a picturesque and haunted site on their Appalachian road trip, with its charming Victorian architecture and picket fence in the background. — There’s probably a ghostly face in the window right behind Becky’s head. At least, there was the day before. Please excuse the bags under our eyes; we were up ’til 3am ghost hunting.

Is Historic Rugby Haunted?

Becky and Diana got the most intelligent responses and objective findings they’ve ever found on a paranormal investigation. We also got to play with a new ghost hunting toy—er, tool. This ghost trip wire allowed us to have the most comprehensive and interactive conversation we’ve ever had with a ghost. We’ll be posting the ghost evidence that we caught on our recordings and cameras over on our Patreon soon.

7000 Antique first edition books line the wood paneled shelves of the historic Town of Rugby library, a quaint and intriguing stop on our trip, showcasing a rich collection of colorful, aged spines with titles from classic literature and folklore. — 7000 antique and first edition books somehow survived being abandoned for decades at the Rugby Library.

The Old Scott County Jail in Huntsville, TN

The 1904 Scott County Jail originally held about 50 inmates above and the jailer’s family below. 1922 saw the addition of a third floor for maximum security prisoners. Because of safety violations, a new jail was opened in the 1960s, but then the old jail had to be reopened due to inconvenient escapes from the new facility. The old jail permanently closed in 2008, following the construction of a modern justice center.

Becky and Diana, hosts of the Homespun Haints podcast, alongside friends including Miranda Young of Ghost Biker Explorations, posing in front of the haunted Old Scott County Jail during their paranormal Appalachian road trip, smiling and excited for the ghostly adventure. — Miranda Young with Diana, Amber, Lady Teal, Jennifer, and Becky in front of the Old Scott County Jail.

Today, it stands as a museum operated by History, Highways, and Haunts, LLC. Our friends Miranda Young and Kristy Sumner run the company. They offer tours that explore the jail’s history, paranormal activities, and architecture, reflecting its legacy on the National Register of Historic Places in Appalachia. Book a tour at the Historic Scott County Jail here. Or, plan a more comprehensive trip to Scott County here.

Diana, co-host of Homespun Haints podcast, using a new ghost hunting tool called Trip Wire (which is like a battery powered string of violet lights that change color in response to localized EMF spikes) during a paranormal investigation at the haunted Old Scott County Jail. The image captures a moment with Diana illuminated by the purple light of the Trip Wire in a dimly lit hallway outside of a second story jail cell, enhancing the eerie atmosphere. — Diana telling bad jokes to ghosts at Old Scott County Jail.

Is The Old Scott County Jail Haunted?

The Old Scott County Jail is indeed quite haunted. We encountered some intriguing paranormal activity there ourselves. Listen to Kristy and Miranda tell Becky and Diana all about the ghosts at the Old Scott County Jail and Rugby.

Thanks for following along on our paranormal Appalachian road trip!

If you missed our posts this time around, they’re archived over at our Patreon page. What are your favorite haunts in Appalachia for road trips? Let’s chat on our Facebook Group all about how to have a spooky day there!