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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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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 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!

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.

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.

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.

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!

The post A Paranormal Appalachian Road Trip: True Ghostly Encounters appeared first on Homespun Haints.

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Notes From This Podcast Episode of Spooky Stories

Whereas most of our guests are pretty adamant that they don’t want to share their homes with paranormal entities (listen to Episode 45 or Episode 25, for instance), Frantz builds relationships with the entities around him. He believes that asking them to leave his various abodes and workplaces would be wrong or fruitless.

In relaying his true ghost stories to us, Frantz makes mention of a ghost he met on the Roswell Ghost Tour who followed him home! He also develops a strained rapport with an entity (perhaps a demon?) brought forth through hoodoo ritualistic magic, and helps a friend who angered the ghost of a 19th century miner.

Episode references

The Roswell Ghost Tour is particularly scary because the area of Roswell, GA, is full of ghosts, as Frantz is quick to point out in this interview. But why is Roswell, Georgia, so haunted? Many attribute the massive hauntings to the raid on the mill workers in 1864. The raids were ordered by General Sherman during the Civil War as he attempted to cross the Chattahoochee River, which Roswell (and its mills) sat upon. Troops marched over 400 women and children out of the city, and many of them died along the way.

Others point out how the rushing waters of the Chattahoochee serve as a conduit to enhance the activity of restless spirits, and the granite prevalent in the area can also increase the amount of things that go bump in the night.

As if these factors aren’t enough, there is another sinister secret in Roswell’s past, tied to the cemetery that houses the town’s founders. You see, no one really knows how far the boundaries of the cemetery extend, but what we do know is it goes under the houses built around. That’s right. The houses surrounding this tranquil cemetery are sitting on top of unmarked graves. And the spirits there are none too happy about it.

And with that lovely little nugget of scares, we wish you a very spooky day!

The post I Am Talking to this Motherf*ing Ghost appeared first on Homespun Haints.

About the guest: Emily Dexter

Emily Dexter is a medium who has communicated with the spirit world for as long as she can remember. She’s also a metaphysical coach, an author, and a podcaster. And, she hosts the podcast The Alchemist’s Inkwell.

Find more about Emily’s books and coaching services by checking out her website at EmilyDexterAuthor.com or FB page @IntuitiveMagick, or follow her on Instagram @LikerOfWords.

Haunted Places From These Real Life Scary Stories

Donner Pass

Emily opens her stories by talking of some haunted cabins near Donner Pass. This iconic, extremely haunted area is the site where the film Misery was shot. Of course, it’s also named Donner Pass for a reason. This is the place where the infamous Donner Party became stranded in 1846 and resorted to cannibalism to survive.

Virginia City, Nevada

An old mining town, and haunted AF, Virginia City also boasts a very haunted cemetery. Emily tells of how some of those interred souls became angry with her when she couldn’t improve their situation. There are stories from others that back up what Emily experienced.

Of course, there’s also the haunted school house. The Fourth Ward School is now a museum. Worn impressions of little shoes on the schoolroom’s floor aren’t the only things that remind visitors of children from the past. If you’re interested in visiting, you can check out the museum’s official page here.

Noisome Spirits: Good or Bad?

How do you know if you have a Poltergeist, a haunting, or just an overzealous physical spirit guide like Emily’s guide Hope? Here is some third-party disambiguation info at Xtreme Ghost Hunting, or just contact Emily Davis. She will be able to help you out!

When we record the audio with our guests, we use a video chat format so we can see each other’s faces while we chat. Right after we recorded this episode, Emily mentioned seeing a spectral motherly presence in Diana’s home through the video chat! Where did she see this vision, you ask? Why, only in the most disturbing location. Her view was of the wall on the north side of the haunted basement stairs, where Diana has always felt a ghostly presence. That corroboration certainly gave Diana a spooky day!

The post The Crying Grave: Real Life Scary Stories appeared first on Homespun Haints.

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Episode Summary of Our Paranormal Podcasts

If this episode of our best paranormal podcasts, we heard Dr. Kristy Sumner, of Soul Sisters Paranormal, tell us spooky stories about some of her personal experiences in haunted places she’s investigated.

About Kristy Sumner of Soul Sisters Paranormal

Kristy and her team are expert paranormal investigators (not just plain weird goofballs like us). They have documented many real life ghost stories and supernatural experiences during their paranormal investigations. Kristy works closely with Ghost Biker Miranda, who told us chilling tales about the phantom monk of Tennessee.

You can find out more about Kristy’s team on their website at soulsistersparanormal.com. Homespun Haints listeners who love our horror podcast for our classic ghost stories simply must listen to their episodes, posted at https://www.soulsistersparanormal.com/videos.html. Also, check out the Soul Sisters Facebook page at facebook.com/soulsistersparanormal for new episodes and written stories about their strange paranormal experiences.

An Update Since This Episode Aired

Since this episode aired, Kristy and Miranda have started leading history tours and overnight paranormal investigations at the historic Scott County Jail We interviewed Kristy again in 2024, about the history of Rugby; the haunted Victorian village in East Tennessee. The ghost town is kept up basically the same way it was when built in the late 1800’s, with the addition of paved roads and electricity, of course (and the recent addition of huge, high-up scratch marks made by mysterious creatures). We got to explore Rugby on our visit in Spring 2004, and had more than one encounter of our own.

But in this weekly podcast episode, we hear true stories specifically about the following haunted places and locations in Florida and Tennessee.

Ghost Stories about Haunted Houses: The Ma Barker House

If you listen to true crime genre podcasts, you’re surely familiar with the story of Ma (Kate) Barker. Did you know, however, that the Ma Barker House is one of the most infamous haunted houses in Florida? Located in Ocklawaha, Florida, it is the scene of a real life horror story from history.

The dark event became one of the most famous shootouts that ever happened in FBI history. On January 16, 1935, FBI agents surrounded the house where Ma Barker and her son Fred were hiding out. After a lengthy gun battle, both Ma Barker and Fred were shot to death.

The Paranormal Investigation of Ma Barker’s House

Kristy’s team went to investigate this haunted location where true crime history intersects with classic ghost stories. They even did their ghost hunt on the anniversary of the deadly shootout. Ma Barker fans must listen to the video episode of the same name on their site at soulsistersparanormal.com/bradford—ma-barker-house.html. You’ll discover that they captured some very strange footage.

In addition, Kristy volunteers at this haunted location during the day. She has plenty of horror stories about strange things visitors have witnessed while on her tours.

The Gilchrist County Jail

Kristy next tells us the story of her investigation of the Gilchrist County Jail with friend Miranda. Also in Florida, it operated from 1928-1968, after which it was abandoned. One of its most persistent urban legends is the ghost story of an inmate whose death remains a mystery. Another ghost story involves the apparition of a woman believed to be the ghost of a jail matron who was known for her harsh treatment of prisoners in life.

Ghost Stories from a Haunted Jail

You can watch the entire ghost hunt video below. The current owners offer guided ghost tours around Halloween, allowing visitors to explore the old jail and learn the truth about its dark history.

The Brushy Mountain State Penitentiary

The Brushy Mountain State Penitentiary

Last up for storytelling in this episode, we hear a tale about another haunted jail. Brushy Mountain State Penitentiary in Tennessee saw numerous violent deaths on the property, potentially responsible for the many horror stories of paranormal events there.

Prison Ghost Stories

According to the classic ghost story about Brushy, certain areas of the prison are particularly haunted. Those who were inmates in life still haunt the solitary confinement cells, the chapel, and the hospital wing. One of the most famous ghosts at Brushy is that of James Earl Ray, the convicted assassin of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Stream the paranormal podcast video episodes below for the whole story.

Some paranormal investigation equipment

What is a REM pod?

As much as it sounds like a sci-fi sleep study, a REM pod is actually a pretty interesting piece of equipment that the Soul Sisters Paranormal Team gets a lot of use out of. It’s basically a theremin designed to be operated by ghosts! The device emits noise and flashing lights when something disturbs the field around it, and should theoretically work for unseen entities that influence electromagnetic fields.

What is a trigger item?

Paranormal Investigation Equipment

Modern ghost hunting includes some of the most strange equipment in the world. Kristy had to explain these items to us between ghost stories.

What is a REM pod?

As much as it sounds like a strange sci-fi sleep study, a REM pod is actually a pretty interesting piece of equipment. The Soul Sisters Paranormal Team get a lot of use out of theirs. The device emits noise and flashing lights when something disturbs the field around it. It should theoretically work for unseen supernatural entities that influence electromagnetic fields. It’s basically a theremin designed for ghosts to play! Now that’s our genre of horror music.

What is a Trigger Item?

What in the world is a trigger item in paranormal investigation, you ask? When a familiar object is used to entice a supernatural entity to interact, that object is called a trigger item. For child ghosts, it could be a toy. At a jail, it’s more likely to be a blade. There’s a product you can purchase for that, of course. Check out this cute guy (it’s not a Furby).

Do You Have a Ghost Story? Come on the Podcast!

Do you have true tales to tell about the supernatural, and want to try your hand at horror storytelling? Why not apply here to be a guest on one of the next episodes of Homespun Haints podcast, so the world can listen to your ghost story? Our storytelling podcast offers you the best opportunity to share your supernatural tales on one of our episodes, from classic ghost stories, to strange conspiracy theories about vampires in cemeteries, and any other true paranormal stories that will strike horror into the dark hearts of our podcast listeners!

That’s all for this ghost podcast interview podcast episode Until the next episode, have a spooky day!

The post Ghosts on Camera: Best Paranormal Videos of Haunted Prisons appeared first on Homespun Haints.

Where is Cerro Gordo?

Somewhere about 200 miles north of Los Angeles, 400 miles southeast of San Francisco and 200 miles west of Las Vegas sits Cerro Gordo – “Fat Hill.” A remote town (it’s about 25 miles from the nearest grocery store), it is nestled on the edge of the Inyo Mountains overlooking Death Valley National Park.

The town is appropriately creepy for a ghost town, and definitely haunted. Back in its heyday, Cerro Gordo averaged a murder per week, and they even built tunnels to allow for escape during labor disputes. Because, obviously things like that are necessary when you’re in a tiny town and someone is being killed off every week. With bullet holes in the walls of the saloon and blood stains on the floor, it’s not hard to imagine what went down. Cerro Gordo ghosts have some epic stories to tell.

For some wild stories, watch this:

That’s right, guys. Ghosts AND aliens, and a pretty badass back story. You can get the entire episode here.

Why would someone buy it?

So what would possess someone to buy a creepy old town full of 150+ year old buildings set on top of a mountain in the middle of nowhere? Jon Bier and Brent Underwood, two young entrepreneurs, knew that the place was special. Over the past year, they have been working to revamp it into a retreat/conference space/film set/generally amazing little hideaway.

Then, when the pandemic hit, Brent decided to lock himself up in the little town to ride out quarantine with the ghosts of Cerro Gordo. He had no idea that he’d immediately be buried under 4 ft. of snow. It made for some pretty great Insta shots, which is probably enough of a reason to buy a $2 million dollar ghost town.

The ghost stories are wild

When they purchased the town, they were warned that some visitors may be hanging around. Apparently, the town’s brothel owner (it’s always the brothel owner), and another who was murdered in a card game gone bad are still setting up shop. Now, Brent is an admitted skeptic, but even he came clean that he had an encounter that left him pretty uneasy.

If you can’t watch the video, here’s a recap. As he was walking toward the bunk house he looked at the window, the curtain pulled to the side, and a little face poked out. Under the assumption that the contractors were staying in the bunk house, he asked when they were leaving and was told that they’re been gone for two weeks. So, a little uneasy, he locked up the door and went for a hike. By the time he got back, the kitchen light was on, even with a lock still on the door.

“Ghosts? I don’t know.”

If you want to follow along with Brent’s Cerro Gordo quarantine, you can find him on Instagram. It’s a fun ride.

And if you need more creepy ghost town stories, check out this week’s Homespun Haints episode.

Image pictured: Artist unknown. Untitled (Group Portrait of Miners). 1870. The Art Institute of Chicago.

The post Cerro Gordo: Ghost town, Quarantine hangout, and murder town appeared first on Homespun Haints.

Listen to her paranormal ghost story right here:

About the Guest: Breanda

Breanda immigrated to Australia from the UK in the 1960s, but she’s lived many other places throughout the world since that time as well as her now-home of Brisbane. Please be sure to check out her podcast, Fast Fiction Podcasts, for more of her delightful stories, including her other ghost stories, The Street That Wasn’t There and Guest House Ghost Story.

The Blitz

From September 7, 1940 until May of 1941, the Nazi Luftwaffe repeatedly bombed London and other parts of Britain, causing some 182,000 British casualties and reducing whole streets to rubble. Recent comparisons of the “spirit of the Blitz”—the British ability to stand together and remain defiant in the face of the enemy—to the current coronavirus pandemic, have raised some criticisms. However, Breanda’s recalls the war, and its physical aftermath on her neighborhood, in a dark and humorous way. For instance, she saw the rubble surrounding her still-standing home as the world’s best playground, and fondly remembers the unexploded bomb in her yard.

As if the Blitz could be any more terrifying than it already is, Doctor Who took it to a whole new level in the 2005 episode “The Empty Child.” We love it because it’s that beautiful blend of science fiction and horror. Here is a snippet:

Armidale, New South Wales

Located about midway between Brisbane and Sydney is the city of Armidale, with a population of about 24,000. It is home to the University of New England and the Australian Wool Fashion Awards. If you venture west about 2 hours, you will encounter the unusual Mount Kaputar, home to rare giant pink slugs. To us, it sounds like the perfect setting for the Horror House that Breanda lived in all those years ago.

Cracow, Queensland

Breanda also tells us of some time she spent in Cracow, a real ghost town harkening from The Depression. Below are some lovely photos she sent us of how the town looks today:

Thanks for listening. Until next time, have a spooky day!

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