Uncover Chattanooga, Tennessee’s, Haunted History at These 4 Spots

Whether you love spooky season or simply enjoy haunted lore and sites year-round, Chattanooga, Tennessee, is home to more than just a lively downtown, award-winning whiskey, and surrounding parks and riverfront trails.

The city has a fascinating history, for one. In 1867, Chattanooga suffered a horrible storm, swallowing the downtown area and leaving buildings abandoned and lives lost. Heading into the 20^th century, roadways were constructed atop existing infrastructure in which entire storefronts, sidewalks and entryways were covered beneath new foundations. In fact, you can still see the city’s pre-1867 remnants throughout downtown.

But where specifically should you go for an eerie experience?

© Courtesy of The Read House

The Read House

The longest continuously operating hotel in the Southeast (also soon celebrating its 155^th anniversary) opened in 1872 and has hosted everyone from Elvis Presley to Winston Churchill to Al Capone. Capone actually stayed in Room 311, the hotel’s most notorious room. In 1927, Annalisa Netherly was nearly beheaded in its bathtub after her husband allegedly caught her with another man. Throughout the years, guests and staff have claimed to hear unexpected noises and see flickering lights, running water and shadowy figures. Furniture is moved without explanation and visitors and guests of the room report being touched or scratched. The hotel has updated all other rooms to modern standards, but this room remains just as it was when Annalisa died here 100 years ago. Are you brave enough to stay in the room?

© Ava Rymer

Hales Bar Dam

Now home to Dam Whiskey, this building was constructed in 1905 on top of sacred Cherokee land along the Tennessee River. Legend says the tribal leader cursed the building and plagued it with structural issues from the beginning. Today, the property leans into its dark past with an immersive experience spanning three levels, where live actors only add to the pre-existing haunts. Many paranormal activities have been reported by both employees and visitors, from its rickety stairwells to hidden tunnels …

Ruby Falls

The popular site offers underground tours to its beautiful waterfall and, in October, you can book an after-hours tour with just the glow of hand-held lanterns guiding you 250 feet below the surface. Guides tell tales of peculiar encounters, tragedies and mayhem spanning nearly a century.

© Chris Atib

The Painted Lady Tattoo Parlor

This tattoo parlor sits on the site of the first Coca-Cola bottling plant. When the plant was in operation, company executives were housed in the apartments above. Nearby was a brothel, now the Tomorrow Building, a series of stylish lofts. It is said a girl witnessed her mother’s murder in one of the executive’s apartments. Other strange occurrences involve things flying across the room, as well as glass and mirrors shattering.

And You Thought We Were Done …

Chattanooga has even more haunted sites to explore if these four spots still aren’t enough. The Chattanooga Choo Choo and Hunter Museum (designed by the son of President James Garfield) are also reported paranormal hot spots. You can book any number of guided tours with Chattanooga Ghost Tours, which delve into these sites as well as centuries-old cemeteries and more.