Most Haunted Places in Chattanooga, TN
Once a pivotal battleground during the American Civil War, Chattanooga thrives as a bustling industrial hub, enhanced by its gorgeous scenic views. But the bloodshed that shaped the city has yet to subside, and the spirits of the Scenic City’s tortured past continue to lay claim to their former stomping grounds.
What stories linger within the walls of the city’s most historic buildings? What specters from the past refuse to fade away? Discover the darkness of Chattanooga’s past that consumes its present as we take you through some of the city’s most haunted places.
Want to get a firsthand look at the locations that give Chattanooga its haunted reputation? Book a ghost tour with Chattanooga Ghosts to immerse yourself in the narrative that shaped this city’s haunted legacy.
Delta Queen
Crafted in 1924, the Delta Queen was a vessel of unparalleled luxury that ferried presidents along the waterways before its transformation into the USS Delta Queen. But beneath the ornate decks and regal history lies a spectral tale starring the spirit of Mary Becker Greene, one of the nation’s earliest female riverboat pilots affectionately known as Ma Greene. In April 1949, Ma Greene retired to her cabin on the Delta Queen and passed away peacefully in her sleep.
Yet, she continues on as captain of her ship in the afterlife. Crew members and passengers have shared encounters with a spirit believed to be Ma Greene, casting a protective gaze over her cherished boat. Her apparition is also known to haunt cabin 109, with one crew member hearing the disembodied voice of an elderly woman claiming to be cold and ill from the empty room. Though it operates as a hotel today, Ma Greene continues to operate from the beyond.
Read House Hotel
Established in 1847, the Read Hotel has witnessed the ebb and flow of time, surviving the Civil War and evolving into a luxurious haven for presidents and luminaries. Yet, behind the elegance and grandeur, whispers of otherworldly encounters echo through the halls. Room 311, in particular, is steeped in mystery, with a tragic tale of Annalisa Netherly, a young woman who met an untimely demise within its walls.
Guests have reported eerie apparitions and unexplained sounds, heightening the intrigue around the hotel’s haunted reputation. The ninth floor has become a focal point for those seeking a ghostly experience. Embracing its spectral allure, The Read House Hotel invites guests to delve into its haunted legacy, offering a “Spirit Package” that includes an exploration of the mysterious tales that linger within its historic confines.
Chattanooga Choo Choo Hotel
The Chattanooga Choo Choo Hotel is more than mere lodging; it’s a living relic of America’s railway legacy. Once an operational train station dating back to the Victorian era, this hotel exudes an old-world charm that transports guests to a bygone era. The lobby pays homage to its storied past, making it a captivating destination for history enthusiasts.
But within the echoes of the hotel’s train-themed rooms and railway cars lies a spectral narrative. The haunting tales often center around the ghostly figure of a conductor who is said to wander the premises, forever locked in the routines of yesteryear.
A porter who still helps those with their luggage and a Civil War soldier is also said to be seen. The aura of the Centennial Theater, a venue within the complex, is also shrouded in mystery, with visitors reporting unexplained activity.
Hunter Museum of American Art
The Hunter Museum of American Art sits on a piece of land once sacred to the Cherokee that later became a battleground during the Civil War. The area has faced multiple transformations over the years, but amid the curated canvases and sculptures, tales of ghostly apparitions and lingering stories of murder weave through the air, leaving the museum with a spectral aura.
The mansion that hosts the museum is said to be haunted by at least five ghosts, one of whom is the lingering spirit of Augusta Hoffman. In 1915, Augusta Hoffman, a reclusive woman residing in Number 15 Bluff View, disappeared without a trace. It wasn’t until 1924, during renovations, that workers stumbled upon a macabre discovery—a bespeckled human skull with false teeth, identified as Augusta’s remains.
Hauntings at Hunter Museum of American Art
- The spirit of Augusta, who has appeared in photos
- Civil War soldiers
- Members from the Cherokee tribes
- Orbs of light, chilling cold spots, moving shadows, and unexplained noises
John Brown’s Tavern
Once a bustling waypoint, John Brown’s Tavern has tales to tell that stretch from the War of 1812 to the poignant Trail of Tears. Captain John Brown, a man of multifaceted journeys, not only traversed the tumultuous landscapes of the War of 1812 but also endured the sorrow-laden Trail of Tears.
The tavern was more than a mere lodge; it was a nexus where stories were traded, fortunes made, and, according to local legend, darker deeds unfolded. Tales linger of Captain Brown’s malevolent acts upon wealthier patrons. The very soil upon which the tavern stands is said to guard his remains, solidifying the terror that engrosses this secluded spot.
Ross’s Landing
Ross’s Landing began in 1816 as a hub for trade and commerce, harmoniously uniting settlers and Cherokee tribes. However, the tranquility shattered in 1837 with the forced expulsion of Native Americans on the Trail of Tears. The legendary curse of Tia-Namu, a hawk god, followed the displaced tribes, and their spirits, haunted by the Trail’s anguish, returned to Ross’s Landing, yearning to reclaim their ancestral homes.
Ross’s Landing bears witness to the haunting aftermath of the 1867 flood, a calamity that left a spectral imprint on the riverwalk. In this historic deluge, cabins floated ominously in the swollen river, and an unknown number of lives were lost.
The spirits of those abruptly taken by the torrent are said to wander near Ross’s Landing, joined by remnants of Cherokee tribes unwilling to abandon their homes. Cold spots and mysterious voices punctuate the air, unveiling the poignant and tragic history that lingers along Chattanooga’s riverfront.
South Pittsburg Hospital
Constructed in 1959, South Pittsburg Hospital served as a vital healthcare institution until its closure in 1998. Nestled in Tennessee, this hospital witnessed the passage of time and diverse medical scenarios. However, its historical roots extend beyond routine medical care. The region endured the ravages of a bloody Civil War battle, leaving an indelible mark on the land.
Over the years, the hospital became a witness to the struggles, illnesses, and, ultimately, the passing of its patients. The convergence of historical trauma and the collective memories of the hospital staff created an environment ripe for tales of the otherworldly.
Former employees have shared spine-chilling stories of unexplained activity, including inanimate objects defying gravity and taking on a life of their own. Shadowy figures are said to wander the corridors, casting an unsettling presence. Among the reported spirits are entities known as the “Naughty Nurse” and “Buddy,” who allegedly interact with the living.
Bluff Furnace
Erected by ironmaster Robert Cravens in the 1850s, the furnace initially employed charcoal as its fuel source to produce raw iron from local ore. Despite its revolutionary design, the furnace faced setbacks, operational only twice and succumbing to a catastrophic failure in November 1860 when molten iron breached the lining, leading to its ruin. The bluff was also scattered with several homes.
One such home belonged to the Bennetts. Augusta Hoffman, a woman residing in the Bennett household, met a gruesome end, allegedly murdered by her affluent relatives for a meager sum. Discovered a year later beneath the floorboards of the Bennett home, her spirit is believed to linger, and her apparition is seen in the Hunter Museum after its construction on the same grounds.
Recognizable by her bludgeoned visage and aloof demeanor, Hoffman is not alone in the spectral realm associated with the museum. More than five apparitions, including the watchful gaze of owner George Thomas Hunter, are said to inhabit the original structure, casting shadows of a haunted legacy upon the industrial echoes of Bluff Furnace.
Haunted Chattanooga
Beyond the majestic mountains lies a bloodstained city tainted by the remnants of a gruesome and unforgiving past. Whether you’re drawn to the opulent corridors of historic hotels or the history of the Trail of Tears, US Ghost Adventures gives you an unfiltered look at Chattanooga that isn’t for the faint of heart.
Experience a side of the city that stalks the locals and keeps them on their toes. Book an authentic ghost tour of Chattanooga with Chattanooga Ghosts and prepare a night of chills and thrills.
Sources:
https://allthingscruise.com/historic-delta-queens-resident-ghost/
https://www.thereadhousehotel.com/room-311/
https://www.wate.com/haunted-tennessee/who-is-the-eternal-guest-at-chattanoogas-read-house-hotel/
https://www.choochoo.com/blog/chattanooga-haunted-places
https://usghostadventures.com/chattanooga/hunter-museum/
https://www.choochoo.com/blog/chattanooga-haunted-places
https://usghostadventures.com/chattanooga/rosss-landing-a-haunted-riverwalk/
https://www.choochoo.com/blog/chattanooga-haunted-places
https://noogatoday.6amcity.com/chattanooga-haunted-ghost-stories
