Ghouls, Ghosts, and Goblins! Nashville Has Them!
It’s that time of year again for ghosts, hauntings, and tales of spirits from the long past. And Nashville, Tennessee is no different. With a vibrant history of fortunes gained and lost, city filled of scoundrels and scandals, and the innate suffering as a Civil War capitol, Nashville hosts some of the south’s most gruesome and grueling sites.
According to guests and locals alike, the spooky sites are plentiful. Joe Nashville is not a ghost person per se, but he likes a good background story and can tell you about them all.
If you’re looking for a Nashville tour that will keep you up at night with all the tales of hauntings galore, join us Friday-Sunday on any walking or van tour. We also take private tours upon request.
Five Haunted Historical Venues You Don’t Want to Miss
1. Printers Alley - The Southern Turf Building
When talking about the most haunted places in Nashville, Printer’s Alley is always top of the list. That is because it is said not one, but two, ghosts are still lingering around the alleyway after both having died in the Southern Turf Building.
To paint the picture of Nashville “back then”, a majority of Nashville’s press establishments were concentrated in this two block alleyway known as Printers Alley. By day, it would serve as the buzzing printing capitol of the world lined with publishing companies, newspapers, and printing shops. And by night, it would turn into what was know as the “Men’s Quarters”; bustling with brothels, burlesques, and gambling halls.
One saloon stood our in particular as more of an upscale establishment, The Southern Turf. The Southern Turf building was adorned in bronze fixtures and boasted four-stories of gambling, drinking, and lodging. It was managed by Ike Johnson, “Honest Ike”, who lived on the third floor.
However, it all came crashing down in 1914 when Prohibition hit and the building was forced to close down. Fun fact, Prohibition hit Tennessee before the rest of the country. Forcing much of Printer’s Alley to shut down. When it did, Johnson proclaimed he would rather die than leave his home. And that’s exactly what his did. He shot himself in 1916 on the third floor of the Southern Turf Building.
Fast forward to 1948, when the building’s basement was purchased by David “Skull” Schulman and turned into the world-famous Rainbow Room. If you don’t know much about Skull or The Rainbow Room, then you need to take a tour with us!
Skull said the ghost of Johnson would mess with him by loudly moving chairs and tables around each night. Despite the hauntings, The Rainbow Room became the cool hangout spot in downtown Nashville for the next 50 years. It was frequented by famous musicians, such as Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, and Bob Dylan. The city even named Skull as the unofficial Mayor of Printer’s Alley.
In 1998, Skull was targeted for a robbery. Two armed homeless men barged into the club and held him at knifepoint. After he refused to hand the crooks money, one of them slashed his throat three times and smashed a bottle over his head. Skull, who was 80 years old at the time, was found dead by a cigarette vending machine with his hands around his throat, gasping for air.
Skull’s spirit now haunts Printers Alley alongside Ike Johnson. People have reported seeing Skull walking his dog before vanishing into thin air. Some even say they have seen him and the poodle walk through the closed front doors. See the pictures below:
2. Tennessee State Capitol
The Tennessee State Capitol is listed in the National Register of Historic Places
Let’s dive right in, shall we? Four deceased remains are located on the state capitol grounds of Tennessee. Two of the four were buried in the building itself. William Strickland, the Philadelphia native/Nashville resident of the time, was the architect of the Greek structure and is buried in the northeast corner. Strickland died before the completion of the capital that took fourteen years to complete. His nemesis and rival, state of Tennessee Building Commission Chairman. Samuel Morgan, passed after completion and is interred in the southeast corner. Talk about unfinished business!
Former President James K. Polk and his wife Sarah Childress Polk have a burial tomb outside on the northeast grounds near the building. It has been said that the Capitol is the only U.S. state capitol used as a burial ground. This is one of the sites we see on our Nashville Walking Tour.
In addition to the very alive hauntings at the Capitol building, there are also rumors of civil war soldiers being heard in the building’s steeple. This is one haunted landmark you have to see to experience!
3. The Hermitage Hotel
The Hermitage Hotel is listed in the National Register of Historic Places
Tennessee’s first $1 Million hotel is quite notable in many respects. Since its opening in 1910, the 5-Star hotel has hosted most U.S. presidents and famous visitors since its founding in the early 20th century. Home of the headquarters of women’s suffrage (the anti-suffrage folks as well) in 1920, the hotel etched itself into history as the key landmark in the passage of the 18th amendment giving women the right to vote.
It’s been said that Will Rogers brought a horse into the opulent lobby at one point, home of “afternoon teas” that still take place. Famous billiard player Minnesota Fats took residence in the hotel in the 1980s and played pool with guests. John Dillinger, the notorious mobster, is said to have stayed in the hotel.
The art deco basement men’s restroom has been voted “best restroom in America.” And a favorite photo opportunity for tourists and guests (yes, ladies can enter for a photo). In addition to history and notoriety, folklore reflects the story of a baby’s tragic passing in room 910.
It can still be heard crying at times. Although that specific room no longer exists, it is now part of a more extensive suite. Rumors of images of figures in different parts of the hotel persist to this day and who knows you might spot one on your Nashville walking tour (a guest or two have!!).
4. Downtown Presbyterian Church
The Downtown Presbyterian Church is listed in the National Register of Historic Places
A second Nashville ghostly feature of architect William Strickland is this beloved downtown church. Noted as the home church of General and President Andrew Jackson, the current structure was built before the Civil War in 1851 in the Egyptian Revival style. General Jackson was awarded a ceremonial sword after the war of 1812 on the church’s steps (the previous building was destroyed by fire).
During the bloody battles that raged in areas near Nashville, the church served as one of the many Union hospitals during the city’s war and Union military occupation. Due to the immense suffering of such a tragedy, the church is said to be haunted with stories of strange noises and muffled figures appearing from time to time.
This is one landmark that locals steer clear of around spooky season and there is good reason why!
5. Mary's of the Seven Sorrows Catholic Church
Mary’s of the Seven Sorrows Catholic Church is listed in the National Register of Historic Places
Prussian-born architect Adolphus Heiman designed the first Catholic cathedral in Tennessee. Built-in 1847, the Greek Revival structure was also used as a Union military hospital in the Civil War and is the oldest standing church in Nashville. Aside from this suffering attached, and only yo add to the haunting potential, Richard Pius Miles, the first Bishop of the Diocese of Nashville, was buried under the church and later moved to a tomb inside the church. This is where he resides to this day…
In 1972, Bishop Miles’ remains were unearthed (when moved to the tomb). They were reportedly “incorrupt”, prompting Wikipedia to note that he is the subject of canonization and potential sainthood. Numerous tales of his sightings and other ghostly images are allegedly seen on the upper floors of the church and continue to intrigue ghost enthusiasts and ghost tours in Nashville. Ghost enthusiasts often attempt to capture images on the night of an alleged figure in an upstairs window.
Further Reading:
Folk Tales and Local Lore: https://www.nashvillescene.com/news/one-for-the-road/article_3a4ff495-cd73-558b-8c1c-7167b6c315b6.html
The Hermitage Hotel: https://www.thehermitagehotel.com/
St Marys Catholic Church: https://nashvilledowntown.com/go/st-marys-catholic-church
Haunted History: https://theresashauntedhistoryofthetri-state.blogspot.com/2013/04/nashvilles-st-marys-catholic-church.html
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