Brushy Mountain State Penitentiary – Haunted Prison in Petros, Tennessee

Nestled in the remote mountains of Morgan County, Brushy Mountain State Penitentiary stands as Tennessee’s most notorious former prison. This imposing fortress of stone and steel operated for 113 years before closing its doors in 2009.

The prison earned its fearsome reputation by housing the state’s most dangerous criminals in brutal conditions. Death, violence, and despair permeated every cell block during its operation.

Today, visitors and staff report encounters with restless spirits who never left their concrete tombs. Shadowy figures, phantom screams, and unexplained phenomena occur daily within these walls.

The facility’s isolation in the Tennessee mountains adds to its eerie atmosphere and dark history. Many believe the suffering experienced here created a permanent supernatural imprint.

Historical Background

Construction on Brushy Mountain State Penitentiary began in 1893 using convict labor from nearby prisons. The facility officially opened in 1896 to house Tennessee’s most violent and hardened criminals.

The prison was specifically designed to be escape-proof due to its remote mountain location. Thick stone walls and treacherous terrain surrounded the compound on all sides.

James Earl Ray, the assassin of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., became the prison’s most infamous inmate. He arrived in 1970 and attempted a daring escape in 1977 that lasted 54 hours.

The prison experienced numerous riots, murders, and deaths during its century of operation. At least 10,000 inmates passed through Brushy Mountain’s gates during its 113-year history.

Living conditions were notoriously harsh with extreme heat in summer and bitter cold in winter. Inmates endured overcrowding, violence, and minimal medical care throughout the facility’s operation.

Mining accidents claimed several prisoner lives as inmates worked the nearby coal mines daily. Guards also died violently within the walls from inmate attacks and prison riots.

The Tennessee Department of Corrections finally closed Brushy Mountain in 2009 due to deteriorating conditions. The facility stood abandoned for several years before reopening as a historical tourist attraction.

Paranormal Activity Summary

Disembodied voices echo through empty cell blocks when no living person is present. Staff members hear their names called out by invisible speakers throughout the day.

Shadow figures dart between cells and appear in doorways before vanishing into thin air. These dark forms are most commonly seen in Cell Block 10 and Death Row.

Phantom footsteps march along metal catwalks in the dead of night without explanation. The sounds of chains rattling accompany these mysterious footfalls throughout the cell blocks.

Cold spots manifest suddenly in specific locations despite the building’s lack of air conditioning. Visitors report feeling unseen hands touching their shoulders and arms in these frigid zones.

Cell doors slam shut violently when nobody is near them to cause movement. Electronic equipment malfunctions regularly, with cameras and recording devices draining batteries instantly.

The scent of cigarette smoke appears in areas where smoking hasn’t occurred in decades. Visitors also report smelling body odor and unwashed clothing in empty cells.

Objects move on their own accord, with chairs sliding across floors and items falling from shelves. Unexplained banging sounds emanate from locked cells and sealed-off areas of the facility.

Ghost Stories & Reports

The spirit of a murdered inmate allegedly haunts Cell Block 10 where he was stabbed. Visitors report seeing a man in prison whites clutching his stomach and stumbling between cells.

This phantom appears confused and disoriented, seemingly unaware that he is deceased. Witnesses describe feeling overwhelming sadness and fear when encountering this particular spirit.

A former guard named Harold is believed to haunt the prison’s main corridors and guard tower. Staff members report seeing a uniformed figure walking patrol routes that no longer exist.

Harold allegedly died during a riot in the 1970s when inmates overtook his section. His apparition appears most frequently during the early morning hours around 3 AM.

The ghost of an elderly prisoner manifests in the prison hospital and infirmary area. Witnesses describe an old man sitting on a bed, coughing violently before disappearing.

This spirit is thought to be an inmate who died from tuberculosis in the 1940s. The infirmary experiences more paranormal activity than almost any other location in the prison.

Multiple visitors have reported encountering the spirit of James Earl Ray in various locations. A tall figure matching his description appears in the recreation yard and library area.

Ray died in 1998 at a Nashville hospital, but many believe his energy returned here. Staff members have reported feeling watched in areas where Ray spent considerable time.

A violent entity known only as “The Shadow Man” terrorizes visitors in the solitary confinement area. This dark figure stands over six feet tall and radiates malevolence and hatred.

Unlike other spirits, The Shadow Man actively pursues and frightens people who enter his domain. Several visitors have fled the building after encountering this aggressive presence.

The ghosts of miners killed in accidents appear near the old coal mine entrance. These spirits wear period mining equipment and carry lunch pails from decades past.

Witnesses report these figures walking toward the mine entrance before fading from view completely. The sound of pickaxes striking stone accompanies these phantom miner sightings.

Most Haunted Spot

Cell Block 10 ranks as the most supernaturally active location within Brushy Mountain Penitentiary. This section housed the prison’s most violent offenders and witnessed countless acts of brutality.

Multiple murders occurred in Cell Block 10, with inmates killing each other in savage attacks. Visitors report feeling physically ill and experiencing difficulty breathing when entering this cell block.

Cell 13 in this block is particularly active, with apparitions appearing regularly inside. The cell door opens and closes on its own despite being secured multiple times.

Shadow figures congregate in the shower area at the end of Cell Block 10. This location was the site of several fatal stabbings during the prison’s operational years.

Death Row comes in as a close second for paranormal activity and oppressive atmosphere. The execution chamber adjoining Death Row contains equipment used for Tennessee’s electric chair.

Visitors cannot remain in the execution chamber for long due to overwhelming negative energy. Many report feeling watched by unseen eyes and experiencing sudden panic attacks.

Can You Visit?

Yes, Brushy Mountain State Penitentiary is open to the public for tours year-round. The facility was converted into a tourist attraction and distillery after its 2009 closure.

General admission tours cost approximately twenty dollars per adult visitor at the gate. Children under twelve receive discounted admission rates for daytime historical tours.

Guided historical tours run throughout the day, providing context about the prison’s notorious past. These daytime tours last approximately ninety minutes and cover major cell blocks and facilities.

Paranormal investigation tours are available after dark for those seeking supernatural experiences. These special ghost hunting tours cost more and must be booked in advance.

Photography and video recording are fully permitted throughout the entire prison complex. Visitors are encouraged to document their experiences and capture potential paranormal evidence.

The facility operates seven days per week with varying hours depending on season. Winter hours are more limited than summer operating schedules, so calling ahead is recommended.

Private paranormal investigation bookings are available for serious ghost hunting teams and groups. These overnight investigations provide exclusive access to the facility for several hours.

Best Time to Visit

Paranormal activity intensifies dramatically during the overnight hours between midnight and 4 AM. Most documented supernatural encounters occur during this timeframe when darkness envelops the prison.

The anniversary dates of major riots and deaths see increased spiritual activity throughout. Staff members note heightened phenomena during these historically significant dates each year.

October brings the most paranormal reports as the veil between worlds supposedly thins. The prison offers special Halloween events that consistently produce unexplained experiences for visitors.

Winter months generate more activity than summer, possibly due to fewer visitors and quieter conditions. The isolation and cold temperatures seem to encourage more frequent ghostly manifestations.

First-Hand Accounts & Eyewitness Reports

Sarah Mitchell from Knoxville visited in 2019 and photographed a full-bodied apparition in Cell Block 10. Her photograph clearly shows a translucent figure standing inside an empty cell.

Mitchell reported feeling frozen in place and unable to move while the spirit watched her. She described an overwhelming sensation of sadness and anger emanating from the ghostly figure.

Tour guide Marcus Johnson has worked at Brushy Mountain since it reopened to visitors. He reports daily paranormal encounters including voices calling his name and items moving unexpectedly.

Johnson recalls one incident where a heavy metal chair slid across the floor in Death Row. No living person was near the chair when it moved several feet across concrete.

Paranormal investigator team Tennessee Hauntings spent three nights at Brushy Mountain in 2020. They captured over forty EVP recordings of voices responding to their questions.

Their most compelling evidence includes a voice saying “Get out” in the execution chamber. The team also recorded unexplained footsteps and door slams on multiple audio devices.

Visitor James Chen from California experienced a physical encounter in the solitary confinement area. He reported being pushed by invisible hands and feeling scratches appear on his back.

Chen’s wife photographed three distinct scratch marks on his shoulder blades after the incident. The scratches appeared suddenly and were not present before entering the confinement cells.

Local resident Patricia Owens worked as a corrections officer at Brushy Mountain in the 1990s. She witnessed numerous unexplained events during her fifteen years of employment at the facility.

Owens describes seeing a prisoner walk through a solid wall in Cell Block 10. She also heard phantom voices calling for help from empty cells on countless occasions.

Paranormal Investigations & Findings

Ghost Adventures filmed an episode at Brushy Mountain that aired on the Travel Channel in 2019. The crew captured compelling evidence including shadow figures and disembodied voices throughout their investigation.

Zak Bagans and his team documented an aggressive entity in the solitary confinement area. Their thermal cameras recorded unexplained temperature drops of thirty degrees within seconds.

The Tennessee Wraith Chasers paranormal team conducted multiple investigations at the prison in 2018. They recorded EVP sessions that produced clear responses from what they believe are former inmates.

Their investigation equipment registered electromagnetic field spikes in areas with reported apparitions consistently. The team considers Brushy Mountain one of Tennessee’s most authentically haunted locations.

Southern Ghost Asylum investigated the facility and documented full-bodied shadow figures on camera. Their investigation revealed unusual patterns of activity concentrated in specific cell blocks and corridors.

The team’s medium reported communicating with at least seven distinct spirits during the investigation. Each spirit provided details about their deaths that researchers later verified through historical records.

Numerous amateur paranormal groups have investigated Brushy Mountain with varied degrees of success. The consistent reports across multiple teams lend credibility to claims of genuine haunting activity.

Safety Warnings & Legal Restrictions

The prison building contains numerous structural hazards including unstable floors and crumbling walls. Visitors must stay with tour groups and avoid wandering into restricted areas marked clearly.

Some cell blocks remain off-limits due to safety concerns and ongoing preservation work. Trespassing into these areas violates both safety protocols and legal restrictions with potential consequences.

The facility maintains insurance requirements that mandate visitors follow all posted rules and guidelines. Anyone violating safety protocols may be asked to leave without refund of admission fees.

Cell edges and metal fixtures pose trip hazards throughout the deteriorating prison complex. Proper footwear is strongly recommended as the concrete floors are uneven and potentially dangerous.

Visitors with heart conditions or anxiety disorders should carefully consider before entering certain areas. The oppressive atmosphere and documented negative entities may trigger serious psychological responses in sensitive individuals.

Local Legends & Myths

Local legend claims a treasure remains hidden somewhere within Brushy Mountain’s walls by inmates. Some believe guards or prisoners stashed money or valuables before the prison’s closure.

The spirit of an innocent man wrongly executed allegedly curses anyone who mocks him. This legend stems from a 1930s execution of a prisoner who maintained innocence until death.

Mountain residents tell stories of ghostly prisoners seen walking the railroad tracks near Petros. These phantom inmates supposedly escaped and died in the wilderness before being recaptured.

A legend persists about a secret tunnel system beneath the prison connecting to abandoned mines. No evidence supports this claim, but the story continues circulating among paranormal enthusiasts.

Some locals believe the land itself was cursed before the prison’s construction began. Cherokee legends supposedly warned against building on this particular mountain location centuries ago.