Haunted Spaces and Spooky Places: Glenmore Mansion

Staff Photo by Elizabeth Lane

Even though the temperatures have been a little slow in catching up, the calendar is certain that it is, indeed, Fall. With the crisp mornings and chilly evenings, changing color of the leaves and pumpkins a plenty, so enters the season of all things spooky. For those who eagerly anticipate the shivers of Autumn, Elizabeth Lane, feature writer for the Jefferson County Post, is introducing a new seven part series that casts the shadow on the local places where things go bump in the night (and sometimes in the daylight).

“It is the middle ground between light and shadow, between science and superstition, and it lies between the pit of man’s fears and the summit of his knowledge. This is the dimension of imagination. It is an area which we call the Twilight Zone.” – Anonymous

Halloween is just around the corner, and what better way to celebrate than a selection of our favorite local haunts. Many are steeped in history, as well as local legends. Our first selected haunt is one of the oldest, if not the oldest, building in Jefferson County: Glenmore Mansion.

Glenmore Mansion was built in 1799 by John Roper Branner, who hailed to this region from Virginia. Glenmore reports the mansion would stay in the Branner family for almost 100 years before it was eventually sold to Mr. Milton Preston Jarnigan. The house was named Glenmore after Jernigan’s first son, who died while still in infancy. The house has since stood the test of time for the past 101 odd years.

Legends surround the house, particularly about its style and construction. Whispers say there are more windows projected on the outside than there are actual windows on the inside. Also, many consider it to be 5 stories high, though some say the mansion appears to vary in height from one visit to the next. The layout of the building lends itself to eerie vibes, as there are 15 separate rooms making up the entire space of the house.

With so much history built within the house and the grounds, it is no wonder that local residents are somewhat hesitant to visit Glenmore after dark. Glenmore reports that many visitors have reported a friendly or calming presence lurking around the house. Could it be the spirit of local historian Thomas Roach, who himself said that if there ever were a ghost spotted at the house it would be him?

Several patrons around the house have noticed strange happenings during and after the completion of tours. Taking a tour around the house is literally taking a step back in time, and on your travels who knows who you just might meet. After tours are given and everyone has left for the night, local residents claim to have seen a light shining from one of the upstairs attics.

Along with these sightings, others have reported hearing ghostly noises throughout the house, along with seeing what appears to be the shadow of a woman in several of the house’s mirrors. Perhaps the most unsettling sight is the apparition walking down the road in the middle of the night. Locals have reported what appears to be a little girl walking along the road of the estate. Could it be that she has lost her way, or is she looking for the way home?

No matter how hard you might try to deny it, you cannot run from the simple fact that Glenmore has been a part of the community for far longer than any of us can remember. It might just so happen that its inhabitants, along with others walking the grounds, are not ready to give up the old house just yet.