Haunted Spaces and Spooky Places: Tennessee Mountain Inn

The following is the second installment in “Haunted Spaces and Spooky Places.”

Staff Photo by Elizabeth Lane

Creepy places fascinate and terrify the minds of those brave enough to bare the truths hidden within them. Classic gothic novels and horror films have been made in special dedication to this enthralling truth of spooky houses and mysterious persons. In our continuation of local haunts we explore a suspected haunted hotel in Dandridge.

The Tennessee Mountain Inn, or Econo Lodge, has been a safe haven for travelers as they pass through our historic region. Throughout the years it has undergone many renovations and has seen the community change and grow around it. Most travel websites will speak of positive experiences at the hotel, along with the friendly and hospitable attitudes of the staff. However, some report a presence in the hotel. Before you ask, most reports say that the presence is a friendly one, and there have been no reported “Here’s Johnny!” incidents at the hotel.

That being said, many have claimed to see a little girl out on the balconies of the rooms. While there aren’t many people claiming that a hostile apparition haunts the hotel, the real mystery is that no one knows exactly who she is. Could it be that she is one of the early travelers that came to the hotel when it was first built? Perhaps she is a wanderer, forever roaming the halls looking for her lost family or cherished play thing.

As with any good haunted hotel there have been more unsettling reports of people walking around in uninhabited rooms after dark along, with mysterious happenings in the office of the hotel. Could it be more unruly travelers causing mischief and mayhem? Maybe it is the family of the little girl lurking on the balconies, doing their own search for the lost child.

This hotel could be a perfect spot for some part time spooky thrill seekers looking for an interesting experience, and provides a great waystation for those who wish to explore the historic area this Halloween. Or perhaps you would like to stop in with some friends on a Halloween night to soak in the real spirit of the season while you tell ghost stories. No matter your intentions, this haunt is an undiscovered story that may just have more to tell than what meets the eye.