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All documented legends
South — Documented legend filings

Documented legends in Tennessee

Tennessee keeps 29 documented legends — stories that trace to a published or recorded telling, the shelf where folklore earned a citation. What is verified is the telling: the book, the article, the record that carried the story into print. What the story claims is filed as reported, not endorsed.

29 dossiers5 counties covered34% open to visitorsThomas House Hotel — deepest file
Also filed documented legend:Hawaii76Louisiana65Arizona60Texas58Virginia55Michigan52Illinois50New York49
Other Tennessee shelves:local folklore14investigation claims12anecdotal reports10
Hotel
High confidence

Thomas House Hotel

Red Boiling Springs, Tennessee

Site documented in a Ghost Research Society investigation report.

4 claims · 1 legend→
Cave
High confidence

Historic Bell Witch Cave

Adams, Tennessee

Cave in Adams; research record.

3 claims · 2 legends→
Hotel
High confidence

The Read House

Chattanooga, Tennessee

Hotel in Chattanooga; research record.

3 claims · 2 legends→
Bar
Medium

Earnestine and Hazel’s

Memphis, Tennessee

Bar in Memphis; research record.

3 claims · 1 legend→
Historic House
Medium

Woodruff-Fontaine House

Memphis, Tennessee

Historic house in Memphis; research record.

2 claims · 2 legends→
Auditorium
Medium

Ryman Auditorium

Nashville, Tennessee

"Mother Church of Country Music"—where Opry ghosts reportedly still perform.

2 claims · 2 legends→
Theater
Medium

Orpheum Theatre

Memphis, Tennessee

Theater in Memphis; research record.

2 claims · 2 legends→
Dam Powerhouse
Medium

Hales Bar Dam Powerhouse

Guild, Tennessee

Site documented in a Ghost Research Society investigation report.

2 claims · 1 legend→
Historic House
High confidence

Lotz House

Franklin, Tennessee

Historic house in Franklin; research record.

2 claims · 1 legend→
Natural
Medium

Lookout Mountain

Chattanooga, Tennessee

The "Battle Above the Clouds"—November 24, 1863.

2 claims · 1 legend→
Site
Medium

Loretta Lynn Ranch

Hurricane Mills, Tennessee

The Coal Miner’s Daughter’s ranch—the haunted plantation she owns.

2 claims · 1 legend→
House
Medium

Graceland

Memphis, Tennessee

Elvis’s house—where the King reportedly never left.

2 claims · 1 legend→
Theater
Low

Orpheum Theatre (Memphis)

Memphis, Tennessee

The 1928 movie palace where Mary—the little girl—has her own seat.

2 claims · 1 legend→
Historic District
Medium

Elkmont Historic District

Elkmont, Tennessee

Historic district in Elkmont; research record.

1 claim · 1 legend→
Historic Farm Area
Medium

Historic Bell Family Farm Folklore Area

Adams, Tennessee

Historic farm area in Adams; research record.

1 claim · 1 legend→
Folklore Area
Medium

Wampus Cat country

Townsend, Tennessee

The Cherokee panther-woman of the Smokies—half woman, half cat.

1 claim · 1 legend→
Jail
Low

Historic Scott County Jail

Huntsville, Tennessee

Jail in Huntsville; research record.

1 claim · 1 legend→
Restaurant
Low

Hagy’s Catfish Hotel

Shiloh, Tennessee

Restaurant in Shiloh; research record.

1 claim · 1 legend→
Historic House
Low

Comer House

Tennessee

Historic house in Tennessee; research record.

1 claim · 1 legend→
Distillery
Low

Company Distilling — Lynchburg

Lynchburg, Tennessee

Distillery in Lynchburg; research record.

1 claim · 1 legend→
Railway Station
Low

Historic L&N Depot

Etowah, Tennessee

Railway station in Etowah; research record.

1 claim · 1 legend→
Historic District
Low

Historic Rugby

Rugby, Tennessee

Historic district in Rugby; research record.

1 claim · 1 legend→
Mill
Low

Blowing Cave Mill

Sevierville, Tennessee

Mill in Sevierville; research record.

1 claim · 1 legend→
Railroad Corridor
Low

Winns Crossing — Chapel Hill Ghost Light

Chapel Hill, Tennessee

Railroad corridor in Chapel Hill; research record.

1 claim · 1 legend→
Mill Site
Low

Nice’s Mill Folklore Area

Tennessee

Mill site in Tennessee; research record.

1 claim · 1 legend→
Battlefield
Low

Shiloh National Military Park

Shiloh, Tennessee

Battlefield in Shiloh; research record.

1 claim · 1 legend→
Historic House
Low

Sam Davis Home

Smyrna, Tennessee

Historic house in Smyrna; research record.

1 claim · 1 legend→
Theater
Low

Bijou Theatre

Knoxville, Tennessee

Theater in Knoxville; research record.

1 claim · 1 legend→
Trail
Legend only

Ghost House Trail — Big Ridge State Park

Maynardville, Tennessee

Trail in Maynardville; research record.

1 claim · 1 legend→

Full Tennessee record → state index· Every documented legend filing → evidence shelf

Record last amended October 2, 2026 · shelves recounted with the archive