When folks think of Tennessee, they likely think of the musical heritage of Nashville or maybe a local food specialty like hot chicken. Then there’s the low and gently rolling Great Smoky Mountains, some of the world’s oldest mountains that conceal hidden gems like the abandoned logging town of Elkmont. It may be a little eerie to spot remnants of the community, such as a lone chimney, in the forest, but it’s still not quite as spooky as another of Tennessee’s most famous haunts: the Bell Witch Cave.
Recognized as one of the most haunted places in America, the Bell Witch Cave has a backstory dating back to 1804. As the tale goes, that’s when the Bell family bought their farm in the town now known as Adams. Around 13 years later, they started noticing strange happenings on the property. With bumps on the walls, groaning and scratching sounds, flying objects, and even physical violence, the whole Bell tale sounds like a standard poltergeist account.
The cave that sits at the center of the site’s tourism is just a coincidental feature on the Bell property unrelated to the haunting. Also, the site’s farmhouse is actually a reproduction. Nonetheless, the Bell Witch Cave stands out not just for the uniqueness of its history but for the number of people who claim to have experienced strange happenings on the property, including President Andrew Jackson. For those craving a taste of the paranormal, Nashville is the closest major city and serves as a good base for a visit.
Delve into the haunted Bell Witch Cave and house
The proprietors of the Bell Witch Cave have done their best to make the most of the Bell family legend. There are several tour options for visitors, with the simplest being a bundled tour of the Bell Witch Cave and the John Bell Cabin, a replica of the cabin where the haunting allegedly occurred. These are guided tours and are only available before sunset…