Looking for a good ghost story?
Check out these stories about the Haunted Hotels, or better yet,
make your vacation even more exciting and stay in one of the Chattangooga Haunted Hotels. If you dare
to stay in one of the Haunted Hotels in Tennessee, you might just be lucky enough to go home with
an impressive ghost story!
| Room 311 is haunted! |
... she was brutally murdered by the young soldier.
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The Sheraton Read House Hotel Chattanooga
is one of the city's greatest landmarks and it has a wonderful antebellum charm.
Not surprisingly, many notables have stayed here, including Ronald Reagan, Winston Churchill,
and Andrew Johnson, among others. The hotel is located at 827 Broad Street, and is
recommended if you ever need a place to stay in Chattanooga.
The hotel was opened in 1847, and was known as the Crutchfield House. By the time of
the Civil War, the family which owned it had divided loyalties. When future
Confederate President Jefferson stopped there and gave a speech about succession, he
was confronted by William Crutchfield, the brother of the owner, who was loyal to the
Union. Those in attendance were split on the issue, and bloodshed very nearly resulted.
Today, there is a grand hall to honor those who fought in the Civil War, and suites
are named after key battles.
Room 311 is said to be haunted. The hotel burned down in 1867, but apparently the ghost
returned to the same room after it was rebuilt. The legend says that a Civil War soldier
was staying in the room. Since the hotel was occupied by the Union in 1863, it was likely
a Union soldier. In any event, the absence of female companionship was beginning to get
to be too much for the young man, so he decided to enlist the services of a member of
the world's oldest profession. A prostitute was brought to the room to fulfill the
soldier's desires.
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All apparently did not go well, however. After the soldier enjoyed the prostitute's
services, he killed her. No one seems to know why. Perhaps he was frustrated over
having to fight in the war (or some other reason), and took out his rage on her. Perhaps
there was a disagreement over payment. Perhaps the prostitute was a Southern Sympathizer.
Whatever the case, she was brutally murdered by the young man. Since Union forces controlled
the hotel, he was never punished for this crime.
In the 135 odd years since, many a visitor has seen bizarre apparitions, or heard sounds
coming from Room 311. Most people try to avoid this room, and it appears to be hotel
policy to not use this room unless no others are available, or it is requested. Those who
request it in hopes of seeing the ghost sometimes get more than they bargain for. Many a
visitor has left in the middle of the night, too frightened to stay in the room any longer.
| Are you brave enough? |
If you request the room... you'll get more than you bargain for.
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If you ever stay in the Read House, be sure to take a look around, and enjoy the history
of the place. You might be wise to steer clear of Room 311, however.
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