The Old Greene County Courthouse GhostSouthern Haunt and Appalachian Folklore
Origin
Built in the 1800s, the courthouse presided over everything from frontier brawls to Civil War tensions. Justice in those days was swift - and not always kind.
Legend holds that one particular judge, known for his iron fist and booming voice, refused to surrender his authority even in death. Locals say he perished right in that building - and simply never checked out.
Some accounts claim prisoners who never got their fair say still haunt the lower levels, their restless pacing echoing through the floorboards after dark.
Notes
- Robes rustling when no one else is inside
- Gavel strikes from a courtroom that’s been silent for decades
- Cold air rushing down the stairwell just before midnight
Paranormal investigators report strange EMF spikes at the judge’s bench - as if someone unseen still demands respect.
Legacy
The courthouse is now a cornerstone of Greeneville’s historic district - by day, a monument to early Tennessee law; by night, a place where frontier justice may still be alive in ghostly form.
In the quiet hours, when the town square sleeps, folks say you can feel eyes on you from the upstairs window. And if the judge doesn’t approve of your business"
you’ll know it.
Kin Topics
Related Pages
- Folklore: Bellamy Bridge Ghost - Southern Folklore and Florida Panhandle Legend
- Folklore: Brown Mountain Lights - Appalachian Mystery and Southern Folklore
- Folklore: Devil’s Tramping Ground - North Carolina Legend and Southern Folklore
- Folklore: Fort Mountain and the Stone Wall - Appalachian Mystery and Southern Folklore
- Folklore: The Bell Witch - Famous Southern Ghost Story and Folklore
- Folklore: The Haunted Chester Inn - Southern Ghost Story and Appalachian Folklore
How to Cite This Page
- APA (7th edition)The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, October 26). The Old Greene County Courthouse Ghost
Southern Haunt and Appalachian Folklore . HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/folklore/old-greene-county-courthouse-ghost - MLA (9th edition)"The Hillbilly Dude." "The Old Greene County Courthouse Ghost
Southern Haunt and Appalachian Folklore ." HillbillySlang.com, 26 Oct. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/folklore/old-greene-county-courthouse-ghost. - Chicago (17th edition)The Hillbilly Dude. "The Old Greene County Courthouse Ghost
Southern Haunt and Appalachian Folklore ." HillbillySlang.com. October 26, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/folklore/old-greene-county-courthouse-ghost.
Dislaimer
What you're reading here is old Southern folklore and storytelling - not medical advice, and not meant to guide health, or pregnancy decisions (especially pregnancy decisions!). These tales are part of how folks once made sense of the world, passed down from grandparents and midwives.
If you have any medical questions or concerns, talk with a qualified healthcare professional.
Learn more on the Folklore hub page.


