The Haunted Chester InnSouthern Ghost Story and Appalachian Folklore

Origin

The Chester Inn was built by Dr. William Chester as a frontier stop along the Great Stage Road - the main route through East Tennessee before railroads. Known as "the finest inn on the Western Frontier," it welcomed countless travelers, politicians, and soldiers, including President Andrew Jackson, who lodged there during his early military years.

The building survived fires, wars, and the slow crawl of centuries. But the stories say not everyone checked out. Some tell of a tragic fire that once swept the upper floors, where the laughter of children was last heard. Others whisper that certain guests - particularly a tall man in old boots and a long coat - still walk the halls as if waiting for their carriage.

They say if you walk past the Chester Inn after dark, you can hear the boards creak like somebody’s pacing upstairs. Folks say a child’s laughter sometimes drifts down from the second floor, and every so often, a shadow crosses the window that ought to be empty.