The Dark History of Brushy Mountain

Origins and Construction Brushy Mountain State Penitentiary, established in 1896, was built in the aftermath of the Coal Creek War, a labor conflict that led to the end of the convict lease system in Tennessee. The prison was constructed by inmates, who also built a railroad spur and worked in the coal mines on site. The original wooden structure was replaced in the 1920s with a stone building made from materials mined by the prisoners themselves.

Harsh Conditions From its inception, Brushy Mountain was notorious for its brutal conditions. Inmates faced grueling labor in the coal mines, and the prison’s remote location in the rugged mountains of Tennessee made escape nearly impossible. Diseases like tuberculosis, typhoid fever, pneumonia, and syphilis were rampant, and medical care was minimal. Inmates were often beaten for “underproducing” in the mines, despite their dire health conditions.

  Notable Incidents and Inmates

Violence and Death Brushy Mountain saw numerous violent incidents over its 113 years of operation. Inmate attacks, riots, and murders were common. The prison’s harsh conditions and overcrowding contributed to a high death toll. Many prisoners died within its walls, either from violence, accidents, or diseases.

James Earl Ray One of the most infamous inmates was James Earl Ray, the assassin of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Ray was transferred to Brushy Mountain in 1977. He attempted to escape on June 10, 1977, by climbing over a fence with six other inmates. Ray was recaptured less than 58 hours later in rugged mountain terrain eight miles from the prison.

  The Death Toll

A Grim Record Throughout its history, Brushy Mountain State Penitentiary was the site of numerous deaths. It is estimated that around 10,000 people died on the property from mining accidents, war battles, disease, and prison attacks. The prison had its own morgue and crematorium to handle the high number of deaths.

Causes of Death Inmates died from a variety of causes, including violence, disease, and accidents. The harsh working conditions in the coal mines led to many fatalities, and the violent environment within the prison walls resulted in numerous murders. Diseases like tuberculosis and typhoid fever were rampant, and medical care was minimal.

  Paranormal Activity

Common Reports Brushy Mountain State Penitentiary is a hotbed of paranormal activity, with numerous reports of unexplained phenomena. Visitors and investigators have experienced a variety of supernatural occurrences, including disembodied voices, shadowy figures, and sudden drops in temperature. These experiences are often accompanied by an overwhelming sense of dread and unease, as if the very walls of the prison are imbued with the suffering and despair of its former inmates.

Solitary Confinement (D-Block) The solitary confinement block, known as D-Block, is particularly notorious for its eerie atmosphere. Animals reportedly refuse to enter this area, and investigators have heard unsettling sounds like oinking pigs, which some believe are linked to biblical stories of demons being cast into swine. The oppressive silence of D-Block is often broken by the faint sounds of footsteps and whispers, as if the spirits of the prisoners who once languished there are still trying to communicate with the living.

 Specific Ghostly Encounters

Laundry Room The laundry room is one of the most active areas in the prison. Visitors have reported being touched by unseen forces and seeing visual apparitions. A ghost named Charlie is said to roam this area, often making his presence known by moving objects or creating cold spots. One visitor recounted an experience where they felt a cold hand brush against their arm, only to turn and find no one there. The sense of being watched is pervasive, and many leave the laundry room with an unshakeable feeling of unease.

Cell 28 Cell 28, where James Earl Ray was housed, is another hotspot for paranormal activity. Although Ray did not die at Brushy Mountain, visitors have reported seeing an apparition of a man near his cell. This figure is often described as wearing prison garb and having a forlorn expression. Some believe this spirit is Ray himself, while others think it might be another inmate who met a tragic end within the prison walls.

Gymnasium The gymnasium is notorious for its poltergeist activity. Reports include objects moving on their own and strange colored lights appearing out of nowhere. Shadow figures are often seen near the doorway, and some visitors have even heard the sounds of a basketball bouncing on the court, despite the gym being empty. The gymnasium’s dark history, including several murders, seems to fuel the paranormal energy that lingers there.

Auditorium The auditorium, where several murders occurred, is another area rife with ghostly encounters. Visitors have reported seeing apparitions and hearing unexplained noises, such as whispers and footsteps. One particularly chilling account involves a visitor who saw a shadowy figure sitting in one of the seats, only for it to vanish when they approached. The sense of being watched is strong in the auditorium, and many leave with a feeling of having been in the presence of something otherworldly.

Investigations and Findings

Ghost Adventures and Ghost Hunters Both Ghost Adventures and Ghost Hunters have conducted investigations at Brushy Mountain, uncovering high levels of paranormal activity. During their investigations, they captured numerous unexplained noises, such as disembodied voices and footsteps. Objects were seen moving on their own, and shadow figures were frequently spotted. The teams used a variety of equipment, including EMF meters, thermal cameras, and EVP recorders, to document their findings. The evidence they gathered suggests that Brushy Mountain is indeed haunted by the spirits of its former inmates.

Personal Accounts Tour guides and visitors have shared numerous personal accounts of their encounters with the paranormal at Brushy Mountain. One guide recounted an experience where they felt a sudden, intense cold spot in the middle of a warm summer day. As they stood in the cold spot, they heard a faint whisper in their ear, saying, “Help me.” The guide turned to find no one there, but the experience left them shaken.

Another visitor described seeing a shadowy figure at the end of a hallway. As they approached, the figure seemed to dissolve into the wall. The visitor later learned that the hallway was the site of a violent altercation between inmates, resulting in several deaths. These personal accounts add to the eerie atmosphere of Brushy Mountain and provide compelling evidence of its haunted reputation.

Physical Interactions Physical interactions with unseen forces are not uncommon at Brushy Mountain. Visitors have reported being touched, scratched, or even choked by invisible entities. One particularly harrowing account involves a visitor who felt a tight grip around their neck, as if someone was trying to strangle them. The grip released suddenly, leaving the visitor gasping for breath and with visible red marks on their neck. These physical interactions are often accompanied by a sense of malevolence, as if the spirits are angry or seeking revenge.

 Paranormal Tours and Investigations

Paranormal Tours Brushy Mountain offers a variety of paranormal tours, including standard tours and overnight investigations. These tours allow visitors to explore the prison and conduct their own investigations using equipment such as EMF meters, thermal cameras, and EVP recorders. The tours are led by experienced guides who share the history of the prison and recount their own paranormal experiences.

Overnight Investigations Overnight investigations are particularly popular, as they allow visitors to spend the night in the prison and experience its haunted atmosphere firsthand. These investigations often yield compelling evidence of paranormal activity, including disembodied voices, shadow figures, and physical interactions with unseen forces. Many visitors leave with a newfound belief in the supernatural and a deeper appreciation for the prison’s dark history.

First-Hand Accounts

Debbie Williams’ Experience Debbie Williams, a former correctional officer who worked at Brushy Mountain for 28 years, shared her experiences during a paranormal tour. She recounted feeling a sudden, intense cold spot in the middle of a warm summer day. As she stood in the cold spot, she heard a faint whisper in her ear, saying, “Help me.” The experience left her shaken and convinced of the prison’s haunted reputation.

Ryan Wilusz’s Encounter Ryan Wilusz, a journalist who explored Brushy Mountain with a small group, described seeing a shadowy figure at the end of a hallway. As he approached, the figure seemed to dissolve into the wall. He later learned that the hallway was the site of a violent altercation between inmates, resulting in several deaths. This encounter added to the eerie atmosphere of the prison and provided compelling evidence of its haunted reputation.

Calvin Mattheis’ Experience Photographer Calvin Mattheis joined Ryan Wilusz on their exploration of Brushy Mountain. He described feeling a tight grip around his neck, as if someone was trying to strangle him. The grip released suddenly, leaving him gasping for breath and with visible red marks on his neck. This physical interaction left him convinced of the prison’s haunted nature and the malevolent spirits that still linger there.