Yes, there are hayrides, fall festivals and pumpkin patches — but for all you lovers of things creepy, paranormal and even terrifying, we’ve got the list for you. You’ve probably heard of these places and maybe even been to some of these landmarks, but did you know they were “haunted”? Read for yourself, and see if you think these local spots are haunted or if it’s just hallucinations.
The Hunt-Phelan House is more than just a wedding venue — it’s haunted by one of its servants. Image: Hunt-Phelan
Earnestine & Hazel’s
531 S Main St, Memphis, TN 38103 • (901) 523-9754
Hours: Monday through Friday, 5 p.m. to 3 a.m.; Saturday, 11 a.m. to 3 a.m.
Earnestine & Hazel’s has a reputation for being one of the most haunted buildings — even in the United States. With its own haunted jukebox, number of wandering ghosts and customers even being touched, there’s no doubt this place has serious creepy vibes. The former Memphis brothel is most famous for its jukebox that randomly plays on its own. A customer will experience the jukebox playing the sound that they were in the process of requesting, before they even put their money in. It’s also been known to turn on randomly, even when it isn’t plugged in. Some even say it picks up on your conversation and plays something related.
Orpheum Theatre
203 S Main Street, Memphis, TN 38103 • (901) 525-7800
Box Office Hours: Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
It is believed that the Orpheum Theatre is haunted by a little girl, Mary, who was killed outside of the theater when she was hit by a trolley in 1921. She is sometimes spotted during performances, especially those with children. The Orpheum even saves the seat C5, just for Mary. Aside from performing on stage during shows, she has also been known to slam doors and flick the lights off and on.
Metal Museum
374 Metal Museum Dr, Memphis, TN 38106 • (901) 774- 6380
Hours: Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday, noon to 5 p.m.
Admission: $6 for adults, $5 for seniors 62+, $5 for military, $4 for students, $4 for children
The National Ornamental Metal Museum served as a Marine hospital in the 1800s. Afterwards, it served as a Civil War hospital, as well as sleeping quarters for nurses, doctors and soldiers. One of these buildings even had a morgue and a body chute in the basement, which is one of the main haunted places of the property. After the building was renovated in 1979, it seems to have “stirred up” the spirits. Now visitors say they can hear voices of the medical staff and marines and feel like they are constantly being watched.
The Lorraine Motel
450 Mulberry St, Memphis, TN 38103 • (901) 521-9699
Hours: Wednesday through Monday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Closed Tuesday
Admission: $16 for adults, $14 for seniors and students with ID, $13 for children ages 5 to 17
The infamous Lorraine Motel, where Martin Luther King Jr’s assassination occurred, is said to be haunted, but we aren’t sure by whom. The motel has not been touched since the day of the assassination and is part of The National Civil Rights Museum. And the definition of “not been touched” means the cigarette butts are still in the ashtray, bed sheets still wrinkled and messy and Dr. King’s car is still in its parking spot. Many visitors say they get super uncomfortable in the hotel, especially where Martin Luther King died. Do you think it’s Dr. King’s ghost haunting visitors?
RELATED: The Surprising Halloween History You Never Knew
3765 Elvis Presley Blvd, Memphis, TN 38116 • (901) 332-3322
Hours: Most days, Graceland is open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., but check the website for specific hours of operation.
Everyone knows Graceland, the home of “The King,” Elvis Presley. The building preserves his memory, and maybe even something more. More than half a million visitors visit Graceland every year, and a significant chunk of these visitors have claimed to see Elvis just wandering around the building. They say he is seen gazing down from one of the windows, watching people enter his once home. Some even say they get him on camera because the images turn out very blurry.
Voodoo Village
4554-4562 Mary Angela Rd, Memphis, TN 38109
Most Memphians know Voodoo Village. Inhabited by people who practice African Voodoo, Native American Spiritualism and even Freemasonic practices, this village is the heart of Memphis Voodoo culture. There are lots of rumors of stories of weird things happening in this neighborhood and some are linked to rituals of voodoo and some are even supposedly paranormal. Even though there is little to no evidence, because cameras aren’t allowed, those who have visited can tell you this place is pretty creepy.
680 Adams Ave, Memphis, TN 38105 • (901) 526-1469
Hours: Wednesday through Sunday, noon to 4 p.m.
Admission: $15 for adults, $10 for children 6+, $12 for seniors 65+
Woodruff-Fontaine is used as a party and wedding venue, but most people don’t know that it’s one of the most haunted buildings in Memphis. The story behind the house is one that features Mollie, daughter of homeowner Amos Woodruff. Tragedies quickly befell Mollie’s life, first being her son who was born and died on the same day. Two months later her husband was injured in a boating accident and then came down with pneumonia, eventually dying from inhaling too much water from the boating accident. Mollie is seen sitting on her bed and then quickly disappears, leaving imprints on her comforter. Visitors also say they smell a woman’s perfume and have encountered several other spirits here.
RELATED: The Scariest, Most Haunted Places in the South
69 E Pontotoc Ave, Memphis, TN, 38103
The Pontotoc Hotel was a happening place in the 1920s. Today, the building is boarded up and assumed to be abandoned, but what most don’t know is there a family who actually lives in this so-called “abandoned” building, inhabiting the first floor. However, the second floor remains empty because they say the spirits do what they can to deny any renovations to keep the hotel the exact way it is. The Davis family who has lived on the first floor for more than 30 years say the spirits are very friendly. The story behind the hotel is one of a manager of the boarding home who was drunk one night and made lots of disturbance, then residents woke up to the smell of burning from the basement, only to find out the manager was burned to death inside the boiler. Creepy, indeed.
Hunt-Phelan House
533 Beale St Memphis, TN 38103 • (901) 786-8801
Hours: Contact Hunt-Phelan at [email protected] or call (901) 786-8801 to schedule tours.
This beautiful red brick mansion known as the Hunt-Phelan House or the Inn at Hunt-Phelan, is hiding a dark secret most don’t seem to know. This house is said to be haunted by one of the Hunt family servants who supposedly buried some of the family valuables for safe keeping during the time of the Civil War. Unfortunately, this servant passed away before revealing where these treasures are. Guests and staff have reported seeing a man in a servant’s uniform all around the property, maybe because he still hasn’t found where he buried the valuables.
So, do you think these historic places in Memphis are haunted or it’s just a bunch of hallucinations? Maybe you will have to discover for yourself. Have a spooky Halloween!
********
Looking for something a little less frightening? Check out the top food festivals this fall.
