There’s something strangely fascinating about the forgotten. About the cast aside, the lost, the places that used to hold such love and now are rusted and dreary, huddled in the hills or down by the river. We can only imagine the people who fell in love and had their hearts broken in these abandoned places in Tennessee – there are so many stories we’ll never know, but can only imagine.

1. The Dotson School
Google Street View
Protected by East Tennessee's Endangered Heritage list, you won't be seeing this school go anywhere. Located in Grainger County, this once bustling schoolyard has since been used to store hay. With the great foundational bones, though, we wouldn't be surprised if it could simply be restored to a present life just as grand as the past.
2. Tennessee State Prison
Brent Moore / Flickr
The former Tennessee State Prison closed in 1992 but for more than a century housed high-profile prisoners and death row inmates. It is located in West Nashville and is frequented only on special events and for storage.
Dave Edens / Flickr
Can you imagine waiting for a ride on 'Old Sparky' here? Nope. I don't like it. Not at all.
Nashville, TN, USA
Dave Edens / Flickr
This cell block is enough to give you nightmares...

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3. The Lost City of Loyston
Tennessee Valley Authority/Wikipedia
There were a couple of towns that were flooded during the creation of the Norris Dam in 1936. Completely inundated, this abandoned town exists in a watery grave. Eerie...
4. Higdon Hotel
Reliance, TN 37369, USA
Joy Castello / Flickr
If you happen to find yourself in Reliance and search for "abandoned places near me," this place is pretty awesome. The Higdon Hotel has been closed for business since 1920, but the beautiful building still stands. Nestled in the green hills of East Tennessee, the original structure from 1890 isn't the most stable, but feel free to point a camera at the place.
6. Alone in Dunbar
Dunbar, TN 38311, USA
carlfbagge / Flickr
Decatur County has this neat stop nestled in Dunbar. As you can tell, it hasn't been inhabited for quite awhile. We like to think that there's a certain rustic charm to the forgotten.
7. Abandoned Mills
Rick Bradley / Flickr
Tennessee is an agrarian state that has a large number of farmers and crops spread across the whole of the state. You can see abandoned mills like the one above and other farming structures just by driving down backroads and exploring. If you're looking for an adventure, you don't have to look far.
8. The Rusted Ferry
Brent Moore/Flickr
Tucked back on the banks of Lick Creek in Rome, Tennessee, you can find a little ferry with a big story. Built 65 years ago, it has been snagged by the National Register of Historic Places for your viewing pleasure. Get up close and snap a picture if you want, but look out for vandals.

Take a look at this video of the top 10 abandoned places in TN by @XPLRWorld:

 

What did you think of these abandoned Tennessee places? We think they’re pretty crazy but would love to hear your thoughts. Do you know of any other jaw-dropping abandoned places in Tennessee you’d like to share? Let us know in the comments!

If you love visiting and filming abandoned places around Tennessee, check out this GoPro on the REI website.

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More to Explore

Abandoned Places in TN

Tori Jane | February 01, 2023

What are some creepy abandoned places in TN? 

Tennessee is an older state and as a result, it’s got its fair share of eerie abandoned places. Some of the creepiest abandoned places in TN that we still just can’t get enough of include:  

  • The Vose School, which is actually one of the oldest buildings in the city it resides in 
  • Millennium Manor, which is still privately owned to this day 
  • Tennessee State Prison, a favorite location for ghost hunters 
  • York Bible School, which was opened after WWI and closed once the owner died in the building 

For some other notably eerie abandoned places in TN, keep on reading.

What are some of the most notorious abandoned places near me? 

Naturally, the list of abandoned places in TN doesn’t end with the few listed above; there are hundreds (if not more) of others, many of which are full-on ghost towns like:  

  • Mousetail Landing, which happens to be at the bottom of a lake 
  • Big Greenbrier, which was founded in the 1800s and left to rot 
  • Newsom’s Landing, originally built in 1808, was destroyed by a flood, rebuilt again, and left to decay anyway 
  • Elkmont is undoubtedly Tennessee’s most beloved ghost town.  

Learn more about these amazing ghost towns in TN and more.

What are some other creepy places in TN?

There are an outrageous number of allegedly haunted places in Tennessee, all of which are worth checking out if you ask us. Some are more notorious than others, like:  

  • The Thomas House Hotel is said to be one of the nation’s most haunted places 
  • The old South Pittsburgh Hospital, where countless monstrosities likely occurred 
  • Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park is said to be ridiculously haunted 
  • Enter the Red Ash Cemetery... if you dare.  

Check out some other haunted places in Tennessee!   

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