Go on a Nashville prison tour with us and read this scary story of a castle-esque prison, abandoned, clinging to the western edge of Nashville, Tennessee. It’s the Tennessee State Prison. Crumbling since its closure in 1992, the spot was most famously used for exterior shots in, “The Green Mile,” a movie of Tom Hanks fame. It’s an eerie spot that instigates wonder amongst Nashvillians, and a bit of morbid curiosity.

Brent Moore - Flickr
Built in 1898, the Tennessee State Prison was actually modeled after the famed prison in Auburn, New York. It was active until 1992, when prisoners were transferred to Riverbend Prison.
Thomas Hawk - Flickr
Although you can't take an old Tennessee State Prison tour - dang it - due to unsafe interior structuring, it is still stunning to look at from the outside.
Thomas Hawk - Flickr
With 800 cells total, the prison was quickly filled to capacity. The whole of the castle-like structure? Took roughly $500,000 from start to finish. That's $12.3 million in today's money.
Even though it's illegal to trespass, there are still many folks who believe this is one of the most haunted places in Nashville. They report voices and footsteps, some even complaining of clanging cells and screams in the night.
Thomas Hawk - Flickr
We can only imagine - this Nashville haunted prison would be a terrifying place to spend the night.

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Thomas Hawk - Flickr
The history of the prison is rife with prisoner-induced fires and riots. At one point, an attempted prison break blew out a wing! It makes sense - on day one, the 800-person prison admitted 1,403 men from all over the state.
Thomas Hawk/Flickr
The immediate overcrowding caused a lot of stress for guards and prisoners alike. The men were also required to work for 16 hours a day in order to offset a bit of the cost of incarceration.
Alison Green - Flickr
In 1902, when 17 prisoners blew out a wing, one inmate was killed and two escaped without ever being caught. The main dining room went up in flames at one point, and in 1938 a mass escape was staged.
Saylor Twift/Flickr
The massive prison now stands alone, guarding hundreds of stories behind its walls. The ghosts here, well, they've made the Nashville haunted prison home.

Want to see a bit more? Check this out!

Though you need a special permit to visit or film here, you can definitely do a drive-by to satisfy your urge to see “haunted prisons near me.” Do you love visiting haunted places in Nashville? If being creeped out is your passion, you can also go on our haunted Nashville road trip. Just be sure to peruse the road trip packing guide we made for you before you head out.

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More to Explore

Nashville Prison Tour

Libby Monson | June 12, 2022

Are there any prisons I can tour in Nashville?

Located near Petros, Brushy Mountain State Penitentiary is not exactly a Nashville prison tour, but it's certainly worth the trip.

  • The prison operated from 1896 to 2009, housing violent inmates.
  • The self-guided tour will lead you through 30 stations where you will hear the stories and secrets of the prison and its prisoners.
  • Do you believe in ghosts? Some think Brushy is haunted.
  • Decide for yourself when you take a paranormal tour of the facility.
  • If you want an unforgettable experience, book the overnight investigation tour and spend the whole night searching for ghosts (or trying to hide from them).

Are there any haunted places in Nashville?

If you believe in ghosts and other paranormal activities, you'll have plenty of haunted places in Nashville to explore.

  • Start at Union Station Hotel and look for the young woman who is said to have thrown herself on the tracks and now haunts the hotel in search of rest.
  • Next, visit the Hermitage, which is, of course, haunted by its former resident Andrew Jackson.
  • Then move on to the State Capitol and listen for the ghostly fighting of William Strickland and Samuel Morgan.
  • Finally, a trip to the Ryman Auditorium may turn up a ghost in the balcony or the legend Hank Williams backstage. Whether you find a ghost or not, you'll still have a great time looking!

Can I visit a real haunted house in Nashville?

If you are looking for one of the real haunted places in Nashville, look no further than Cragfont.

  • Just outside of Nashville in Castalian Springs, this old estate is said to be inhabited by some pretty spooky apparitions.
  • There are stories of objects being thrown by an unseen force and candles suddenly lighting.
  • This home is open for tours during the summer months, so you can check it out for yourself!

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