Tennessee Folklore

The world of Tennessee folklore is a bit like an old attic - full of weird stuff, half-forgotten stories and the occasional surprise that makes you stop and think (and perhaps scream when that huge spider launches like a rocket out of its dark corner home).

Whether it's ghosts with unfinished business or cursed creatures hanging out in the woods, these tales have been cemented into the state's history. Sure, on the surface they're fun little campfire tales. But underneath - like all good folklore - there are a few enduring lessons that we can take on board.

So, wherever you're from, let these 12 lesser-known, tall tales from the Volunteer state take you on a ride deep into the heart of Southern folklore.

1. The Bell Witch

The Bell Witch legend is one of Tennessee’s most famous ghost stories, though probably not too well known elsewhere.

In the early 1800s, the Bell family of Adams, Tennessee, started experiencing strange, terrifying occurrences in their home.

It started with odd noises - scratching, knocking, chains dragging across the floor, that kind of thing - and quickly escalated to full-blown attacks on the family.

The witch, supposedly a woman named Kate Batts, had a personal vendetta against the Bell patriarch, John Bell, and wasn’t shy about showing it.

She would slap, scratch and otherwise torment him until his untimely death in 1820, which she happily claimed responsibility for.

A lesson for our modern lives:

The Bell Witch is a classic lesson about how unresolved grudges can consume us - and, if we’re not careful, destroy us.

Plus, it’s a reminder that sometimes it’s the things we can’t see that have the biggest impact.

Whether it’s an unseen emotional weight or a metaphorical ghost, the Bell Witch keeps us on our toes about those things that are lurking just beneath the surface.

2. The Cherokee Legend of Tsul 'Kalu or Tennessee Bigfoot

Long before Bigfoot fever swept across the country, the Cherokee were telling stories about Tsul 'Kalu, a giant, hairy figure who roamed the Appalachian Mountains.

Described as an elusive and powerful being, Tsul 'Kalu was respected, not feared, by the Cherokee. He was seen as a protector of the wilderness, but like any creature worth its folklore salt, he had a mysterious, almost menacing edge.

Some believe he still walks the forests of Tennessee, staying just out of sight.

A lesson for our modern lives:

In a world where everything feels a little too “known,” the idea of an unseen giant out there, guarding the wild places, strikes a chord.

Whether it’s Bigfoot or Tsul 'Kalu, we seem to need these elusive creatures to remind us that there are still mysteries out there.

Maybe it’s nature’s way of telling us we don’t always have to control or understand everything—sometimes, it’s okay to let a little mystery be.

3. The Ghost of Rotherwood Mansion

Rotherwood Mansion in Kingsport, Tennessee, is the kind of place that looks like it was built to have a ghost story.

And it doesn’t disappoint. The mansion’s most famous ghost is said to be Rowena Ross, a young woman who lived there in the 1800s and experienced one tragedy after another.

After her fiancé drowned in the nearby river, Rowena was heartbroken. She eventually remarried, but her second husband died too.

Following the loss of her child, Rowena herself died in despair, and her ghost is said to haunt the mansion, searching for peace that never came in life.

A lesson for our modern lives:

Rowena’s story speaks to the toll of unresolved grief.

In a time when mental health is finally getting the attention it deserves, her tragic tale is a reminder of how important it is to deal with our pain before it haunts us—figuratively or, in her case, quite literally.

It’s also a stark illustration of how trauma can linger, not just for those who experience it but for everyone around them.

4. Old Green Eyes of Chickamauga: a battlefield ghost

During the Civil War’s Battle of Chickamauga, soldiers reportedly saw a mysterious figure with glowing green eyes wandering the battlefield at night.

Old Green Eyes, as the apparition came to be known, has since been spotted by visitors and park rangers alike.

Some describe him as a soldier missing half his face, while others say he’s a creature with fangs and talons, prowling the scene of one of the war’s bloodiest battles.

A lesson for our modern lives:

Old Green Eyes reminds us that the trauma of war doesn’t disappear just because the fighting stops.

Even today, we see echoes of past conflicts in the struggles of veterans and communities still dealing with the fallout.

Green-eyed ghosts may not haunt everyone, but the idea of being haunted by past violence?

That’s a story as old as time.

5. Spearfinger: the witch of the Smokies

The Cherokee had plenty of reasons to keep their children close to home, and one of them was Spearfinger.

According to legend, this shape-shifting witch disguised herself as a sweet old woman to trick kids into trusting her.

Her long, stone-like finger was razor sharp, and she’d use it to steal their livers—because why settle for a fairy-tale when you can really up the ante with organ theft?

The Cherokee finally managed to defeat her, but not before she’d become a cautionary tale to rival the Grimm brothers.

A lesson for our modern lives:

In a world full of catfishers, scammers and digital “too good to be true” offers, Spearfinger’s story isn’t as far-fetched as it sounds.

It’s a reminder to stay skeptical of what’s behind the mask, whether it’s an online persona or a promise that seems a little too perfect.

Also, maybe a lesson that sometimes, ancient fears were really just early versions of modern warnings.

6. John Murrell: Tennessee’s outlaw Robin Hood

John Murrell was an outlaw with a reputation—some say he was a hero to the downtrodden, others claim he was nothing but a thief.

Either way, his name became legendary in the early 19th century as a man who, with his band of robbers, schemed, stole, and swindled his way through Tennessee.

Murrell was even rumored to be plotting a large-scale slave rebellion to overthrow wealthy landowners, though it never materialized.

His mix of crime and charisma made him a kind of Southern Robin Hood for some, and a notorious villain for others.

A lesson for our modern lives:

Murrell’s story speaks to the complicated legacy of anti-heroes.

Even now, we find ourselves fascinated by people who break the law for a “good cause.”

From TV’s crime dramas to modern-day folk heroes, there’s a thin line between villain and champion and we’re constantly blurring it.

Murrell’s legend reminds us that sometimes, it’s less about right and wrong and more about who’s telling the story.

7. The White Screamer of White Bluff

In White Bluff, Tennessee, there’s a legend of a mysterious creature known as the White Screamer.

The story goes that this ghostly, pale figure with piercing screams haunts the woods outside the town.

Some versions say it’s a banshee-like spirit, others say it’s a creature from an old insane asylum, but all agree on one thing—it screams.

And not just any scream. Locals claim it’s an ear-splitting wail that chills the bones and signals something sinister.

To this day, brave souls wander into the woods to see if they can hear it for themselves.

A lesson for our modern lives:

The White Screamer taps into that universal fear of the unknown.

Whether it’s an eerie scream in the dark or an unsettling gut feeling about something in our own lives, this legend reminds us that sometimes, our worst fears are the ones we can’t explain or see.

In a way, it’s the embodiment of modern anxiety—loud, unsettling, and often without a clear source.

8. The Curse of the Lost Confederate Gold

Somewhere in Tennessee, if you believe the legends, lies a treasure trove of Confederate gold hidden away during the Civil War.

The gold was supposedly transported to keep it out of Union hands, but the men guarding it never lived to tell its location.

Some say it’s cursed and any attempt to retrieve it has been met with misfortune—whether it’s sudden death, mysterious accidents, or just a string of bad luck.

Countless treasure hunters have scoured the hills and rivers of Tennessee, but the gold remains lost.

A lesson for our modern lives:

This tale of hidden riches and a deadly curse feels particularly relevant today in our get-rich-quick culture.

We’re constantly chasing success, money, or the next big thing, often overlooking the cost.

The story of the lost Confederate gold is a reminder that sometimes, what we’re chasing might not be worth the trouble.

And, of course, there’s always a catch when something seems too good to be true.

9. The Wampus Cat: guardian of the Cherokee

The Wampus Cat is a creature from Cherokee folklore that has roamed the forests of Tennessee for centuries.

Half-woman, half-mountain lion, the Wampus Cat is said to have been a woman cursed by tribal elders for spying on a sacred ceremony.

She’s been haunting the woods ever since, with her glowing eyes and terrifying shrieks.

But in some versions, she’s less of a curse and more of a protector, guarding the Cherokee people and their lands from evil spirits.

A lesson for our moden lives:

In an age when people are reconnecting with nature and defending wild places, the Wampus Cat feels strangely timely.

Whether she’s seen as a punishment or a protector, her presence in the woods is a reminder of the powerful connection between people and the natural world.

And maybe a nudge to respect boundaries—whether they’re environmental or cultural—before they come back to bite you, quite literally in this case.

10. The Legend of Sleepy John: a fiddler's deal with the devil

In the hills of Tennessee, you’ll hear the tale of Sleepy John, a talented fiddler who could apparently make his instrument sing like no other.

Legend has it that his skill came at a cost - he made a deal with the devil at the crossroads. In exchange for his soul, Sleepy John gained unmatched prowess on the fiddle.

But the devil always collects and one day Sleepy John mysteriously disappeared, leaving only the haunting sound of his fiddle echoing through the mountains.

A lesson for our modern lives:

Sleepy John’s story is a classic cautionary tale about the dangers of ambition.

Whether it's the pressure to be the best or the temptation to take shortcuts, this fiddle-playing Faust reminds us that even today, we should be careful about the deals we make - especially the ones that seem too good to be true.

After all, fame or success at any cost might just be a little more than we bargained for.

11. The Giant of Taylor Ridge

Deep in the mountains of Taylor Ridge, legend has it that a giant once roamed the land.

Towering over men and animals, this giant was said to be peaceful, living in harmony with the environment until settlers moved into the area.

Sensing his time was over, the giant simply walked off into the mountains, never to be seen again.

Some say his spirit still watches over the ridges, a silent protector of the natural world he once called home.

A lesson for our modern lives:

The Giant of Taylor Ridge is a reminder of how quickly things can change, and how even the largest, strongest forces can fade away.

In a time of environmental change and loss, the giant’s quiet exit from the scene feels like a symbol of the way we often overlook or take for granted the natural wonders around us—until they’re gone.

It’s a gentle nudge to be mindful of what we let slip away.

12. The Phantom of the Tennessee State Capitol

The Tennessee State Capitol building in Nashville isn’t just a seat of government—it’s supposedly home to a ghost.

The phantom is believed to be William Strickland, the building’s architect, who died before its completion.

He was so dedicated to the project that he requested to be buried within the walls.

His wish was granted, but it seems that even in death, Strickland couldn’t leave the building behind.

Staff and visitors have reported seeing his figure wandering the halls, inspecting his unfinished masterpiece.

A lesson for our modern lives:

Strickland’s ghost reminds us of the things we become so attached to that they follow us, even beyond the grave.

Whether it’s a career, a passion, or a project, sometimes our work can consume us.

His story is a bit of a warning to find balance before we get so wrapped up in our ambitions that they haunt us—hopefully not literally.

And there we have it. These Tennessee folklore stories are a good illustration of some of the most persistent human themes - fear, ambition, love, the eternal dance between good and evil....

What makes these legends compelling is the way they continue to resonate with modern life - whether it’s the warning of trusting too easily, the consequences of unchecked ambition, or reminders to respect the world around us,

Next time you find yourself wandering through misty woods (as i often do), or hearing a distant whistle on a quiet night (not as frequent), be careful of just dismissing it as your imagination. After all, you never really know if it’s just a story…or something more.

Enjoyed this? Explore more folklore stories from the USA here.