Take a tour of ‘one of the most haunted places’ in America | Travel News | Travel
As October 31 looms, many of us will be looking to get festive by signing up to some spooky activities. However, for those more committed to the cause a whole trip dedicated to Halloween may be in the pipeline. This one city over the pond is a hotspot for popular ghost stories and eerie haunts, including one attraction that is steeped in the witch-based history of the area, which attracts hordes of tourists every year.
The horrific history of one secluded Tennessee farm is encapsulated in the Bell Witch Cave – on the Bell Family Farm. Although the Bell Witch is a famous story with our American friends, many Brits are none the wiser. Its biggest pull is that the case is the only one officially attributed to a supernatural entity in American history, as told by Customs House Museum. To this day it is purported to be one of the most haunted spots in the US. The story starts in 1817, when John Bell heard a host of strange noises.
But this was nothing on the wave of violent incidents that ensued. The Bell children were terrifyingly pulled from their beds in the dead of night, and the family felt phantom pinches and slaps.
The magnets for the abuse seemed to be John himself and his daughter, Betsy, who suffered the most; the entity would even hurl abuse and insults at the father before taking responsibility for Bell’s sudden illness. It said it had poisoned the man itself with a black liquid.
It was not just the Bells who reported strange things; many locals said they heard the Bell Witch screaming. Then, in 1828, the haunting stopped after John Bell’s death.
Then it became local legend in Clarksville, Tennessee. You can tour the Bell farm itself, whilst hearing the stories of the witch. You can also buy a replica of John Bell’s house, complete with a few artifacts from the original house.
However, the real pull is the Bell Witch Cave – which still maintains a reputation for odd happenings.
What else is there to see and do in Tennessee?
Famous for its music scene, Downtown Tennessee – known as “Music City” – should be on anybody’s agenda when visiting the American state.
While in Tennessee, popular attractions include Dollywood – the amusement park owned by country singer Dolly Parton – and the Grand Ole Opry, a live music venue.
Other popular tourist activities include Graceland museum in Memphis, Broadway shopping, and Bridgestone Arena.