Historic Brushy Mountain Penitentiary - Petros

Nestled in the mountains of East Tennessee, this former maximum-security prison was known as “The End of the Line.” Brushy Mountain State Penitentiary opened in 1896. Brushy’s reputation as the last stop for the worst criminals became legend, housing such notorious inmates as Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassin James Earl Ray, who tried (and failed) to escape in 1977. Brushy Mountain State Penitentiary closed in 2009, after 113 years of operation and remains Tennessee’s oldest and most infamous prison. Brushy Mountain State Penitentiary has now earned the reputation of being one of Tennessee’s most haunted and paranormally active places. Footsteps, apparitions, disembodied voices and EVPs (electronic voice phenomenon) have all been reported and captured here. Some of the most reportedly active locations within the prison walls include: The Hole, cell blocks, the Mess Hall, Auditorium, Cell 28 (James Earl Ray’s cell) and the Hospital. Today, the prison is open for tours (self-guided, private and public guided, as well as paranormal investigations) and even features a distillery (End of the Line Moonshine - Brushy Mountain Distillery), restaurant (Warden’s Table) and concert venue on the property. For visitors on a road trip, there’s an RV park on-site to stay.