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Touched by the Ravages of the Civil War and a Major Battle in the Center of Town, Blountville is Waiting for You!!
| Which families still have representatives haunting several of historic Blountville's downtown structures? What early frontier mysteries lie buried, or hidden throughout the town? Learn about one of the areas most famous stagecoach drivers and Tennessee's oldest wagon road. What famous historical figure inacted one of the |
| greatest jail breaks of the early 20th century? Learn about the historic and tragic Civil War "Battle of Blountville" which occurred throughout the town in 1863, as well as the mysterious Civil War Ghost of Anderson Hall |  |
 | who still seeks justice for his tragic and untimely demise. As we continue our tour, you will learn about the old Rogers Hotel and the James Tavern owned by an ancestor of the infamous Jessie James, who perhaps still visits |
| this once bustling Village of Blount. You'll also discover how a devistating flood changed the town forever, and how Blountville's 'people of the past' are still coming and going there still today... Expect the Unexpected!! |  |
The Blountville Ghost Tour Departs From the:
Sullivan County Heritage Tourism and Information Center
1575 Highway 394, Blountville, Tennessee 37617
| Appalachian GhostWalks' "Haunted Historic Blountville GhostWalk" Lantern-Led Tour operates year-round by request. Advance reservations online with a minimum of two participants in your party are required to reserve as follows... |
March through October  RESERVE NOW
Evening Lantern-Led Blountville Ghost Tours Begin at 8:30 PM DST |
November through February RESERVE NOW
Evening Lantern-Led Blountville Ghost Tours Begin at 6 PM EST |
| Tours and dates are booked on a first come first served basis so it's a good idea to reserve your date as soon as possible. Keep in mind that if you book a tour and need to change the date, or even postpone your tour indefintely, you may do so as often as needed without limits, or change fees for up to one year from the date of purchase. By reserving your tour in advance, you're worry free knowing you will have the tour and date of choice for you and your travel companion, family, or tour group. |
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Here Are a Few Reviews From Past Tour Guests
This tour was awesome! Stacey is the BEST! He is a walking encyclopedia of history and is the best tour guide you can have! This is the second full-day tour package that we have done with him and it is better everytime. Our 9yr old son even loved it! Would recommend to anyone!! Cant wait til we get to go again!!! - The Bolens
Blountville Ghost walk fun... We had an awesome time! We loved hearing the history of Blountville while we walked around a beautiful town. Our guide Stacey Allen was so knowledge about the history. The way he told the stories you felt like you were there when the events happened. You could not ask for a better guide. Can't wait until we can take another tour. You guys "rock". We have taken several ghost walks but none with Appalachian GhostWalks, the others pale in comparison! - Cynthia Griffith
History, ghosts, Bigfoot, oh my! I took 3 full day trips and will try to comment on each. Stacey was the guide and truly amazed me that he could remember so much history and stories. Tipton-Haynes was quite fun with it's historic buildings and I even was hugged by a spirit! The Appalachian Caverns history was a treat and unusual to hear on a tour. I also found the history about Al Capone fascinating as one thinks of him in Chicago. The history is real and we got a great photo of Mr. Ford in Blountville! The form of a man with dark bushy hair!! - Donna C.
These are just a few of the many kind words expressed by our past guests. Read hundreds of other testimonials on the Guest Review page of our site. Many thanks to our wonderful past guests who we have toured with for more than twenty years. We appreciate you sending us your gracious feedback. We hope to see you again soon for another simply SPOOK-tacular good time!!! |
A Brief History of This Very Haunted and Historic Town
| Blountville is a census-designated place (CDP) in and the county seat of Sullivan County, Tennessee. The population was 3,074 at the 2010 census and 3,120 at the 2020 census. It is the only Tennessee county seat not to be an incorporated city or town. Blountville is part of the Kingsport–Bristol–Bristol metropolitan area, which is a component of the Johnson City-Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA Combined Statistical Area, commonly known as the "Tri-Cities" region. |
| HISTORY: The area that is now Blountville is thought to have been the location of a longhunter fort prior to its permanent settlement. The site of the town was part of a tract of about 600 acres (240 ha) of land bought by James Brigham in 1782. In 1792 Brigham gave 30 acres (12 ha) to Sullivan County for use as a county seat and established a hotel nearby. Blountville was laid off as a town and established as the county seat in 1795. The county's first courthouse and jail was a log structure. In 1825 it was replaced with a brick building. By 1830, the settlement had 209 residents, two churches, six stores, two taverns, ten mechanics, one doctor, and one lawyer. |
| On the afternoon of September 22, 1863, during the Civil War, the town was the scene of the four-hour-long Battle of Blountville. During a major expedition into East Tennessee and Southwest Virginia, a Union Army unit attacked Confederate troops at Blountville. The town was shelled in the fighting and the courthouse was burned in the battle, which forced the Confederates to withdraw. The courthouse was rebuilt within the old walls in 1866. The current courthouse dates from a major construction that was done in 1920; it also includes additions made in 1958. |
| If Blountville were an incorporated town, it would qualify as the second oldest municipality in Tennessee (second only to Jonesborough); however, it was unincorporated at one point in order to avoid having redundant government services for such a small area and population. This unique status has led to some odd results, including a lawsuit in which it was ruled that neighboring Kingsport was not allowed to annex areas of Sullivan County within a defined distance of the courthouse, in effect ensuring that the county seat could not be annexed out of existence. |
| Historic district: Several of Blountville's surviving 18th and 19th century buildings are included in an historic district listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Deery Inn was built in the late 1700s and consists of three buildings: a two-story log home, a three-story stone house and a two-story frame building. All buildings are next to each other and attached. The home is a private residence. |
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