The Restless Souls of the Read House Hotel: Chattanooga’s Most Haunted Room

Introduction: Welcome to Room 311

If walls could talk, Room 311 at Chattanooga's historic Read House Hotel would scream. Literally.

Nestled in the heart of downtown Chattanooga, this grand hotel is a jewel of Southern elegance—with a dark side. For nearly a century, whispers of ghostly apparitions, flickering lights, and blood-curdling screams have echoed from behind the door of Room 311. Some guests have checked out early. Others never slept a wink. And then there are those who swear they met the ghost herself.

Chattanooga Valley and its surrounding areas are no strangers to spine-tingling tales. From Civil War battlegrounds to Appalachian folklore, this region is steeped in restless history. But few stories rival the strange and sinister legend of Room 311.

So pour a cup of coffee. Or maybe something stronger. You’re about to step into one of Tennessee’s most haunted places.

The Legend of Annalisa Netherly: Blood in the Bathtub

The Gruesome Tale

Legend has it that in the 1920s or '30s, a woman named Annalisa Netherly was staying in Room 311. Depending on who you ask, she was either a prostitute, a jilted lover, or simply in the wrong place at the wrong time. The story ends the same: she was found dead in the bathtub—throat slashed.

To this day, no one knows exactly who killed her. Some blame a jealous lover. Others whisper about mob ties and political cover-ups. What is certain? The energy she left behind never checked out.

Still a Guest in Room 311?

Countless guests have reported paranormal experiences:

• Toilets flushing by themselves

• Lights flickering with no electrical issues

• Unexplained cold drafts

• A woman’s voice crying or whispering

Some claim they saw Annalisa herself—a ghostly figure with dark hair and sorrowful eyes.

"I stayed in Room 311 on a dare," one guest wrote in a review. "The lights kept flickering. I felt something tug on my blankets. I lasted two hours."

The Read House: A Century of Secrets

A Storied History

Built in 1872 and rebuilt in 1926, the Read House has hosted presidents, gangsters, and celebrities. Al Capone reportedly stayed there under heavy guard on his way to federal prison. Some say he left behind more than cigar smoke and bullet holes.

During Prohibition and the Great Depression, the hotel saw its share of crime, secrets, and sorrow. With that kind of past, it’s no wonder spirits might linger.

The Haunted Room Sealed Off

For years, the hotel refused to rent Room 311. Guests had complained too often. Strange happenings. Bad vibes. Nightmares. Even seasoned staff avoided it.

But in recent years, management leaned into the legend. They restored Room 311 to its 1920s-era style and began offering it as a "haunted experience."

Pro Tip: Want to book it? You’ll need guts—and probably a waiver.

Top 5 Creepiest Chattanooga Hauntings

1. Room 311 at the Read House Hotel – The ghost of Annalisa Netherly.

2. Chickamauga Battlefield – Haunted by the Headless Horseman of the Civil War.

3. Old South Pittsburg Hospital – Ghost nurses and screaming patients still roam.

4. The Underground Chattanooga Tunnels – Echoes of lost souls and flood victims.

5. Ruby Falls Cavern – Strange lights and whispers deep underground.

Theories & Lore: What Locals Say

Some believe Annalisa was real. Others think she's a product of ghost-tour hype. A few conspiracy-minded locals tie her murder to a hush-hush political scandal.

Then there's the psychic who claimed the room is a "spiritual vortex."

"It’s not just Annalisa," he said. "There are layers of energy in that room."

The hotel’s staff? They won’t confirm the ghost stories—but they won’t deny them either.

"All I’ll say is, some rooms have... personality," one housekeeper told a local paper with a wink.

Chattanooga's Haunted History Runs Deep

Chattanooga sits atop layers of bloody battles, displaced Native tribes, and boomtown drama. It's a hotbed for spiritual residue and forgotten stories. The Read House is just one haunted thread in a massive, mysterious tapestry.

With its antebellum charm and shadowy corners, the city is the perfect setting for both ghost stories and true crime tales.

Conclusion: Check In If You Dare

So, is Room 311 truly haunted? Or just an eerie slice of Southern folklore?

Maybe it doesn’t matter. The legend of Annalisa Netherly continues to chill spines, draw thrill-seekers, and keep the Read House at the top of every ghost hunter’s bucket list.

One thing’s for sure: in Room 311, the past is never really gone. It might even be sitting beside you.

Call to Action

Are you brave enough to stay in Chattanooga’s most haunted room? Share your ghost stories in the comments, sign up for our newsletter for more spooky local lore, or book a haunted hotel tour and see for yourself.