THE STORY
Reported Haunting
The historic Bijou Theatre and former Lamar House are associated with apparitions, phantom footsteps, unexplained touches, strange shadows and recorded anomalies, with local tradition frequently linking some activity to Union General William P. Sanders, who died in the hotel in 1863.
The Bijou Theatre occupies part of Knoxville's historic Lamar House property, first established as a hotel and tavern in 1817. During the Civil War the Lamar House served for a time as a Union hospital, and General William P. Sanders died in the hotel's Bridal Suite on November 19, 1863 after being mortally wounded during the Knoxville Campaign. The Bijou itself openly acknowledges its haunted reputation. Theater staff and stage crews have reported unexplained occurrences, and a paranormal investigation produced recordings, unusual photographic evidence and reports of shadows without an identifiable light source. Additional local traditions describe phantom footsteps, unexplained touches and apparitions, including stories linking some activity to Sanders and to a later theater figure remembered as "Smiley." The paranormal interpretations remain folklore despite the well-documented history of the building.