THE STORY
Reported Haunting
The Craighead-Jackson House is said to be haunted by a female servant who died after her clothing caught fire, with later occupants reporting phantom footsteps and doors or windows inexplicably opening after the house has been secured.
Built around 1818 for John Craighead, the Federal-style Craighead-Jackson House stands adjacent to Blount Mansion in downtown Knoxville. Local historical and tourism sources preserve the story of a female servant who died just after the Civil War when her clothing caught fire at the large basement fireplace. The tragedy is said to have left a lingering presence in the house. Staff and visitors have reported footsteps on the stairs as well as doors found open after being locked and windows mysteriously raised after the building had been secured. The year 1818 sometimes attached to the death in retellings is actually the approximate construction date of the house; the servant's death is traditionally placed after the Civil War.