In the 1800’s Inns were scattered across the Appalachian region. There were the Eureka and Chester Inns in Jonesborough, Netherland Inn in Kingsport, as well as many others including this Inn here along the Nolichucky River. These Inns were necessary due to the slow pace of transportation by foot or horse and carriage. With the invention of the gas powered automobiles in the late 1800’s, Inns along the routes between major cities were no longer needed. The Eureka Inn was converted into a restaurant and grocery store, the Chester Inn into apartments for the elderly. The Netherland Inn became a tavern. Unfortunately not all Inns were as lucky in their conversions. Due to its secluded location this Inn was converted into an asylum for the criminally insane. Behind these walls, no laughter of children and drinking buddies was to be heard. Instead, only the screams of lunatics emanated from this location.

The asylum was locally known as the Insane Inn, paying homage to its former use. Driven by greed, the doctor allowed locals to pay a penny to come and watch the patients. Visitors were permitted to bring long sticks with which to poke and enrage the captives. The asylum’s doctor performed questionable treatment at best. Treatments included chained restraint, sterilization, and frontal lobotomies. Surgical tools were crude and anesthesia unpredictable. Folks who worked at the Insane Inn talked about patients simply disappearing after surgery. Some said if a patient died, the good doctor simply drug the body to the river and pushed it in. There were always more where that one came from.

With no oversight and an addiction to morphine, the doctor became brave enough to conduct his own experiments here. Locals know the stories of disfigured escapees. Some say there were shadows and screams that resembled humans, but not fully. Some insist that half-animal, half-human creatures continue to inhabit this area.

The Insane Inn was shut down following the disappearance of many children from the area surrounding the facility. Even after its closure, locals continued to hear noises from the location. The Inn fell into disrepair. Now, the Insane Inn has been restored to its former glory. Come on in and tour the Insane Inn, where you’ll pay to get in and pray to get out.