In the quiet town of Petros, Tennessee, nestled deep in the mountains, stands a century-old witness to crime, punishment, and survival — Brushy Mountain State Penitentiary. Opened in 1896, this maximum-security prison remained in operation until 2009. Locals called it the “Alcatraz of the Mountains” — a fortress surrounded by rugged hills, where escape was nearly impossible.
Among its most infamous inmates was James Earl Ray, convicted of assassinating Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Today, Brushy Mountain is no longer a prison. It has transformed into a destination of history, mystery, and eerie fascination. By day, it offers Historic Tours, and by night, it becomes the stage for spine-chilling Paranormal Tours. Every wall, every cell, carries over a hundred years of stories.
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Tour Options at Brushy Mountain
Our journey began with a conversation with Sam, co-owner of Brushy Mountain. He explained there are three main tour types:
- Self-Guided Tour: From 10:30 AM to 5:00 PM (seasonal hours may vary)
- Public Guided Tour: Scheduled group tours led by a guide
- Private Guided Tour: Customized tours for small groups
Tickets can be booked online in advance or purchased on-site. Beyond tours, there’s the Brushy Mountain Distillery, where they produce Moonshine, Vodka, Whiskey, and locally inspired drinks. You’ll also find The Warden’s Table Restaurant and a Gift Shop filled with Brushy Mountain memorabilia.
George – Life Through the Eyes of a Former Inmate
Our guide, George, first entered Brushy in 1984 — not as a visitor, but as an inmate. His father, a city police lieutenant, was the one who escorted him through the gates. Recalling that day, George’s voice trembled:
“I held my father’s hand tightly, knowing I wouldn’t see him again for a long time.”
George showed us James Earl Ray’s cell, along with the very ladder Ray used in his 1977 escape attempt. He described freezing winter nights when his blanket froze to the wall, and sweltering summers when the top tier temperature soared past 110 degrees. At one point, 135 inmates were crammed into the gym to sleep.
Violence was a constant reality. Shanks — improvised knives — were crafted from bed frames, guitar strings, even dental floss. Tattoo machines were built from toothbrushes, cassette motors, and guitar strings. Cigarettes were the most valuable currency behind bars.
A World of Violence
George witnessed countless violent incidents. Once, a fight over a single matchbox of marijuana turned deadly. During a meal, he saw an inmate try to strangle another — just inches away from where he sat.
One notorious inmate, “BJ,” once asked him to help kill another prisoner. George summed it up:
“This is a world where you can’t just pick up the phone and call your mom — you’re alone, surrounded by dangerous people.”
From a Former Guard’s Perspective
We also spoke with Randy, who worked at Brushy Mountain State Penitentiary from 2000 to 2009. He said fear has no place inside — because at any moment, anything could happen. Once, while breaking up a fight, he saw a shank over a foot long.
Randy recalled that from 1932 to 2009, every single inmate who tried to scale the walls was caught. At Brushy, there’s only one way in and one way out.
The Haunted Side of Brushy Mountain
The Paranormal Tour is one of Brushy Mountain’s most talked-about experiences. Tammy told us these tours run in 4-hour and 6-hour sessions, taking visitors through cell blocks, the old chapel, the gym, and the death row cells.
Tammy once heard singing near the visitation area — a sound that had also been captured on previous recordings. Randy shared his own eerie story: sitting alone in the gym, he watched a basketball slowly roll from one end of the court to the other, even though no one else was there.
Inside Brushy Mountain: Hardships, History, and Hidden Stories
1. The Punishment Post
In one part of Brushy stood the punishment post, where inmates were tied up and whipped as a disciplinary measure. This wasn’t just a punishment — it was a powerful warning to others about the consequences of breaking prison rules.
2. Darkness in the Prison
At night, certain parts of the prison would be plunged into complete darkness. With unlit corridors and cell blocks, the atmosphere became eerie and unsettling, increasing the inmates’ sense of fear and isolation.
3. The Southport Gates
The Southport Gates were one of the main secure entry points to the prison. This was where inmates were transported in and out, and large supply vehicles entered — always under tight security.
4. Prison Bed Setup
Prison beds consisted of metal frames topped with thin mattresses that were far from comfortable. Sleeping on them for long periods often caused aches and pains, adding to the inmates’ daily hardships.
5. Brushy as a Museum
Today, a large section of Brushy has been transformed into a museum. Visitors can see inmate-made crafts, historical documents, photographs, and tools from various eras. Each display vividly brings Brushy’s history to life.
6. Inside the Laundry Room
The old laundry room was a key work area for inmates. Equipped with washing machines, large sinks, and clotheslines, it was where all the prison’s clothes and towels were cleaned and processed. The work was physically demanding, but it was part of the inmates’ everyday routine.
7. Overcrowding in the Prison
Sometimes the prison became so overcrowded that there was no space in the regular cells. At one point, 135 prisoners had to sleep in the gymnasium. The crowding, noise, and discomfort increased their daily hardships.
Food, Events, and New Experiences
After the tour, we ate at The Warden’s Table, where Southern comfort food reigns — BBQ plates, loaded potatoes, BBQ nachos, cheeseburgers, and more.
A newer addition, Parolei’s Restaurant, offers pizza, salads, sandwiches, and appetizers.
The General Store sells t-shirts, hats, mugs, and other keepsakes with the Brushy Mountain logo.
The large outdoor stage hosts concerts and special events. And for those seeking an overnight adventure, the RV Park & Campground offers 57 spaces — perfect for spending the night in this mountain-surrounded, ghostly atmosphere.
Why Brushy Mountain Stands Out
Brushy Mountain is more than just an old prison — it’s a living museum of crime, punishment, and human stories. Walking through it, you can almost hear the laughter, the cries, the fears, and the survival struggles of those who once lived here.
In George’s words:
“If my story can keep even one person from going down the wrong path, that’s the greatest thing I could ever achieve.”
Final Thoughts
The Brushy Mountain State Penitentiary Tour felt like stepping back in time. By day, its history captivates; by night, the darkness is filled with shadows of its grim past.
It’s more than just a building — it’s a place where the brightest and darkest sides of humanity stand side by side.
Brushy no longer locks up inmates, but every visitor leaves with the scent of history, the chill of fear, and an unforgettable experience.
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