The Read House Hotel, Chattanooga
The Read House Hotel is a historic hotel founded in 1872. The 141-room main building dates to 1926, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places for Hamilton County. The 100-room rear wing was added in 1962, originally as a motel.
In the heart of Chattanooga, the Read House has hosted many celebrities and politicians. Among them are presidents Ulysses S. Grant, Rutherford B. Hayes, Grover Cleveland, Theodore Roosevelt, William McKinley, Richard Nixon and Ronald Reagan, as well as Edwin Booth, Gene Autry, Elvis Presley, Oprah Winfrey, Gary Cooper, Winston Churchill, Bing Crosby, Walt Disney, Bob Hope, and Al Capone. Capone stayed in the Read House a short time during his federal trial in the early 20th century. Custom iron bars were added to the windows in the room Capone resided in (Room 311), and remain there to this day.
Perhaps the thing the Read House is most known for is the haunting of room 311. Many believe the room harbors the spirit of a woman named Annalisa Netherly. There are many legends as to who this woman was and how she became the famous spirit to haunt the hotel, but it is most well known that Ms. Netherly was a prostitute in Chattanooga during 1920s and 1930's. She supposedly resided in room 311 for an extended time. While details are hazy, Ms. Netherly in fact died in that very room. Some legends have it that she was found soaking in the tub with her head almost completely decapitated- more than likely done by a jealous lover or husband.
Other legends say that as she took a gentleman suitor to her room and he later directed his time and attention elsewhere to another woman. This supposedly left her broken hearted and suicidal, and it was then that Ms. Netherly took her own life. People who have stayed in room 311 say that Ms. Netherly hates men, especially those who smoke. Many guests that have stayed in the room, including Al Capone, have made it through the night without any paranormal activity, while others report it being heavy during their stay.
Since its opening in 1872, The Read House has been revered, both as an icon of Jazz-Era opulence and a bastion of southern hospitality. The Read House is the longest continuously operating hotel in the southeast, and holds a spot on the National Register of Historic Places.
In the heart of Chattanooga, the Read House has hosted many celebrities and politicians. Among them are presidents Ulysses S. Grant, Rutherford B. Hayes, Grover Cleveland, Theodore Roosevelt, William McKinley, Richard Nixon and Ronald Reagan, as well as Edwin Booth, Gene Autry, Elvis Presley, Oprah Winfrey, Gary Cooper, Winston Churchill, Bing Crosby, Walt Disney, Bob Hope, and Al Capone. Capone stayed in the Read House a short time during his federal trial in the early 20th century. Custom iron bars were added to the windows in the room Capone resided in (Room 311), and remain there to this day.
Perhaps the thing the Read House is most known for is the haunting of room 311. Many believe the room harbors the spirit of a woman named Annalisa Netherly. There are many legends as to who this woman was and how she became the famous spirit to haunt the hotel, but it is most well known that Ms. Netherly was a prostitute in Chattanooga during 1920s and 1930's. She supposedly resided in room 311 for an extended time. While details are hazy, Ms. Netherly in fact died in that very room. Some legends have it that she was found soaking in the tub with her head almost completely decapitated- more than likely done by a jealous lover or husband.
Other legends say that as she took a gentleman suitor to her room and he later directed his time and attention elsewhere to another woman. This supposedly left her broken hearted and suicidal, and it was then that Ms. Netherly took her own life. People who have stayed in room 311 say that Ms. Netherly hates men, especially those who smoke. Many guests that have stayed in the room, including Al Capone, have made it through the night without any paranormal activity, while others report it being heavy during their stay.
Since its opening in 1872, The Read House has been revered, both as an icon of Jazz-Era opulence and a bastion of southern hospitality. The Read House is the longest continuously operating hotel in the southeast, and holds a spot on the National Register of Historic Places.
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The Read House Hotel on Map
Sight Name: The Read House Hotel
Sight Location: Chattanooga, USA (See walking tours in Chattanooga)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Chattanooga, USA (See walking tours in Chattanooga)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Chattanooga, Tennessee
Create Your Own Walk in Chattanooga
Creating your own self-guided walk in Chattanooga is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Chattanooga Introduction Walking Tour
Boredom is hard to come by in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Sitting on the banks of the Tennessee River in the southeastern part of the state, its official nickname is the "Scenic City", alluding to the surrounding Appalachian Mountains. On top of this, there are multiple unofficial monikers like the "River City", "Chatt", "Nooga", and "Chattown".
The... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.4 Km or 2.1 Miles
The... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.4 Km or 2.1 Miles