As October rolls in and the crisp mountain air settles over Franklin, North Carolina, something else stirs in the shadows—stories of ghosts and echoes of the past. Beneath the charming small-town facade, Franklin holds a dark and eerie history that lingers in the corners of its streets, beckoning you to explore the haunted side of this mountain town. This October, if you dare, immerse yourself in these chilling tales and experience Franklin’s spine-tingling history for yourself.
Travel back to 1833 in Franklin’s downtown square, where the courthouse now stands, was the scene of one of the most notorious trials of the 19th century. A minister, Rev. Evan Jones, was tried for the murder of his sister-in-law and her newborn child, with whispers that he had also taken the life of his previous wife. This grisly event gave rise to a ghostly tale that has captivated Macon County residents for generations—the haunting image of a woman in white.
For years, locals reported seeing her near a swinging bridge that once connected the Rose Creek and Cowee communities. But, recently, a new sighting has shaken the town. A mother and her young child, innocently searching for stones on Main Street, had their night disrupted when the child saw something unnerving—a woman in a long white dress standing in the dark corner near the courthouse. The child was inconsolable, convinced that the spectral figure was real, even though her mother saw nothing. Could the old story of the woman in white have awakened once again?
Tales of betrayal, revenge, and murder fill the night air, like the story of Mitch Mozeley, lynched in Franklin in 1898. His ghost, along with countless others, seems to linger, trapped in the silent, mist-covered river valley that cradles Franklin.
Curious visitors who are brave enough to dive into Franklin’s jaded past will step into the shoes of those who lived through the Moccasin War of 1883 and the bloody encounters at the Pine Tree Inn. With so many stories spanning generations, it’s hard not to feel the presence of those restless souls still wandering the town’s historic streets.
Franklin’s haunted history isn’t confined to the distant past—it continues to reveal itself in strange and unexpected ways. Recently, a visitor staying at the old Lyle home on Harrison Avenue—a charming Victorian—had an unsettling encounter. A small child, exploring the house with his father, pointed to an empty chair and described a man sitting there. “His face looks like a monster,” the boy said, adding that the man seemed to have been eating pie.
The description puzzled the family until they learned about the home’s former occupant, Dr. Samuel Harley Lyle Jr., known in life as Franklin’s finest tobacco spitter and a local prankster. The boy had seen what many before him had—a mischievous ghost who hadn’t strayed far from his favorite chair. Stories like these remind us that those who’ve gone before us still find ways to leave their mark.
But perhaps the most chilling and understandably well-known story of all is that of Frankie Silver. In 1833, she was hanged for the brutal murder of her husband, Charlie. As she faced her final moments, Frankie recited a poem from the gallows—a haunting rhyme that still sends shivers down the spines of those who hear it. Her bones rest in Macon County, but her spirit? That’s another story entirely.
This October, Franklin invites you to step back in time and walk with the spirits that still roam its streets. Whether you believe in the paranormal or simply want to experience the thrill of our town’s eerie past, you’ll find yourself captivated by the mysterious tales that haunt these mountains.
Dare to explore Franklin, where history comes alive and ghosts still whisper in the cool October air. Will you listen? But beware—once you step into Franklin’s haunted past, you may never look at this mountain town the same way again.
Check out “Echoes of the Past” and learn about the local legends of downtown Franklin, NC. Experience our histories and mysteries on an immersive walking tour through one of the most historically diverse and haunted places in America. From stories of pre-Columbian explorers to the Civil War to modern day, each one-hour ghost tour is appropriate for all ages. Tours will travel down Main Street from Ruby City Gems to First Citizens Bank, and back from Rankin Square to Rathskeller Coffee Haus and Pub (about 1/3 mile total). Tours meet at Franklin’s Town Hall (95 East Main Street). Parking is available at Town Hall and along Main Street.
Echoes of the Past – Historic Ghost Tours is owned and operated by Franklin native Morgyn Brannon. Brannon is a sophomore student at Western Carolina University and studies History and Philosophy. With a strong passion for storytelling and education, Brannon has experience working with all ages. As a historian, Brannon engages her passions to teach others through recalling local legends and history.
Authored by Brittney Lofthouse, photos by Eric Haggart, Mark Krancer
