Hotel Spotlight: The Read House Hotel's Haunted & Rich History

Before this historic landmark was The Read House Hotel, a different hotel sat here once before: The Crutchfield House. Constructed by Chattanooga's mayor at the time, Thomas Crutchfield Sr. The hotel sat across from the Union Depot. While the Crutchfield burned down in 1867, the plot was purchased by a surgeon by the name of John T. Read, thus the first Read House Hotel was built and opened on New Year’s Day 1872.

By 1879, John T. Read sold the property to his son, Samuel R. Read, who was 19 at the time. He then expanded the hotel to 202 rooms by 1902. The majority of the original structure was torn down in 1925 and replaced with the current ten-story Read House Hotel that opened July 5th, 1926.

Room 311 is the room that still houses one of its guests from the 1920s–1930s, Annalisa Netherly. Though there are many different legends that tell us who she was and she became the spirit that haunts this room, it was well known that she was a certain type of worker that resided in room 311 for an extended period of time. The legend continues to tell us that she was found soaking in the tub with her head nearly decapitated. It is unknown whether it was a jealous lover or her husband.

People who have stayed in room 311, including Al Capone, have experienced strange, heavy paranormal activity, while others experienced none.

The Read House today: Dinner is part of the stay

Bridgeman's Chophouse is The Read House's steakhouse—prime cuts, a showstopping seafood tower, and a moody black-and-gold dining room that feels like old Chattanooga glamour. Named after the hotels most legendary host, Peter "Rabbit" Bridgeman, who charmed guests there for 47 years.

Step back into the Roaring Twenties

The Bar & Billiards Room at The Read House is a speakeasy-style cocktail bar where the staff dresses the part—waitresses are decked out in flapper finery alongside servers in vintage suits, shaking up classic cocktails like it's 1927. There's even a no-nonsense billiards room in the back for a game of pool between drinks.

The speakeasy bar

Weddings and galas straight out of 1926

The Silver Ballroom is The Read House's showstopper event space: original Waterford Crystal chandeliers from 1926, ornate silver moldings, and floor-to-ceiling mirrors that make every guest feel like they've stepped into an old Hollywood affair. It's easy to picture gents in black ties and ladies in ball gowns swirling across the polished floor—and it fits up to a few hundred guests, so it's just as ready for a black-tie wedding as a grand gala.

There's reasons guests never want to checkout

Beyond dinner and drinks, The Read House has you covered morning to night. Start your day with a full-service Starbucks run, then float in the indoor heated pool overlooking The Garden, or get a sweat in the fitness center with its Peloton bikes.

Need a treat? Pop into Monkee's Boutique for retail therapy or book a massage at FLX right on property. And yes, pets are welcome, valets get your car, and Wi-Fi is on the house.

For more inspiration and insider recommendations, visit our Chattanooga page.