When I first visited Haunted Rugby I was on my way to the Historic Scott County Jail located in Huntsville. I was participating in a paranormal investigation and I had seen Rugby pop up on my Google Maps as a quick detour. The day was quite foggy setting the mood for the night ahead. I remember driving through the town and not knowing a single solitary piece of information about this peculiar place, yet I was struck with the profound feeling that there was something extraordinary about this place. In fact, I didn’t feel the same sense of hauntings that I normally feel in historic locations with claims of paranormal activity. Instead, I felt a sense of hope and otherworldly inspiration. The town was completely closed and I had hoped to visit again someday. Little did I know, within just a couple of years I would be able to.
Becky Kilimnik of Homespun Haints sent me a text message about a month ago outlining her whirlwind paranormal Appalachian road trip and asked if I wanted to go. Abso-freakin-lutely. On her route were stops like the Historic Scott County Jail, Chimney Rock, the Tavern in Abingdon (Virginia), the Nickerson-Snead House, and of course, Rugby, Tennessee. If you’re a lover of history, mystery, and the paranormal, Rugby is a destination that should not be missed. So pack your ghost-hunting gear, steel your nerves, and make sure your tank is full because this town is literally in the middle of nowhere.
Rugby is a place where history and haunts intertwine, creating an atmosphere that’s both captivating and chilling. The idea for Rugby originated from the social and economic challenges of Victorian England, particularly the effects of primogeniture and an economic downturn that left many younger sons of the gentry without employment or purpose. Thomas Hughes conceived of Rugby as a place where these second sons could own property and escape the social and moral issues rampant in the cities of late 19th-century England. The community was to shun the prevalent materialism of the time, embracing instead the principles of equality and cooperation found in Hughes’s book, Tom Brown’s School Days.
From the beginning, however, the settlement faced significant challenges. A typhoid outbreak in 1881, legal disputes over land ownership, and the settlers’ inexperience with the demanding agricultural labor needed to cultivate the poor soil of the Cumberland Plateau plagued the colony. By the end of 1887, most of the initial settlers had either passed away or left Rugby. Nevertheless, a handful of residents persisted through these hardships, and the village managed to maintain a small, continuous population into the 20th century.
Preparation for the Trip
As dedicated paranormal enthusiasts, we couldn’t resist the call of Haunted Rugby’s history. Thanks to Dr. Kristy Sumner and Miranda Young of History, Highways, and Haunts we were able to take a guided paranormal investigation. If this is something you are interested in doing, they will provide you with an array of ghost-hunting gadgets. If you are more experienced you are welcome to bring your own tools. You can request to stay on property or the Grand Vista Hotel is located right outside of Huntsville for those looking to experience both the Historic Scott County Jail and the town of Rugby.
The After-Dark Tour at Haunted Rugby
We first started our After-Dark tour at the Historic Scott County Jail led by Miranda, after spending a few hours acquainting ourselves with the ghosts, we then drove to Rugby where we were met by Dr. Kristy. She led us through the dimly lit streets, spinning tales of tragedy and triumph. We visited the eerie Kingstone Lisle, a once-grand estate now haunted by a young boy perhaps and a woman. Next we ventured into the schoolhouse where we experienced quite a bit of activity. We ended our night at the Thomas Hughes Library, where I was just overwhelmed with joy being surrounded with such old books in such pristine condition. The elegant spines and pages longing to be opened, seemed to emanate secrets from another era.
Throughout the night we observed the trip wire lights going off, seemingly giving us intelligent responses to our questions. Other times we observed activity that can only be described as residual. Something is there, it is only but an echo of times before. At one point I was sure I heard footsteps, but those footsteps seemed to turn into rolling thunder that only added to the ambiance of the night.
Overnight Stay
As the witching hour approached, we retired to our accommodations, which thankfully were in the heart of Rugby. The cozy cabin furnishings helped us to lie our heads to sleep wont of worry. And as I squirmed on the couch trying to get myself comfortable, surrounded by the windows of the cabins, I wondered if anyone was watching us, hoping to contact us as we were them. For a moment, I listened for any ghostly footsteps or unexplained noises. Supposedly, ghosts weren’t the only entities the residents of Rugby had encountered. There were also stories of extraterrestrials or UFOs. These stories excited me because they seemed to correlate with the feelings that I felt in my first visit to Rugby. My mind started to wander, and then in what seemed to be just a brief moment, light was suddenly beaming through the blinds and the morning birds were chirping.
Visiting the British Festival
I peeked out the window. The town looked much different than the night before. People were bustling about in preparation for The British Festival. The once-eerie streets had turned into a lively celebration of culture and heritage. It was a stark contrast to the previous night’s ghostly encounters, yet somehow, the two experiences felt inextricably linked. There was a sense of joy and excitement, a feeling likely experienced by those who first settled in Rugby. People often use the phrase “history repeats itself” in a negative connotation but I think it can apply to the good moments as well as the bad. The past is never truly dead as long as there are those who carry on the stories who lived before us.
The Historic Rugby British Festival does just that. With cricket, vendors, live music, food trucks, carriage rides, and more there is so much to do during this 2-day event. Two of us went directly to the blacksmith booth where Amber made a knife and I made an iron hair pin. Afterward, we explored some of the buildings we visited the night before during the day. The sun was out, people were lively and talkative, and I just kept getting the feeling this was how those who moved to Rugby from England must have felt back in the day.
We were unable to stay the entire day but we were able to see so much in the little time we did get to spend there. I would definitely recommend visiting Rugby on a festival weekend so that you can experience all there is to offer. Their Facebook page lists current events and you can even see photos from the event we just did. Our paranormal investigation had yielded intriguing but no real solid evidence, but more than that, after-dark tour gave us a glimpse into the lives and stories of those who once called Rugby home. Is Rugby haunted? I think so, but I’m also of the mindset that all historical places are haunted. Some locations are just more apparent, more loud, more out there, while other places like Rugby are a bit more introverted, whisper quietly so that only those who have an open ear can discover its secrets. One resident Howard Haffner said in an article about Rugby, “I think when you walk through these historic buildings up here, you definitely get the sense that you are not by yourself.” Regardless of what you or I believe, the past leaves an indelible mark on the present, and sometimes the most fascinating tales are those shared in the shadows.
Tips
I highly recommend requesting lodging within the town if available. Being able to quickly go to our quarters was such a relief after such a long night. Had we not been pressed for time we would have likely split both investigations so that we could do them on two different nights. You can easily spend 3-4 hours doing an investigation at each location. Doing both back to back was incredibly fun, but we were also dead tired by the end of the night. Perhaps one night at the Grand Vista and one night in Rugby would suffice if you were splitting up your tours between Historic Scott County Jail and Rugby.
I always bring a portable power bank when I’m on a paranormal investigation. I often use my phone for a flashlight, a recording device, and a camera so the battery can go pretty quick.
Where comfortable shoes you don’t mind getting dirty. There are some areas that can be a little muddy, especially after rainfall. You’ll be walking to and from buildings.
Participate in any sponsorship activities if you can! Your donations go to the preservation of this historic community.
