Overview
Situated on the Ohio River, the working class town of Brandenburg, Kentucky is an incredibly small place. With a population of barely two thousand people and exactly four square miles in size, there is not much that can be hidden from view. But amongst the serene natural backdrop, against the nearby creek, the Doe Run Inn is one very active paranormal place.
Is the Doe Run Inn Haunted?
The area that the Doe Run Inn rests on was formerly a Native American settlement in the late 1700s. It was recorded that Squire Boone called the nearby creek Doe Run because of the unusually large amount of deer that lived in the area. Originally, the Doe Run was first called Stevenson’s Mill and was an actual timber cutting building.
Over the years, the building ceased operations and was repurposed in 1901 into an inn due to a nearby water spring that was discovered and purported to have healing powers influenced by the Native American history. By 1958, a new set of owners added a restaurant and called it the Doe Run Inn and it was open for business. Decorated with over three centuries the Doe Run Inn is packed with plenty of history, and plenty of ghosts.
Ghosts of the Doe Run Inn
- The activity is spread out against a wide variety of sightings and stories. Laughter and voices of children can be heard at all hours both inside and outside room number twenty, which was formerly a children’s playroom.
- Amongst the furnishings in room number twelve is a rocking chair that is sometimes inhabited by an older man who can be seen slowly rocking in it.
- The reflection of a younger woman can be seen throughout the inn’s mirrors. Her dress is antiquated and her expression said to be somewhat melancholy.
- At other times, staff inside the Doe Run have had physical encounters as well. The apparition of a young mischievous Confederate soldier actually unties the shoelaces of employees and reties them very quickly causing them to fall over to the floor!
- Many times during simple landscaping of the inn, staff have reported seeing a woman dressed in white, edging herself along the creek as if looking for someone in it.
Most stories and accounts from visitors to the Doe Run are non-violent in nature. Nothing demonic or sinister is said to prey upon any visitors to the inn. Paranormal enthusiasts speculate that the inn has simply adapted some of the ghostly energy given off by the centuries of people who have visited the area. For whatever the case may be, in Brandenburg, it is without a doubt the most haunted place there.
My parents own a property in Brandenburg on the river, which they visit periodically to maintain. On one of these occasions in December of 2006 when I was only 16, they thought it would be cute to stay a night at the inn. We took a large room on the second floor with 3 beds. Being a teenager cold and bored in the middle of nowhere, I complained openly all night about the room. After my parents had fallen asleep, I was unable to do so due to my fathers relentless snoring. I found myself shouting “Shut up!” for a good two hours before dozing off. There was a moment around 3am when my phone, my mom’s, and sisters all died one by one. I could hear the virgin mobile jingle as they shut off. Then maybe 15 minutes after I finally fell asleep, something very angrily and aggressively lunged at my neck causing me to sit up screaming. It still throbbed as I yelled for everyone to wake up. I blame my teenage self for this, but it left me frightened and fascinated.
On May 26, 1978, my new husband brought me to Doe Run Inn for our honeymoon!
It was quite pretty there. A creek out back, lots of woods to tramp through.
We stayed at Doe Run In for a long Memorial Day weekend.
Mrs. James P. Gillham
Louisville, KY.
My husband brought me to Doe Run Inn for our 2007 honeymoon. We had an enjoyable time.
Fond memories of Doe Run and the Doe Run Inn. The stream is one of the most studied in the US. Doe Run is unique in that all of the water is groundwater, mostly from a large spring that always flows at about 55 degrees. Biologists and grad students from the University of Louisville studied the stream in great detail from the late 1950s through the 60s. We worked around the Doe Run Inn often and enjoyed the great buffets. Nice folks! Shortly after my marriage I brought my new wife their to spend the night and chow down. It’s closing was sad. Great memories!
Husband and I stayed there in the early 1980’s.
We checked in the room in early May and were the only ones to stay that night, no ghosts and had a great breakfast before leaving the next day….
We visited the Inn for lunch. The restaurant was great and the veiw is relaxing. The little water fall has a relaxing effect. I was saddened to hear it is now closed.
Growing up, I visited Doe Run Inn with my parents. Years later, in the late 1970’s, my husband, young son and I stayed there, enjoying the atmosphere and wonderful food. Lots of good memories; I was disappointed to learn that it had closed.
If it closes, do the ghosts leave?