Cookeville Folklore Haunted Hike Saturday

Ghosts, haunts, and local folklore are some of the spooky themes at the fifth annual Cookeville History Museum haunted hike.

The Boogers, Haunts, and Haints History Hike takes place Saturday. Museum Education Specialist Ashley McKee said at least four of the ghost stories in the program are in Putnam County.

“There’s one about Crazy George’s Bridge and there’s another story about White Plains being haunted,” McKee said. “But we also wanted to expand it because you know everybody is kind of interested in the obscure, so I also kind of included a little bit about the Bell Witch and about some of the Nashville ghost stories that are out there.”

McKee said anyone can pick up an entry form at either the History or Depot Museum and walk down Broad Street. Informational panels and signs are placed for participants to read and answer questions on the form. Those who complete the form will be entered to win a prize at the end of the day.

The most popular ghost story in the county is Crazy George’s Bridge, McKee said. This bridge is said to be haunted by a railroad worker who met his demise after accidentally falling on the track and an oncoming train decapitating him.

“He’s kind of like our version of the Headless Horseman,” McKee said. “If you turn your car off on the bridge and say his name three times at midnight he’ll come with a light and try to find his head.”

This free event will run from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.