The Miles House is located across from East Park. | Photo by Brent Moore via Flickr
So what makes a haunted house look haunted?
We went down to the architectural crypt to find out what design features make a building go bump in the night.
There are a few obvious styles that tingle your spine and widen your eyes, namely Victorian-era and Gothic Revival. To keep this scary story short, we’ve created a checklist with some skeleton key characteristics to look for.
Large and stained glass windows | Whipstaff Manor in “Casper”
With this list in mind, let’s step through the creaky front doors of these three buildings in Nashville.
Downtown’s Customs House is located at 701 Broadway. | Photo by Antony-22 via Wikimedia Commons
Customs House
Built in the late 1800s in the Victorian Gothic style, the Customs House was used as a post office and held area offices for the Treasury and Justice Departments. Although it’s undergone multiple renovations, its distinctive Gothic lancet windows and triple-arch entrance remain. Today, a private firm leases office space inside.
Miles House
This two-level brick house in the Edgefield Historic District has a storied past. It survived the East Nashville fire of 1916, served as the Nashville Female Seminary (1870-1879), and was lived in at various times by riverboat captain J.W. Lovell and by the family of retired Circuit Judge Roy A. Miles. Though it sustained fire damage in 1977, the house was added to the National Register of Historic Places and now houses a law firm.
Metro Water Services occasionally offers tours of the Omohundro plant and other locations. | Photo via Metro Nashville
Omohundro Water Treatment Plant
There’s nothing scary about Nashville’s drinking water (Metro Water earned a “perfect score” on its latest report), but the 1929 plant’s arched brick galleries and terrazzo tile floor laid in a diamond pattern would steal the scene in any ghostly movie — if it weren’t supplying a vital resource, of course. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1987.
Events
Events
Wednesday, Oct. 30
Dustin Lynch | 6 p.m. | Skydeck on Broadway | Free | Join country star Dustin Lynch as he celebrates 10 No. 1 hits on country radio — entry is first come, first served.
Listening Session: “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” | Wednesday, Oct. 30-Thursday, Oct. 31 | 9 p.m. | 888 Nashville | Cost of purchase | Visit the restaurant for a late bite before hanging around for tunes from the holiday classic + return on Halloween for “Thriller.”
Thursday, Oct. 31
Nashville Predators vs. Edmonton Oilers | 7 p.m. | Bridgestone Arena | $27+ | In addition to trick-or-treating on the concourse, the first 5,000 fans ages 12 and under will receive a Halloween candy bucket.
Pasta-Making Class: Trofie | 12-2 p.m. | Yolan | $175 | Learn how to craft twisted and tapered trofie pasta, then enjoy a three-course lunch.
Saturday, Nov. 2
El Dia de los Muertos | Saturday, Nov. 2-Sunday, Nov. 3. | 9 a.m.-5 p.m. | Cheekwood | Cost of admission | The 25th annual festival will have music and dancing, art activities, altar displays, and more.
Turnip Green Festival | 10 a.m.-2 p.m. | Nashville Farmers Market | Free+ | Celebrate all things turnip greens with live music, vendor specials, and 400 pounds of braised greens cooked in a cauldron.
Sunday, Nov. 3
Making the Musical “Shucked” | 3 p.m. | Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum | Cost of admission | Brandy Clark, Shane McAnally, Mike Bosner, and Robert Horn will discuss the musical’s creation and success before it arrives at TPAC.
New York-style pizza has arrived in the Nations by way of Carlsbad Pizza. The new pizzeria at 5702 Ohio Ave. serves whole pies and slices, and although it primarily focuses on takeout, there are a few outdoor tables. Check out the menu.
Drink
Now brewing in Woodbine. Primitive Coffee debuted earlier this month at 2601 Nolensville Pk. In addition to coffee and pastries, the space will also serve Harding House beer once the permit is approved, according to its Instagram.
Plan Ahead
The Nashville Sounds announced game times for the 2025 season, starting at home on Friday, March 28 against the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp. Tuesday through Saturday games will begin at 6:35 p.m., while Sunday home games through June 22 will start at 2:05 p.m. before transitioning to 6:05 p.m.
Sports
Nashville SC coach B.J. Callaghan, general manager Mike Jacobs, and CEO Ian Ayre will speak at a live edition of “NSC Backstage” tonight, Oct. 30. The radio show begins at 8 p.m. at Fogg Street Lawn Club — RSVP to the event + review the end-of-season roster decisions.
Finance
Rates just dropped — now could be the time to tap into your home equity. Calculate your payment.*
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The Buy
The Buy
A great deal for the holidays ahead — get 18 bottles of wine for $79 plus shipping. Choose from red, white, or a variety pack of red, white, and rosé. Hello, stocked bar for holiday hosting season.
If you’re searching for a quiet place to enjoy peak fall foliage this week and next, may I suggest the Ellington Agricultural Center in Crieve Hall? I’ll let this Instagram Reel do the convincing.
Answered
Answered
Do you plan on retiring in Nashville?
Music City appears to be a popular place for retirees, with 50% of respondents telling us they’ve retired here in Nashville. Another 20% said they plan to retire here later on, with around 30% undecided or planning to live elsewhere. Maybe our list of activities will convince you otherwise?
