Ghosts come to Madison

Ghosts have finally made their way into town.

Ghosts have finally made their way into town.

Ghostown Flea Market has long been known for hauntings and other unexplained goings-on.

Ghostown, a historical landmark located on Highway 72, is a flea market offering collectibles, vintage items and general merchandise every weekend from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m.

Deborah Wetzel, investor of Ghostown said it wouldn’t be a run-of-the-mill haunted house experience.

“How many times do you get a haunted town?” Wetzel said. “This is the only one of its kind in the greater Tennessee Valley area.”

The property has been used as a bar, junkyard and thrift shop, according to owner, Toney Shore.

“It’s authentic, creepy, wooded, dark and rugged,” Shore said. “Everyone calls this Ghostown. Even my mail comes as Ghostown.”

The property, which was purchased 11 years ago, sits on 2.9 acres, purchased the property 11 years ago. Wetzel’s company, Wetzel Development, is behind it.

“Madison was prime for a good spook,” he said. “There’s nothing like this. People out here encouraged us to do it.”

Shore said the ghost legends associated with Ghostown add to the area’s “creepy feeling.”

George Halkias, an employee at Ghostown, said he found an old stagecoach box underneath the floors.

“Legend has it a gun fight and someone got away and a man named Lying Larry tried to still the money,” Halkias said. “He was hanged and his spirit won’t rest until he gets his money.”

“We get more customers for the flea market telling us ghost stories than actually buying items,” he said.

None of the legends have yet to be verified, but the town’s graveyard, torture chamber, dungeon, dark paths and old-time look promises to provide frights all night.

Tours start from 6 p.m. and run until midnight every day until Nov. 5. Ages 12 and under are admitted free. The cost for ages 13 and over will be $15 per person.

“We’re not responsible for lost or stolen souls,” Wetzel said.