Col. Fielding Hurst’s Civil War Era Mansion shrouded in Ghostly Fog
(Hurst Mansion shrouded in ghostly fog. Tennessee Hauntings )
I am not a ghost hunter, but seem to have an appreciation of Purdy in common with ghost hunters. Even I was impressed with the ghostly fog, assuming Cheech and Chong were not standing just out of frame.
Tennessee Hauntings has some great, new, current pictures (at night) … (day time pics) … of the “Hurst Mansion” and apparently got the tour from the new owner.
- Vandals are making refurbishment difficult.
- Do not visit the Hurst property or you are very likely to be shot and killed!
- Questions will be asked after the fact, but you will be dead.
- No Trespassing.
It is great to see someone finally taking care of the last 19th century structure standing in McNairy County.
I do not know the new owners, but I heard rumor that he was considering moving the house. Having seen the house, I would say the chances of moving it and having anything other than a scrapheap of old wood and bricks, are slim to none.
At one point, there was talk of turning the house into a museum and I think the county even got a grant from the Transportation Department. That deal fell apart.
It is amazing to think of all of the history that this structure has seen. The Purdy Courthouse was right next door and soldiers from both sides marched past the home along what was then a main route. Nathan Bedford Forrest forbid his men from torching the house. Ab Hurst, a slave, described hearing the guns of Shiloh from the front porch. Simply amazing, I am glad to see an effort being made to save this historic property.
If I owned this property, I would take up donations. I am sure some Civil War buffs or Col. Hurst relatives would make a donation to the cause.
Filed under: Ghost Hunters, Haunted, Civil War in Tennessee, Ghosts, Ghost of Fielding Hurst, Purdy, Col. Fielding Hurst, Hurst Mansion, TN
Thanks for the mention! I emailed you a photo of some writings on the wall inside Hurst Mansion. I was hoping you may have some insight on it.
Thanks for posting the photos and information about the TNHauntings blog. I agree the home wouldn’t survive a move but if vandals and trespassers would leave it alone, the new owner will have a better chance to restore it. It’s a piece of McNairy County history that shouldn’t be allowed to go away, regardless of how one feels about Fielding Hurst. Keep up the good work!