Rippavilla Plantation

A stunning Greek Revival plantation home built in 1851, used as headquarters by Confederate General John Bell Hood during the Battle of Franklin. The home witnessed the prelude to one of the bloodiest battles of the Civil War.

Rippavilla Plantation served as Confederate General John Bell Hood's headquarters the night before the devastating Battle of Franklin, and the spiritual energy from that fateful evening seems permanently imprinted on the property. Hood made the decision to launch his ill-fated assault from this very house, a decision that would result in nearly 7,000 Confederate casualties. Visitors have reported seeing Confederate officers in the house, still planning the attack that would claim so many lives. The sounds of horses and men preparing for battle have been heard on the grounds at night. Cold spots are frequently encountered, particularly in rooms where Hood met with his generals. Some visitors have reported feeling overwhelming dread or sadness in certain areas of the house, as if the weight of Hood's decision still hangs in the air. Staff members have seen figures in period military dress moving through the house, and the sounds of distant cannon fire have been reported. The plantation hosts ghost tours sharing the stories of those who passed through during the war.