Trying to contact the ghost that haunts Room 311 of downtown Chattanooga’s Read House

Ken Merkel, general manager of the Read House, turns on a light in Room 311 at the Read House. The room is supposedly haunted by the ghost of Annalisa Netherly, who was murdered in the room's bathtub in the 1920s. Ken Merkel, general manager of the Read House, turns on a light in Room 311 at the Read House. The room is supposedly haunted by the ghost of Annalisa Netherly, who was murdered in the room's bathtub in the 1920s.

By Shawn Ryan March 8, 2019 7 min read

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Read House ghost

Ken Merkel, general manager of the Read House, opens Room 311, which is said to be haunted by the ghost of Annalisa Netherly, who was murdered in the bathtub in the 1920s.

Ken Merkel, general manager of the Read House, shows a visitor the bathroom in Room 311, where Annalisa Netherly was murdered in the 1920s.

Room 311 has a clawfoot tub, true to the room's most storied era.

According to legend, Annalisa Netherly was murdered in a similar bathtub in Room 311 at the Read House in the 1920s.

Like the rest of Room 311, the bathroom is appointed in furnishings true to the 1920s.

The bedroom of the Read House's storied Room 311.

The parlor area of Room 311 is furnished in an ornate style reminiscent of the 1920s, the room's most storied era.

Room 311 at the Read House includes a vintage telephone.

Room 311 at the Read House is decorated in the style of the 1920s, when Annalisa Netherly was murdered in the bathtub.

Unable to open the door to Room 311 by key or manual force during the Read House's $28 million renovation, construction workers finally had to saw an opening into the door to get in. / Photo from Avocet Hospitality Group

We tried. We really tried.

Staying in Room 311 at the Read House in downtown Chattanooga, it’s almost required that you try to contact the ghost of Annalisa Netherly. It may even be part of the paperwork you sign at the front desk when checking in; I didn’t look.

According to reports, Annalisa is still floating around after being found in the room’s bathtub, suffering from what may delicately be called a massive head wound. As in, her head was almost completely severed from her body.

To see it

› The Read House, 107 W. M.L. King Blvd., will relaunch Room 311 with free tours from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday, March 11. The event includes a signature cocktail, hors d’oeuvres and valet parking. RSVP at www.paperlesspost.com/flyer/go/be47doDugr7lJRF4weMG.› To book a tour at another time, call 407-536-2735. › For more information on Room 311, the Read House hotel and its recent renovations, visit www.thereadhousehotel.com.

My wife and I recently stayed overnight in Room 311. I believe in ghosts, so I was hoping for something cool to happen. My wife, Lori, has actually had paranormal experiences in the past, so she is a believer, too.