Rhea Springs

Tennessee's ghost towns are copper, coal, and iron towns in the eastern mountains, plus Civil War-era settlements.

Rhea Springs was a community once located along the Piney River in Rhea County, Tennessee, in the southeastern United States. Originally established in the 19th century as a health resort, the community was inundated when the completion of Watts Bar Dam by the Tennessee Valley Authority flooded the lower Piney Valley in 1942. Rhea Springs, known as "Sulphur Springs" before 1878, developed around a spring rumored to have "healing" qualities. The spring flowed into the banks of the Piney approximately 4 miles (6.4 km) upstream from the river's mouth along the Tennessee River.

Rhea Springs sold the one thing the country around it didn't have: water.

The on-the-ground condition of Rhea Springs is unverified — it's listed here with unknown status. That could mean standing buildings, or an empty field. Go prepared for either, and consider sharing what you find so the record improves.

Nobody has confirmed the access situation, so treat any visit as reconnaissance: verify land ownership first, and be ready to admire from the road.

Here's the honest truth: access to Rhea Springs is unverified. We couldn't confirm whether the site sits on public land, private property, or something in between — so verify land ownership and local rules before visiting, and respect private property at all times. The mapped point for Rhea Springs is roughly 35.6800, -84.8270 — use it as a starting point and cross-reference a current topographic map before leaving pavement.

Ghost-town etiquette is simple: take only photographs. Removing artifacts is illegal on public lands and disrespectful everywhere else — and on federal land it can be a serious offense.