Chicken Alley is a narrow lane named for the fact that chickens used to hang out there in the city’s much younger days. It even has a chicken mural, painted by local artist Molly Must. Legend has it the alley is haunted by the ghost of Dr. Jamie Smith, in a black fedora hat and duster-style coat, carrying his medicine bag and silver-tipped cane. Dr. Smith was stabbed in the heart at the Chicken Alley bar Broadway’s Tavern in 1902, as he was trying to break up a brawl.
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Geographic Information
- Address:
- Near 4 Woodfin St
Asheville, NC
United States
Get Directions » - GPS:
- 35.5986957, -82.55025360000002
- County:
- Buncombe County, North Carolina
- Nearest Towns:
- Asheville, NC (0.3 mi.)
Woodfin, NC (3.0 mi.)
Biltmore Forest, NC (4.7 mi.)
Weaverville, NC (6.8 mi.)
Bent Creek, NC (7.0 mi.)
Swannanoa, NC (8.5 mi.)
Royal Pines, NC (8.8 mi.)
Avery Creek, NC (9.5 mi.)
Fairview, NC (10.5 mi.)
Fletcher, NC (11.9 mi.)
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Disclaimer: The stories posted here are user-submitted and are, in the nature of "ghost stories," largely unverifiable. HauntedPlaces.org makes no claims that any of the statements posted here are factually accurate. The vast majority of information provided on this web site is anecdotal, and as such, should be viewed in the same light as local folklore and urban legends.
Own a ghost tour company in downtown Asheville (Ghost Hunters of Asheville)…researched this story fully…and must debunk..1st, Chicken Alley did NOT exist until 1920. 2nd, no such doctor ever lived or died here from 1890 to present day. Nor the within the US. Lots of good, verifiable ghosts in Asheville, but my research indicates the story may be related to a ghost story from the NW. Happy Haunting!
Hey there! I’ve been trying to find more information on the legend (and Chicken Alley itself) through some online hunting- and have come up with many a article with the exact same wording of the legend. I’m not doubting your research- in fact, I’d honestly love to hear more about it and the haunted history of this town! I’m new to the area and have a deep love of the paranormal- are you able to email me please? I’m at gaymabeladoxography on gmail.
(also, totally checking out ghost hunters of asheville now)