Planning a ghost town road trip to Story, Indiana starts with a scenic hour-long drive south from Indianapolis on IN-135. You’ll arrive at a hauntingly preserved 19th-century village, where 14 original structures still stand across 17 acres of woodland. The Story Inn serves as your home base for dining, drinks, and overnight stays. Legends of the mysterious Blue Lady ghost make this destination unforgettable, and there’s far more to this eerie little village than meets the eye.
Key Takeaways
- Story, Indiana, is located at 6404 IN-135 near Nashville, about an hour south of Indianapolis via scenic IN-135.
- The ghost town features 14 original 19th-century structures preserved across 17 acres, listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
- The Story Inn serves as the central hub, offering a restaurant, tavern, and bed-and-breakfast accommodations within historic buildings.
- Fall is the prime visiting season, offering stunning foliage along winding roads, though the ghost town rewards visits year-round.
- The famous Blue Lady ghost legend makes Story a sought-after destination for paranormal enthusiasts, especially in the highly requested Blue Lady Room.
What Makes Story, Indiana a True Ghost Town?
Story, Indiana checks every box of a true ghost town — a once-thriving settlement that time and circumstance quietly swallowed whole. Founded in 1851 as a lumber town, it once supported nearly 175 residents, a grain mill, blacksmith shop, and two general stores.
Then the Great Depression hit, roads shifted, and Lake Monroe’s creation cut off access. Half the population vanished between 1930 and 1940.
What you’ll find today isn’t ruin — it’s historical preservation at its most intentional. Fourteen structures still stand across roughly 17 acres, listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
But preservation alone doesn’t explain Story’s pull. Haunted legends, especially the famous Blue Lady ghost, give this village an atmosphere that gets under your skin the moment you arrive.
How to Get to Story, Indiana From Indianapolis
Getting to Story is half the adventure. From Indianapolis, you’ll head south on IN-135 for roughly an hour, and that final stretch of road delivers some of Indiana’s most stunning scenery. Forget local transportation options like rideshares — this route rewards drivers who control their own pace and direction.
As you wind through Brown County’s rolling hills, pull over at the scenic viewpoints that reveal dense hardwood forests and patchwork valleys, especially breathtaking during fall foliage season. The roads narrow and twist deliberately, signaling that you’re leaving the modern world behind.
Your destination sits at 6404 IN-135, Nashville, IN 47448, near Brown County State Park and Hoosier National Forest. The isolation isn’t a drawback — it’s exactly the point. Story earns its remoteness.
What’s Left to Explore in Story, Indiana Today?
Once you arrive, you’ll find a remarkably intact ghost town spread across roughly 17.4 acres, with about 14 original structures still standing. The historic architecture tells a layered story — from 19th-century homes and a general store to a blacksmith shop and barn, each building preserved rather than left to ruin.
Former residences have been converted into cottages and guest spaces, so you can actually sleep inside the history. Wander the grounds and you’ll notice the surrounding woodland pressing close, bringing local wildlife into view along forest edges and garden paths.
The Story Inn anchors everything as a restaurant, tavern, and bed-and-breakfast. It’s a living ghost town, not an abandoned one, giving you rare access to a preserved 19th-century village that most travelers never discover.
The Blue Lady Legend and Why People Book the Story Inn for It
Beyond the architecture and the woodland trails, the Story Inn carries something else entirely — a ghost story that’s become one of Indiana’s most talked-about legends.
Historical folklore ties the haunting to the Blue Lady, believed to be Dr. George Story’s wife. Guests report seeing a woman with striking blue eyes standing near their bed or appearing in mirrors. Some also notice the faint scent of cherry tobacco drifting through the room.
These ghostly legends have made the former Garden Room — now called the Blue Lady Room — one of the most requested bookings at the inn.
People drive from Indianapolis, Louisville, and Cincinnati specifically hoping for an encounter.
You don’t have to believe in ghosts to feel something unexplainable lingering inside these 19th-century walls.
Should You Stay at the Story Inn?
If you’re chasing the Blue Lady or just want to sleep inside a 19th-century ghost town, the Story Inn offers about 15 rooms and cottages tucked into restored historic structures.
You’ll also find an award-winning restaurant, a tavern, and event spaces on-site, so there’s no reason to leave once you’ve settled in.
Former residents’ homes now serve as your guest quarters, which means every creaking floorboard and shadowy corner carries a story of its own.
Rooms And Accommodations
Staying at the Story Inn means sleeping inside a piece of living history, with roughly 15 rooms and cottages spread across the village’s restored 19th-century structures.
Each space reflects the historical architecture of a town frozen in time, where original woodwork, worn floors, and period details remind you that real families once called these buildings home.
You’re not booking a generic hotel room — you’re choosing a former residence, general store, or converted outbuilding with its own backstory.
Local legends add another layer to your stay, especially if you’re placed in a room tied to the Blue Lady.
Don’t expect modern luxury; expect atmosphere, quiet, and something harder to package — the feeling that you’ve genuinely stepped outside ordinary life.
Dining And Amenities
The rooms pull you in, but the restaurant is what keeps people talking long after they’ve checked out. The Story Inn’s award-winning kitchen focuses on local cuisine, crafting seasonal menus that feel intentional rather than generic. You’re not grabbing a quick bite here — you’re sitting down to something worth the drive alone.
When the weather cooperates, outdoor dining lets you soak in the surrounding woodland atmosphere, adding another layer to an already distinctive experience. The tavern offers a more casual setting if you’d rather unwind with a drink after exploring the grounds.
Beyond food, the property includes gardens, a historic barn, and wedding facilities. Everything centers on slowing you down and keeping you present in a place that’s genuinely unlike anywhere else.
Haunted Stay Experiences
Whether you believe in ghosts or not, spending a night at the Story Inn delivers something most hotels can’t — a genuinely eerie atmosphere rooted in real history.
The most famous of the local ghost stories centers on the Blue Lady, believed to be Dr. George Story’s wife. Guests report seeing a woman with striking blue eyes near their bed or reflected in mirrors, often accompanied by the scent of cherry tobacco.
These haunted attractions draw curious visitors from Indianapolis, Louisville, and beyond.
The former Garden Room carries the strongest connection to her legend.
You’re not just booking a room — you’re stepping into a 19th-century village where the past feels unusually close, especially after the lights go out.
Best Times to Visit Story, Indiana
Story, Indiana rewards visitors year-round, but a few seasons stand out as especially memorable. Timing your trip right means richer experiences, better atmosphere, and sharper ghost town energy.
- Fall – Brown County’s foliage peaks October through early November, making scenic drives and outdoor exploration stunning.
- Spring – Wildflowers bloom across Hoosier National Forest, and the inn’s restaurant showcases fresh local cuisine that reflects the season.
- Summer – Long daylight hours let you explore every corner before darkness sets the haunted mood perfectly.
- Winter – Quiet solitude amplifies the ghost town atmosphere, and seasonal festivals in nearby Nashville bring regional charm close by.
Whatever season you choose, you’ll find Story’s remote, preserved setting delivers something most road trips simply can’t.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who Owns Story, Indiana and the Story Inn Today?
Rick Hofstetter and Frank Mueller own Story, Indiana, purchasing it in 1999. You’ll find their preserved ghost town history and local legends alive at the Story Inn, where haunting stories still captivate your free spirit.
How Many Buildings Are Still Standing in Story, Indiana?
You’ll find 14 standing structures spread across 17.4 acres, each holding history, harboring haunted legends, and inviting ghostly encounters. These preserved buildings let you walk through a living time capsule of 19th-century Indiana life.
Is Story, Indiana Listed on the National Register of Historic Places?
Yes, you’ll find Story, Indiana listed on the National Register of Historic Places! Its historic preservation success drives tourism development, letting you freely explore this authentically restored 19th-century ghost town without losing its raw, original character.
When Was Story, Indiana Originally Founded and by Whom?
You’ll find Story, Indiana’s roots trace back to 1851, when Dr. George P. Story founded it after receiving 173 acres from President Fillmore—a legacy now celebrated through historic preservation and enthralling local legends.
How Many Guest Rooms Does the Story Inn Currently Offer?
Like a cozy retreat frozen in time, the Story Inn offers you about 15 rooms and cottages. You’ll love exploring haunted legends and ghost town tours while staying in these beautifully restored historic accommodations.
References
- https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/north-america/united-states/indiana/story-inn-indiana-ghost-town/
- https://visitindiana.in.gov/blog/post/story-indiana/
- https://money.com/indiana-town-for-sale/
- https://www.sacbee.com/news/business/real-estate-news/article231913748.html
- https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/story-indiana-for-sale
- https://www.wrtv.com/news/local-news/whats-the-story-behind-story-indiana
- https://myfamilytravels.com/this-historic-indiana-tavern-serves-a-legendary-steak-in-a-haunting-ghost-town/
- https://wkdq.com/most-haunted-indiana-story/
