Historic Drish House

There’s a famous ghost story in the South, one that has been passed down for generations and has been featured in many books, including "Haunted Tuscaloosa" by TPRG founder David Higdon. On March 9th, 2024, members of the Tuscaloosa Paranormal Research Group conducted a paranormal investigation at the Historic Drish House in Tuscaloosa, AL.

History

Built in 1837, the Drish House was a gift of love from Dr. John Drish to his wife, Sarah. During the 1900s, the Drish House served as a school. Subsequently, it was sold again and transformed into the Tuscaloosa Wrecking Company. Later, it became the Southside Baptist Church. The house then sat vacant for 25 years until its current owners, the McCool family, purchased and renovated it. It is now serves as an event venue.

Spirits of Drish

Members of the Drish family are believed to haunt the house. Dr. John Drish, who resided in the home, tragically fell to his death from the staircase. His spirit is described as shy, preferring solitude. However, he is known to manifest if a bottle of whiskey and a deck of playing cards are presented to him.

One of the most famous ghost stories involves Sarah, John’s wife, who passed away from old age. Sarah had a penchant for the finest things in life. When John passed away, she ordered special candles from Atlanta to adorn his wake, and she arranged for his body, surrounded by the glowing display, to be placed in the garret for all of Tuscaloosa to see. Sarah intended to store the candles safely, adamant about their presentation at her own wake many years later. However, when the time arrived, a cousin of Sarah and her servants were unable to locate the candles. Legend has it that Sarah’s spirit roams the halls of the Drish House in search of the once-important candles. Witnesses have reported mysterious flames flickering in the garret over the years. Despite investigations by numerous firemen and police officers, no signs of fire have ever been found.

Another prominent spirit is Catherine Drish, the daughter of John and Sarah, whose story revolves around a lost love. Legend has it that John paid her fiancé to leave for war and never return. Allegedly, the fiancé accepted John’s offer, leaving Catherine heartbroken. Witnesses claim to have seen Catherine's ghostly figure standing in a window, awaiting her love’s return.

Speculation also surrounds the haunting presence of cousins, including a woman named Helen, and two sisters known as the Greene Girls, as well as possible enslaved individuals.

EVIDENCE Captured by TPRG

An EVP, Electronic Voice Phenomenon, is a sound recorded on an audio device that is interpreted as a spirit voice. Below, you will hear EVPs that we captured during our investigation at Drish.

Caught on Camera

In the video to the right, we captured the disembodied voice of children laughing during an interview at Drish. This investigation is featured on Crash Media Paranormal, episode four, on YouTube.