Large house overlooking Gatlinburg

We have been to Gatlinburg many times over the past few years. Every time we have been here I have been impressed by the large
A-frame house that overlooks the split of 321. I asked a local man that I met and he told me there are stories to go along with this house. Does anyone have any information about it?

Check out a book called Mad Notions.

That book sounds cool. Thanks 'answer'. I'm checking that one out.

Read the book.

Question....is the "Marijuana Mansion" the same as the 'castle' in gatlinburg?

yes, marijuana mansion is the same thing as the castle. It was built by John Ruppel, a well known kindpin of a huge drug ring.... it is now owned by a local family.

answer wrote:

Check out a book called Mad Notions.

I am a long time visitor of Gatlinburg and this house has always been intriguing to me. Does this book specifically talk about the A-framed house? Does anyone know any other information about it?

Curious wrote:

<quoted text>
I am a long time visitor of Gatlinburg and this house has always been intriguing to me. Does this book specifically talk about the A-framed house? Does anyone know any other information about it?

The book makes references to the builder/original owner and activities that took place in the house. The house is more of a sidenote used to set up the larger story of corruption and later a murder that is not related to the mansion. Info is hard to find on this private home. The book ,however, is captivating,disturbing,and... all true.

Tennessee 6 wrote:

<quoted text>The book makes references to the builder/original owner and activities that took place in the house. The house is more of a sidenote used to set up the larger story of corruption and later a murder that is not related to the mansion. Info is hard to find on this private home. The book ,however, is captivating,disturbing,and... all true.

I have been in Sevier County for many years, and have heard so many stories about the house. But I must have been living under a rock when the whole scandal thing went down (although I was a newlywed). So much so that when the book was mentioned, you can bet I searched for it and ordered it. I am anxiously awaiting its arrival. It is very true, I worked in Gatlinburg for six years, and have never gotten the same story twice on who owns it, what is done with it, and how it came to be. It would be interesting to know now, what is being done with it. I always wondered too, how in the world do you get to it?

The house is in an area known as graystone heights.The road that runs to the right side of the ripley's aquarium will take you right to it,but it is gated and private. You will notice in the book the author makes mention "Thanks to the Graystone Gang" wonder who they are?

I stayed at the Playhouse Cabin up on south bayden drive and there was bullit holes in the living room windows does anyone have any idea of what happened here cause you can hear things in the cabin people walking and doors opening and different things.

Ohio lady wrote:

We have been to Gatlinburg many times over the past few years. Every time we have been here I have been impressed by the large
A-frame house that overlooks the split of 321. I asked a local man that I met and he told me there are stories to go along with this house. Does anyone have any information about it?

14,000 square feet, built in 1970. five fireplaces, elevator, 5,000 square foot deck. Last purchase was in 1996 for 1.3 million. House sits on 2.2 acres. Owned by a cabin/resort mogul.

Look for a book by the name of Mad Notions. There you will find all your answers about that house. Including drugs, and much more.

I got the book delivered yesterday, and I gotta tell ya, wow. I have only read the first few chapters, and I guess living here and working in Gatlinburg, I have met some of the people mentioned in the book. I really had no idea all this stuff happened here. It is well written too. Definitely enjoyable and educational.

I checked John Ruppel into the Holiday Inn the day he came to Gatlinburg and he stayed at the hotel while finishing the house. Went to a party or two there back then. I saw him do some wild things while he lived. He got well connected to lotsa local good ole boys while living there also. He was later tied to the biggest (at the time, I think around 600 lbs.) coke bust at Gatlinburg (Sevierville) Airport after he'd finished the house and was around for just a short while afterwards. He was found floating in the surf in South Florida a few years later...drugs are a bad thing! But while this crazy b@stard was around, he made himself well known and had large fun. I saw him one night give a waitress the keys and title to a jeep for a tip at a well known restaurant, the sum beach threw around cash like Jed Clampett!!

Ohio lady wrote:

We have been to Gatlinburg many times over the past few years. Every time we have been here I have been impressed by the large
A-frame house that overlooks the split of 321. I asked a local man that I met and he told me there are stories to go along with this house. Does anyone have any information about it?

My Uncle John Ruppel and my aunt built "the castle. they were my godparents and Iwasvery close to them. Don't believe everything you here.

Tennessee 6 wrote:

<quoted text>The book makes references to the builder/original owner and activities that took place in the house. The house is more of a sidenote used to set up the larger story of corruption and later a murder that is not related to the mansion. Info is hard to find on this private home. The book ,however, is captivating,disturbing,and... all true.

Thank you for mentioning that much of this is not related to the mansion. They were my godparents and we were very close. They took great pride in their creation.

The castle belongs to the family of a very good friend of mine. They own a cabin rental business.Regardless of the castle's past, the current family has nothing to do with drugs or any corrupt business whatsoever. As far as tale of hauntings, I have stayed there and experienced nothing out of the ordinary. It is just as amazing on the inside as it is on the outside.

I was on the ghost walk about a week ago in gatlinburg and they told us all about that house! It was neat. Now i dont remember any names or anything but first it was that the owners sold it for some weird reason. then the person who kept it up would only go check on it during the day and refused to stay at night. then there was another story but i dont remember it. but after that these two people famous for drugs and stuff used it as a hideout and such. it was a cool story. I also reccomend that ghost walk to everybody. It isnt weird or anything, you just get to hear a ton of cool stories about Gatlinburg!=D

Was there wrote:

I checked John Ruppel into the Holiday Inn the day he came to Gatlinburg and he stayed at the hotel while finishing the house. Went to a party or two there back then. I saw him do some wild things while he lived. He got well connected to lotsa local good ole boys while living there also. He was later tied to the biggest (at the time, I think around 600 lbs.) coke bust at Gatlinburg (Sevierville) Airport after he'd finished the house and was around for just a short while afterwards. He was found floating in the surf in South Florida a few years later...drugs are a bad thing! But while this crazy b@stard was around, he made himself well known and had large fun. I saw him one night give a waitress the keys and title to a jeep for a tip at a well known restaurant, the sum beach threw around cash like Jed Clampett!!

I believe he has ties to alot of 20yr olds that died while he was here too,I will never believe they commeted suicide.

who owns the house now? i have lived here all my life, for the most part and have always been so curious about it. and like someone else said i never hear the same story twice.there's a rumor that a girl that goes to my daughter's school's grandparents own it and i dont know what to believe...