Self-Guided Visit
Tyson House & Bonita's Grave Walk
Visit the historic Tyson House (UT's alumni center) and find Bonita's grave in the yard, the only marked grave on UTK's main campus.
- Duration:
- 30 min
Photo coming soon
Other Dark Tourism Site
Tyson Alumni Center
Former home of WWI General and U.S. Senator Lawrence D. Tyson, now UTK's alumni house, where the marked grave of the Tyson family's Puerto Rican spaniel Bonita - a gift from Ulysses S. Grant Jr. - is the only grave on the main campus.
1502 West Cumberland Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37996
Age
All Ages
Cost
Free
Alumni house; exterior and yard free to view
Access
Limited Access
Historic residence with steps and uneven yard
Equipment
Photos OK
Est. 1898 · Home of Brig. Gen. and U.S. Senator Lawrence D. Tyson · Knoxville's only remaining example of George Barber's 'Colonial Classic' style · Donated to UT and used as alumni house since 1954 · Contains Bonita the dog's grave - the only marked grave on UTK's main campus · Listed on the National Register of Historic Places (2012)
Lawrence Davis Tyson (1861-1929) was a West Point graduate and Spanish-American War veteran who came to Knoxville in 1891 to command UT's military sciences program. He earned a UT law degree in 1894 and left the military faculty in 1895 to pursue business and political careers. Tyson commanded the 59th Brigade of the U.S. Army's 30th Division during World War I and was elected to the U.S. Senate in 1925, serving until his death in 1929.
The Tyson House at 1502 West Cumberland Avenue was designed by prominent Knoxville architect George Barber in his 'Colonial Classic' style and is Knoxville's only remaining example of that style. The Tysons - Lawrence, his wife Bettie, and their daughter Isabella - lived in the house for many years. After the family donated the property to UT, the university began using it as its alumni house in 1954.
A condition of the gift was that the family preserve and maintain Bonita's grave forever. Bonita was a Puerto Rican spaniel given to Isabella when she was three years old by General Ulysses S. Grant Jr., son of President Grant. Bonita lived 11 years and was buried under a stone in the yard reading 'Bonita Tyson' with the epitaph 'only a little dog but a loving and faithful friend.' This is the only grave on UTK's main campus.
The Tyson Alumni Center was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2012 and continues to serve as the home of UT's Office of Alumni Relations. The site is documented in UTK's Volopedia under 'Graves on Campus' and 'Tyson House' entries.
Sources
- https://torchbearer.utk.edu/2023/10/myths-and-mysteries/
- https://volopedia.lib.utk.edu/entries/graves-on-campus/
- https://volopedia.lib.utk.edu/entries/tyson-house/
- https://www.southernspiritguide.org/university-of-tennessee-campus/
Ghostly howls and barks heard at nightApparition of a small dog seen inside the buildingApparitions of General Lawrence Tyson and Bettie Tyson near the house
The principal ghost story at the Tyson Alumni Center is the unusual case of Bonita, the family's deceased Puerto Rican spaniel. According to UTK's alumni magazine Torchbearer (October 2023) and the Southern Spirit Guide writeup of UT, Bonita is heard howling and barking at night long after her 11-year life ended. Some accounts describe the spectral dog being seen inside the building itself, despite the grave's location in the yard.
A secondary thread of lore describes the 'shades' of General Lawrence Tyson and his wife Bettie appearing near the house. These accounts are documented in the Daily Beacon's 'Local legends haunt campus landmarks' coverage and the Southern Spirit Guide UT writeup. The General and Bettie sightings are described as quieter, residual encounters rather than active engagement.
The combination of a marked, well-known dog's grave (preserved by deed of gift as a condition of the donation to UT) and the surrounding ghost lore makes the Tyson Alumni Center one of the most narratively distinctive haunted sites on UTK's campus. The lore appears in UTK-published folklore documentation (Volopedia 'Graves on Campus,' Torchbearer's Myths and Mysteries series, multiple Daily Beacon features), giving it stronger institutional grounding than typical ghost-tour material. Named contemporary eyewitness accounts are still limited; the published material is largely retrospective folklore reporting.
Notable Entities
Bonita (Puerto Rican spaniel, gift from Ulysses S. Grant Jr.)Brig. Gen. Lawrence D. Tyson (1861-1929)Bettie Tyson (wife of Lawrence)
Media Appearances
- UTK Torchbearer magazine, 'Myths and Mysteries' (Oct 2023)
- UT Daily Beacon, 'Local legends haunt campus landmarks'
- UTK Volopedia, 'Graves on Campus' entry
Plan Your Visit
1 way to experienceSources & Further Reading
Every HauntBound history is researched from documented sources. We clearly separate verified historical fact from paranormal folklore.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Tyson Alumni Center family-friendly?
Family-friendly campus site; the ghost-dog story is poignant rather than frightening. Overall family fit: High.
How much does it cost to visit Tyson Alumni Center?
Alumni house; exterior and yard free to view This location is free to visit.
Do I need to book in advance?
No advance booking is required, but checking availability is recommended.
Is Tyson Alumni Center wheelchair accessible?
Tyson Alumni Center has limited wheelchair accessibility. Terrain: Historic residence with steps and uneven yard.