(WBIR- WEST KNOXVILLE) The mysterious house confined by a tall brick wall on Lyons View Pike saw hundreds of visitors on Thursday.
Knox Heritage members took a tour of Eugenia Williams' former home, settling some of their questions surrounding the mansion at the end of the long, winding driveway.
"Haunted mansion would kind of be what I would equate it to just with all the wrought iron work," said Amy Bare, a Knox Heritage member.
"The curiosity of what is this house, really, like, has just always been on my mind," Virginia Babb added.
Williams, a wealthy, reclusive heiress whose family bought into the Coca-Cola Company at its beginnings, donated the 24-acre property and 10,000-square-foot home, including the basement, to the University of Tennessee in 1998 after her death. It's been vacant ever since.
Kim Trent, executive director of Knox Heritage, said the university is looking for a long-term lease partner to maintain and preserve the property and abide by the terms in Williams' will. The property is not for sale.
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With double the expected response from members about touring the home, Trent said she hopes taking a peek inside the mansion will bring the right person forward to save the property, which is in need of renovations.
"It's one of those iconic properties," Trent said. "I mean there's nothing else like it, and the story of this house makes it even more unusual and more interesting to people."
The house has three bedrooms with their own bathrooms, in addition to a servant's quarters with two more bedrooms. The entertainment spaces are large, and the house has a three-car garage, which sheltered what Trent describes as "very expensive" cars that Williams was spotted in around town.
Trent said the home, which backs up to Fort Loudoun Lake, could still be used as a single-family home, but she said there has been talk about turning it into a public event venue, although that would require university approval.
"You'd love to see it completely restored, and I'd love to see someone actually living in the house," Bare said, "and really being able to take advantage of what a beautiful property it is."
