Foster House Restaurant

Posted: 05.08.2025 | Updated: 05.08.2025

Nestled in the heart of Cumming, Georgia, the Foster House Restaurant is a charming blend of Southern hospitality and rich history. Built in 1887 by Henry Foster, this grand old home has worn many hats over the years – family residence, hotel, boarding house, and now a beloved restaurant and event venue. But a more sinister, darker side lies beneath its friendly atmosphere and delicious Southern cuisine.

The Foster House has a reputation for being one of Forsyth County’s most haunted places. Visitors and staff members have experienced spine-tingling accounts of ghostly encounters and unexplained phenomena. 

For those intrigued by Georgia’s eerie past, Atlanta Ghosts offers tours highlighting these haunting legacies.

Is Foster House Restaurant Haunted? 

Ultimately, the Foster House Restaurant is widely considered haunted. Over the decades, numerous reports have described strange noises, shadowy figures, and objects moving on their own. Many believe the spirits of Henry Foster, his family, and former residents still roam the halls. 

Guests have heard whispers of their names in empty rooms. Staff members have felt sudden cold spots and witnessed doors slam shut without cause. The stories are so frequent and vivid that the restaurant provides a pamphlet detailing its ghostly history to curious diners.

The History of Foster House Restaurant

The Foster House Restaurant has a history that goes back to 1887 when it was built by Henry Foster, a businessman and sheriff of Cumming, Georgia. Henry Foster and his wife, Mamie, lived in the house with their seven children, and it quickly became the hub of the community.

Foster was a general store owner on the downtown square and sheriff, positions which garnered him great respect in Forsyth County. The family lived in the house until Henry’s death in 1901, and their presence is still deeply felt in the stories and legends surrounding the property.

Over the years, the Foster House adapted to Cumming’s growing needs. It became known as the Brannon Hotel, providing lodging for teachers at the nearby Cumming Public School, and later served as a boarding house for other citizens.

The home’s long-standing architecture and location in the middle of the neighborhood allowed it to continue being a part of the neighborhood as the ownership shifted. In 2007, the city of Cumming purchased the property and began renovations to restore its 19th-century character so that the house could remain a part of community life.

In 2003, the Foster House was reimagined as a restaurant and special events space, where diners are invited to dine in rooms returned to their late 19th-century roots. The restaurant quickly became a beloved gathering place, known for its Southern hospitality and the opportunity to celebrate weddings and special occasions under the shade of century-old pecan trees.

Throughout its years as a restaurant, staff and patrons have reported numerous unexplained events, from the scent of pipe smoke to objects moving on their own, adding to the building’s reputation as one of Forsyth County’s most haunted sites.

Hauntings of the Foster House Restaurant

The Foster House is known for frequent ghostly activity reported by guests and staff. Ghosts were heard, heard in old-fashioned clothing, felt murmurs of their names, cold spots, or smelled pipe smoke. Objects moved by themselves, doors closed for no reason, and dark forms appeared in the corridors. 

While these occurrences are spooky, the ghosts are believed to be friendly and loving of the house. This mix of Southern charm and ghostly mystery creates a unique atmosphere that invites guests to connect with the house’s rich history.

The Foster Family Spirits

The most enduring and personal hauntings at the Foster House Restaurant are linked to the Foster family itself, especially Henry Foster. Staff and visitors frequently report the scent of pipe smoke drifting through empty rooms. This signature detail is attributed to Henry, who is known to enjoy his pipe. 

Amanda Davis, the current owner, has recounted several encounters that she believes are the work of the Foster spirits. She’s heard her name whispered in the kitchen when she was alone, and her husband once saw a broom standing upright in the middle of a room, unmoved by any draft or person. “We just say, ‘Oh, it must be Henry,’” Davis remarked, highlighting how the family’s presence is felt as much as seen.

The Foster family’s spectral activity isn’t limited to Henry. Amanda’s mother once saw the ghostly image of a little boy, believed to be one of Henry’s sons, who vanished as soon as she turned the corner. 

Amanda’s young daughter, Ellie, also had a chilling experience while homesick at the restaurant. She described seeing black smoke drift through the hallway, a sight so frightening that she struggled to recall the details afterward. 

These intimate, multi-generational accounts suggest the Foster spirits are deeply attached to their former home, watching over it and occasionally making their presence known in gentle, sometimes playful ways.

Apparitions and Shadowy Figures

The Foster House is renowned for its vivid apparitions and full-bodied ghosts, which are seen by staff and guests alike. One of the most striking stories occurred before the restaurant’s renovations. 

A couple standing on the porch witnessed a man in overalls and a woman in a white dress walk through a wall and appear in another room across the hallway. The ghosts paused, stared out the window at the couple, and then seemed to retreat, as if startled by the living. “It was almost like the ghosts were scared of the people, wanting them to get off their land,” Amanda Davis explained.

These aren’t isolated incidents. Shadowy figures are frequently seen darting through rooms, crossing hallways, or peering from windows at night. Some guests have reported feeling watched or unwelcome in certain parts of the house, especially after dark. 

While their periodic startling apparitions can frighten individuals, these specters are mostly considered inquisitive and non-evil. They are a lasting reminder of the history of the building and the many lives that have passed through its doors.

Unexplained Noises and Moving Objects

Strange noises and inexplicable movements are a daily reality at the Foster House. Amanda Davis and her family have heard a music box playing faintly when no one else was around, and the sound of a book slamming on a table has startled guests and staff alike. 

Martha McConnell, co-president of the Historical Society of Forsyth County, recalled when her drinking glass slid across the table on its own, followed by a loud, unexplained noise. She’s also heard accounts of pictures straightening themselves on the walls and doors slamming shut without any draft or visible cause.

One of the most memorable stories involves the restaurant’s antique grandfather clock. Amanda Davis purchased it at auction, and it worked perfectly-until it arrived at the Foster House. The clock refused to tick for years, no matter what was tried.

Then, just days before Amanda’s wedding, she suddenly heard the clock ticking while she was decorating late at night. She took it as a sign, a wedding present from the house’s resident ghosts, happy for the celebration in their old home.

Granny Heard and Other Local Legends

Beyond the Foster family, other local legends have taken root at the restaurant. One such specter is “Granny Heard,” one member of the Foster family’s history said to watch over the house. The family playfully taunts that Granny Heard can be bribed with some moonshine, a nod to Southern heritage and the house’s history.

There are also legends regarding a former owner named Leonard Hack, whose spirit is supposed to haunt his favorite rooms, and about a haunted music box that plays itself before it bangs shut.

The Foster House embraces these legends, printing them for curious customers and ghost hunters alike. Owner Amanda Davis even keeps a pamphlet handy detailing the restaurant’s ghostly activities. Staff and family members go out of their way to respect the spirits, believing that as long as the house is cared for and loved, its ghosts will remain content. 

The stories and experiences passed down through generations have become part of the Foster House’s identity, blending Southern hospitality with a healthy respect for the dead.

Haunted Cumming and Forsyth County

The Foster House is one of the numerous Forsyth County historic properties with a haunted history. From the Cumming Public School to the Brannon Hotel just outside, the neighborhood is haunted with ghost stories. What makes the Foster House unique is its intimate setting and sheer number of individual experiences throughout the years.

Skeptic or believer, a visit to the Foster House offers a fascinating look into Georgia’s haunted history. Its blend of Southern charm and ghostly activity makes it an excellent destination for anyone interested in ghostly stories or local history.

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Sources:

1. https://www.forsythnews.com/local/taking-tour-forsyth-county-haunted-spots-paranormal-investigators/
2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=2&v=KV9eOCSZJFw&embeds_referring_euri=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.perplexity.ai%2F&embeds_referring_origin=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.perplexity.ai&source_ve_path=Mjg2NjMsMjg2NjY
3. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UFgD7mLQoiQ
4. https://www.gainesvilletimes.com/news/local-ghost-hangouts/
5. https://www.foster-house.com/