Old Capshaw School

Capshaw School was founded in 1939 as part of Franklin Delano Roosevelt's New Deal program. Plans were quickly set in motion to build a modest red brick building to house the school. The school would be named in honor of Robert Byrd Capshaw. Capshaw was a Warren County, Tennessee native, who had been one of Cookeville's most prominent attorneys, and was also a leader in the Broad Street church of Christ, and later helped found Dixie College (Tennessee Technological University). His grandfather was a Revolutionary War veteran. Capshaw owned hundreds of acres throughout Cookeville, and used them for farming and hunting. His heirs donated approximately thirteen acres of his farm for the school. Capshaw never got to see the school bearing his name, as he passed away in 1928. Since his passing, Capshaw's story has been forgotten.

Robert Byrd Capshaw

The building was constructed with labor from the Works Progress Administration, which was also part of the New Deal program. The school began as a first through eighth grade school, but due to the baby boom, it later became a first through fourth grade school. The original building featured a single floor, with a basement underneath. This basement historically housed the cafeteria. In the 1970s and 1980s, wings were added on the school's elevations to house the growing enrollment numbers. By the turn of the century, school enrollment had grown so significantly that school officials were looking for a way to either expand the original school, or build a new building entirely. After much research and the discovery of asbestos in the old structure, the decision was made to build a new building and raze the old structure. The new structure would be state of the art, and most importantly would fit on the school's thirteen acres. By 2002 the new school was completed and opened. Sadly the old school was razed to make way for a playground. The portico however was saved and still remains in its original location. An addition constructed in the 1970s was also saved and was attached to the new building. If the original structure was still intact today, it would almost definitely be eligible and be listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Old Capshaw School serves as a reminder of a significant building gone to soon. But the legacy of Robert Byrd Capshaw still lives on.

The Capshaw Home is another piece of Cookeville's lost history. The home was located on Broad Street where the public library now stands. The Cookeville History Museum can be seen to the left of the home.

The original portico is the only remaining piece of the Old Capshaw School. 

In the Spring of 2017, Capshaw Principal Dr. Kim Wright and I began brainstorming ways that the history of Capshaw School, and most importantly Robert Byrd Capshaw's story could be told. We decided to apply to the Tennessee Historical Commission for an historic marker. After much time spent digging through old school yearbooks, and records of Robert Byrd Capshaw's our proposal was accepted on March 2, 2018. The maker was installed in July of 2018. On September 14, 2018 the marker was dedicated. It is our hope that the marker will help tell the story of not just the school, but the name behind it. Our hope is to one day hear from a descendent of Capshaw, so they can visit the school and see the historic marker.

At Moore Historical Consulting my #1 priority is historic preservation. Do you own a historic home, commercial building, or farm? If so contact me today to learn more about the historic preservation strategies I offer. These include nominations to the National Register of Historic Places, nominations for a Permanent Conservation Easement, nominations to the Century Farms program, and writing text for historic makers. At Moore Historical Consulting I make exploring and preserving your past fun and easy.

Donoho Hotel

Macon County, Tennessee's Donoho Hotel was constructed in 1916 to accommodate the community of Red Boiling Springs and their rising tourism. The hotel was built during the mineral springs resort boom of the early 19th century. The building is one of the last surviving examples of a primarily frame construction hotel with a two story veranda. The "Donoho" name comes from the hotel's founder Squire Donoho. The first hotel he built burned, and the current structure was built by his son in law Brady Chitwood. The new structure could house 128 guests. A large variety of mineral waters were available to guests staying at the Donoho. These waters were valuable due to their apparent healing power. Salt Lick Creek runs through the property. This creek was believed by many to have contained the "healing" mineral water. The Donoho family operated the hotel until 1955. From 1955 to the present the hotel has had a series of owners. The historic hotel is not the only historic building on the property, as there is an historic home, and a "stand alone" fruit cellar. Even with the decline of the mineral water industry, the Donoho hotel has been a Red Boiling Springs and Upper Cumberland landmark since its 1916 construction. On September 11, 1986 the Donoho Hotel was added to the National Register of Historic Places.

At Moore Historical Consulting my #1 priority is historic preservation. Do you own a historic home, commercial building, or farm? If so contact me today to learn more about the historic preservation strategies I offer. These include nominations to the National Register of Historic Places, nominations for a Permanent Conservation Easement, nominations to the Century Farms program, and writing text for historic makers. At Moore Historical Consulting I make exploring and preserving your past fun and easy.

James Bradley House

Smith County's James Bradley House is located in the small community of Dixon Springs. The home was constructed in 1805 by Revolutionary War veteran James Bradley. The home was part of a 367 acre planation that Bradley purchased at the end of the 18th century from William Sanders. The home is a fine example of the Federal architectural style, as the home contains all the necessary features of this architectural style. These features include red brick set in American running bond, chimneys on either side, and a simple entryway. There may also have been a portico on the house at one time as evidenced by lines above the transom. On September 18, 1978 the James Bradley House was added to the National Register of Historic Places under Criterion A for its overall historical significance, and Criterion C for its architectural significance. According to its National Register file, the home was in a dilapidated state when it was being nominated, but it has since been restored. The Federal architectural style is very scarce in Tennessee's Upper Cumberland, but the James Bradley House helps keep the architectural style alive.

At Moore Historical Consulting my #1 priority is historic preservation. Do you own a historic home, commercial building, or farm? If so contact me today to learn more about the historic preservation strategies I offer. These include nominations to the National Register of Historic Places, nominations for a Permanent Conservation Easement, nominations to the Century Farms program, and writing text for historic makers. At Moore Historical Consulting I make exploring and preserving your past fun and easy.
 

Mitchell House

Constructed in 1906, the Mitchell House, located in Lebanon, Tennessee, will be the subject of this week's Throwback Thursday presented by Moore Historical Consulting. This home is one of the finest examples of the Neo-Classical architectural style in Tennessee. The home was built by Dr. David Mitchell. Mitchell was the president of Cumberland University and one of the founders of Castle Heights Military Academy. The house contains ornamental woodwork, and chandeliers and rugs that were imported from Italy and Austria respectively. The Mitchell family lived in this home until 1923. Following an outbreak of Typhoid Fever, Mitchell's wife died. Dr. Mitchell was so heartbroken that he left his children in the care of their mother's parents and went to California. The house set empty until 1936, when Castle Heights Military Academy purchased it. The school converted the home into a junior school known as McFadden Hall. The home remained in this capacity until Castle Heights closed in 1986. The home then set vacant until 1997 when it was purchased by Cracker Barrel Old Country Store. Cracker Barrel's founder, Dan Evins, was a graduate of Castle Heights, and he wanted to preserve the old home. Using the original construction drawings, the home was restored to its former glory. The home became the new location of Cracker Barrel's corporate offices. In 2013, Cracker Barrel sold the home to the Sigma Pi Fraternity, who currently use the home for their national headquarters. In 1979 the Mitchell House was listed in the National Register of Historic Places under Criterion C for its local significance in architecture.

At Moore Historical Consulting my #1 priority is historic preservation. Do you own a historic home, commercial building, or farm? If so contact me today to learn more about the historic preservation strategies I offer. These include nominations to the National Register of Historic Places, nominations for a Permanent Conservation Easement, nominations to the Century Farms program, and writing text for historic makers. At Moore Historical Consulting I make exploring and preserving your past fun and easy.