Riverside

Franklin, Tennessee's Riverside Mansion, or McGavock-Gaines House was constructed by James Randal McGavock in 1836. McGavock was the son of Nashville Mayor (1824-1825) Randal McGavock. The elder McGavock built and resided at the nearby Carnton Plantation. The younger McGavock's Riverside Mansion replaced his former two story log residence that was constructed shortly after his marriage in 1833. This log structure is still extant and is located on the property. McGavock made Riverside the center of his 714 acre plantation. The home's name comes from the Harpeth River that flows nearby. Riverside remained in the McGavock family until 1900 when it was sold to James Gaines. The home originally featured a central passage "I" floor plan, with Greek Revival detailing. Following a 1905 fire, which gutted the interior, the home was rebuilt in the Classical Revival style by Gaines. Gaines used the original walls, and floor plan, only adding a two story full height entry portico. Today Riverside remains privately owned and is surrounded on all sides by modern homes. In 1988 Riverside was listed in the National Register of Historic Places for its significance in architecture. Riverside can be yours, as it is currently for sale.

   The original two story log cabin constructed by James Randal McGavock in 1833.

Riverside real estate listing: https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/1711-Forrest-Crossing-Cir-Franklin-TN-37064/42639268_zpid/

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.

Fite-Williams-Ligon House

Carthage, Tennessee's Fite-Williams-Ligon House was constructed in 1850. The home started life as a two story, single pen structure. In 1877, the home was updated to its current appearance. The home is one of the Upper Cumberland's only examples of the Italianate architectural style. Like all Italianate style homes, this home contains "floor to ceiling" windows, and curved transoms above the entry doors. The home also features a double portico, and an open air, central hall floor plan. The interior is dominated by a stairway in the central hall and original mantels in the upstairs and downstairs sections. The home features a bay window at its western most edge. The home is situated on a bluff about a half mile from the Cumberland River, just west of Carthage's commercial district. During this home's period of historical significance, it was owned by three notable Carthage families. According to the home's National Register of Historic Places nomination, the earliest record of this home records it being used as a Federal hospital during the Civil War. The nomination goes on to state that in 1873, the home was purchased by Confederate Colonel John Armenus Fite. Fite had been captured at Gettysburg and was imprisoned for two years at Johnson's Island, Ohio. Upon returning from the War, he established a law practice in Carthage. In addition to his private practice, Fite served as Clerk and Master of Chancery Court, 5th Judicial Circuit Judge, Tennessee Adjunct General, and President of the Smith County Bank. In 1905, Fite sold this home to Carthage businessman J.W. "Wint" Williams. Williams was a well known entrepreneur who had founded the Carthage Packet Company. Williams also led the charge in getting a new steel bridge constructed over the Caney Fork River, and he was also the founder of the First National Bank of Carthage. Following the death of Williams, Carthage mayor Letcher Alexander "L.A." Ligon, purchased the property out of the Williams estate. During his time as mayor, Ligon was responsible for the establishment of several Carthage schools. When Ligon died in 1947, the home was passed through several different private owners. In 2003 the home was listed in the National Register of Historic Places under Criteria A and C for its historical and architectural significance. Today the home remains privately owned and can be yours as it is currently for sale. The Fite-Williams-Ligon House is one of the oldest homes in Carthage, and is a rare example of the Italianate architectural style in the Upper Cumberland.

Fite-Williams-Ligon House real estate listing: https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/212-Fite-Ave-W-Carthage-TN-37030/42372811_zpid/

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.

Beechwood Hall

Franklin, Tennessee's Beechwood Hall or H.G.W. Mayberry House was constructed in 1856. The home is a mixture of the Greek Revival and Italianate architectural styles. Greek Revival elements of the home are seen in the full height entry portico. Italianate influences are seen in the home's arched single pane windows and door transom. The windows span from the floor to the ceiling of the home. This is common in almost all Italianate style structures. The home has a central, open air floor plan with chimneys on each of the side elevations. The home features a cantilevered staircase in its central hallway. The home is sheathed in brick, covered in stucco. The home was once the center of one of Franklin, Tennessee's largest plantations. Henry G.W. Mayberry was given the tract of land from his father in law Henry Hunter, as a wedding present. Mayberry constructed a log cabin called Liberty Hall. This log cabin burned in 1851. Mayberry commissioned architect Pryor Lilly to build a two story mansion for his family. The site for the home was located on a hill overlooking the plantation. By the time the Civil War broke out, Mayberry was the largest landowner in Franklin. Census records stated that he owned 1,608 acres, and 24 slaves. Mayberry was a captain in the Confederate army during the Civil War. When he returned to Beechwood Hall following the war, Mayberry had 1,533 acres along with several cotton gins and mills. When Mayberry passed in 1875, his plantation was sold out of the family. In the mid 19th century, the home was abandoned and used as a barn. The home was restored in 1967. In 1988 Beechwood Hall was listed in the National Register of Historic Places under Criteria C for its architectural significance on a local level. Country music stars Hank Williams Jr, and most recently Tim McGraw and Faith Hill have owned this property. Beechwood Hall is a Tennessee treasure and can be yours as it is currently for sale.

Beechwood Hall real estate listing: https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/3538-Bear-Creek-Rd-Franklin-TN-37064/2087536683_zpid/ 

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.  

Davis-Hull House

Carthage, Tennessee's Davis-Hull House was constructed in 1889 just north of downtown Carthage. The home is one of the Upper Cumberland's finest examples of both the Folk Victorian and Gable Front and Wing architectural styles. Homes in these styles were often times constructed of weatherboard, but the Davis-Hull House is sheathed entirely in brick. Its floor plan matches that of other homes of this style in the Upper Cumberland. The home has an "I" wing on its rear elevation. The home was designed and built by Calvin N. Davis. Known to Carthage locals as "Captain Davis," as he had served as a captain during the Civil War. He and his family had relocated from Nashville to Carthage in order to raise their eight children in a more rural area. Davis had been a wholesale merchant during his time in Nashville. Soon Davis became involved in the commercial life of Carthage. With the rise of the railroad industry, Davis established the Rewoda Milling Company and the Carthage Tobacco Works. These two entities were located across the Cumberland River from Carthage, in a community now known as South Carthage. Area farmers commonly brought grain and tobacco to both entities for processing and to sell. In 1900 this home was sold out of the Davis family. For five years it had various owners, but in 1906, William Hull purchased it. Hull is credited with being the first man to electrify Carthage. But perhaps more importantly then that, Hull was the father of future Secretary of State Cordell Hull. It is reported that the younger Hull only lived in the home in 1907, however he did maintain legal residence at the Carthage home while in Washington DC. Today the home remains privately owned. As with most historic homes and commercial buildings, the area around it has since modernized. The home is surrounded on all sides by modern developments that have sprung up along Carthage's Main Street. In 1983 the Davis-Hull House was listed in the National Register of Historic Places for its significance in architecture and its association with the Davis and Hull families.

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.