Whitson-Maddux House

Cookeville, Tennessee's former Whitson-Maddux House was built in the 19th century by Jeremiah and Sallie Barnes Whitson. Not to be confused with Jere Whitson, Jeremiah was a farmer and he also served in General George Gibbs Dibrell's 8th Tennessee Confederate Cavalry. The couple constructed this Federal style home for themselves and their nine children. Whitson's oldest daughter Alice married prominent Cookeville attorney Robert Capshaw. The home was a five bay Federal style structure with a full facade Greek Revival style portico. The Greek Revival portico was added by Bob Lee Maddux. Maddux was a prominent businessman in Cookeville and is responsible for owning and operating the Maddux Hardware Store for many years. The house was the center of a large farm just south of Cookeville. Throughout the years, the house witnessed both marriages and funerals in her parlors. In recents years, the home went through a series of owners. A photography business was the last to operate out of it. In 2017 the property was sold to a developer and in June 2019 all the trees were removed and the home was razed to make way for new development. Sadly for every historic preservation victory, there seems to always be at least one defeat.

Jeremiah Whitson from TNGenes.com

Bob Lee Maddux from FindAGrave.com

Whitson-Maddux House before the Greek Revival style portico was added from AJLambert.com

There are no words to describe this as the author drove past yesterday afternoon.

Special thanks to Natasha Moseley for capturing the photograph of the Whitson-Maddux House at the top of this article. I feel a connection to the Whitson family based on the research I have done on the Capshaw family. It is interesting to see how all the families in Cookeville are connected in one way or another. I know I am deeply rooted!!

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.

Oakham

McMinnville, Tennessee's Oakham was constructed in two phases beginning in 1835. The home was first designed in the Federal/Georgian architectural style, and later adopted Greek Revival elements. The overall form of the home is known as "piano box." Two large wings on either side and a small central section constitute this style. The interior of the home features an open air floor plan with ease of cooling in mind. The home was designed and constructed by Phillip Hoodenpyl for farmer William Black. The central section was built in 1835 with the wings on each of the side elevations added in 1850. Oakham became the center of a large farm operated by the Black and Marbury families. In addition to farming, the Black's were involved in land speculation and banking and the Marbury's were involved in the railroad. The two families were connected by marriage. In 1937, the home and surrounding land were purchased by the Warren County Government for use as the poorhouse. Oakham became known as the Elizabeth J. Magness Home for the Aged and Indigent until 1982. In 1983, Oakham was listed in the National Register of Historic Places under Criterion B and C for its association with prominent McMinnville citizens and also for its significance in architecture. Today the home remains privately owned and is located in the business district of McMinnville next door to the modern hospital.

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 R. DeBow House

Trousdale County, Tennessee's James R. DeBow House was constructed between 1854 and 1870. Construction on the home was delayed due to the Civil War. The home is a perfect example of the Italianate style in the Upper Cumberland region of Tennessee. The home sits on a cut limestone foundation, with walls sheathed in brick, a double portico, and a slate roof. The walls feature three layers of brick, and the slates on the roof, were imported from England. The windows, doors, and trim on this home are typical of the Italianate style. The windows, and doors are curved at their top, and the cornice all have wide entablature and overhanging eaves. No two windows are the same size, due to them being milled on site. The home's four original chimneys and cast iron lightening rods all remain intact. The interior of the home, features a central hall floor plan, with three rooms on each floor. The land that the home sits on was given as a land grant to Fredrick DeBow for his service in the American Revolutionary War. James R. DeBow (grandson) inherited this land and began construction of his family's home. As noted above, construction on the Italianate style structure began in 1854 and was not completed until 1870. Construction was delayed due to the Civil War. During the halt in construction, the partially completed home was used by Union soldiers as a hospital following General John Hunt Morgan's 1862 raid on Hartsville. Following the Civil War and completion of his home, DeBow became involved in early politics in Trousdale County. He drew up the boundary lines of the county and pushed for its establishment. Some reports state that the meeting to officially draw up and approve the proposed boundary lines of the county was held in the front parlor of DeBow's home. In the late 1800s, the home was sold out of the DeBow family and has had a variety of owners since. The home remains privately owned as of 2019. In 1988, the DeBow House was listed in the National Register of Historic Places under Criterion C for its architectural significance. The home remains one of the Upper Cumberland's finest examples of the Italianate architectural style.

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.