Rugby Colony

The Rugby Colony is located in the Tennessee counties of Morgan and Scott. The community traces its history back to 1880, when it was established by author Thomas Hughes. Hughes goal was to make the community one that would free its residents from the economic depression in England. People that moved to Rugby would be able to own land and not have to deal with the social and moral corruption in England. The name "Rugby" came from the town in England that Hughes grew up in. After making numerous visits to the United States, Hughes finally decided on the spot in rural Tennessee for his community. Hughes tasked Franklin W. Smith with laying out the colony and established the Rugby Tennessee Company. The first structures to be constructed were a building known as "Pioneer College," a hotel known as "Tabard Inn," several homes, and a tennis and croquet court. Other structures that were built included a church (pictured above) and a library. Each of the buildings feature the same Victorian architectural style. In the Summer of 1881, Rugby was hit hard by an outbreak of Typhoid Fever. Seven residents of the colony succumbed to the illness. These seven were buried in a cemetery, within the Rugby colony. At its peak in 1884, approximately 400 people called Rugby home. In the next few years though a series of lawsuits involving land titles would prove fatal to the community and by 1887, Thomas Hughes left the colony permanently. By 1900, the Rugby Tennessee Company sold off all their land holdings and the Rugby Colony was basically no more. By 1966, a group known as Historic Rugby formed a nonprofit group to preserve the community. In 1972, the community was listed in the National Register of Historic Places as a district. Today, the community serves as a tourist attraction.

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.