Falcon Rest

Warren County, Tennessee's Clay Faulkner House, or Falcon Rest was constructed in 1896 and is a wonderful intact example of the Late Victorian Architectural style. The Faulkner family had come to McMinnville to establish mills on the Caney Fork and Collins Rivers. Perhaps their most famous mill was located in Rock Island. The mill, which is still intact, was one of the largest for its time. It only operated from 1892 until 1902, when it was damaged during the Good Friday McMinnville Flood. The mill never reopened and has sat vacant ever since. Following the flood Faulkner focused his sole attention on his Mountain City Cotton Mill. During the 1890s, Faulkner began having bladder trouble. He discovered that mineral water was a remedy for this ailment. He discovered mineral water on his land in northern Warren County (present day Bluff Springs, Dibrell areas). Always looking to turn a profit, Faulkner decided to construct a hotel on his land. The hotel would serve as a resort for tourists looking to take advantage of the mineral water craze. Also in the 1890s, Faulkner put plans in motion for a new house. Faulkner had lived in downtown McMinnville, and the horse and buggy ride to work was beginning to become to much for him. He set out to build the "finest house in the county." The house was constructed of solid brick, and Faulkner told his contractor to "dig down to the bedrock," when digging the basement and footers. When finished, the home indeed became one of the finest in Warren County. The home features a wrap around porch and gingerbread wood trim. Like most 19th century homes, Falcon Rest features an open air floor plan, in order to keep the home cool in the Summer and warm in the Winter. Falcon Rest was one of the first homes in Warren County to have electricity. In 1916 Clay Faulkner died and his widow, Mary, sold Falcon Rest in 1929. The home was passed through a number of owners, but sometime after 1943, the home was purchased by Dr. J.P. Dietrich, who opened a hospital and sanitarium in the home. The home became known as Faulkner Springs Hospital and Sanitarium. Until 1968, Falcon Rest was Warren County's only hospital facility. By 1968, a new more modern hospital was constructed in McMinnville, forcing the Faulkner Springs Hospital and Sanitarium to close. This aspect of Falcon Rest's history has led to speculation that it might be haunted, but of course this is untrue!! The home sat empty until 1983 when it was purchased and restoration began. The current owners purchased the home in 1989 and completed the restoration. Today Falcon Rest operates as a historic house museum, and has been dubbed "Tennessee's Biltmore." In 1992 Falcon Rest was listed in the National Register of Historic Places under Criteria B for its association with Clay Faulkner, and Criteria C for its architectural significance and integrity. FalconRest continues to be a significant part of Warren County and Tennessee history.

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.