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.      

Sam Davis House

Smyrna, Tennessee's Sam Davis House was constructed in 1810 as a log structure with a Greek Revival style portico. In 1847 Charles Davis purchased the home and covered the logs with poplar siding. He also added a wing on the home's rear elevation. Perhaps the most famous member of the Davis family was their eldest son Sam. When Sam was just 19 years old he enlisted in the Confederate Army. He was assigned to the First Tennessee Volunteer Infantry as a private. While in this regiment he saw battle action at Perryville and Shiloh. Davis was wounded during the latter battle. Eventually Davis was reassigned to Coleman's Scouts, where he served as a courier. On November 20, 1863 Davis was captured in Minor Hill, Tennessee on charges of espionage. The Union troops found Davis in possession of anti-Union newspapers and detailed drawings of Union fortifications in and around Nashville. Davis was held for trial in Pulaski, Tennessee. Davis was later tried, convicted, and hanged for espionage. Sam Davis was 21. His death became one of the Civil War's most notable examples of martyrdom. The "boy hero of the Confederacy" was brought back home to Smyrna and buried behind his family's home. The Davis family continued to reside in this home until 1927 when the State of Tennessee purchased it and the surrounding property. In 1969 the Sam Davis House was listed in the National Register of Historic Places. In 2016 a Navy Blue Angels airplane crashed in a field directly behind the Sam Davis House. By doing this, the pilot saved the lives of numerous people. Today the home still functions as a museum and is open to visitors year round.

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.

Magness Community House and Library

McMinnville, Tennessee's William H and Edgar Magness Community House and Library was constructed in 1931 in downtown McMinnville. The building replaced a structure located on the same lot, at the corner of Main and Chancery Streets. The building is constructed of limestone, in the Classical Revival architectural style. A brick addition has since been added to the building's rear elevation. The building features two stories, with a basement underneath. The building has and continues to serve as a library and community meeting place. Historically, the building's basement served as a "Rest Room" (no not what you are thinking). The "Rest Rooms" in this building served as a safe place for women and children who were down on their luck and had no place to go. The Magness Community House and Library staff also handed out clothing and food to folks in the McMinnville and surrounding areas that were down on their luck. The first floor of the building historically and currently serves as the library. William H. and Edgar Magness were staunch supporters of education and they wanted to make sure that residents of McMinnville and surrounding communities had access to books and educational materials. Mary Steakley Cunningham served as the Magness Library's librarian from 1931 until here death in 1954. The second level of the building historically and currently serves as overflow for library materials, and community meeting rooms. A large auditorium is also located in this portion of the building. In 1993, the Magness Library was listed in the National Register of Historic Places under Criterion A (overall history), B (association with significant people), and C (architectural significance). It is one of twenty-two National Register properties in Warren County. The Magness Library continues to serve the same purpose that it was built for in 1931.

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.

Hermitage Hotel

Nashville's Hermitage Hotel, located in the heart of Downtown Nashville, was constructed in 1910. At the time, it was Nashville's third skyscraper, standing nine stories high. The hotel derives its name from Andrew Jackson's Hermitage estate in east Nashville. The hotel is Tennessee's only commercial building designed and constructed in the Beaux-arts architectural style. Accommodations started at $2 and up, and the Hotel's 250 rooms were marketed as fireproof, noiseproof, and dustproof. The lobby of the Hermitage Hotel became and still is the most well known feature of the building. The lobby features ornamental plaster, and hand painted glass ceilings. The grand ballroom plays host to state events such as gubernatorial inauguration parties. A restaurant in the lower level of the Hermitage Hotel is known as the Capitol Grille. This restaurant provides high quality dining for both hotel guests and the general public. In the 1920s, during the heart of the Women's Suffrage Movement, the Hermitage Hotel served as a meeting place for leaders of the movement. Presidents William Howard Taft, Woodrow Wilson, John F. Kennedy, Lyndon B. Johnson, and Richard Nixon have all been entertained and have spent the night at the Hermitage Hotel. In 1977, the Hermitage Hotel closed. With its future in doubt, a group of concerned citizens, led by Nashville mayor, Richard Fulton, saved both the Hermitage Hotel and the Ryman Auditorium. The Hotel finally reopened in 1981 and has changed ownership numerous times since then. In 2000 the Hermitage underwent a major renovation. Guest rooms were modernized and historic features were restored. Finally on Valentine's Day 2003, the Hermitage Hotel reopened. It has been open to guests ever since. The American Automobile Association and Forbes Magazine have given the Hermitage Hotel a five star rating. The Hermitage Hotel is a Nashville landmark and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1975 for its significance in political and social history, and also for its architectural significance.

    Lobby inside the Hermitage Hotel

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.