Belmont Mansion

Built in 1850, Nashville's Belmont Mansion was once the center of a 180 acre estate just south of downtown Nashville. The house was built for Joseph and Adelicia Acklen and is a mixture of the Greek Revival and Italianate architectural styles. William Strickland, architect of the Tennessee State Capitol, is believed to be the architect of the Acklen home, however no evidence exists that proves this. Greek Revival style elements that are most prominent on the Belmont Mansion are the columns on the facade. Italianate style elements that are the most prominent include the floor to ceiling windows, ornamentation on the roof line, and porticos which flank the main entry door. These porticos are much like the ones found on the Clover Bottom and Two Rivers mansions in east Nashville. The interior of the home contains a central hallway with a single centered staircase. The home is equipped with two floors, with an observatory tower on the roof. The observatory tower is a unique touch, as it was used historically for viewing astronomical wonders, the estate, and downtown Nashville. The estate and mansion were originally known as Belle Monte, but changed over time. The Acklen's bought the property and built the home as a Summer retreat from their seven cotton plantations in Louisiana. Adelicia was actually the deeded owner of all seven of these plantations. During her lifetime, she was considered "the wealthiest woman in the South." The grounds of the Belmont Mansion featured gardens, conservatories, a lake and a zoo. The conservatories featured tropical fruits and flowers and the zoo featured bears, monkeys, and alligators. The Acklen's had six children, including twins who died of scarlet fever in 1855. Joseph Acklen died in 1863 while in Louisiana overseeing Adelicia's cotton plantations. During the first two weeks of December 1864, 13,000 Union troops camped on the grounds of the Belmont Mansion. The home was never harmed, nor inhabited by either army. Alfred L. Crabb's book Dinner at Belmont tells of the social history of the Belmont Mansion beginning with the Civil War. During the Battle of Nashville, the mansion served as the line of battle. Shortly after the conclusion of the war, Adelicia became interested in collecting art. She traveled all over Europe obtaining works of art and filling Belmont Mansion with them. Shortly before her 1887 death, Adelicia sold the home and property to Lewis T. Baxter for approximately $54,000. In 1890, the home was opened as a women's academy. In 1913 the school merged with Ward's Seminary and became Ward-Belmont. In 1951 the Tennessee Baptist Convention purchased the property and renamed the school Belmont College, now known today as Belmont University. In 1971, the Belmont Mansion was listed in the National Register of Historic Places under Criterion A and C for its historical and architectural significance. The Belmont Mansion is currently operated by Belmont University and the Belmont Mansion Association and is open to the pubic for tours.

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.

Belair

Nashville's Belair Mansion was constructed in 1832 in present day Donelson. The land in which the home was constructed was part of a land grant given to John Harding for military service. Harding was the owner of the Belle Meade Plantation. The home was built for Harding's daughter Elizabeth and her husband Joseph Clay. In 1838, the Clay's sold the home and land to outgoing Nashville mayor William Nichol. Belair is a five bay Federal style structure, with a Classical Revival style two story portico. The central hall staircase is an exact copy of the one found inside Andrew Jackson's Hermitage Mansion. Wings on the side elevations were designed to mimic the Hermitage as well. Belair contains a secret room accessed only by opening a window and stepping down into it. This room no doubt, came in handy during the Civil War. Following William Nichol's death in 1878, his widow sold Belair. The property passed through a series of owners throughout the remainder of the nineteenth century and throughout the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. As Nashville grew, the area around Belair changed. Modern commercial and residential developments popped up all around. Lebanon Pike (U.S. Hwy 70) was constructed at the front of the property, and Briley Parkway (TN Hwy 155) were constructed at its west. Still Belair stood like a rock. In 1971, Belair was listed in the National Register of Historic Places under Criterion C for its architectural significance. In 2017, the home was purchased and plans are currently underway to convert the home into a Bed and Breakfast.

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.

West Meade

Nashville's West Meade was constructed in 1886 for Howell Edmunds Jackson and his wife, the former Mary Elizabeth Harding. Jackson was a United States Senator and a Supreme Court Justice. The couple built their new home on the grounds of Jackson's father in law's Belle Meade Plantation. The site chosen was on 2,600 acres of land that Mary Elizabeth had been given by her father in the western portion of his property, and was thus named West Meade. To differentiate the main house from the newer one, Jackson constructed it in the Victorian architectural style. The facade of the house features four bays, with a centralized three story porch or tower. Ornate brackets, balustrades, and transoms also allow West Meade to properly convey its Victorian architectural style. The red brick used to construct the walls were fired on the property, and the structure sits on a native limestone foundation. Nine rooms are found downstairs, with eleven on the second floor, and a ballroom and widow's walks on the third floor. Jackson continued many of the Belle Meade traditions, most notably the raising of thoroughbred horses. By 1906, Belle Meade and West Meade were sold out of the Harding and Jackson families respectively. Both homes were preserved and became private residences, however the land around both houses were developed and became known as Belle Meade and West Meade. In 1975, West Meade was listed in the National Register of Historic Places under Criterion A and C for its association with political figures and its significance in agriculture and architecture. Today Belle Meade serves as a house museum while West Meade remains a private residence.

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.

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.

Natchez Trace Parkway Bridge

Williamson County, Tennessee's Natchez Trace Parkway Bridge was constructed in 1993, and was officially opened in 1994. The bridge spans a total of 1,572 feet, carrying the Natchez Trace Parkway over State Highway 96. The bridge is designed with two arches, making it one of the most unique bridges in Tennessee. The bridge is also unique because it does not use spandrel columns. Instead the weight of the bridge is distributed evenly at the crown of each of the arches. Each of the arches, and the deck were constructed using the balanced cantilever method. Since the bridge's construction, it has won numerous awards. In 1995, it won the Presidential Award for Design Excellence. In 1996, the bridge won an Award of Merit from the Federal Highway Administration. Sadly, in recent years, the Natchez Trace Parkway Bridge has been dubbed a "suicide bridge." The bridge is equipped with only thirty-two inch railings. This factor alone makes it easy for individuals to jump off into the valley below in order to take their own lives. In 2011, suicide prevention signs were posted on the bridge, however as of 2018, at least thirty-two people have taken their lives by jumping off the bridge. Suicide awareness groups and the National Park Service are currently working together to develop a solution in order to make the bridge safer. In twenty-four years, the Natchez Trace Parkway Bridge will be eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places. The bridge is an engineering marvel and is a beautiful aspect of the Tennessee landscape. However the bridge's status as a "suicide bridge" casts a grim shadow over it, especially for the family's of the thirty-two individuals that have taken their own lives by jumping off this bridge.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255

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.