Cemetery family

There's a story here, behind the placement of the statue, and I wish I knew what it was. Apparently, a family with a son who lived his whole prematurely shortened life with some crippling disease.

This can be seen in Evergreen Cemetery along Greenwood Dr. in Murfreesboro.

Ruby Falls Barn - Bridgeport, AL

Located in Jackson County, AL just south of Bridgeport, AL along old highway US72 (now signed as AL 277)

This painted barn must be a brand new advertisement for Ruby Falls. I found this barn on Google Maps street view, and from there, the barn does not appear to be painted when the picture was taken in 2009.
maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geo...
Forget that, I just checked the link and the Google Earth car must have gone through the area again a couple of months after this was taken.

Cumberland Mtn Tunnel Marker

A marker in honor of a historically significant tunnel along the railroad from Nashville to Chattanooga. They couldn't go over or around the mountain ridge, so they had to go through it. It's my understanding that this marker used to be at the tunnel, where nobody but train people could see it. Now it is in Cowan, TN, near the depot at the base of the ascent.

Blake Shelton plaque

A few days ago, I posted the plaque of Del Reeves. This Blake Shelton Plaque is also located at the Hickman County Ag expo in Grinders Switch, TN at a small garden display honoring the importance of the railroad and celebrities who lived nearby.

Grundy County Courthouse - Altamont, TN

Grundy County has one of the newest courthouses in the state. The previous courthouse was built in 1885, but was burned by an arsonist on May 3, 1990. This new courthouse was opened in April 1996. It's a two story brick building with a projected pedimented portico front entrance. There is also a low hip roof with a center octagonal cupola. Directly in front of the main entrance is tree-lined Pelham Rd.

A Room at Sanders Court

Col. Sanders not only started KFC, but he also had a hotel on Highway 25W. When the Restaurant Chain took off, and the hotel closed down, a sample room was recreated inside the KFC first restaurant in Corbin, KY

More of my thoughts here:
brentkmoore.blogspot.com/2008/02/col-sanders-for-senator....

Del Reeves plaque

Located at the Hickman County Ag expo in Grinders Switch, TN is a small garden display honoring the importance of the railroad and celebrities who lived nearby.

Sam Davis Museum - Pulaski, TN

Located in a National Historic District near the center of Pulaski, TN, the museum stands almost on the spot where the "Boy Hero of the Confederacy" was executed on November 27, 1863. Captured behind enemy lines with damaging information in his possession, Davis faced death by hanging rather than betray his source. The museum contains Civil War memorabilia as well as leg irons worn by young Sam Davis. The Museum is maintained by the Giles County Historical Society by Appointment Only. The actual spot of the execution is marked with a simple stone marker.

The day before I found this museum, which is tucked away in a residential neighborhood, I found a post card of this place in an antique store in the town of Cowan.

The Battle of Nashville Monument

Signifying an important event, the monument itself has had an interesting history.

The monument was originally commissioned by the Ladies Battelfield Associtation and created by Giuseppe Moretti. It was dedicated on Armistice Bay, 1927, on Franklin Rd. (U.S. 31) near Woodmont Blvd. This Post Card shows what it looked like at the time.

This memorial is dedicated to the struggle of both the Union and Confederate forces who clashed here on Dec. 15-16, 1864. Moretti interpreted the scene with two charging horses (for the North and the South) divided by a wall of antagonism. The horses are halted and quited into the spirit of teamwork by a youth who embodies the spirit of Unity (as the word UNITY is written on the banner which entines the horses.) Atop the summit of the shaft, and Angel of Peace protects the group. The monument is nationally significant as it was the first civil war memorial in the country created in the memory of both the North and the South.

A few decades after it was built, the cration of Interstate 65 meant Woodmont Blvd became a bridge in the area, and Franklin Road became a trench and you couldn't see the monument as it was well above the street.

In 1974, a tornado came through, destroying the statue's 30-foot carrara marble obelisk and angel, leaving just the base and bronze figures behind. Then, after the completion of Interstate 440 and its interchange with I-65 left the remains isolated where nobody could see it.

in 1992, the Tennessee Historical Commission selected an undeveloped site on Granny White Pike for the complete restoration of the monument. The new carved stone and obelisk are of white granite, quarried at Elberton, GA. The bronze figures - preserved and refurbished from Moretti's original work- face due east toward the rising sun as Moretti intended. The six foot angel at the apex was carved by local sculptor Coley Coleman

Here is a picture of the Civil War marker:
seemidtn.com/gallery/index.php?album=historical-markers/n...

Rhudy House - Elizabethton, TN

This brick home in the middle of Elizabethton, TN was built buy Capt. L.H. Rhudy in 1894 and remained in the family until 1992. He was a businessman and industrialist and developed much of downtown Elizabethton along with his brother-in-law Judge Dungan.

The interior and exterior walls of this Queen Anne style home are solid brick. The home has been remodeled often over the years, but the interior still retains most of the original oak and maple woodwork and 8 original fireplaces.

Today, the home is part of the Elizabethton Historic Distric entry on the National Register of Historic Places and is stop #1 on the Elizabethon Downtown Walking Tour

Bartow Co. Courthouse - Cartersville, GA

The Bartow Couthy Courthouse was built in an Italianate Style in 1903 and is topped with a clock tower and gold dome. In front of the courthouse is a statue honoring the men from the county who fought for the confederacy in the civil war.

Andrew Johnson's Early Home

Andrew Johnson and his family lived in this house from some time in the 1830's until 1851. Johnson was born and raised in Greeneville, TN. Before entering politics, he was a tailor, and his tailor shop is across the street from this house, although preseved inside of a brick building now.

While living here, his life changed drastically becoming a local alderman and then mayor of Greeneville, continuing on to state represenative and state senator. He was elected U.S. Representative 5 times but moved from this house during that time.
The house that President Johnson moved into in 1851 is just a few blocks away.

Today, this home is part of the Andrew Johnson Visitors Complex, which is part of the Andrew Johnson National Historic Site and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places

2 Similar churches

This church is the Salem Baptist Church in Liberty, TN along the old Main road, which is now bypassed by Highway US70. Apparently, this congregation dates back to 1809, and the building was built in 1927, a year before the other one opened up.

I thought it was cool to find a church building with this design and dome on top, and then 5 miles down the road, I saw another one with a similar design.



This church is the Prosperity Missionary Baptist Church in the corner of Wilson County, TN along highway 96 in the community of Prosperity, TN. Construction started on this building a year after the other one was finished.

Opryland Ballroom Mural: Belmont Mansion

Opryland Hotel is still closed due to the recent flooding. Hopefully, this area was unaffected. In Opryland Hotel's original ballroom area, the walls are painted to depict scenes from Nashville around the time of Tennessee's Centennial, in the late 1800's.

Belmont Mansion is the 1853 home of prominent Nashvillian Adelicia Acklen. The grounds of the mansion today make up Belmont University campus. For more information, see: www.belmontmansion.com/home.htm

Falls Mill

Falls Mill was built in 1873 near the town of Belvidere, TN on the western side of Franklin County. The Mill was built in this location because of the two small waterfalls along factory creek could be harnessed.

upstream from the first waterfall is an 8 foot high dam which routes water into a millrace to supply water to the waterwheel. The 32 foot tall and 4 foot wide wheel from the Fits Waterwheel company of Hanover, PA was installed in 1906 and is believed to be the tallest overshot waterwheel still in productive service in the U.S.

Today, the mill produces stone ground grits, cornmeal and flour. At one time, this was a cotton mill and many of the looms are on display on the third floor. Much of the mill is open as a museum which visitors can see. The mill is also on the National Register of Historic Places.

On the right, you can see Falls Mill Falls as the strem tumbles 6 feet into the pool below.

Welcome to FredThompsonville

also known as Lawrenceburg, TN. This is seen when driving along U.S. 64 when coming east from Pulaski. They removed the addition that said "future president"

I'm not sure how often he makes appearances in his old hometown, but when he formally announced his campaign kick-off, he did it from the Lawrenceburg town square.

Stuntbike at the Williamson County Fair.

This would be a totally awesome photo if this took place outside when it was sunny instead of indoors in a gym. Ohterwise, since it's at the Williamson County Fair, in the heat of early August, you'll be thankful if you go and they still keep most of the entertainment indoors.

As you can see, the stunt biker does a flip in the air over another of the stunt team who sits in a chair between the ramps.

Cameron-Patton Hotel / Coca-Cola Mural

Along the main road through the heart of South Pittsburg, TN

I don't have any info about this former hotel other than the name of the building on the side, in addition to the classic Drink Coca-Cola mural.

Davidson Co. Courthouse (old)

The 1937 Davidson County Courthouse was the 5th (of 6) to be used in Nashville.

In 1935, the Courthouse of 1857 burned, and the county decided to make the replacement building in the public square the County Courthouse and Nashville City Hall.

A Competition was held to design the new building, and the winning Architects were Emmons H. Woolwine of Nashville and Fredrich C. Hirons of New York with their PWA-influenced Art Deco design. The Cornerstone was placed on Aug. 10, 1936 and was dedicated on Dec. 8, 1937. The building cost $2,000,000 and was the first building in the city with air conditioning. The building is eight stories high and measures 260 feet by 96 feet. The official title of the building was Davidson County Public Building and Court House.

After several decades of use, updates were needed. Starting in 2003, the Courthouse began an extensive renovation. (When I was summoned for jury duty, courts were held in MetroCenter.) For additional space, a newer courthouse was built nearby with similar design themes. Also, the surface parking lot in front of the courthouse was replaced by an underground lot, and a small public park. The park has an observation deck, large lawn, small reflecting pool and picnic tables.

The quality of the Architecture placed the building on the National Register of Historic Places. As a significant Public Works Administration project, it is an example of Government Art Deco. The symbolism and Classical Columns are typical of a public building. The excellent craftsmanship is seen in the decorative work: Bronze castings, terra cotta and carvings.

See Ruby Falls Barn

Along Interstate 24 in Coffee County, TN is this Ruby Falls barn in a strategic bend in the road near mile marker 100. This barn was built in 2007 to replace an older barn that had collapsed.

I make the drive to Chattanooga a couple of times a year, and I missed this barn multiple times before I finally got a shot of it. (This is my second time to get a picture of it!) There is an Old School See Rock City Birdhouse shaped billboard up the hill which you can see from a mile away. If I wasn't driving, I used to always pay attention to that and mss the Ruby Falls barn after it was too late.

Timothy Demonbreun Statue - 1st Ave. Nashville

Honoring one of Nashville's first settlers. The plaque reads:

Jacques Timothe Doucher De Montbrun
(Timothy Demonbreun)
1747-1826
French Canadian Fur Trader and Explorer
Officer of the American Revolution
Lieutenant Governor of the Illinois Territory
Honored as Nashville's "First citizen"
Sculptor: Alan Lequire
Plaque donated in memory of:
Dr. Truman Weldon Demunbrun, president of the
Timothy Demonbreun Heritage Society 1977-1996

Meriwether Lewis Monument

Meriwether Lewis is the Lewis of the famous Lewis and Clark exploring duo. In 1809, Lewis, while he was the governor of the Louisiana Territory was travelling the old Natchez Trace, when he stopped at an Inn, Grinder's Stand. Lewis was later found with two gunshot wounds, possibly self-inflicted or possibly an unsolved murder.

In 1848, Tennessee erected this broken column monument, symbolizing Lewis's untimely death at age 35. In 1925, President Coolidge designated this a National Monument. The county where this lies became Lewis County in 1843. In 1961, this monument and park became under the oversignt of the Natchez Trace Parkway, and also maintains a campground here.

On its east side is the following inscription:
In the language of Mr. Jefferson:— "His courage was undaunted; his firmness and perseverance yielded to nothing but impossibilities; a rigid disciplinarian yet tender as a father of those committed to his charge; honest, disinterested, liberal, with a sound understanding and a scupulous fidelity to truth."

Thunderbolt

Summer is heating up and out come the carnival rides! The Thunderbolt is one of those rides that goes faster than you think it will, and if you're expecting a very calm ride, it isn't.

For this ride, I set up the camera to focus in tight on one spot in the sun, and just held down the rapid-fire-take-a-picture-over-and-over mode as the riders kept whizzing by. This mother and daughter consistantly had the best facial expressions each time they passed by and looked like they had the most fun. I take pictures for the state fair and it's easier when everybody is full of joy.

Atop Lookout Mt.

Some Rock City barns are easier to spot than others. This one was likely painted decades ago. Since then, the roof has rusted so bad, that you almost can't see the faded letters at all. (Even still, you need to view it at original size just to see it.) In smaller letters, at the top in the center is SEE. Then in larger letters going all the way across is ROCK CITY. The R is covered by the tree, and part of the T and all the Y of the metal roof is missing. easier to read is: atop LOOKOUT MT. Chattanooga, Tenn.

This barn is on US Highway 41, south of Murfreesboro and barely in Rutherford Co. on the East side of the street.

Before interstates, if you were willing to drive up and down Monteagle, US 41 is the old highway that goes between Chattanooga and runs a mile from my house. (It actually connects Milwaukee to Miami.) This area is now much less travelled with the construction of I-24 in the 1960's. This barn was likely painted over 40 years ago.

Tennessee Highway Patrol Office - Crossville

Crossville, TN - Built in 1936 - This quite small bungalow was made of Crab Orchard Stone, like so many of the buildings in Crossville - located on Main St. next door to the Cumberland County Courthouse - Listed on the National Register of Historic Places

Kids enjoy the fireworks

Every year, our church buys a couple hundred dollars worth of fireworks and has a modest show in our parking lot. A couple of boys wanted a good view. Our church is out in the country. When I lived in the big city, the church I went to would have never done anything like this.

Country father & son time

Nothing says good safe family fun like shooting discount fireworks off of train tracks. Or maybe it isn't a good idea. Have fun and stay safe.

Nashville Fireworks on the 4th

Thinking about going downtown for the fireworks tomorrow? Have fun if you go.

A couple of years ago, I told myself that I didn't want to go downtown and deal with 100,000 people, even if the fireworks here are really good. Then I was browsing a different photo website and saw someone who took a pic of the show last year from the east bank side with the skyline in the background and that was all the inspiration I needed.

I'm glad I did it but I may never go again. I like the results, but not the hassle. I was in an area where a lot of people with expensive cameras and tripods hung out. Be sure to get there early.

Sevier Station, ca. 1792

Perhaps the oldest building I have come across in Middle Tennessee is Sevier Station, built by Col. Valentine Sevier, a defender from the Cherokee Indians of the early settlers of the area. Located in Clarksville, TN on Red Paint Hill. The Marker on the right was placed there by the D.A.R. in 1936

Smithville Fiddler's Jamboree

One of Middle Tennessee's biggest festivals happens this weekend on Friday and Saturday, the Smithville Fiddler's Jamboree. This even takes place every year around Smithville's town square, around the DeKalb County Courthouse. A stage is set up on one side of the square, with plenty of booths selling fair food and other collectibles all around the rest of the heart of town.

If this is your kind of music, there is not a short supply of it. On the main stage you may have competitions going on, while elsewhere on the other sides of the square full groups or soloists practice their tunes or strum for the fun of it.