Message from a soldier

Continuing the Memorial Day theme from the past two days comes one more post.



Each flag of remembrance had the opportunity to be sponsored and dedicated to the hero in your life. This one, in particular caught my attention, as it was a message from a soldier to the rest of us. Here is what Staff Sergeant Marc Golczynski has to say:

"I want all of you to be safe. And please don't feel bad for us. We are warriors. And as warriors have done before us, we joined this organization and are following orders because we believe that what we are doing is right. Many of us have volunteered to do this a second time due to our deep desire to finish the job we started. We fight and sometimes die so that our families don't have to. Stand beside us. Because we would do it for you. Because it is our unity that enables us to prosper as a nation."

Happy Memorial Day!

Continuing the theme from yesterday, here are some more pictures from the Flags of Remembrance event in Murfreesboro.



At each corner of the field was a wooden cut-out of an American Soldier kneeling with and with a rifle.

Murfreesboro 2011 Flags of Remembrance

For the 2011 Memorial Day Weekend, the Murfreesboro Noon Exchange Club is sponsoring the 3rd annual Healing Field Flags of Remembrance.

The grassy lawn on Medical Center Parkway next to The Avenue has been transformed into an awe-inspiring field of over 1500 United States Flags in honor of those Americans who serve and sacrifice.

The Original Jack Daniels Statue

This Statue of Jack Daniels was erected in 1941 and originally placed in front of the cave spring where the distillery gets its water for the whiskey.

This statue wasn't really built for durability to the outdoor elements and has now been relocated inside Jack Daniels visitor center. Now, a bronze statue is near the entrance of the spring.

Sanford Duncan Inn

The Sanford Duncan Inn was built in 1819 as a stagecoach inn along the route from Nashville to Louisville (and is now US31W).

When land surveyors were looking to define the broder between Tennessee and Kentucky, their equipment messed up causing them to veer off course, and instead of fixing their mistake, they gave some of Tennessee's land to Kentucky. Both states claimed a right to it, and this Inn is located in that land.

The area soon became a popular place to have duels, since if any police arrived to stop it, the duelers would tell the police they had no jurisdiction. Often times, those wishing to duel, such as Sam Houston (and sometimes both participants) would spend the night in this inn.

I first learned of this place when I blogged about a nearby Rock City Barn here:
see-rock-city.blogspot.com/2007/01/barn-corn-and-state-bo...

Old Southern Deposit Bank - Russellville, KY

Built in 1810, but most notably known as a bank robbed by the Jesse James Gang in 1868, which is now a major source of town pride in Russellville. Not too long ago, I was in an antique mall in Franklin and saw a framed art print of this place.

Davidson Co. Courthouse (New) & Ben West Bldg.

The building in the back is the newer Davidson County Courthouse, also known as the Justice Adolphus A. Birch Building and before that it was the Beverly Brian Building.
The New Courthouse, which is practically across the street from the old still-in-use courthouse, was completed in 2006, is 6 floors and 128' tall. It was completed at a cost of just over $40 Million, has 16 courtrooms, a mixed-use jail, connects to the older Ben West building in front of it.

The Ben West building was built as the City Market in 1922, which remained there until the Farmers Market opened up where the Bicentennial Mall is Today, then it became the Ben West building functioning as city hall. Now, among other things, it is used as law enforcement offices with the old courthouse across the street and the new courthouse in the background. Of architectural significance is the Dome on top with a monopteron and the portico main entrance.
This photo was taken from the Public Square observation deck.

Ben West was mayor of Nashville from 1951-1963.
Beverly Briley was mayor of Nashville from 1963-75. Adolphus Birch was the first African-American to serve as Chief Justice of the Tennessee Supreme Court.

Franklin-Pearson House - Cowan, TN

In Cowan, TN (Franklin County) There is an old Railroad Hotel that is still open for business, all these years after passenger trains have ceased their route from Nashville to Chattanooga. It has been helped by the fact that it's also on highway US41A, making it the last place to stay the night before making the ascent up the Cumberland Plateau. It is also popular with visitors of University of the South, just a few miles up the mountain. For the whole story:
www.franklinpearson.com/history.html

13-year Cicada Nymph

Theeeeyyyyyyrrrreee Baaaaaaaaaaccccckkkk!

I think about the swarm of Cicadas, and my first reaction is to shudder. That's because I think back to when I was 8 and how much they terrified me then. A couple of swarms later, and I'm an adult now, so I think I should be able to handle it.

When the cicada emerges from its shell, while still in the nymph stage, it's a white color, I suppose for a couple of hours.

Then, there's this:
brentkmoore.blogspot.com/2011/05/facts-about-brood-xix-ci...
Facts about the Brood XIX Cicadas

Opryland Ballroom Mural: Jubilee Hall

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. To view the entire set of 8, Click Here. I can only assume these are still in place since the May 2010 Flood, as I haven't been back to Opryland since then.

Jubilee Hall, dedicated in January 1876, is one of the oldest structures continuously in use for educational purposes by the African American community. Today, the six-story building serves as a residence for first-year female students. Over the years, as many as three generations of women in the same family--grandmother, mother, and daughter--have at different times occupied the same dormitory suite, making Jubilee Hall one of the most cherished buildings on the campus. Jubilee Hall has received recognition from the State of Tennessee in the form of a historical marker denoting the structure's significance. In 1976 the National Park Service designated Jubilee Hall as a National Historic Landmark.

1817 Caldwell Saddle Factory - Russellville, KY

This old 4-story brick building in Russellville, KY is thought to be the oldest industrial building in Kentucky. It may date back to 1810, despite the sign showing 1817.

Wyatt Archaeological Museum

Here's a Tennessee tourist attraction you may not be familiar with, located right off the interstate 65 south of Columbia, TN (At the Lynnville & Cornersville exit, TN129)

Ron Wyatt was a self taught archaeologist who claims to have found several important Biblical discoveries. He has a lot of devoted followers, but also several who claim his work was fraudulent.

I first learned of him when he spoke at my middle school. (yes, it was a private school.) He brought with him what was called a piece of Noah's Ark, the remains of a piece of "fire and brimstone" that destroyed Sodom and a working model of how he thinks the Pyramids were built.

Wyatt died in 1999, but his legacy lives on in the museum. For a balanced look at his story, check the wikipedia article:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ron_Wyatt

Here's the museum's website:
www.wyattmuseum.com/

Last Train to Here

The Clarksville in the Monkees song may have been the Clarksville in Tennessee. The last train to Clarksville was in 1968, a couple of years after the song was a hit.

L&N built this train depot in 1901 but continuous service ceased in 1966. From 1970 to 95, the station remained unused until the Montgomery County Historical Society restored it. An RJ Corman engine (seen) and caboose are outside.

A small indoor museum is open on Tue, Thur and Sat from 9am to 1pm, as well as a Farmer's Market.

And the song's writer's really didn't have this depot in mind when they wrote it, opting for a generic city title, but we can pretend, can't we?

Lawrence County Courthouse - Lawrenceburg, TN

This courthouse was built in 1974 and is a couple of blocks away from the town square, located in US 64. This courthouse replaced an older courthouse from 1905 that couldn't be repaired any more. Built as part of a major urban renewal plan, it was built for $1.1 million, and is currently being expanded.

This one certainly has a modern 70's look to it, with a large fountain in the front turned off for the season.

Salem United Methodist Church

Salem, TN, located along Old Salem Pike (Old TN 99) west of Murfreesboro.

From the historical Marker:

In small groups known as societies, early settlers held worship services in their homes. Several months before the Tennessee Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church was organized, in 1812 the Revs. Thomas King and John Manley established the Salem Church in the home of Thomas Jarratt. On this site the Jarratt Society built a log house of worship in 1814. Two years later, Robert Smith deeded the land to the Salem Methodist Church. Handmade bricks replaced the logs in 1834. Rebuilt in 1903, the present edifice incorporates an original brick wall within its facade
seemidtn.com/gallery/index.php?album=historical-markers/r...

New Gallery - Cheekwood: Trains! Tennessee in G

Trains! Tennessee in G is an exhbit at Cheekwood Botanical Gardens in Nashville, TN running now through Dec. 2011.

The Trains! exhibit is a unique blending of model trains and some of Tennessee's most iconic locations. The Garden Train exhibit was designed by Paul Busse of Applied Imagination of Alexandria, KY.

Each of the buildings was designed using nature itself, such as sticks, twigs, tree bark, etc... The landscaping consists of over 2,500 tiny trees, shrubs and plants of over 250 varieties. There were seven different model trains running, a Southern Crescent passenger train, a Southern coal train, Chessie freight, Tweetsie Railroad, V&T RR, Thomas the Tank Engine and the Ladybug!





The rest of the set is available as an Extended Gallery.
See it here!

Nashville's Farmer's Market at Sundown

It's that time where many local farmers have their produce for sale at the Farmer's Market. The Farmer's Market began in Nashville at the City Market Building along James Robertson Parkway. Eventually, that building became a city municipal building renamed as the Ben West Building, although City Market is still etched along the concrete above the main entrance.

The Farmer's Market was then moved to where the Bicentennial Mall is today. When the Bicentennial Mall was built in the 90's, the new Farmer's Market was built next door to the mall now at its Corn cob columned location along 8th Ave. I remember going to the market as a child with my mom and she would always buy a basket of fresh peaches.

Uneeda Biscuit & Undertakers Mural - Clarksville, TN

1845
J.F. Couts' Sons
Furniture & Undertaking
(That seems to be an odd combo. However, in the day furniture makers were also good at making coffins.)
In rain or Shine - Just as fine.
(wet biscuits? I don't think so...)
Uneeda Biscuit
5c a package
National Biscuit Company

This is an old advertisement on the side of the Poston Building. The Poston Building is the oldest in downtown Clarksville, dating back to 1845, and is on the old town square. This advertisement was painted in the 1870's and was designed to be seen by riverboat traffic from those going down the Cumberland River.

Hosse & Hosse Keys Neon Sign

This is one of the nicer yet less well known neon signs in Nashville. It's located along Woodland St. in East Nashville.

Old Moore County Jail

Now a museum on the town square in Lynchburg, TN

Shamelessly cut and pasted from the internet, from the Lynchburg tourism website:
A visit to Lynchburg, Tennessee would not be complete without touring the Moore County Jail. The tour is free, although donations are greatfully appreciated to help maintain the building. Moore County Jail is the first jail in Lynchburg. Originally erected in 1872 and later reconstructed in 1893This facility remained in operation until 1990. Today the jail acts as one of the most interesting tours to be taken in the area.

More Great Tennessee Air Show Photos

Tomorrow, we will get back to regular posts, but for now, I'd like to share a few more air show photos since that just happened over the weekend.

In the picture above, pilot Jason Newburg performs a knife-edge after take-off.



if you'd like to see more of these photos, I have several in an extended gallery on the website here:
seemidtn.com/gallery/index.php?album=ruther%2Fsmyrna-air-...

Thunderbirds!

An estimated 50,000 people were in attendance at this years Great Tennessee Air Show in Smyrna, TN. The Thunderbirds were the featured performers.



These are my favorite Thunderbird pictures, butif you'd like to see more, I have several in an extended gallery here:
seemidtn.com/gallery/index.php?album=ruther%2Fsmyrna-air-...

Recent Tonado Damage in Southwestern Virginia

From the huge tornado producing storms that hit the southeastern United States on April 27, 2011, One of those storms created an EF3 Tornado in Glade Spring, VA.



The tornado hit a lot full of truck trailers, crossed Interstate 81 near exit 29 and then went through a residential area. All of these photos were taken a couple of days later and shows what can be seen from the Interstate.

Doe River Covered Bridge - Elizabethton

Built in 1882, this is the oldest covered bridge in Tennessee.

Constructed at a cost of $3,000 by contractor Dr. E.E. Hunter, George Lindamood and three carpenters, it spans the Doe River for 134 feet, resting on earth and limestone abutments. Hunter hired Colonel Thomas Matson, who had engineered the narrow guage Tweetsie Railroad, to design the bridge and serve as construction chief. Hunter made a profit of $5 on the bridge, so one of its names is the "Five Dollar Bridge"

The original structure was made almost entirely of wood; mainly mountain oak and white pine beams that were hauled down the steep slopes of the mountains by draft horses and mules, weatherboard of mountain poplar, and shingles cleaved by mallet and fro from chestnut. Hand forged steel spikes and hand threaded bolts fastened together the massive pieces of oak flooring. Termed an engineering feat, and listed in the Historic Engineering Record, the Covered Bridge survived numerous floods, including the great May flood of 1901, which destroyed all the other bridges in the county that crossed the Doe River. It is one of two bridges in Tennessee identified by a Tennessee Historical marker and is included on the National Registry of Historic Sites. The Covered Bridge remains the most photographed and most admired historical structure in Carter County.

The bridge contains one span and is of Howe Truss design. Inside the bridge is one lane of vehicle traffic, plus a pedestrian walkway, although the bridge is now closed to motor vehicles. Each end of the bridge features a projecting truncated gabled roofline.

Two other nicknames of this bridge are "Queen of the South" and "The Kissing Bridge." Every year in June, Elizabethton has a festival called the Covered Bridge Celebration.

Loretta Lynn's Indian Statue

Part of the grounds of the Loretta Lynn Dude Ranch in Hurricane Mills, TN. The base reads (with misspelled words intact):

Great Spirit grant that I might not critize my neighbor till I have walked a mile in his moscians

State Theater - Elizabethtown, KY

The State Theater was built in 1942 in downtown Elizabethtown, KY along the Dixie Highway. It's a fine example of an Art Deco theater style. The design also reminds us of the way segregation used to be with the door on the far right was for black people which led strait to the balcony.

Old Sears Ad Mural - Downtown Nashville

Here's one I'd never noticed before, when Sears was known as the Farm and Tire Store. I wonder how far that goes back?

It's located on the side of what became Walter Nipper's Sporting Goods Store.

Flickr user RickTNRebel left this insightful comment:

Before "Urban Sprawl and the Shopping Malls" Sears Department Store was located at the southeast corner of Church St and 8th Ave North (the building is still standing) downtown adjacent to the Paramount theatre (sadly, gone). Remember that agriculture was, for a couple of centuries, The primary source of revenue in and around Nashville. Sears, like Montgomery Wards and others, sold farm supplies and equipment.

Just south on 8th, right behind the main store, was the farm and auto supply store (really departments of the same store, just located in an adjacent bldg). This seperate building kept all of the "Work Dressed" farmers and "Grease Coated" mechanics out of the main part of the department store and off of the main, upscale (next to fancy theatre, remember) shopping street! The "Ghost Sign" you photographed is located across 8th Ave North from where the farm and auto store once was and this sign once had an arrow that pointed across the street. Sears moved to their new brick bldg on Lafayette (Now the Nashville Rescue Mission) in the late 60's. I suspect this sign was repainted in the 60s just prior to Sears moving, hence it has survived (sans arrow).

Sears has always had an automotive department that sold Sears' own brand of tires and the "Farm Supply Store" still exists as the "Garden Center". These two departments are still somewhat separated from the rest of the store in most locations.

Burger Bar - Bristol, VA

According to legend, this could have been the last place Hank Williams stopped to eat before he died - as in his driver apparently asked if he wanted a bite to eat while passing by here and Williams said no.

With this in mind, my wife and I decided to eat at the popular local greasy spoon while on our vacation. When we walked in, we found they had three tables and about 6 barstools, all taken the teeny tiny burger joint was packed so we went elsewhere.