Lawrenceburg, TN Mexican War Monument

Civil War monuments are aplenty around the United States, but if you are looking for a monument remembering the Mexican-American War of the mid 1840s, there are only 2 in Tennessee, one of which is shown here in Lawrenceburg, TN. (The other in Tennessee is in Gallatin.) Planning began on the War Monument in 1849 and the city legislature passed a resolution on 1/9/1850 to appropriate $1,500 to erect it. The monument was created to perpetuate the memory of the "Lawrenceburg Blues" and Captain William B. Allen who fought in the Mexican War. It has a four square base supporting a shaft running skyward and is on the north side of the Lawrenceburg town square.

Lawrence County Courthouse - Lawrenceburg, TN

This courthouse was built in 1974 and is located on US 64 a couple of blocks away from the town square. 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. This one certainly has a modern 70's look to it, with a large fountain in the front running for the first time when I passed through.

Shoal Creek Bridge - Lawrenceburg, TN

This 1933 Bridge of a Riveted Pratt Through truss design is on the west side of Lawrenceburg along Old Waynesboro Road (TN15). The bridge is open albeit functionally obsolete, but that's all right because there's a modern bridge that parallels this one and nobody needs to drive over it, unless they just really want to. Since this is the south, someone spray-painted the word Goober on the right side girder.

In the news: Senator Fred Thompson has died

U.S. Senator Fred Thompson has died. Here is a super-brief bio for people that don't know him:

He grew up in Lawrenceburg, TN. He became a lawyer and was involved in the Watergate legal proceedings, later he was involved in the Gov. Ray Blanton legal proceedings. When the movie ("Marie") about the Blanton Scandal was filmed, he portrayed himself, which launched him into an acting career. In 1994, he won the U.S. Senate seat given up by Al Gore who had become Vice President. After winning re-election in 1996, he served until 2002 when he did not seek re-election. From there, he took the acting role of lead District Attorney on Law & Order. In 2008, he ran for President, launching his campaign back where he started, from the town square in Lawrenceburg

Personally, I only had a chance to see him once. During the late 90s, he spoke at Lipscomb when I was a student there.

Lawrenceburg certainly remembers its favorite son. There used to be this sign on old US 64 for westbound travelers entering the city:



Outside of the Crockett Theater just north of the square is this cement square with his signature and shoe print:

David Crockett State Park entrance sign

Not to be confused with Davy Crockett Birthplace state park in East Tennessee, David Crockett State Park is in Lawrenceburg, TN.

In 1817, Crockett moved to Lawrenceburg. Along the banks of Shoal Creek, he established a powdermill, a gristmill and a distillery. A flood in September 1821 washed away all three of these businesses and Crockett decided to move out west. Today, that land along Shoal Creek is the State Park with the entrance along US64.

David Crockett State Park Covered Bridge

David Crockett State Park is in Lawrenceburg, TN at the site where the historic figure once operated a mill. In 1959, the park built a covered bridge over the stream and dam for the reconstructed mill at the park. A storm washed away the original covered bridge here in 1998 but the state rebuilt it in 1999 for the one we see here. There is also a pedestrian lane on this side of the bridge. The pond was full of frogs and turtles when I was there.

There aren't too many vintage covered bridges left in Tennessee. (I think there are only three or four.) In East Tennessee, there's the Doe River Covered Bridge in Elizabethton and the Harrisburg Bridge of Sevierville.

David Crockett Motel - Lawrenceburg, TN

Lawrenceburg, TN along U.S. 64 east of the town square and next door to David Crockett storage warehouse.

Davy Crockett Museum - Lawrenceburg, TN

This cabin museum is a replica of Davy Crockett's cabin just a couple of blocks south of Lawrenceburg's town square on Military Ave.

Historical Marker:
seemidtn.com/gallery/index.php?album=historical-markers/g...

The Remains of the Lawrence County Courthouse Clock Tower

This is what's left of the Lawrence County Courthouse clock tower. This courthouse was built in 1905 and was located in the Lawrenceburg town square. When needed repairs were beyond feasibility to replace, a new courthouse was built in 1974. To see what this courthouse used to look like, there is a mural downtown with a picture of it. Also, except for the color, it looks virtually identical to the clock tower for the 1905 Cumberland County Courthouse in Crossville. The numbers are made out of wood, which I would have never guessed. Also, the light fixture on the left pointing down towards the clock is still there.

Today, as you can see, it's lying in a field in the middle of nowehere. Perhaps it's been here for the nearly four decades since the courthouse was torn down. It's located inside David Crockett State Park. (Actually, it's in a spot that's supposed to be off limits to everyone but park staff.)

Lawrenceburg Mexican War Monument

Civil War monuments are aplenty around the united states, but if you are looking for a monument remembering the Mexican-American War of the mid 1840s, there are only 2 in America, one of which is shown here in Lawrenceburg, TN. Planning began on the War Monument in 1849 and the city legislature passed a resolution on 1/9/1850 to appropriate $1,500 to erect it. The monument was created to perpetuate the memory of the "Lawrenceburg Blues" and Captain William B. Allen who fought in the Mexican War. It has a four square base supporting a shaft running skyward and is on the north side of the Lawrenceburg town square.

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.

Crockett Theater Marquee - Lawrenceburg, TN

Fall in love with Lawrenceburg - that's the message on the banner on the right.

Located along Military Ave. a block north of the town square in Lawrenceburg, TN

Added to the National Register of Historic Places, and is a fine example of Art Deco in a cinema.

Davy Crockett Museum & Fall Foliage

This cabin museum is a replica of Davy Crockett's cabin just a couple of blocks south of Lawrenceburg's town square on Military Ave. There's a historical marker out front and a couple of parking spaces.

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.

Davy Crockett Statue - Lawrenceburg

Located on the south side of the center of the town square in Lawrenceburg, TN.

Written on the statue:
On the front (south side):
Erected by gift of the people and legislature of Tennessee, to the memory of Col. David Crockett. Born in East Tennessee Aug 17th, 1786. And gave his life for Texas Liberty amid the smoking walls of the "Alamo" Sunday Morning March 9th, 1836.

East side:
Justice of the Peace for Lawrence County 1818.
Member of the Commission of Lawrenceburg, 1819.
Represented Lawrence and Hickman counties in the state legislature 1821-22.
Congressman from west Tennessee, 1827-1831, 1833-1835.

North Side:
"Be Sure you are right, then go ahead."
DAVY CROCKETT.

State aid and gifts collected by Sen. C.C. Kelley
Committee
Robt. R. Williams,
C.C. Kelley,
John C. Crews.

Erected 1922 by W.M. Dean Marble Co. Columbia, Tenn.

West side:
Path-finder, Pioneer, Hunter, Patriot, Statesman and Soldier. His fame is immortal with the story of his state, and the glory of his death.
"Thermopylae had its messenger of defeat. The Alamo had none."

Davy Crockett Statue

The backdrop for the Crockett statue used to be the county courthouse, until the 70's when it was removed. Now, most of the square is a grassy area, with a large pavillion in the center. The clock tower atop the pavillion is seen behind the statue. Also, notice the C for Crockett logo on the statue.

Located on the south side of the center of the town square in Lawrenceburg, TN.

Written on the statue:
On the front (south side):
Erected by gift of the people and legislature of Tennessee, to the memory of Col. David Crockett. Born in East Tennessee Aug 17th, 1786. And gave his life for Texas Liberty amid the smoking walls of the "Alamo" Sunday Morning March 9th, 1836.

East side:
Justice of the Peace for Lawrence County 1818.
Member of the Commission of Lawrenceburg, 1819.
Represented Lawrence and Hickman counties in the state legislature 1821-22.
Congressman from west Tennessee, 1827-1831, 1833-1835.

North Side:
"Be Sure you are right, then go ahead."
DAVY CROCKETT.

State aid and gifts collected by Sen. C.C. Kelley
Committee
Robt. R. Williams,
C.C. Kelley,
John C. Crews.

Erected 1922 by W.M. Dean Marble Co. Columbia, Tenn.

West side:
Path-finder, Pioneer, Hunter, Patriot, Statesman and Soldier. His fame is immortal with the story of his state, and the glory of his death.
"Thermopylae had its messenger of defeat. The Alamo had none."