Idler's Retreat - Smyrna, TN

From Wikipedia:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Idler%27s_Retreat
Idler's Retreat, also known as the Dillon-Tucker-Cheney House, is a historic house in Smyrna, TN. It was built circa 1865 by J. D. Dillon. In 1882, it was purchased by John F. Tucker, and renamed Tucker Place. It was designed in the Greek Revival and Italianate architectural styles. By the 1940s, it was inherited by novelist Brainard Cheney's wife. The couple entertained other writers like Robert Penn Warren, Caroline Gordon, Flannery O'Connor and Allen Tate. The house was later inherited by Roy Neel, who served as the chief of staff to Vice President Al Gore. It has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since May 19, 2004.

Other notes:
Original owner Joseph Dillon was a local attorney and Pro-Union legislator.
The home was briefly used as a USO headquarters.
Before the addition of Central Heat in 1957, the home was nicknamed "Cold Chimney's."
The name Idler's Retreat is based on a George Bernard Shaw quote, “A learned man is an idler who kills time by study.”

Learn more:
rutherfordtnhistory.org/harbers-history-idlers-retreat-se...

Video: Scenery in Murfreesboro, TN: Overall St. Trailhead | Stones River Greenway

This is one of several entry points for the Stones River Greenway in Murfreesboro, TN, but one I didn't know about until this day. Let's take a moment to enjoy the fall leaves and the babbling brook.

Mell Malone House - Murfreesboro, TN

This description was written by the Rutherford County Historical Society and taken from this page:
www.facebook.com/RutherfordCountyTennesseeHistoricalSocie...

There was once a thriving community of mostly African-Americans located on and near the present day Stones River National Battlefield; the community was known as ‘Cemetery’. Merchants, churches, ball fields, even a school named ‘Cemetery School’ served this community.

The community once known as ‘Cemetery’ was settled shortly after the end of the Civil War, becoming home to the recently freed African Americans. More than thirty families called Cemetery home at Cemetery’s height between the 1870’s and 1932, the year the Stones River National Battlefield was created.

Former slave Sanders Malone fought for the United States as a part of the USCT – the United States Colored Troops. Mr. Malone purchased land just after the War north of the present day Stones River National Battlefield.

Edith Ann Clark Moore, only three generations away from slavery, grew up in the home across from Stones River Methodist Church. Mell Malone, Edith Ann’s grandfather, purchased the land around the turn of the century built the home.

Mell Malone, with no construction nor engineering experience, built the home in 1918 of materials from his land using self-taught engineering. Two of the three arches remain today as a testament to Mr. Malone’s engineering skills.

Granddaughter Edith Ann Clark Moore beams with pride when sharing, “He used trees off his land to build this house. He used stones from his land to build this house. He even made his own cement to build this house.”

Rutherford County Confederate Memorial - Murfreesboro, TN

This Confederate Monument is located on the Murfreesboro town square in front of the Rutherford County Courthouse. The text of the monument reads:
In Commemoration of the valor of Confederate Soldiers who fell in the great Battle of Murfreesboro, Dec. 31, 1862, and January 2, 1863, and in minor engagements in this vicinity, this monument is erected.

Additionally, in May of 2011, the Sons of Confederate Veterans placed a Sesquicentennial Marker in front of the memorial.

Beesley Primitive Baptist Church

Beesley Primitive Baptist Church is a historic church near the Blackman community of Murfreesboro, TN. It was built in 1913 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1999.

The building was built to replace an older building which was destroyed by a tornado in 1913. The first building here was built in 1805 and Mr. Beesley was the preacher. There is a cemetery to the left of the building. I found some graves over 150 years old.

For more information, read the NRHP listing here: npgallery.nps.gov/AssetDetail/c9b3f7e4-4377-4493-a8db-37a...

Burial site of Gov. John P. Buchanan

John Price Buchanan was the 23rd Governor of Tennessee (or 28th if you count duplicates). During his administration (1891-93) the secondary school system was established and pensions were granted to Confederate soldiers. His term was marred by the Coal Creek War.

Buchanan is so far the only Governor to come from Rutherford County. A public school is named after him along US41 on the south side of the county, about three miles from where he lived. He is buried in Murfreesboro's Evergreen Cemetery.

Murfreesboro East Main: 425 E. Main

This house is on the National Register of Historic Places as a contributing property to the East Main Street Historic District in Murfreesboro, TN. Here is a description of this house from the brochure entitled "Explore Historic Murfreesboro - A Walking Tour"

425 East Main Street
Built circa 1849 by Ivy J. C. Haynes, this house was remodeled after 1870 to reflect the popular Italianate style that dominated architecture from about 1850 to 1880. Paired rounded arches, brackets, a bay window, and the projecting tower covering the entry are typical of the Italianate style.

Video: Dam on the Stones River

This dam is all which remains of a mill along the middle fork of the Stones River on the south side of Rutherford County.

Goat at Lucky Ladd Farm

Capt. Jeff Kuss USMC Memorial - Smyrna, TN

Description of the memorial:
www.captjeffkussusmcmemorial.com/
On June 2, 2016, at the age of 32, Kuss tragically lost his life when his jet crashed a day before the Great Tennessee Air Show in Smyrna. A Blue Angel F/A-18C Hornet similar to the jet flown by Captain Kuss and on loan from the National Aviation Museum in Pensacola, FL.

Although I wasn't home at the time, I live less than a mile from where Capt. Kuss crashed in Smyrna. This memorial is also nearby, located on TN266 Sam Ridley Pkwy and across from the Smyrna MQY airport. Parking is available at Lee Victory Park.

Smyrna, TN - Gregory Mill Park - Stewarts Creek

Gregory Mill Park in Smyrna, TN is based around a mill and dam on Stewarts Creek. The Mill is long gone, but the dam remains.

Murfreesboro East Main: 511 E. Main - Collier-Crichlow House

This house is on the National Register of Historic Places as a contributing property to the East Main Street Historic District in Murfreesboro, TN. Here is a description of this house from the brochure entitled "Explore Historic Murfreesboro - A Walking Tour"

511 East Main Street
The Second Empire style is characterized by the Mansard roof, central tower, two-story bay windows, and metal cresting along the roof line. Built to reflect a combination of wealth and fashion, the Collier-Crichlow House was designed by Nashville architect W. C. Smith and built by local carpenter H. C. Jackson. The first owner, Ingram Collier, was a successful businessman and the mayor of Murfreesboro in 1872 and 1873. The Collier-Crichlow House is listed in the National Register of Historic Places independently in addition to being part of the historic district.

Mallard Ducklings

A family of mallard ducks were seen at Gateway Island city park in Murfreesboro.

Post Card Tuesday - Mrs. Moore's Guest House - Murfreesboro

This house is on the National Register of Historic Places as a contributing property to the East Main Street Historic District in Murfreesboro, TN. Here is a description of this house from the brochure entitled "Explore Historic Murfreesboro - A Walking Tour"

435 East Main Street
The Clardy House was built in 1898 for J. T. Rather, a former mayor of Murfreesboro. This residence is an example of Richardsonian Romanesque style, featuring three wide, rounded arches supported by squat columns on the porch. Operated as the Clardy Guest House from 1948 to 2000, it was one of the state’s oldest bed and breakfast inns.

More info from The Heritage Center of Murfreesboro and Rutherford County:
There is a story that Mr. Rather, afraid of fire, had firecrackers placed in the walls when the house was built, the idea being that any fire would set the fireworks off. It remained a private home until 1948, when Jack & Henrietta Moore converted it to a guest house. In 1954, Mr. & Mrs. Frank Clardy purchased the house at auction and continued it as a guest house.

Harrison Mayes: Jesus is Coming Soon

Kentuckyan Harrison Mayes survived a mining accident and spent much of the rest of his life making crosses like this one and placing them on major roads all throughout the country. This sign is in Smyrna, TN and located on the Old Nashville Highway, which is a 150+ year old road connecting Nashville to Murfreesboro and eventually became part of the Dixie Highway. These signs, made of concrete, usually weigh 1400 pounds.

On one side of the cross, it reads "Jesus is Coming Soon." The other side says "Get Right With God." Until recently, the GET was covered up and replaced with MADE. I am not sure who or why it was changed originally or restored to the original.

For more info on Harrison Mayes and his signs, Look here.

Highland Cow

Seen at Lucky Ladd Farm near Eagleville, TN. Highland Cattle are known for their distinctive long hair.

Smyrna, TN 2017 Christmas Tree

Located in Smyrna next to the historic train station

SeeMidTN.com presents: Sharp Springs Recreation Area - Smyrna, TN

Sharp Springs Park in Smyrna, TN has multiple Karst Sinkholes which look like ponds. In this video, I walk along the Espey trail which provides several good views of these sinkholes.

Leeman House - Cannonsburgh Village - Murfreesboro, TN

The Leeman House is a historic log house that was originally owned by the Leeman family in the town of Milton. When Cannonsburgh Village was created, this house, along with most structures in the park, was relocated here. Today, it is available for rent as a reception hall.

Rutherford County Confederate Memorial - Murfreesboro, TN

This Confederate Monument is located on the Murfreesboro town square in front of the Rutherford County Courthouse. The text of the monument reads: In Commemoration of the valor of Confederate Soldiers who fell in the great Battle of Murfreesboro, Dec. 31, 1862, and January 2, 1863, and in minor engagements in this vicinity, this monument is erected.

Additionally, in May of 2011, the Sons of Confederate Veterans placed a Sesquicentennial Marker in front of the memorial.

Update: This statue has been in the news in 2020, as have many confederate memorials in the middle of towns. There have been 2020 protests to remove this statue from the town square, although the decision ultimately lies with the Tennessee Historic Commission. I am a photographer documenting historic sites and take no position on whether or not this or other sites should be removed.