Andrew Jackson Camp Blount marker - Fayetteville, TN

Andrew Jackson mobilized his army - Camp Blount - Oct. 1813 - Erected Oct 1913, Kings Mountain Messenger Chapter D.A.R.

This marker is located on the south side of Fayetteville along US231/431 in front of the WalMart. The actual Camp Blount is being developed into a park with an entrance just to the north. In 2020, the park will feature a statue dedicated to an Army Volunteer.

Slawburger '19 Rock - Fayetteville, TN

Starting in 2015, the third Saturday in April brings the yearly Slawburger Festival to the Fayetteville, TN town square. (With Covid, I'm not sure if it's on this year.) A Slawburger is a hamburger where the patty is topped by a mustard-based cole slaw. This Slawburger is only prepared by a few local restaurants like Honey's Restaurant, Ken's Fast Foods and Bill's Cafe. This big rock is in front of Lincoln County High School along highway US231/431. The painted slawburger must not be permanent as there is something else painted here on Google street view.

Last Chance Liquors neon sign

East Nashville / Dickerson Pike.

I'm guessing the "Last Chance" refers back to the days that Nashville was a dry city.

Highway U.S. 431/41/31W part of town also known as Avondale

Woodmont Christian Church - Nashville, TN

Located in the Green Hills area of Nashville, the Woodmont Christian Church building was built in a Neo-Classical design by architect Edwin Keeble. The most noticeable feature of this building is the steeple, which is a 220-foot tall spire. This is a common feature for church buildings designed by Edwin Keeble, so it is known as one of "Keeble's Needles." There is a model train version of this church at the Tennessee Central Railway Museum.

Key Motel neon sign - Nashville

Seen along the old highway and busy street in a part of town most people don't want to visit (Dickerson Pk.). Compare our room rate! service!

21st Avenue South Firehall - Nashville, TN

Fire Station 16, located at 2219 21st Avenue, South, was constructed on property acquired by the city of Nashville on July 16, 1929, and was completed in 1930. The building was built in the Tudor Revival style popular in the adjoining neighborhoods. It is the second oldest fire hall in Nashville remaining in its original use. It was undergoing renovations when I took this photo 8 years ago, which is why the window is boarded up.

Over 100 years ago, this was also the site of a tollbooth along Hillsboro Rd.

Spin-a-pin Lanes neon sign - Springfield, TN

Seen along US41/431

Inn the news: Hallmark Inn makes the wrong kind of news

How do you tell your loved ones that they are staying at a cheap motel in a bad part of town?
Say it with a card!

W. Trinity Lane (U.S. 431) in North Nashville.

This motel made the news today because the cops had to padlock the place after they responded to 1600 calls in the last four years. For what it's worth, I took this picture six years ago.

Here's the story:
http://www.wkrn.com/story/25965324/police-raid-trinity-lane-motel

Springfield Used Cars - Old Gas Station

Looks like a really really old gas station that was converted into a used car lot. Along Main St. (old U.S. 41 and 431) south of the town square in Springfield, TN. Has hand-painted slogans all around the front. (see my notes for what they say.)

UPDATE: I believe this old gas station has now been torn down. It did look like it was in bad shape back in 2008.

Friedman's Army/Navy Store Neon Sign

Friedman's military surplus store has been located along Hillsboro rd. (US431) for many years. I'm not sure when the Friedman's name was taken down, but that used to be at the top of the sign. The store has all types of surplus, such as compasses, tools, boots, helmets, camos, knives, etc.

Jones Pet Shop neon sign

This sign is located in Hillsboro Village along the very busy 21st Ave. (US 431), now Fido's coffee shop, but they thankfully left the sign. Decades ago, they had a trained parrot in the pet shop that would say "Jones Pet Shop" when people would walk in.

Post Card Tuesday: Robertson County Courthouse

Court House, Springfield, Tenn

The center of the building was constructed in 1879. The clock tower and wings on either side were added in 1930, so this post card is newer than that. The exterior of the building went through renovations in 2006. Main Street is also old highway U.S. 41 and old U.S. 431 and a cross street in TN49



This looks like the same side, but it is actually the back. Because it's the sunny side and not on a busy street, this is the side photographed more often. Here's a black & white view of the front, but not from the same corner seen on the card:

Soap Opera Laundry neon sign - East Nashville

Mary, why weren't you home when I came for our Rendezvous?
Sorry, Steve, but I had to do the Laundry!
It's Mike isn't it! You'd rather be with Mike that with me when I come over!
No, Steve! I have some socks that needed washing! You've got to believe me!

Is it obvious that I'm not good at writing Soap Opera dialogue?

Dickerson Pike (US 31W/41/431) - East Nashville

The Bluebird Cafe storefront

This unassuming little storefront is for the Bluebird Cafe, which is not known as much for being a cafe but is well known for being an intimate concert venue for better aspiring songwriters. It's a place that you'd almost miss if you weren't looking there. I've never been inside, as there is always quite a line to get in.
It's located in the Green Hills area of Nashville on Hillsboro Rd. (U.S. 431)
It was also heavily featured in the movie That Thing Called Love along with the Drake Motel.

NOEL in Franklin, TN

I don't remember the exact details of the story but this is how I think it goes:

The Noel Hotel was one of Nashville's best. It was named after someone named Noel. This was the sign atop that downtown hotel. When it ceased to be a hotel, this sign sat around somewhere for a long time until it was bought by the owner of the White Building, two blocks from the Franklin, Tn Town square. They put it atop their building every christmastime as a seasonal decoration. The White Building itself is on the National Register of Historic Places, dating back to the 20's. This is located at a major intersection - US31 and US431

News: The Old Beaman Pontiac Neon Sign

This vintage neon sign was along Broadway (US431/70S) in downtown Nashville. According to one of my photo contacts, this sign was taken down a little over a week ago. The good news is that the Beaman people plan on restoring the sign! Apparently, once it's ready to go, you won't be able to see it at this same spot anymore, but more people will be able to spot it from downtown and along the Interstate.

Old Springfield Furniture Co. building

Photo taken soon before dusk.
Springfield, TN in the town square.
Localted on Main St., which used to be US41 and US431

Decades ago, there used to be a painted mural on the bricks on the right side of the building, but that has long since faded away.

Fox's Donut Den neon sign

Norman Fox's Donut Den has been a popular place with the locals for a few decades with his store along Hillsboro Rd. This neon sign was newsworthy a few months ago. The property owners of the strip mall in Green Hills wanted to give their area a facelift, perhaps to make it look more upscale. they decided to remove the Popular Donut Den's 30ish year old sign. The public protested, and the property owners put it to a vote. By a wide margin the people decided the sign should stay.

Belfast, TN depot

Belfast is a tiny community southeast on Lewisburg in Marshall County (Along U.S.431 or TN 50). The depot at Belfast is considered the best surviving example of the Duck River Valley Narrow Gauge Railroad buildings. The small Victorian rail station is an excellent board and batten structure. It was built before the 1870's. The tracks have long since been removed. Now, is on the National Register of Historic Places.

Drake Hardware Plumbing Supplies

Here's a neon sign that would have been great to see when it was working. The store had been out of business for many years. Nashville's skyline is in the background. It's located along Dickerson Pike (US31W/41/431) part of North Nashville, which is a rough part of town, so be cautious if you venture this way.

There's a phone number on this sign and it goes back to the days when the seven digit phone number included exchange letters (CO2).