Robert L Caruthers Mansion - Lebanon, TN

The Robert L Caruthers house at 241 W. Main St. (US70) in Lebanon is stop #2 on the Historic Lebanon Driving tour. Here is the text from that brochure:

This fine home was built in 1828 by Henry Reiff for Robert Looney Caruthers. Reiff was also the builder of the Hermitage in 1819. Caruthers (1800-1882) was a successful Lebanon lawyer in 1827 when he was appointed 6th district Attorney General by Governor Sam Houston. His political career included election to the Tennessee House of Representatives, 1835, United States House of Representatives, 1841-43, and appointment to the Tennessee Supreme Court, 1852, replacing Judge Nathan Green Sr.

Caruthers was elected governor of Tennessee in 1863 but did not take office as Federal troops occupied Nashville preventing the General Assembly from convening. He was a founder of Cumberland University, elected President of its first Board of Trustees, 1842, and served in this office until his death. Along with his brother Abraham, he co-founded Cumberland’s law school in 1847, and served as professor of law from 1868 until 1882. Before he was elected Governor in 1863, Caruthers accepted the nomination in a speech delivered from the home’s balcony.

The home’s elegant curvilinear staircase is a feature also seen at Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage, as well as Tulip Grove, both of which were also constructed by the Caruthers home builders. The federal style home, updated with Eastlake features in the 1880s, is the earliest surviving brick residence in the city.

For many decades, the home has been owned by Ligon & Bobo Funeral Home.

Lebanon, TN City Hall - Castle Heights

From Wikipedia:

Castle Heights Military Academy was a military academy in Lebanon, Tennessee.
The Academy was founded as Castle Heights School in 1902. In 1918, it became a military preparatory school. The school ceased operations in 1986 in the face of declining enrollment. Its buildings have been restored and now the main building serves as the Lebanon City Hall, Lebanon Museum and History Center.

This building is stop #13 on the Historic Lebanon Driving tour. Here is the text from that brochure:
David E. Mitchell and I.W.P. Buchanan opened the Castle Heights School in 1902. Mitchell had just been named president of Cumberland University where Buchanan was professor of mathematics. Their idea was to create an environment unlike any other preparatory school. Students who did not live in town were required to board at Castle Heights.

The school had ninety-four boarding students and fifty-nine day students its first year. In 1917, the school changed into a military academy. Castle Heights Military Academy (CHMA) closed its doors forever August 13, 1986.

For eighty-four years the school had shaped boys, and girls beginning in 1973, but was not able to carry on, hindered by a lack of enrollment and adequate financing.

The remaining buildings of the former campus were added to the National Register of Historic Places as a Historic District in 1996.

Tennessee Central Depot - Lebanon, TN

This train depot was built by Tennessee Central in Lebanon, TN. I'm not sure how old it is, but TC went out of business in 1968, so it's older than that. Today, it belongs to Nashville & Eastern railroad which has their sign on the side.

Ferris Wheel at the Wilson County Fairgrounds (2006)

The Ferris Wheel photo was taken at the Wilson County Fair. 2021 sees the Wilson County Fair merge with the Tennessee State Fair. As someone who finds this bittersweet as I enjoyed the tradition of the state fair at the Nashville Fairgrounds, I also hope this partnership is great for all parties involved. I plan to attend and take a few more photos.

Leeville, TN Train Station

This old NCStL train depot is along Division St. in the small Wilson County town of Leeville. The tracks are all gone, and it has been relocated to use as someone's personal storage.

Gen. Robert Hatton Statue - Lebanon, TN

The General Robert Hatton statue in the middle of Lebanon's town square is stop #1 on the Historic Lebanon Driving tour. Here is the text from that brochure:

A monument to General Robert Hatton was placed in the center of the Public Square May 20, 1912. Hatton was a graduate of Cumberland University, a lawyer, a State and U. S. Representative from Wilson County and first colonel of the 7th Tennessee Infantry Regiment.

In 1862, seven days after being promoted to Brigadier General, he was killed at the Battle of Seven Pines in Richmond, Virginia. His remains would eventually return to Lebanon and are interned at Cedar Grove Cemetery.

A believer of a unified nation, Hatton gave an impassioned speech at the Lebanon courthouse, April 1, 1861, on the efforts of compromise and a moderate course of action. Later that night a crowd gathered on the lawn of Hatton’s home on West Main Street, “beating tin pans and whooping savagely,” disapproving of his earlier speech. Afterwards, a figure of Hatton was burned in effigy.

After President Lincoln’s call for volunteers to fight against the southern states, Hatton sided with Tennessee in its vote for secession and formed a Confederate military unit, the Lebanon Blues.

Over the last several years, TDOT has installed a roundabout in the square and the area has undergone a beautification effort. Here is my view from 2007: flic.kr/p/2WWXu8

231 Plaza Inn - Lebanon, TN

This motel is located on highway US231 a few blocks north of the town square in Lebanon.

Mitchell House - Lebanon, TN

This home and the Castle Heights Military Academy is stop #13 on the Historic Lebanon Driving tour. Here is the text from that brochure:

The Mitchell House is a fantastic example of neoclassical style architecture. Built as the home of Castle Heights President, David Mitchell, it was completed in 1910. The three story, Sewanee sandstone structure has 10,600 square feet and many fine original features such as hand-carved woodwork, ornamental ceilings and an impressive staircase. In 1936 the building became the home of the Junior School for the Castle Heights Military Academy.

After the school closed in 1986, the home sat empty and neglected for over ten years. The Cracker Barrel Foundation, with its national headquarters in Lebanon, oversaw the complete restoration of the structure in 1998. Now the Executive Office of Sigma Pi Fraternity International, the building is a grand testament to the community’s preservation efforts.

NCStL Train Depot - Lebanon, TN

The NCStL Train Station located one block south of the Lebanon town square along highway US231 is stop #2 on the Historic Lebanon Driving tour. Here is the text from that brochure:

The Nashville, Chattanooga and St. Louis Railroad Depot was built in 1916. Lebanon’s first depot was built in 1869 for the Tennessee & Pacific Railroad one mile south of the present site.

The Nashville, Chattanooga and St. Louis Railroad acquired the line in 1877. The old depot was abandoned and a new depot built closer to the Square.

This depot was used until the last passenger train pulled out of Lebanon in the 1930s. Passenger Rail Service did not return until 2006 with the Music City Star.

Today, the old station is used as offices for Shenandoah Mills. On their website, they say:
Our home is the original Lebanon Train Depot, constructed in the early 1900′s. We have completely renovated the facility to preserve and restore it’s integrity as well as to keep our equipment fresh and innovative. In 1996, we were awarded the William Baird Beautification Award and the Lebanon-Wilson County Chamber of Commerce Cedar Tree award. shenandoahmills.com/about/

Wilson Central High School Wall of Honor

Wilson Central High School is located south of Lebanon where Highway TN109 meets TN840. As you pass the entrance to the school, you see the Wall of Honor. Painted on a large rock face is a U.S. Flag, the words "Wall of Honor" and "We Support Our Troops", and alumni of the school who have served or are still serving in the U.S. Military.

Also highlighted on the wall is Michael L. Stansbery who was killed in action on 7/30/2010. Learn more about Army Spc. Stansbery HERE.

Large Bowling Pin - Lebanon, TN

This oversized bowling pin is located at Pro Bowl West along Baddour Pkwy (US70) in Lebanon, TN.

Shannon House - Lebanon, TN

The Shannon House is located at 321 W. Main St. (old US70) on Lebanon, TN. The house of late Victorian Architecture was built ca. 1902 for Laban Lacy Rice who would go on to become the owner of Castle Heights School and then President of Cumberland University. He sold the home to J.L. Shannon in 1909 when a home with the same floor plan was built on the Castle Heights campus.

In 1909, Shannon started the J.L. Shannon and Sons Drug Store on Lebanon's Public Square. Shannon died in 1929, but his children operated the store into the 1960s and lived in the home until 1989. Today, the home is the office of THW Insurance.

I.W.P. Buchanan House - Lebanon, TN

This home is stop #10 on the Historic Lebanon Driving tour. Here is the text from that brochure:

428 W. Main St.
The Queen- Anne style Victorian house built by I.W.P. Buchanan is a George Barber design. Barber was a well-known American architect headquartered in Knoxville, Tennessee in 1888. Construction began on the home in 1894 and was completed in 1897.

Isaac William Pleasant Buchanan (1866-1943) came to Lebanon as a child when his father, Dr. A.H. Buchanan, accepted a teaching position at Cumberland University. Buchanan would receive his bachelor and doctorate degrees from Cumberland and serve as professor of mathematics at the school in 1894-1898.

Buchanan was a natural at mathematical and mechanical applications. He held several patents and in addition to founding the Castle Heights School in 1901, also designed its Main Administration building. Buchanan married Willie Conn Elkins in 1892.

The home was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979.

Lebanon, TN City Hall - Castle Heights

From Wikipedia:

Castle Heights Military Academy was a military academy in Lebanon, Tennessee.
The Academy was founded as Castle Heights School in 1902. In 1918, it became a military preparatory school. The school ceased operations in 1986 in the face of declining enrollment. Its buildings have been restored and now the main building serves as the Lebanon City Hall, Lebanon Museum and History Center.

This building is stop #13 on the Historic Lebanon Driving tour. Here is the text from that brochure:
David E. Mitchell and I.W.P. Buchanan opened the Castle Heights School in 1902. Mitchell had just been named president of Cumberland University where Buchanan was professor of mathematics. Their idea was to create an environment unlike any other preparatory school. Students who did not live in town were required to board at Castle Heights.

The school had ninety-four boarding students and fifty-nine day students its first year. In 1917, the school changed into a military academy. Castle Heights Military Academy (CHMA) closed its doors forever August 13, 1986.

For eighty-four years the school had shaped boys, and girls beginning in 1973, but was not able to carry on, hindered by a lack of enrollment and adequate financing.

The remaining buildings of the former campus were added to the National Register of Historic Places as a Historic District in 1996.

Rock City Barn at Legacy Farms

First of all, I would like to thank my best friend Will C. for letting me upload his photo. While I am eager to visit this place and take a photo like this, it might be a while before I ever get the opportunity to visit this venue.

Legacy Farms is often used as a wedding venue south of Lebanon, TN along highway US231. I am not sure if it is the featured attraction out here, but this barn with a Rock City advertisement makes for quite an interesting photographic spot at their farm. Looking over their website, many professional photos are taken with this as the backdrop.

Rock City is well known for their advertising program of hand-painted barns, but they had plenty of hand painted billboards over the years, such as the one seen here which has now been affixed to this barn at Legacy Farms. As is frequently the case with hand-painted billboards, the message changed at some point over the years and as the newer message begins to fade, some of the older words are showing through.

See Rock City topped by a curved rainbow was commonly used as their logo in the 1980's, often on a pastel background like powder blue of yellow. Rock City's billboard program dates back to 1946, but Alvin the mascot, who is part of the older advertisement, wasn't created until the 50's. The older message includes "Fun in your future at..." Along the bottom, it says "Kids love Mother Goose Village" which is the large room at the end of Fairyland Caverns and was finished in 1964.

Tates Crossing, TN Flag Station

This train flag station was in use at Tates Crossing near Mt. Juliet from 1870 until 1935. During these 65 years it was used by Tennessee and Pacific Railroad and then by NCStL. This flag station was closed when NCStL built newer tracks that went a farther distance. (The older tracks were removed and the railroad bed became Division Street and Old Railroad Bed Road.

Nearly 6 decades after it wasn't used anymore, the owner gave it to the western Wilson County Historical society, where it was restored. A few years later it was donated to be part of Fiddler's Grove, a collection of historical buildings from around the county placed at the Wilson County Fairgrounds.

Tennessee Central 6902 - Watertown, TN

The Tennessee Central 6902 is a Diesel EMD E8 locomotive built in 1953. Originally, it was built for New York Central and became part of Penn Central, New Jersey transit and New Georgia railroad.

In the late 80's, the train came to Nashville to become the Broadway Dinner Train with this Crimson and Silver color scheme. When the Dinner Train closed in 1999, the train was then used by the Tennessee Central Railway Museum for many of their excursions. One of the most popular excursions is the semi-annual trip to Watertown, TN in Wilson County for the Mile Long Yard Sale. Behind it are two 1952 EMD F7B Boosters.

Sam Houston's Lawyer Office - Lebanon, TN

Sam Houston's Law Office is stop #10 at Fiddlers Grove, located at the Wilson County Fairgrounds. Here is the description of this building from the sign mounted to the right of the door:

In 1818, after studying law for six months under Judge James Trimble, Sam Houston passed the Bar to practice law. He came to Wilson County to practice law. Mr. Frederick Golladay befriended Mr. Houston and furnished him a small log cabin for an office near the Lebanon town square. Mr. Golladay charged him a dollar a month rent: then, lent him the dollar.

Sam Houston practiced law for ten months, at which time he was appointed Adjutant General with the rank of Colonel in October, 1819.

In 1827, Sam Houston was elected Governor of Tennessee and served approximately two years of his term before resigning in 1929.

He later moved to Texas where he was elected to the Republic's Presidency. Followed by being elected Texas' first U.S. Senator. After serving thirteen years, he became governor of Texas.

SAM HOUSTON IS THE ONLY PERSON TO SERVE AS GOVERNOR OF TWO STATES.

This pre-civil war cabin was originally on the property of Judge Nathan Green, who was known as the father of Jurisprudence of the State of Tennessee, served as Professor of Law at Cumberland University.

The family of Judge Sam Gilreath donated the cabin to Fiddlers Grove in 1994. The Wilson County Bar Association assisted in funding the reconstruction.

L&N #405 Locomotive - Watertown, TN

L&N #405 is part of the rolling stock of the Tennessee Central Railway Museum. This EMD GP7 was built in 1951. On this day, 405 carried an excursion to Watertown for the Mile Long Yard Sale. After this locomotive was acquired by Tennessee Central, it went under an extensive repaint back to its original colors.

Here is what it looked like three years ago before the repaint was complete:
seemidtn.com/gallery/index.php?album=nashville%2Ftennesse...

Wilson County Courthouse - Lebanon, TN

A couple of blocks east of the town square on Highway U.S. 70