Book Suggestion: Free! Survey of Historic Tennessee Bridges

[Market Street Bridge in Chattanooga, one of over 160 in this book.]

Everyone likes something for free, right? Well, several years ago, the Tennessee Department of Transportation made a book about the historic bridges of Tennessee. They only printed a limited number of copies, but I suppose they wanted people to see all the effort that went into their research as they documented all of the historic bridges across the state, some of which weren't standing anymore by the time the book was completed. Now, that book can be downloaded in PDF form. The book is several hundred pages long, and it goes very much in depth.

Tennessee's Survey Report For Historic Highway Bridges



Once you go to the link, you'll see the book has been divided into chapters. Chapter one goes through the criteria of which bridges qualified for the study. Chapter two is a history of bridge building in Tennessee, but really it's also a history of highways in Tennessee. Chapter three sorts the bridges by manufacturer. Chapters four and five sort the bridges by what they were built from. Chapter 6 which is rather length describes each historic bridge, chronicling over 160 with a photo of each. If you like bridges or highway history, it's more than worth the free you'll get it for.

Book Reccommendation: Tennessee Tragedies by Allen R. Coggins

Tennessee Tragedies: Natural, Technological, and Societal Disasters in the Volunteer State

Here is a new book that is hot off the presses!  Earlier today, I posted the post card for the James K. Polk burial site at the state capitol.  His death represents a tragedy.  Despite the fact that he was one of the most powerful people in the civilized world, he died at a young age of the cholera epidemic that swept through the state.  This, and many other maladies to befall our state are chronicled in this recent book published by University of Tennessee Press.  It makes for an interesting read of the state's not so proud past.

(As a side note, in the interest of full disclosure.  My photo of the Polk burial site posted earlier today is in this book on page 16.)

Book Suggestion: a couple of books about Church Hymns

I have a couple of suggestions for books about Christian Worship hymns with a Tennessee tie-in.

First of all, We have Abide With Me. In this book, local resident and Lipscomb professor John H. Parker presents this excellent coffee table book exploring the beginnings of some of our best loved hymns. Included with this book is a cd of performances of the songs discussed in the book. The cd was compiled by and in part performed by Ray Walker, another Middle Tennessee resident, who is a singer for the Jordanaires who frequently sang backup to Elvis.



For suggestion number two, we have Smoky Mountain Hymns: Beautiful scenes and timeless hymns from the Great Smoky Mountains. This book focuses more on some of the best loved southern gospel songs with stunning scenes from the the East Tennessee Mountains.

The Parthenon in Nashville at Night

In the Christmas season the lights which illuminate Centennial Park's iconic landmark turn the columns red and green. Near Valentine's Day, it might go all red. However, for most of the year this is the way it looks.

If you're interested in the Parthenon, it's history, how it was built and how the Athena Statue came to be, I have a book recommendation.


The Parthenon in Nashville
This book was originally written in 1968 by Nashville historian Wilbur Creighton. He briefly writes the story of how it came to be for the Tennessee Centennial Exposition and how it came to be rebuilt and is now a city mainstay. This version of the book was published in 1990 and includes an extra section on Alan LeQuire's Athena Statue which was rather close to being finished at that time.

Book Suggestion: Tennessee Curiosities

Ever wonder where I find some of the unusual places in and around the area? I have quite a large library for finding the best the state has to offer.

Tennessee has its share of quirky and offbeat places, such as the Hotel with the ghost that steals spoons I mentioned earlier today, or the country market that serves something I'd never tried before that I mentioned last week. I learned about both of these places in a book called Tennessee Curiosities by Kristin Luna.

Tennessee Curiosities: Quirky Characters, Roadside Oddities & Other Offbeat Stuff (Curiosities Series)

Book Suggestion: Adam Huntsman: The Peg Leg Politician

Adam Huntsman: The Peg Leg Politician

Local author and historian, Kevin McCann tells the interesting story about the fascinating yet often forgotten politician from the early days of Tennessee government.

Here is the description:
Adam Huntsman plagued David Crockett in his reelection campaigns for Congress in West Tennessee. The frontier lawyer and politician who wore a wooden peg leg eventually beat Crockett in 1835, leading to his journey to Texas and heroic death at the Alamo. "Since you have chosen to elect a man with a timber toe to succeed me," he said, "you may all go to hell and I will go to Texas." Known by his friends and adversaries for his wit and sarcasm both in speech and print, Adam Huntsman served 10 years in the Tennessee state senate and was a member of the 1834 state constitutional convention, helping craft the amended document that endured until the end of Reconstruction. He served one term in the U.S. House of Representatives (1835-37) before devoting himself to the campaign efforts of the Democratic party in West Tennessee. His individualistic spirit put him at odds with Andrew Jackson and helped bring about the first two-party politcial system in Tennessee history.

In an effort of full disclosure, I'll admit I'm a little bit biased towards this book. Earlier today, I posted two photos of Markers of the former Capitals of Tennessee. Both of those photos appear in this book.

Hatch Show Print sign daytime view

the turned off neon sign for the famous poster shop on Broadway in Downtown Nashville.

Hatch Show Print purchased this sign in 1948. Roy Acuff was the Republican Governor Candidate that year and he ordered so many posters from them that they had the money to purchase this sign.

***** Book Recommendation *****


Hatch Show Print: The History of a Great American Poster Shop

If you've ever seen a Hatch Show Print Poster, you have seen how their look is distinctive. They essentially still make the posters today the same way they did when they first opened many years ago. If you've ever wanted to know more about how they make the signs, the history of the company or just want to see images of their more famous posters through the years, this is the book for you.