Ten Most Endangered

2001 Most Endangered List

STATEWIDE:
1. Trail of Tears

Threat: No protection

History: The Trail of Tears is a group of paths and roads on which approximately 16,000 Cherokee with a handful of Creek Indians and black slaves traveled in 17 different detachments using three main land routes, several route variations, and a river route. Traveling by foot, wagon, and horse, some of the Cherokees were on the trail for more than three months, most traveling in winter. Although no accurate records exist, the estimate of 4,000 deaths during the internment and removal is widely accepted.

WEST TENNESSEE:
2. Robert E. Lee School, Paris, Henry County

Threat: Abandonment and neglect

History: Attendance at the school is documented prior to the Civil War. It began as the Paris Male Academy and was renamed the Robert E. Lee School about 1893. It is believed by some historians that this site may hold an important record for longevity of education at the same site.

3. Melrose School, Memphis, Shelby County

Threat: Lack of political support and funding for rehabilitation

History: Melrose School is important for its architecture and its association with patterns of social history. Built in 1938 of brick and masonry, Melrose School is the only PWA or Art Moderne style public school in the city. Built as a school for African Americans before desegregation, it has been a fixture in the Orange Mound community for many years and provides a sense of place that is irreplaceable.

4. Chucalissa Indian Village, Memphis, Shelby County

Threat: Neglect due to lack of funding

History: Permanent Native American settlements here were founded around 900 A.D. and remained occupied through several phases of Native American culture until abandoned in the early 16th century. Excellent stratigraphy and organic preservation make Chucalissa significant today as the most extensive and intact record on Mississippian civilization in the area, showing the development, fluorescence, and decline of the culture. The first designated archaeological site in Shelby County, it shows amazingly little damage due to cultivation and looting.

EAST TENNESSEE:
5. Deery Inn, Blountville, Sullivan County

Threat: Commercial development and lack of maintenance

History: The Deery Inn, one of the most recognized historical structures in Northeast Tennessee, was the first stop on the Great Stage Coach Road. As an inn, a trading post, tavern, a post office, a stage coach stop, and a private dwelling, the history of not only Sullivan County, but of Tennessee passed through its doors in Tennessee’s early years.

6. CSX Train Depot, Johnson City, Washington County

Threat: Demolition by neglect

History: Johnson City is an offspring of the 19th century’s most successful transportation technology, the steam railroad. The first depot was built in the decade before the Civil War at the junction of the first rail line and an existing stage coach road. The railroad era ended in Johnson City in the late 1960s. The CSX train depot, which survived the wrecking ball, has had few changes made to its exterior since 1909.

7. Coffman House, Whitesburg, Hamblen County

Threat: Four-laneing of State Highway 11-E

History: Coffman House is the oldest residence in the county. The home, located on the stagecoach road that an from Abingdon, Virginia to Knoxville, was built of hand-hewn chestnut logs, some of which are 12-18
inches in diameter.

8. Cumberland Presbyterian Church, Charleston, Bradley County

Threat: Neglect

History: The Cumberland Presbyterian Church, erected in 1860, is a one-room structure, surrounded by large, old oak trees, with a cemetery on the north and south sides of the building that contain the gravesites of
many pioneer citizens. From September, 1863 until December 1863, the U.S. Army used the church as a hospital. The windowsills and corner boards still bear the markings from the teeth of the soldiers’ horses that were tethered to the building. Soldiers who died there are buried in unmarked graves.

MIDDLE TENNESSEE:
9. Dixie Portland Cement Pump House, South Pittsburg, Marion County

Threat: Erosion from the Tennessee River and damage from river traffic

History: Built in 1907 by the Dixie Portland Cement Plant, the pump house, a good example of the unique form of architecture and construction of the Portland Cement buildings, still maintains integrity of design, materials, and workmanship. Constructed of a cement stucco finish, this square structure with pyramidal roof still retains its slate roof with louvered cupola. Today the pump house is a popular spot for fishing, picnicking, and watching the river traffic.

10. Devon Farm, Nashville, Davidson County

Threat: Sale of land for inappropriately dense residential development

History: Devon Farm is significant for both architecture and agricultural history. The circa 1800 core of the brick house is surrounded by two brick outbuildings, a log smokehouse, and other outbuildings. As one of four documented Century Farms in Davidson County, its collection of outbuildings and remaining acreage represent one of the last remaining large farms in the county.


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Ten in Tennessee 2001 Most Endangered List *STATEWIDE:* 1. Trail of Tears Threat: No protection History: The Trail of Tears is a group of paths and roads on which approximately 16,000 Cherokee with a handful of Creek Indians and black slaves traveled in 17 different detachments using three main land routes, several route variations, and a river route. Traveling by foot, wagon, and horse, some of the Cherokees were on the trail for more than three months, most traveling in winter. Although no accurate records exist, the estimate of 4,000 deaths during the internment and removal is widely accepted. WEST TENNESSEE: 2. Robert E. Lee School, Paris, Henry County Threat: Abandonment and neglect History: Attendance at the school is documented prior to the Civil War. It began as the Paris Male Academy and was renamed the Robert E. Lee School about 1893. It is believed by some historians that this site may hold an important record for longevity of education at the same site. 3. Melrose School, Memphis, Shelby County Threat: Lack of political support and funding for rehabilitation History: Melrose School is important for its architecture and its association with patterns of social history. Built in 1938 of brick and masonry, Melrose School is the only PWA or Art Moderne style public school in the city. Built as a school for African Americans before desegregation, it has been a fixture in the Orange Mound community for many years and provides a sense of place that is irreplaceable. 4. Chucalissa Indian Village, Memphis, Shelby County Threat: Neglect due to lack of funding History: Permanent Native American settlements here were founded around 900 A.D. and remained occupied through several phases of Native American culture until abandoned in the early 16th century. Excellent stratigraphy and organic preservation make Chucalissa significant today as the most extensive and intact record on Mississippian civilization in the area, showing the development, fluorescence, and decline of the culture. The first designated archaeological site in Shelby County, it shows amazingly little damage due to cultivation and looting. EAST TENNESSEE: 5. Deery Inn, Blountville, Sullivan County Threat: Commercial development and lack of maintenance History: The Deery Inn, one of the most recognized historical structures in Northeast Tennessee, was the first stop on the Great Stage Coach Road. As an inn, a trading post, tavern, a post office, a stage coach stop, and a private dwelling, the history of not only Sullivan County, but of Tennessee passed through its doors in Tennessee’s early years. 6. CSX Train Depot, Johnson City, Washington County Threat: Demolition by neglect History: Johnson City is an offspring of the 19th century’s most successful transportation technology, the steam railroad. The first depot was built in the decade before the Civil War at the junction of the first rail line and an existing stage coach road. The railroad era ended in Johnson City in the late 1960s. The CSX train depot, which survived the wrecking ball, has had few changes made to its exterior since 1909. 7. Coffman House, Whitesburg, Hamblen County Threat: Four-laneing of State Highway 11-E History: Coffman House is the oldest residence in the county. The home, located on the stagecoach road that an from Abingdon, Virginia to Knoxville, was built of hand-hewn chestnut logs, some of which are 12-18 inches in diameter. 8. Cumberland Presbyterian Church, Charleston, Bradley County Threat: Neglect History: The Cumberland Presbyterian Church, erected in 1860, is a one-room structure, surrounded by large, old oak trees, with a cemetery on the north and south sides of the building that contain the gravesites of many pioneer citizens. From September, 1863 until December 1863, the U.S. Army used the church as a hospital. The windowsills and corner boards still bear the markings from the teeth of the soldiers’ horses that were tethered to the building. Soldiers who died there are buried in unmarked graves. *MIDDLE TENNESSEE:* 9. Dixie Portland Cement Pump House, South Pittsburg, Marion County Threat: Erosion from the Tennessee River and damage from river traffic History: Built in 1907 by the Dixie Portland Cement Plant, the pump house, a good example of the unique form of architecture and construction of the Portland Cement buildings, still maintains integrity of design, materials, and workmanship. Constructed of a cement stucco finish, this square structure with pyramidal roof still retains its slate roof with louvered cupola. Today the pump house is a popular spot for fishing, picnicking, and watching the river traffic. 10. Devon Farm, Nashville, Davidson County Threat: Sale of land for inappropriately dense residential development History: Devon Farm is significant for both architecture and agricultural history. The circa 1800 core of the brick house is surrounded by two brick outbuildings, a log smokehouse, and other outbuildings. As one of four documented Century Farms in Davidson County, its collection of outbuildings and remaining acreage represent one of the last remaining large farms in the county.