UPDATES

The Alvin C. York Institute, Jamestown, Fentress County

The York Institute was featured in our “Ten in Tennessee” in 2005, and was threatened by demolition from the Tennessee Department of Education in January of 2008.  Since that time the Tennessee Preservation Trust has worked with the York family, alumni, and preservationists statewide to halt the demolition and search for resources to save this state owned structure.  After over a year of complex negotiations between the Tennessee State Building Commission and the York Patriotic Foundation, the state and the foundation have entered into an agreement that includes joint funding that provides for the official stabilization and mothballing of this monument to rural secondary education.  Construction began months ago and it appears that the building is well on its way to ultimately a successful rehabilitation.  This project is the result of the combined efforts of a broad-based statewide preservation community in Tennessee and has established the groundwork for effective statewide interagency preservation coordination. This irreplaceable structure recently appeared to be doomed to a hasty demolition and the efforts of an enervated statewide preservation community have been central to its preservation.

Spring Hill Battlefield, Maury Co.

This battlefield was listed on our 2007 list and was threatened with what appeared to be two eminent sale and commercial/residential developments in 2007 and 2008, but both  proposed developments were unsuccessful.  This battlefield was recently listed by the Civil War Preservation Trust as one of the top 10 most endangered battlefields in the U.S., for the third time.  The Tennessee Preservation Trust continues to work with preservationists, associated groups, and legislators to appeal to General Motors to continue to preserve this site as a buffer zone, and conservation area around the GM plant, and to develop the site for regional heritage tourism.

Clarksville Development District, Clarksville, Montgomery Co.

The city council approved plan for potentially Clarksville’s entire historic downtown area, involving broad blight ordinance legislation and eminent domain seizures appears to be temporarily halted.  After extensive advocacy efforts by TPT in the city, and failure by the County Commission to partner with the plan and its TIF tax credits, combined with a strong local campaign by the Castle Coalition, a nationally prominent grass roots anti-eminent domain seizure organization to oppose the plan, it appears to have at least temporarily halted the proponents efforts and hopefully laid the groundwork for the development plan’s repeal.

Spring Hill Battlefield, MauryCounty 

This several hundred acre tract adjacent to historic Rippavilla Plantation in Maury County is one of the largest remaining tracts associated with the November 29, 1864 Battle of Spring Hill, the critical precursor to the Battle of Franklin.  The land was acquired in the 1980s by General Motors Corporation for its Saturn automotive plant in Spring Hill.  It was not developed and remained in agricultural production, forming a scenic buffer for Rippavilla.  In 2007, after GM announced it was ceasing the production of Saturn automobiles at its Spring Hill plant, and retooling the facility for the production of other GM automobiles, the company announced its intention to sell the land for development.

Natchez Trace Parkway Corridor, Davidson, Williamson, Maury, Hickman, Lewis, Lawrence and Wayne counties

The Natchez Trace Parkway is one of the nation’s premier scenic roads; it draws more than 5.5 million visitors every year, making it the seventh most visited unit of the National Park Service.  Parkway visitors are treated to a scenic drive of incomparable beauty while learning the history of this historic route connecting Nashville with Natchez, Mississippi.

Unfortunately, when the parkway was planned in the 1930s, park planners did not foresee a future threat to the then rural landscape, and only a limited right-of-way was purchased, too small to protect the viewshed beyond the road.  Many of the areas immediately visible from the parkway are vulnerable to the rapidly increasing residential and commercial development. Williamson County is consistently ranked among the fastest growing counties in the state and in the nation, and much of the county’s development is in the western section adjacent to the Trace.  In southwest Davidson County, large developments around Bellevue and Pasquo threaten views near the northern terminus.  And even in the more rural counties to the south, residential and commercial development adjacent to the right of way threatens the visual setting for this historic road.  The historic original Natchez Trace, which survives as county roads in many areas, is also threatened by expansion and adjacent development.

To address the threat to the parkway’s scenic values, adjacent lands need to be protected.  This can be done through the purchase or transfer of development rights, donated conservation easements, and property sales to conservation-minded buyers.  To this end, the Land Trust for Tennessee, in partnership with the Heritage Foundation of Franklin and Williamson County, and the Harpeth River Watershed Association, has launched the “Loveless to Leipers” project to acquire conservation easements and encourage other sorts of land protection along the corridor.  To date, more than 2,000 acres of lands within the viewshed have been protected through voluntary conservation easements.  Ultimate protection of the parkway corridor will require more voluntary land protection measures and perhaps local government guidelines guidelines for development within the viewshed.

Rural Mount, Hamblen County

Rural Mount in rural Hamblen County is a late eighteenth century structure that is one of Tennessee’s best examples of early stone Georgian architecture.   The house was reputedly built in 1799 by Alexander Outlaw for his son-in-law Joseph Hamilton.  Both of these men were instrumental in founding the State of Franklin and later the State of Tennessee.  Rural Mount commands an impressive hilltop position overlooking the valleys of the Nolichucky River and its tributaries.  Its random ashlar limestone construction is similar several houses of the period in the vicinity and the structure has other unique architectural features.

The house has been abandoned for many years and is deteriorating.  Present use is as pasturage for a cattle farm, and there does not seem to be much community awareness of the structure’s existence.  It is hoped that the attention from the “Ten in Tennessee” listing might encourage awareness of the resource and possibly promote its preservation.

James Brown House, Hamilton County

The James Brown House was built circa 1836 and is significant for its association with the Cherokee Nation and the “Trail of Tears” and for its unique architecture.  James Brown was an influential member of the Cherokee Nation and associated with Chief John Ross. A few years after building the one-story brick dwelling, James Brown led a detachment of Cherokee over the Trail of Tears across the Tennessee River and out west to Oklahoma in 1838.  His house near Ooltewah in Hamilton County is unique, featuring rounded brick columns with stone bases surrounding the entrance.

With assistance from the Tennessee Preservation Trust and the National Park Service, a preliminary project to stabilize the vacant house was carried out in 2006.  However, considerable additional work needs to be done, and the property may best be protected by an easement or transfer to an organization capable of completing the restoration, and then protecting and interpreting this historic 1830s home.

Franklin Cinema, Williamson County

Franklin’s downtown theatre opened on July 15, 1937 in the midst of the Great Depression.  It was the first building with air conditioning in the county.  The theatre brought Hollywood entertainment to the then rural county and movies were shown in the theatre until earlier this year, when the building owner raised the rent and the theater ceased operations.  Townspeople in Franklin think of the theater as a community treasure and are concerned the theater may be refabricated into an office complex or chain retail store that does not contribute to the historic character of the historic downtown.

The threat to the Franklin Cinema typifies the threat to the relatively few downtown theaters surviving across the state.  Like theaters in other small towns, the Franklin Cinema was a “rainmaker,” drawing crowds, especially in the evenings, and contributing to a healthy mix of downtowns.  Preserving such theaters can help draw more visitors downtown, increasing city revenues and providing a wonderful alternative movie-watching experience to big-box cinemas.  Local preservationists hope the Franklin Cinema can be purchased by a foundation or local government which can seek grant funds to convert it to a combined theater and cultural center.

Mount Zion CME Church, Obion County

This circa 1896 African-American church is listed in the National Register of Historic Places; and has had minimal changes to its interior or exterior since its construction. The church bell, which is mounted outside and directly in front of the church, was donated by a local prominent African-American businessman, Mr. Walter Robinson   The threat to the structure is demolition by neglect.   Funds are needed to replace the roof, which has deteriorated, especially in the southeast corner of the building, where some small leaks have developed. Ultimately the church needs a congregation to occupy the building and keep the property in good repair.  Local preservationists indicate a congregation is interested in using the church, and we hope attention brought by listing in the “Ten in Tennessee” will help raise community awareness and support.

Ragland Court Subdivision, Rutherford County

Ragland Court is one of Murfreesboro's best preserved twentieth century subdivisions. The first houses date back to the early 1930s and there are additional houses from the 1940, 50s and 60s.  Many of the structures are in the Tudor Revival variant of the Bungalow style.

Middle Tennessee State University has placed the Ragland Court Subdivision in its "master plan acquisition zone."  This means that properties are bought by the University as they become available. Most of these properties are rented out. However four houses were purchased and demolished by the university and the University plans to build a parking lot in the green space that was left by this demolition. The ultimate goal as stated by the university officials is to absorb the entire neighborhood into the campus.   Contracts for the parking lot work have already been executed and notice to proceed was given to the contractor the week of May 21, 2007.

It is hoped that listing in the “Ten in Tennessee” will encourage the University to move the parking lot to their own, ample greenspace and respect the historic neighborhoods surrounding the campus.

Dandridge Historic District, Jefferson County

Dandridge, Tennessee is one of Tennessee’s oldest towns and its historic downtown is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It is significant for its architecture, engineering, and transportation themes and serves as an historic government and commercial center.  It contains a wealth of eighteenth century buildings as well historic structures dating from the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.

The Tennessee Department of Transportation has proposed some alternatives for a bridge replacement project that may potentially have adverse effects to the historic district. Some of these alternatives, if implemented, would route the new highway through the historic downtown core and would permanently eliminate the opportunity for the revitalization efforts that are underway to maintain and enhance the town center.  The area around the town and to its south is rapidly developing and a safe crossing across Douglas Lake is needed for all the traffic.  TDOT is still in the planning stage of the proposed project and studying alternatives while working with concerned parties.  It is hoped that the “Ten in Tennessee” listing will encourage all parties involved to adopt an alternative that protects the downtown core of one of Tennessee’s most historic communities.

Taylor Home at Sabine Hill, Carter County

This property has great historical significance due to its association with the Taylor family, who were early Tennessee settlers in 1772, and also for its wood construction, Federal-style architecture. This home was built prior to 1820 by the widow of General Nathaniel G. Taylor. Both were great-grandparents to Robert L. Taylor and Alfred Taylor, best known for running against each other for governor in the "War of Roses." (Both served as governor during different terms.)

The property is threatened by demolition.  The present owners acquired this property in 2002 and intended to restore it.  It became necessary to sell it, and an option to buy has been granted to a developer who intends to raze the historic structure and develop housing.  Local citizens have a back-up contract to purchase this property if the developer declines his option.  The Elizabethton City Council is working to develop a municipal ordinance, which would protect and preserve their historic structures.  If these local citizens are able to purchase this site, they propose to make it a part of the Historic District, and place restrictions on the property that would preserve this historic house.  The State of Tennessee has expressed an interest in obtaining this property to make it into a site such as Rocky Mount and Tipton-Haynes.  If this effort fails, the Heritage Alliance will look for a buyer interested in using it for an historic residence.  Listing of the property will hopefully support local preservationists, and/or the State, in their efforts to acquire this important historic home and provide for its long-term preservation.

Morristown College, Hamblen County

Morristown College is an early former African American college located in Hamblen County and is important for its associations with African American collegiate education in East Tennessee.  The original building was constructed on the site of a former slave market, and following the Civil War, the original building first became a primary, and then later, a secondary school at which freedmen were taught reading, writing, and arithmetic, subjects that they were restricted, by law, to learn prior to the war.  Often multiple generations of a single family attended the school simultaneously, receiving their educations.  The school initially focused on industrial courses for men, and homemaking courses for women.  In 1918 a college farm and agricultural departments were added, and in 1927 the school expanded its educational offerings to include a two-year junior college curriculum.  At the height of its enrollment, the school occupied 12 buildings and encompassed 375 acres.  Today the encompassed college property, listed in the National Register of Historic Places, stands at 51 acres and 7 buildings.  The buildings have remained vacant for a number of years, and have been open to the elements for much of that time.

The structures need to be stabilized and mothballed.  These protective measures would protect the campus until an appropriate plan for its long-range preservation and revival can be developed.  An appropriate model for protecting this historic property may be a “Friends of Morristown College” or similar organization that can actively pursue preservation options for this historic property.

Hawkins County Courthouse, Rogersville
THREAT: Deferred Maintenance, Inappropriate Remodelling

Dating to 1836, the Hawkins County Courthouse is a revered landmark in one of the state’s most historic and picturesque towns. It is also one of just a handful of antebellum courthouses in Tennessee still used for its original purposes.  Built by John Dameron in Greek Revival style, its original cupola was replaced in 1929.  In constant use for 160 years, deferred maintenance issues plague some areas of the building, while some of the repair work that has been done has not been respectful of the historic character of the courthouse.  It is hoped that the listing will help focus attention on the courthouse’s condition--and inspire local leaders to focus on generating a long-term restoration plan with the help of professional preservationists.

Zippin Pippin Roller Coaster and the Carousel at Libertyland  Memphis, Shelby County
THREAT: Demolition, Sale 

Even if it were not popularly known as the favorite ride of the late Elvis Presley, the c. 1923 roller coaster would be important as one of only five remaining examples of wooden rollers coasters from the era of classic American amusement parks. The carousel, built in 1909 by William Dentzel, has been a Memphis fixture since the 1920s. Both are found at Libertyland, an amusement park that closed last fall. The Mid-South Fair and the City of Memphis both claim ownership of the roller coaster and carousel. Meanwhile, the Fair has scheduled an auction of the Libertyland assets for June 21^st. A grass-roots organization, “Save Libertyland” has been working to try and keep the park and its treasures from disappearing forever.   UPDATE: the City of Memphis and the Mid-South State Fair announced a compromise in the dispute over ownership of the Ten in Tennessee-listed c. 1909 carousel and the c. 1923 Zippin Pippin roller coaster at the former Libertyland Amusement Park in Memphis on June 20th. In exchange for keeping the carousel, the city decided to allow the fair to maintain its claim of ownership of the roller coaster. A last-minute attempt to file an injunction to block the sale by Save Libertyland advocates was unsuccessful, and the auction was held as scheduled. The roller coaster went for only $2500-- to two individuals only interested in obtaining the car used by Elvis.  

Hiram Jenkins House, Murfreesboro, Rutherford County 
THREAT:  Commercial Development

Since 1853, this handsome two story Greek Revival house has stood firm-- surviving a war that came to its front door and passing through successive decades of more peaceful changes. But recently, the march of “progress” has brought a new interstate interchange very near to the house. With that development, the prospect of commercial development for the property looms very large. The house and its surrounding acreage are currently for sale and the property has been rezoned. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1989, the fact that the Jenkins House is also one of the last remaining buildings associated with the Battle of Stones River in 1864 amplifies its significance among preservationists. A group of concerned citizens, the “Save the Jenkins House Campaign,” has formed to try and find a way to protect the house and at least a portion of the property around it. They have gained several hundred signatures on petitions, and are looking to find a potential buyer for the property.  

East Side of Brownsville Court Square, Brownsville, Haywood County
THREAT: Demolition; Neglect; Lack of Official Protection

Courthouse squares are a wonderful and vibrant part of the unique appeal of Tennessee’s county seats. Brownsville’s square is no exception, and a serious threat to its unique character has landed the east side of the square on this year's list. The problems began when the corner building, located on what was the original “Lot #1” in Brownsville, was torn down in the fall of 2005 after the façade collapsed. That demolition weakened the building next door and has forced the owners to vacate. The fear is that there will be a continued “domino effect” resulting in the eventual loss of the remaining buildings, which date to 1868. More troubling is that the Brownsville Historic Zoning Commission has recently been abolished-- leaving the town without the critical protections afforded by historic zoning. It is hoped that local leaders and citizens will work to protect the east side of the square before a key component of the city’s character is lost. 

Harrson-Goyer-Lee House, Memphis, Shelby County
Threat: Neglect

This exuberant Victorian mansion-- the longtime home of riverboat tycoon James Lee and also the first home of the Memphis Academy of Art-- began as a small dwelling in 1848. It was expanded again by 1865 and in the early 1870s. The last remodeling, by architect Edward Jones, was done in the Victorian Eclectic style. With its Mansard tower, rounded arch Italianate windows, and grand cornice brackets, the house is among the most important examples of its type in Tennessee. It has been unoccupied since 1959, with only isolated repairs made. It is located next to another grand home, the Woodruff-Fontaine House, a museum located in an area known as “Victorian Village.” The Association for the Preservation of Tennessee Antiquities has long-term leases for both properties with the City of Memphis, but the leases expire in 2011. There is concern among local preservationists that the City would reclaim the house upon the expiration of the lease, and its future would be very uncertain.   

Commonwealth House, Ruskin, Dickson County
THREAT: Neglect 

Walker-Sherrill House, Knoxville, Knox County
THREAT: Neglect

This handsome circa 1830 Federal-style brick house is one of less than a dozen of its type remaining in Knox County. It is located in a rapidly developing area and is entangled in an estate. It is eligible for the National Register, and local preservationists are hopeful that the listing will help efforts to establish a dialogue for the development of a long-term preservation plan for the property.  

Jacob Brown Historic Site, Washington County    
THREAT: Structural Deterioration; Development  

Colonel Jacob Brown established the Nolichucky Settlement on this site in 1771.   The site contains a historic cemetery and standing structures including the May Day Post Office, the Byrd Brown Grist Mill, and the Byrd Brown House. The site also undoubtedly contains archaeological information about the early settlement period.  Today it is tied up in an estate, and development is encroaching on the area.

The Colored Hotel, Union City, Obion County 
THREAT: Demolition 

During the period of segregation, there were very few lodging opportunities for African-Americans between Chicago and Memphis. Built around 1950, this two-story concrete block building afforded travelers a welcome stop as they made their way through West Tennessee. Well-known entertainers including Tina Turner performed there in an age when the building served as a social hub for Union City’s black community. Today it lies vacant, deteriorating, and facing demolition. The city council has given the owner six months to formulate a plan to save the structure, and now less than two months remain. The property owner would like to pursue a mixed-use project that would combine a local African-American history museum with a bed and breakfast. 

Sen. Estes Kefauver Boyhood Home, Madisonville ,Monroe County
Threat: Fire Damage, Funding

Built around 1846 by New York-born craftsman Thomas Blanchard, this house is a wonderful example of the transitional Federal-Greek Revival style. It features handsome architectural pattern book details and a graceful pedimented side portico. Around 1912, the family of future U.S. Senator Estes Kefauver moved into the home and he was raised there.  Kefauver was a colorful figure who served in the Senate from 1948 until 1963.  He served as the Democratic nominee for vice president in 1956 under Adlai Stevenson. A devastating fire last fall damaged the house, but the owners are working to restore the property. It is hoped that this listing will  help garner support for their efforts.

                                                                  2005 TEN IN TENNESSEE LIST

Alvin C. York Agricultural Institute, Jamestown, Fentress County

Threat: Neglect

Established in the mid 1920s by Alvin C. York, a native of Fentress County and Congressional Medal of Honor winner in World War I, the Alvin C. York Agricultural Institute provided rural children with an opportunity to attend a comprehensive high school.  The original facility was a handsome three story brick building that was a testament to York’s vision. As America’s most prominent war hero, he eschewed making a personal fortune from his fame, but traveled the country enthusiastically raising funds for the school’s construction. The state of Tennessee took over the operation of the school in the 1930s, after financial issues associated with the Great Depression left it in need of alternative funding sources.  Although the state continues to operate York Institute with new facilities, the original 1920s structure has been vacated and neglected in recent years and has fallen into serious disrepair.  Both the interior and the exterior are in need of substantial work, with the most significant problems including collapsing floors, fallen plaster, and deteriorating mortar causing bricks to fall out.  Widespread community awareness and strong local support make this property an excellent candidate for preservation and rehabilitation. The building has a variety of potential adaptive uses, including a possible arts education facility.

Mount Olivet Cemetery Office/Chapel, Nashville, Davidson County

Threat:  Demolition

Mount Olivet Cemetery was incorporated in 1856 and contains the final resting places of some of Davidson County’s most prominent citizens.  Sited on a knoll overlooking Hermitage Avenue is the Gothic style Office/Chapel. The earliest section may have been built in the 1850s. An east addition added in 1872 and southern addition was added circa1900-1920. The original section and the circa 1900-1920 section are in good condition. Recent scholarship suggests that Ryman Auditorium architect Hugh C. Thompson may have been the designer of the main portion of the chapel. Unfortunately, the office/chapel appears slated for demolition.  A proposal is before the board of directors for the owner of Mount Olivet for the creation of a non-profit organization entitled the Historic Mount Olivet Preservation Consortium.  The organization’s first steps will be to complete a National Register Nomination, restore the office/chapel, establish a cemetery museum per NPS guidelines, and restore the monuments.  Listing will bring increased awareness of the site and help reinforce its historic significance to the cemetery board and Tennesseans in general.

Anderson-Coward House, Memphis, Shelby County

Threat: Vandalism; Neglect

This wonderful Italianate-style building was probably constructed in the 1840s, making it one of the earliest remaining buildings in Memphis. In the 1850s it was remodeled and expanded into its present style. The house exemplifies construction methods of the time, including 1.5 feet thick brick walls made of bricks created on the property. The house served as the popular Justine’s Restaurant Between 1958 and 1996.  For sale for the past two years, a local community service organization would like to purchase the house for senior citizen assisted living.  The property is in receivership and may be sold at auction.  In addition, the Memphis Housing Authority has designated an adjacent area for Hope VI development but does not appear interested in rehabbing and renovating the property.  The house is currently vacant and has been vandalized repeatedly. 

Shake Rag (McNabb Mines), Marion County

Threat:  Deterioration; Theft of Materials

Established in the 1880s, Shake Rag served as a company town for the McNabb Mines in rural Marion County.  Perched along a bluff overlooking the Tennessee River, the community was permanently abandoned circa 1905. In 1984, thirty-four structures remaining from the community were documented-- including ruins of the original school, commissary, hotel, coke ovens, rail incline, and worker housing. The property is currently part of the Prentice Cooper State Forest and is owned by the Tennessee Department of Agriculture, Division of Forestry.  Since the 1984 survey, many of the remaining structures have deteriorated or have been vandalized. Listing would help raise awareness within the state management agencies and local preservationists. It is hoped that the listing will encourage these agencies to ensure the preservation of this rare and important resource.

Battle of Franklin Sites, Franklin, Williamson County

Threat: Lack of Formal Protection; Development

The terrible battle that was waged across much of what is now within the city limits of Franklin on November 30, 1864 was one of the bloodiest and most strategically important of the entire Civil War.  Yet precious little of the battlefield has been protected. Recent local preservation efforts have been very encouraging, and are attracting national attention and support.  What has been described as the largest battlefield reclamation project in American history is now underway with the pending purchase of the Country Club of Franklin by Franklin’s Charge. However, the group needs additional funds to make sure that the restoration of over 100 acres of what was the eastern flank of the battlefield will be a success. Other vulnerable sites include undeveloped core battlefield  land along the historic “Antebellum Trail” (Columbia Avenue.) These properties, part of the route of General Hood’s army, are part of a gateway to Franklin and some have been individually listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Local residents, government leaders, and preservation professionals are actively seeking ways to ensure the preservation of battlefield land including conservation easements, public funding, and historic overlay zoning. 

Central Elementary School, Union City, Obion County

Threat: Demolition due to abandonment and neglect

Built in 1936 by the Public Works Administration, Central Elementary School is a fine example of PWA Modern architecture.  The school originally housed Union City Grammar School and offered the auditorium and gymnasium for community use.  The building closed in 2002.  It was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 2001. It has been studied by the MTSU Center for Historic Preservation for its potential reuse community center or a magnet school, but that option appears to have fallen by the wayside for now.  Listing would bring much-needed awareness about the significance of its important to Union City.  Long term goals include transferring ownership from the city to a foundation and rehabilitation.

Matt Gardner Homestead, Elkton, Giles County

Threat:  Deterioration

A former slave, Matt Gardner established an 106-acre farm near the town of Elkton in 1880.  By 1896, Gardner had built a handsome, two-story frame dwelling (defined by architectural historians as an “I-house”) on the property along with several outbuildings to serve his large farming operation.  Gardner went on to become a community leader by starting a school for African-American children and issuing credit to his poorer neighbors. Due to its significance in African-American ethnic heritage, agriculture, commerce, and architecture, the property was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1995. Today the buildings on the property are deteriorating. A wood-frame stable has partially collapsed, while the farmhouse is in need of structural repairs.  In 2003, the Matt Gardner Homestead was incorporated as a not-for-profit museum with plans to open it as a museum in 2006.  The organization has developed partnerships with local groups like the Elkton Historical Society and the Giles County Chamber of Commerce as well as with other groups such as the Center for Historic Preservation and the TN Civil War National Heritage Area.  The organization has also submitted a proposal to the National Endowment for the Humanities for help in developing the museum.  The property has generated much local interest and community support that is exemplified through its incorporation as a museum.  However, additional support will be needed to make much-needed repairs to the complex.

Mining Sites of Coal Hill, Scott County

Threat: Neglect, Vandalism

The Coal Hill Community sprang up in 1880 after the incorporation of the Crooke Coal Company by J.S. Crooke.  In 1884, the company was sold and became the Glenmary Coal and Coke Company.  Like many mining towns throughout Appalachia, Coal Hill became a boomtown with segregated company housing for both white and black workers, a company store, churches, mining structures, and cemeteries for mine workers and their families.  By 1914, both the coke and coal operations had ended, leaving the town to deteriorate when the company money ran out.  Many residents left and those remaining were too poor to properly care for the structures. Those resources that remain to tell the story include a series of coke ovens (ca. 1885), a powder house (ca. 1880), and an African American cemetery.  Currently these structures are threatened through deterioration and vandalism.  Fortunately, the local residents and current landowners are aware of Coal Hill’s unique history. Their long-term goals include having the sites placed on the National Register, connecting the sites with an interpretive walking trail, and rehabilitating the properties. This designation should bring much-needed recognition and will hopefully assist in garnering more local support for the preservation of the sites.

 Middle Tennessee State University’s President’s House Murfreesboro, Rutherford County

Threat: Loss of Historic Setting

Constructed in 1911, the President’s House was used by the first president of the Middle Tennessee Normal School. Of the three state normal schools created in the early twentieth century, the MTSU President’s House is the only remaining original dwelling that has not been razed.  The original Presidents’ Houses at University of Memphis and East Tennessee State University in Johnson City are no longer standing.  An example of Georgian Revival architecture, the house sits on the corner of Tennessee Boulevard and Main Street at the edge of campus.  The house itself is not threatened. But there is a strong potential for the loss of its historic setting, including much of the associated yard if a proposed road widening project occurs.  As a result of proposed road improvements along Tennessee Blvd., the President’s House was determined potentially eligible for the National Register of Historic Places under Criterion A for its educational associations and Criterion C for its architecture.  It is hoped that this listing will create public awareness that would possibly help maintain its historic setting.

Crosstown Sears, Memphis, Shelby County

Threat:  Neglect

Opened in 1927, the impressive Art Deco landmark Crosstown Sears represents a significant part of the retail and commercial history of Memphis.  The Crosstown Sears served as a regional hub for commercial activity and signified the city’s twentieth-century suburban expansion to the east.  The Crosstown Sears was the 14^th retail store opened in the country and one of the few built in the suburbs in the 1920s.  The building is 11-stories tall and held more than 650,000 square feet of retail space.  The retail store closed in 1983 with the catalog distribution center closing in 1993.  The building has been vacant since its closure.  The property is currently for sale and would be a premier candidate for a mixed use commercial/residential structure or as a office/distribution center that could bring jobs to a depressed area of Memphis.  The Memphis Landmarks Commission has listed the property on its endangered list. A mixed-use development has been proposed before for the building, but funding was unavailable. 

2004 Ten in Tennessee list

Statewide

 1.   State-Owned Historic Sites

Threat:  Inadequate Funding

Tennessee owns 15 historic sites held in perpetuity for the people of the state. These properties range from stately 18^th century dwellings, such as Cragfont in Castalian Springs, to the boyhood home of Alex Haley in Henning. Including the dwellings, outbuildings, contemporary offices and museum spaces at these sites, there are a total of over 100 buildings to maintain.  While these properties are publicly owned, they are administered by private organizations or public/private partnerships at the local level.  Each property is responsible for developing its own programming, hours of operation, as well as preservation and maintenance plans.

The State Department of Tourist Development’s indicates that heritage tourism infuses $1.2 billion dollars per year into the state’s economy. Unfortunately, state budget constraints have forced the General Assembly to reduce state appropriations dedicated to the maintenance of these properties over the years.  Currently, the Legislature appropriates just $200,000 a year total for these sites, which averages $13,000 per property and less than $2,000 per structure. This translates into approximately only 20% of the site’s annual budgets. At some of the properties, facilities have been in great need of repair for years. To address this financial situation, many of the organizations that operate these sites have formed affinity groups, such as the Friends of Rock Castle, to undertake local fundraising for support of these state properties. These groups are primarily responsible for raising the funds necessary for operating each museum, and many perform heroically to keep the sites operating.  Additionally, these sites are eligible for technical assistance provided by the Tennessee Historical Commission’s State Sites Coordinator, a position funded by the Legislature. 

It is hoped that this listing will encourage an increase in state support for these important places that belong to all Tennesseans to teach us about who we are.

2.   Historic Neighborhoods Adjacent to Urban College Campuses, Statewide

Threat:  Destruction for campus expansion

Many urban campuses face a need for expansion to fulfill their academic and athletic programs. Sometimes this means that they are forced to look at the acquisition of properties in surrounding neighborhoods. Striking a balance between the construction of new facilities that work with the scale of the area along with adaptively reusing historic buildings to fit campus needs where possible is the solution to achieving harmony with neighboring areas. The complications associated with institutions that grow into historic areas are exemplified by ongoing campus expansions into two historic neighborhoods located in Pulaski and Knoxville.

Pulaski’s West Hill Historic District is a locally designated historic neighborhood that contains several fine examples of Victorian and twentieth century residential architecture, including Italianate, Queen Anne, Bungalow, Tudor Revival, and minimal traditional-style homes. Before the city adopted historic zoning regulations for the area in 1996, Martin Methodist College, which lies adjacent to the campus, purchased and demolished several historic homes in the neighborhood to build dormitories and other school buildings. The demolition of these houses rendered the neighborhood ineligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places. The college is once again moving to expand into the neighborhood and is planning to demolish several more historic homes in accordance with its campus expansion plan. The local neighborhood association has been negotiating with the college and the city in an effort to develop an alternative expansion plan that respects the school’s need to expand and at the same time protects the neighborhood from further damage.

The remaining vestiges of the Old West Knoxville neighborhood adjacent to the University of Tennessee currently face eventual destruction by the university.  The area developed over a long period of time, between 1859 through 1950, and the dwellings were not exclusively developed for the upper classes, but were marketed to families from many economic and social classes.  Many architectural styles are represented by the extant dwellings and include the Dutch Colonial Revival, Colonial Revival, and Tudor Revival styles. Knox Heritage has been working diligently to encourage the adaptive reuse of the buildings by the university.

3.   The Sons and Daughters of Charity Hall, Boliver, Hardeman Co.

Threat: Neglect

The United Sons and Daughters of Charity was an African-American charitable organization founded in 1873 to serve the black population of the Bolivar area, and it still exists today. In 1909, the organization purchased the property on which the building stands, and by 1913 they had constructed a facility on the site. That building burned in the late 1920s, and the present facility, a one story hip-roofed frame vernacular structure, was built at that time. Over the years, the hall has served as a social hall, civic building, school, and a church. It is no longer used due to maintenance needs, and listing should help emphasize its rarity and significance as one of the few remaining resources of its type in the area. 

4.   The Public Promenade, Memphis, Shelby Co.

Threat:  Inappropriate development

In 1819 proprietors of the city of Memphis established a Public Promenade along the bluffs overlooking the city’s waterfront for the enjoyment of citizens. In the late 19^th-century, Confederate Park was created along a portion of the Promenade. Over the years, several buildings with public uses have also been constructed along portions of the Promenade—the library, post office, a fire station, and others. In February, 2004, the Riverfront Development Corporation approved a plan that would eventually demolish everything along the site except for Confederate Park and the post office.  The site would be leased to developers, and 400 foot high office buildings and a mall would be constructed that would change the entire character of the riverfront area--- and separate a significant portion of the city center from its long-standing relationship with the Mississippi River.   For more information on further developments, please go to www.friendsforourriverfront.org

May, 2005 Report: Little Progress

The City council voted to proceed with the riverfront development project on May 18, 2004. Funding for the project remains an issue. Meanwhile, Friends for Our Riverfront, a local grassroots citizens’ coalition, continues gain strength and to rally support for smart growth for alternatives to the current plan.

5.   Evergreen Place, Nashville, Davidson Co. Threat:  Neglect, Possible sale for development Located on Gallatin Road, Evergreen Place is one of the earliest homes built in Nashville, and is probably the earliest surviving building remaining in Davidson County.  The original log section of the house was built circa 1785 by Reverend Thomas B. Craighead, a prominent Presbyterian minister and the first president of Davidson Academy. Davidson Academy, the precursor of Peabody College, was a school chartered by the North Carolina state legislature when Tennessee was still a part of that state and was the first institution of higher learning in the area. Around 1832, the log house was expanded and covered in weatherboard, and the two-story portico was most likely added at this time as well. A single-pen, log slave cabin still stands in the rear yard. The home was well known as the location of the Jim Reeves Museum. In recent years the house has suffered from neglect, as a legal dispute over the property has dragged on.  It is currently for sale in several parcels at a high price. Inexplicably, the landmark is being marketed as “vacant land…perfect for development.”  A state law protects pre-1865 dwellings in Davidson County from demolition, and it is hoped that listing will encourage the sale of the property to a preservation-minded buyer.

Threat:  Moving

This important two story Federal style brick house with Flemish bond façade is a rare surviving local example of a side hall plan dwelling, and sits on its original cut limestone basement.  Builder Henry Bradford was on the tax rolls in Sumner County by 1794, and was buried in the family cemetery in the yard next to the house upon his death in 1815. Documented by the Historic American Buildings Survey in 1940, the house was available for public visitation while the home of the Hendersonville Arts council in the early 1990s. The current owner tried to sell the property to Wal-Mart in 2003, and he has commented that he wishes to see the house moved. A pending historic overlay for the property that would have offered protection was recently deferred by the city. The property is being listed because substantial original details would be lost if the house is moved. If development is to occur on the site, TPT hopes that it can be done in a way that will not disturb the house and cemetery. Two nearby examples, at Hazel Path and Monthaven, illustrate how historic houses and new commercial buildings can be accommodated on the same site.

 July, 2005 Report: Some Progress

Threat:  Demolition by Neglect, vandalism

This early 20th century National Register-listed former resort community is located within and overseen by the National Park Service. Many of the notable individuals who lobbied for the creation of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in the 1930s had cabins at Elkmont.  The district consists of approximately 50 structures, many of which were constructed in the Adirondack or Rustic style popular during the early 20^th century. Substantial buildings include the Appalachian Clubhouse, and the c. 1908 Wonderland Hotel, soon to be demolished after more than a decade of neglect. When the Park was established, the former cabin owners were allowed to keep long-terms leases until 1992.  Since that time, the structures have been left to deteriorate and have been subjected to vandalism while the Park Service evaluates several alternatives on  what to do with the buildings. The plight of the district achieved additional recognition when it was also named to the National Trust's "Eleven Most Endangered List" of America's most threatened historic places in the summer of 2004. 

July, 2005 Update

8. Terminal Hotel, Chattanooga, Hamilton Co.

Threat:  Neglect

The Terminal Hotel, a three-story triangular building, is a contributing resource in the National Register-listed Market & Main Streets Historic District in downtown Chattanooga.  The circa 1910 structure was erected in close proximity to the 1909 Terminal Station and served travelers who arrived by passenger train.  The building originally housed both boarding rooms and a small restaurant.  In the 1950s, a station porter of African-American heritage operated the hotel and tavern while maintaining his employment at the Terminal Station.  By 1963, he had amassed enough capital to acquire the property for commercial use.  Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, he continued to operate the establishment and work at the train station.  Although the hotel operations ceased in the 1970s, the restaurant remained open until the 1980s.  The property is still owned by descendants of the porter who purchased the building in the mid-twentieth century.

9.   Cumberland Homesteads Historic District, Crossville, Cumberland Co.

Threat: Lack of formal protection for district; highway development

The Cumberland Homesteads District--Tennessee's largest National Register Historic District-- is a remarkable planned community located on the scenic Cumberland Plateau. The Homesteads were established during a 1930s New Deal resettlement initiative under the Farm Security Administration to aid destitute rural families, and the district is a testament to the hard-working families who were given an opportunity to make a new life in this cooperative farming effort. The area still features many surviving

examples of the stone dwellings and barns utilized by the settlers. Also significant are the traffic triangle intersections, road layouts, and bridges that were part of architect William Macy Stanton's original 1935 plan to bring a harmonious look to the Homesteads. Because the Cumberland Homesteads lacks formal protection that would be provided by enacting historic zoning, inappropriate additions to the original farmstead homes along with overscaled infill construction throughout the district have obscured the original character of many portions of the area. In the 1980s, TDOT proposed widening U. S. Highway 127 (State Route 28) through the area and altering the existing intersection of US 127 and State Route 68, which converge at the heart of the community and in front of the historic stone water tower.  TDOT's laudable 2003 decision to allow the University of Tennessee to conduct studies on several controversial road projects, including this one, confirmed that the proposed road widening would have an adverse impact on the historic district. Local and state preservation advocates are concerned about the impact of the project as this area of Tennessee continues to grow as a burdgeoning retirement community. While TDOT is agreeing to be sensitive to the road design at the point where 127

and 68 intersect, it is hoped that the agency will look to the entire scope of effects on the widened road on the surrounding areas.

      10. James D. Hoskins/H.B. Jarnagin Bridge, Dandridge, Jefferson County

Threat:  Demolition

The Tennessee Valley Authority constructed this attractive National Register-eligible through-truss bridge in 1942 as part of the Douglas Dam Project and the World War II development effort.  During that time, a  dyke and a pumping station were also built to preserve the Town of Dandridge from being flooded by the dam.  The bridge was built to link the Town to the south side of the French Broad River.  Increasing traffic now overburdens the bridge and has caused the Tennessee Department of Transportation to consider construction alternatives to alleviate this congestion.  While one alternative calls for the preservation of the structure for use as a pedestrian bridge and the construction of a new structure to carry vehicular traffic, the remaining two options call for the demolition and replacement of the existing bridge.  Numerous residents recognize the need for a new structure that will carry increasing traffic, but many also see the historic value of the Hoskins-Jarnagin Bridge and would like to see it preserved. www.dandridgebridge.com

May 2005 Report: Some Progress

Ten in Tennessee Listings, 2001-2003 * Updated Where Noted

2002-2003

1. Tennessee's Historic Stone walls, statewide SOME PROGRESS

2. J. Allen Smith House, Knoxville, Knox County DEMOLISHED IN DECEMBER, 2004

3. Gager Lime Manufacturing Company, Sherwood, Franklin County NO PROGRESS

4.   Drane-Foust House, Clarksville, Montgomery County NO PROGRESS

5. Alexander Inn, Oak Ridge, Anderson County

6. The Historic Mills of Washington County

7. The Chisca Hotel, Memphis, Shelby County SOME PROGRESS

8. Trotter-McMahan Farm, Sevierville, Sevier County

9. St. Paul AME Church, Columbia, Maury County NO PROGRESS

10. Native American Archaeological Sites of Hamilton County  GOOD PROGRESS

2001

1. Robert E. Lee School, Paris, Henry County GOOD PROGRESS

2. Cumberland Presbyterian Church, Charleston, Bradley County SOME PROGRESS

3. The Trail of Tears, Statewide  GOOD PROGRESS

4. Dixie Portland Cement Pumphouse, South Pittsburg, Marion County NO PROGRESS

5. Chucalissa Indian Village, Memphis, Shelby County GOOD PROGRESS

6. CSX Train Depot, Johnson City, Washington County GOOD PROGRESS

7. Coffman House, Whitesburg, Hamblen County GOOD PROGRESS

8. Deery Inn, Blountville, Sullivan County  SAVED

9. Melrose School, Memphis, Shelby County

10. Devon Farm, Nashville, Davidson County SAVED

*Please Note: the listings are made in no particular order of ranking,  (i.e. the "number one" item on each list does not make it the most important or most threatened historic place.)