Seven Tennessee Sites Added to the National Register of Historic Places
Wednesday, December 07, 2011 | 08:19am
NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Historical Commission has announced seven Tennessee sites have been added to the National Register of Historic Places. The National Register of Historic Places is the nation’s official list of cultural resources worthy of preservation. It is part of a nationwide program that coordinates and supports efforts to identify, evaluate and protect historic resources. The Tennessee Historical Commission administers the program in Tennessee.
“These listings highlight some of the diverse places that tell the story of Tennessee's unique history,” said Patrick McIntyre, executive director of the Tennessee Historical Commission. “Our office is proud of its role in ensuring recognition of these time-honored places that help give Tennesseans a sense of pride in their communities.”
Sites recently added to the National Register of Historic Places include:
Fort Anderson on Militia Hill – The Coal Creek War is a significant part of Anderson County’s history and the remains of the fort near Lake City are an excellent representation of this event. The site consists of trenches and earthworks from around 1892, which were constructed by the Tennessee Militia who came to the area to put an end to the coal miners’ uprising. Miners were fighting against the corrupt and unjust convict leasing system. The Coal Creek War was a key event in the conflict between the mining industry, the state and free miners that helped end the convict leasing system.
Johnson City Country Club – A.W. Tillinghast, a nationally known golf course designer and developer of the strategic golf course, designed the course at the Johnson City Country Club. The large tee boxes, rolling hills, deep sand traps and tiered greens that comprise the golf course are all trademarks of Tillinghast’s original design. Only nine of the 18 holes at the golf course were built in 1919; the remaining holes were completed in 1941 and 1948. As the premier golf course in the region, the Johnson City Country Club promoted high school and college golf and hosted many charitable events. It is important for its landscape design and for its part in Johnson City’s recreational history.
Memphis Landing – This Memphis cobblestone landing was first listed in the National Register as part of the Cotton Row Historic District in 1979. More recent research showed that the landing has national importance as a major inland port. Cotton was a major crop for more than a century and for most of that time Memphis was a major shipping point for cotton. Beginning in 1838 when the landing was a mud flat, through the paving of the landing in the 1850s, and through changes in the early 20th century, the approximate 11 acres that comprise the Memphis Landing played an essential role in the commercial development of the U.S.
Park-Elkins Historic District – The Park-Elkins Historic District is a two-street area located in the larger Sylvan Park neighborhood of Nashville in Davidson County. There are 130 principal buildings along Park and Elkins avenues, between 42nd Avenue on the east and 50th Avenue on the west. Most of the district is residential, although there are churches, a park and a commercial building included in the nomination. This area is a good representation of the growth and development of suburban West Nashville from the late 1880s through the mid-20th century. The Park-Elkins Historic District contains good examples of Queen Anne, Queen Anne Cottage and bungalow-style houses.
Piney Flats Historic District – Sullivan County’s Piney Flats Historic District includes the historic core of the community. The majority of the properties are houses, but there is also a cemetery, church, school, commercial building and small-industry buildings. The Queen Anne style predominates, along with many bungalow houses. Growth of the community began when the East Tennessee and Virginia Railroad arrived in the region. Easier access to the railroad meant that new businesses came to Piney Flats. Wolfe Brothers and Co., a woodworking company, took advantage of the improved transportation and became a major employer. The existing historic resources represent the historic and architectural development of Piney Flats.
Russell House – Located in Springfield in Robertson County, the Russell House was built for Charles and Julia Russell in 1934-1936. It is an important example of the Colonial Revival style in Springfield. The asymmetrical façade is different from most Colonial Revival houses in the area, but the house does have several character-defining features of the style. The over-sized broken or swan-neck pediment over the entry, sidelights, multi-light double-hung windows and brick corbelling below the eaves and on the chimneys are important elements of the Colonial Revival style on the exterior of the Russell House. Inside, the main design features of the house include wood-paneled doors, an elaborate curved main stair, built-in shelving/storage, paneled wainscoting and a variety of fireplaces.
Whitaker-Motlow House – Located in the community of Mulberry in Lincoln County, the Whitaker-Motlow House was built around 1846 and re-built in 1909 following tornado damage. The style of the house combines Greek Revival and Italianate designs. The second story of the house was severely damaged in the 1909 tornado and re-built in the same style as the 1846 house. Important architectural features of the house include the one bay, two-story portico with its bracketed pediment, paired multi-light windows with shutters, brick pilasters and the main entry with transom and sidelights. Inside, the house retains a historic fireplace and original woodwork.
Links to each of the completed nomination forms can be found in the site descriptions listed above. For more information about the National Register of Historic Places or the Tennessee Historical Commission, please visit the Web site at www.tnhistoricalcommission.org.
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