Homestead Manor - Thompson's Station, TN

This mansion is located along highway US31 along the southern end of Williamson County.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homestead_Manor

Homestead Manor is a property in Thompson Station, Tennessee. Construction of the manor began in 1809 by Mr. and Mrs. Francis Giddens with a Revolutionary War Grant, and was completed in 1819.

Homestead Manor features Georgian architecture that can be traced back to Francis Giddens' appreciation for his heritage in Louisa County, Virginia.

Between 2015 and 2019, the property served as a restaurant. Presently, it serves as both an event venue and a coffee shop. The coffee shop, known as "1819," pays tribute to the year when the manor's construction was finalized There is a 50-acre conservation easement

National Register of Historic Places: npgallery.nps.gov/GetAsset/6cb9176e-b6a3-49e2-b65a-7e4a63e9d5da/ Homestead Manor, built by Francis Giddens in 1809-1819, was designed in the Georgian style. The design features bilateral symmetry, four by five bay organization. The house has a wide gable roof with gable dormers and an attached two story entrance porch with six fluted round columns and carved wood dentils at the eave. The structure is three stories tall and the finished third story is built under the roof eave. The center dormers at the front and rear feature Palladian style triple windows with multi-colored stained glass lights divided by narrow, decorative wood muntins. The main entrance features a rectangular shape transom with colored glass lights, decorative muntins, and the wide side lights repeat the same design.

See this photo here: https://seemidtn.com/collection/galleries/tn/midsw/williamson/#p=54749449356

First Farmers Bank neon sign - Columbia, TN

This sign has been redesigned since I last saw it in 2018. Back then, it was called First Farmers and Merchants Bank with a green background.

See it here: flic.kr/p/24rSZeT

See this photo here: https://seemidtn.com/collection/galleries/tn/midsw/maury/#p=54705044568

Cool Springs Barn - Brentwood, TN

In 1993 for the development of the Cool Springs Mall, the home the area was named after was going to be torn down. Instead of being lost forever, it was moved and preserved at Crockett Park (flic.kr/p/8Ey6sq).

Along with the house, the Cool Springs barn seen here and other outbuildings were also relocated. The barn is thought to be older than the house. The first floor is mode of stone piers while the second floor is made of rough hewn logs. The barn is also believed to be the first distillery in the county. Today, it makes a good backdrop for outdoor events held at the house.

See this photo here: https://seemidtn.com/collection/galleries/tn/midsw/williamson/#p=54526905755

McKenzie Depot - McKenzie, TN

The historic L-shaped train depot in McKenzie, Tennessee, known as the McKenzie Depot, is a Renaissance Revival-style combination depot built circa 1926, featuring waiting rooms, a freight area, and a ticket office. Located at 85 East Bruce Street, it serves as a key landmark in the town and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places (reference number 96000336) in Carroll County. The depot's distinctive L-shape accommodates its dual functions and the intersecting rail lines, with an adjacent red caboose (formerly B&O 903969, later Chessie and CSX, donated to the town flic.kr/p/2rpEBmB ) adding to the site's visual appeal. Today, it stands as a preserved piece of railroad architecture, reflecting the era's design with elements like brick construction and functional layout for passenger and freight operations.

The depot's history is intertwined with McKenzie's founding, as the town was organized in 1867 when the Nashville and Northwestern Railroad intersected with the Memphis and Ohio Railroad on land donated by the McKenzie family, initially called McKenzie Station. It served both the Louisville & Nashville (L&N) and Nashville, Chattanooga & St. Louis (NC&StL) railroads, facilitating the town's growth from a population of over 500 in 1870 to a bustling community by the 1880s. The last passenger train stopped there in 1970, and following the 1993 demolition of a similar depot in Milan, it became the only extant Renaissance Revival passenger station in West Tennessee. Preservation efforts in the 1990s, including public meetings, ensured its survival, and it now symbolizes the railroads' pivotal role in the region's economic and historical development.

See this photo here: https://seemidtn.com/collection/galleries/tn/west/northwest/#p=54766224466

Tennessee Central Bridge over the Stones River - Nashville, TN

This Warren through truss bridge was originally built by Tennessee Central and crosses over the Stones River. Today, the bridge is used by RJ Corman's Nashville & Eastern Railroad (NERR) and the Music City Star.

Getting here requires a walk on Nashville's Stones River Greenway System. It's about a mile one-way from the YMCA Trailhead on Lebanon Pike or 1.5 miles from the trailhead near Percy Priest Dam.

Less than a thousand feet away is the remains of the NCStL Bridge which also crossed Stones River. Only the piers and the earthworks leading to the river remain.

See this photo here: https://seemidtn.com/collection/galleries/tn/nv/parks/#p=54742985898

Repainted Broadway of America Mural - Dickson, TN

While not as famous as the "National Road" (US 40) or "Lincoln Highway" (US 30), U.S. 70 was one of the prominent east-west highways across America, and was nicknamed Broadway of America. In the heart of Dickson, TN, this is a repaint of a mural which depicts the route of Broadway of America through Tennessee, however with East and West switched. The original painting included the line at the bottom for "Courtesy Dickson County Chamber of Commerce." The mural repaint is signed by Erwin - April, 17, 2018. This appears along College St. (The old route of 70 through town) near Main St. on the side of the restaurant MilePost 42.

Towns identified along the mural are Bristol, Kingsport, Rogersville, Rutledge, Knoxville, Kingston, Rockwood, Crossville, Sparta, McMinnville, Woodbury, Murfreesboro, Nashville, White Bluff, Burns, Dickson, Tenn City, McEwen, Waverly, Camden, Bruceton, Huntington, Jackson, Brownsville and Memphis. For those of you that are interested in such things, the route shows here follows what is now US 70S instead of US70 from Nashville to Sparta, which is the original configuration. Before it was part of Broadway of America, much of this route was originally known as the Memphis-to-Bristol Highway or State Route 1.

See this photo here: https://seemidtn.com/collection/galleries/tn/midnw/dickson/#p=54797347175

Old Hickory Methodist Church - Old Hickory, TN

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_Hickory_United_Methodist_Church

Old Hickory Methodist Church is a Methodist congregation which meets at 1216 Hadley Avenue in Old Hickory, Tennessee. The church building was constructed in 1928 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1985.

History Old Hickory Methodist Church was organized in 1925. Originally, it met in the "little gym," which is now the site of the Old Hickory Community Center. The construction of the current sanctuary began with services held in the basement. The sanctuary was completed in 1929 at a cost of $30,000, and the first service was held on the first Sunday in 1929. Pews were installed in 1936 to replace folding chairs. An educational annex was added in 1939 at a cost of $10,000, and second floor was added in 1954. In 1967 the sanctuary was remodeled and redecorated. Stained-glass windows were installed in 1983. The church was added to the National Register of Historic Places in May 1985.

See this photo here: https://seemidtn.com/collection/galleries/tn/nv/misc/#p=54706834381

Edward Moody King House (South Facade) - Dyersburg, TN

National Register of Historic Places listing npgallery.nps.gov/AssetDetail/NRIS/90001658

The Edward Moody King House, located at 512 Finley Street in Dyersburg, Tennessee, is a significant example of Classical Revival architecture, built circa 1905-1907 for Edward Moody King and his wife, Mary Stevens King. The property, encompassing a 1.25-acre lot, was purchased in 1900 after the couple’s previous home burned down, prompting them to acquire and briefly reside in the nearby Minnick House, which likely inspired the design of their new residence. Constructed on lots 23 and part of 25 in the Fowlkes Addition, a prestigious residential area of Dyersburg at the time, the house was possibly designed by Memphis architect George Mahan, though documentation is inconclusive. The Kings, tied to the prominent Stevens Lumber Company (later E.M. King Lumber Company), owned the property until their deaths in 1940, after which it passed to their daughter Zelda Gilbert and later to their son E.M. King, Jr., with current ownership held by E.M. King, III and Mary Louise King. The house, listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1990, stands as Dyersburgs largest and most intact Classical Revival residence, surrounded by modern commercial properties but retaining its historical and architectural integrity.

Architecturally, the Edward Moody King House is a grand, two-story brick structure distinguished by its Classical Revival features, including a symmetrical facade, colossal Ionic columns, and expansive porticos. The south facade, facing Finley Street, is dominated by a semi-circular, two-story portico with six massive wooden Ionic columns and a deep frieze with dentil trim, complemented by brick quoins and three gabled dormers with Palladian windows. The east facade, along King Avenue, mirrors this grandeur with a similar portico, while the west elevation features a porte cochere with Doric columns and a flat roof with a balustrade. A two-story outbuilding, serving as a garage and servants’ quarters, and remnants of a formal rose garden with concrete pathways and a circular flower box, enhance the propertys historical character.

See this photo here: https://seemidtn.com/collection/galleries/tn/west/northwest/#p=54790774713

China & Gift Mart neon sign - Pigeon Forge, TN

China as in fancy dishes, not China the country, although maybe some or much of it was from the country of China.

Located along the main parkway in Pigeon Forge (US441/321). Below FAMOUS is BRANDS.

NOTE: As of 2025, this building is now gone.

See this photo here: https://seemidtn.com/collection/galleries/tn/east/smokies/#p=54735629957

Dickson County Justice Center - Charlotte, TN

The Dickson County Justice Center, located at 500 Spring Street in Charlotte, Tennessee, is a modern, three-story, 70,000-square-foot facility that serves as the county’s primary judicial hub. Completed in November 2020, it consolidates multiple court functions previously spread across separate buildings, including Circuit Court, Chancery Court, General Sessions Court, Probate Court, and Juvenile Court. The building features a secure judges’ parking area, holding cells, and a central control system, with courtrooms and clerk offices on the upper floors. Its design emphasizes functionality and security, with a single main entrance equipped with a metal detector and baggage check, separate staff and prisoner elevators, and a two-story atrium with hardwood millwork and porcelain tile at the entrance. A flexible multi-use room on the main floor accommodates large conferences, jury assemblies, and courtroom waiting areas, enhancing operational efficiency.

Architecturally, the Justice Center blends modern utility with aesthetic harmony, complementing Charlotte’s historic Courthouse Square. Designed by Wold | HFR Design and constructed by T.W. Frierson Contractor, Inc., the building uses brick and cast stone trim to echo the visual character of the historic Dickson County Courthouse (see it here: flic.kr/p/9tAuDV ), built in 1833 and still the oldest operating courthouse in Tennessee. Located off TN-Highway 49, it acts as a new focal point for the downtown district while maintaining the area’s traditional charm. The project, costing $23 million, was driven by the need to replace outdated facilities, with input from local judges to ensure state-of-the-art functionality. The Justice Center’s secure design and technological upgrades improve access to justice while preserving the community’s historical identity, making it a significant addition to Dickson County’s infrastructure.

See this photo here: https://seemidtn.com/collection/galleries/tn/midnw/dickson/#p=54773093205

Collinwood Railroad Station - Collinwood, TN

The Collinwood Railroad Station, also known as the Tennessee Western Railroad Station, is a historic landmark in Collinwood, Tennessee, built in 1916 to serve the railroad line connecting the town to Iron City, which spurred significant local growth and transformed Collinwood into a bustling boom town with a population of around two thousand before World War I. Constructed by the Tennessee Western Railroad under a lease from the Louisville and Nashville Railroad, the well-built depot featured a four-room design with later additions like a baggage room and warehouse in 1918, playing a vital role in transportation, freight handling, and community development until operations ceased in 1939 and the tracks were removed by 1941. Over the decades, the station adapted to various uses, including as a private residence, warehouse, grist mill, City Hall from 1965 to 1980, and senior citizens center until 2000, before being renovated and repurposed as the Collinwood Depot Branch Library in 2001. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1988 for its architectural, engineering, and historical significance in transportation and settlement, the station stands as a preserved symbol of early 20th-century rail heritage along what is now a highway bed

See this photo here: https://seemidtn.com/collection/galleries/tn/midsw/wayneperry/#p=54724780712

Valleybrook Park Overlook Bridge - Clarksville, TN

This bridge was originally built by Tennessee Central Railroad in Clarksville. This line had several bridge through the middle of town. When the tracks were removed, several of the bridges were preserved, and a couple of them turned into pedestrian use.

Today, this through truss bridge is part of the Upland Trail in Clarksville's Greenway system. Before it opened to pedestrians, an additional fence was added on all sides. (I'm not used to the enclosure going above me, but I guess they didn't want people to climb it. The bridge has earned the nickname "The Cage.") The trail ends at the south end of the bridge, so it is a pedestrian bridge to nowhere. The south end is at Valleybrook Park, and while you can't get into the park from this bridge, it's where the bridge gets the name. I wonder if they've ever planned on a walkway or stairs on that side.

While the trail stops here, it does provide a good view of the 1891 Railroad bridge over the Cumberland River. Live tracks run below this bridge on a line once part of NCStL and now part of RJ Corman.

See this photo here: https://seemidtn.com/collection/galleries/tn/midnw/montgomery/#p=54770607665

Welcome to McKenzie, TN mural

This mural highlights: The towns location near three counties the historic L-shaped train station: flic.kr/p/2rrvdtM The Park Theater, where the mural is located: flic.kr/p/2r2rv1c Home of Bethel University Zip code 38201 The gazebo in the middle of the town square The high school team mascot Rebels The Webb Public School with Professor JL Seets Established 1869

See this photo here: https://seemidtn.com/collection/galleries/tn/west/northwest/#p=54777572134

Lost Creek Golf Club Ad Barn (Former Rock City) - New Market, TN

While this barn now has an advertisement for the Lost Creek Golf Club, at one time, this was a barn advertising Rock City. (In the David Jenkins book on Rock City Barns, it appears on page 152 top middle.)

The golf club itself opened in 1967, but closed in 2019. Their Ad is painted on both sides. I don't know when it was first painted, but it doesn't appear to be that way in the Jenkins 1996 book. Their clubhouse was about a quarter mile away in the direction the arrow is pointing.

This barn is visible from two different highways. Modern US11E runs to the north of the barn, in the background. This image was taken from the south side along Old Andrew Johnson Highway. This barn is also about a half mile west of the middle of New Market, TN.

This is now one of 97 different Rock City Barns I have photographed and uploaded to Flickr in my Rock City Barns set. I'm close to 100, but the remaining ones are getting tougher to see. People often ask me how I've found so many of them. I have drawn from many resources such as books and web sites and sometimes luck, but there's not really one "go to" place to find them all. Well, now on my flickr account, I have tried to create a one stop source for the locations of all of the barns I've been to. Check this Map of Rock City Barns page, where I have plotted each barn on a Map.

See this photo on Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/brent_nashville/54746510337/

Elm Springs - Columbia, TN

Elm Springs, a historic Greek Revival mansion located just outside Columbia, Tennessee, was constructed in 1837 by wealthy New Orleans cotton merchants James and Nathaniel Dick as a wedding gift for their sister, Sarah Dick Todd, and her husband, Christopher Todd. The two-story brick home, built by master builder Nathan Vaught on a 500-acre property named for its abundant elm trees and natural springs, features classic elements such as a two-story portico with Doric columns, wide hallways, and spacious rooms, making it one of the finest surviving examples of antebellum architecture in Maury County. The Todds resided there for the remainder of their lives, establishing it as a prominent cotton plantation in the region.

Following the Todds' deaths, the property passed to their daughter, Susan Todd Looney, and her husband, Abraham M. Looney, a prominent attorney, Tennessee state senator, and Confederate officer who rose from captain to lieutenant colonel in the 1st Tennessee Infantry during the Civil War. In November 1864, amid the Franklin-Nashville Campaign, Union forces under General John M. Schofield, preparing to withdraw from Columbia, targeted Elm Springs for destruction as part of a "burn line" to clear fields of fire, setting fires inside the house. However, arriving Confederate cavalry under Brigadier General Frank C. Armstrong extinguished the flames and prevented its total loss, later using the mansion to shelter convalescing officers, including General John C. Brown, who would become Tennessee's governor. Post-war, the property changed hands to the Akin family around 1910, then to Howard and Rebecca T. Blocker in 1946, with Rebecca retaining ownership into the 1970s.

In 1985, the Gillham family acquired Elm Springs and undertook restorations to return it to near-original condition, leading to its addition to the National Register of Historic Places in 1986. The Sons of Confederate Veterans purchased the property in 1992, establishing it as their international headquarters and, until a 2005 split over political differences, sharing it with the Military Order of the Stars and Bars. Today, the seven-acre site includes the restored mansion open for tours and rentals, alongside a recently added multi-million-dollar National Confederate Museum housing artifacts and offices, preserving its role as a key link to Tennessee's antebellum and Civil War heritage while drawing visitors interested in Southern history.

See this photo on Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/brent_nashville/54764422709/

Bowl-O-Rena neon sign - Dickson, TN

Bowl-O-Rena, a beloved family entertainment venue in Dickson, Tennessee, has been a staple of local leisure since its establishment in 1980 as one of the area's premier bowling centers, located at 726 E. College St. in the heart of this historic community founded in 1803 and known for its early iron industry roots. Operating as Bowl-O-Rena Inc., it features multiple lanes for open bowling, leagues, and tournaments—including hosting high school events like the 2024 Division I Region Bowling Tournaments—alongside a snack bar serving popular local favorites that has passed routine health inspections as recently as March 2024. Over its 45 years in business, the alley has cultivated a reputation for its welcoming, family-friendly atmosphere, with friendly staff and no-tap games on Friday nights drawing bowlers of all ages, though some visitors note its traditional, older-school vibe compared to newer competitors in Dickson. As a community hub, it continues to thrive, offering affordable fun and fostering social connections in a town rich with Tennessee heritage.

See this photo on Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/brent_nashville/54787919581/

Sevier County Courthouse (Northwest Corner 2015) - Sevierville, TN

The Sevier County Courthouse was completed on November 10, 1895 with Kenneth McDonald as the supervising architect. This is the fifth courthouse for Sevier County and was built for a little over $22,000. Limestone came from a nearby quarry and Isaac Dockery, a notable African American brick mason in Sevierville, manufactured the bricks. The centerpiece of the courthouse is the Seth Thomas clock which is located in the 130ft tall tower. This clock cost more than $1,300 and is still in flawless operation today. Several finishing touches were made over the next several months and the first court was held on October 5, 1896.

See this photo on Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/brent_nashville/54796178617/

Hebron Presbyterian Church - Jefferson County, TN

This church was founded in 1874 amid a contentious split from the Mt. Horeb Presbyterian Church, which had been established in 1851, with the new congregation purchasing the church building for $200. The two groups frequently clashed, leading to multiple name changes for the new church and a decline in membership that resulted in its closure, though they eventually reconciled and reunited with the original Mt. Horeb congregation. In 1986, a private investor acquired the white board frame building, initiating extensive repairs, and it is now celebrated as the Hebron Presbyterian Church, renowned for its stunning arched windows and shutters, making it one of the most beautiful churches in the county.

See this photo on Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/brent_nashville/54806275779/

Greyhound Bus Station - Dyersburg, TN

Dyersburg's Greyhound Bus Station is on the National Register of Historic Places as a contributing structure to the Dyersburg Courthouse Square Historic District. (Note in 1991, it was a Dominos Pizza, but today is known as Bus Stop Dyersburg. The Bus Stop sign is not vintage.) Here is the text of that listing:

24. 304 West Court Street. Greyhound Bus Station (Domino's Pizza) ca. 1938. Art Deco. One-story brick building with a stone foundation. Facade is dominated by a vertical spire on a series of gradually stacked horizontal platforms over a double-leaf glass door. The spire, doors, and a pair of triple disk motif elements are extended in brick from the remainder of the building. Each side of the building is flanked with a flat sheet metal awning. Parking lot once served as the driveway for busses, and thus connects the property with the district. (C)

See this photo on Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/brent_nashville/54808716805/

Austin Peay Mural - Clarksville, TN

This is located at the back of the parking lot for the school's bookstore along College St.

Elements of this mural:

A megaphone with their chant "Let's Go Peay!"

Browning Administration Building

A mother and child next to a doctor.

Their Governors mascot

A Fort Campbell Soldier

Behind the soldier is the railroad bridge over the Cumberland River.

See this photo on Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/brent_nashville/54807542362/