Fiddlers Grove Historic Village in Lebanon in Wilson County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)

Pete Smith Store

Middle Tennessee Electric Museum

Photographed by Karen Emerson-McPeak, circa September 23, 2017

1. Pete Smith Store Marker

Inscription. Pete Smith opened his original store August 1, 1927, when cokes were a nickel a bottle, a gallon of gas cost 14 cents plus 6 cents tax and T.O. "Pete" Smith drove a Model T Ford pickup when he went into business at Doak's Cross Roads. He opened the store in 1927 and in 1929 the Great Depression came and nobody had any money. He said "nobody had any money, people didn't live much, they just got by." The small general store supplied the community with groceries and gas and was a gathering place for checker games and rook.

Because of road improvements to Cainsville Road, Pete's Store was moved directly across the road in 1959.

In 1980, he sold the store to George Spain. Pete retired after running the store for 52 years.

Pete Smith's Store was relocated to Fiddlers Grove on July 15, 2005.

Middle Tennessee Electric displays early electric appliances and early history of electricity in Wilson County.

Erected 2005. (Marker Number 41.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers.

Location. 36° 11.831′ N, 86° 16.161′ W.

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Marker is in Lebanon, Tennessee, in Wilson County. It is in Fiddlers Grove Historic Village. It can be reached from Fiddlers Grove Court. Located in Fiddler's Grove Historic Village James E Ward Center Road. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Lebanon TN 37087, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Middle Tennessee

and in Greater Nashville.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Upper South.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Glen Hightower Telephone Museum (a few steps from this marker); Tates Crossing Flag Station (within shouting distance of this marker); Fiddlers Grove Blacksmith Shop (within shouting distance of this marker); Stewart Cabin (within shouting distance of this marker); Train Caboose (within shouting distance of this marker);

Pete Smith Store Middle Tennessee Electric Museum Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, June 8, 2024

2. Pete Smith Store Middle Tennessee Electric Museum Marker

Tuckers Gap Depot (within shouting distance of this marker); Rowland Barn Museum (within shouting distance of this marker); Doris Bland Pavillion (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lebanon.

Pete Smith Store and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Karen Emerson-McPeak, September 23, 2017

3. Pete Smith Store and Marker

Pete Smith Store image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Kevin W., June 17, 2024

4. Pete Smith Store

Glen Hightower museum is on the left. Pete Smith's Store is on the right.

Middle Tennessee Electric Corporation image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Kevin W., June 17, 2024

5. Middle Tennessee Electric Corporation

Plaque is on the door.

Credits. This page was last revised on July 5, 2024. It was originally submitted on November 5, 2017, by Karen Emerson-McPeak of Triune, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 401 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on November 5, 2017, by Karen Emerson-McPeak of Triune, Tennessee. 2. submitted on June 17, 2024, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. 3. submitted on November 5, 2017, by Karen Emerson-McPeak of Triune, Tennessee. 4. submitted on June 18, 2024, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. 5. submitted on June 17, 2024, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.