Cowan in Franklin County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)

Cowan, Tennessee

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, July 26, 2020

1. Cowan, Tennessee Marker

Inscription.
Named in honor of Major John Cowan, early pioneer settler.

Major William Russell first settled here in 1800, his home serving as the first Court House 1807-1814.

1848-1854: N &C Railroad constructed the world's longest tunnel and steepest grade railroad.

1855: 9 mi. spur line to Sewanee Mountain completed by Sewanee Mining Company.

1863-1864: Confederate and Federal Armies camped in Cowan.

Failure of Confederate Forces to destroy the tunnel provided General Sherman with a direct line of supply for his march through Georgia.

Erected 1974.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Railroads & Streetcars • Settlements & Settlers • War, US Civil. A significant historical year for this entry is 1800.

Location. 35° 9.857′ N, 86° 0.629′ W. Marker is in Cowan, Tennessee, in Franklin County. It is at the intersection of Cumberland Street West (U.S. 41A) and Tennessee Avenue South, on the right when traveling north on Cumberland Street West. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 199 Tennessee Ave S, Cowan TN 37318, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally,

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this marker is in Middle Tennessee

and in the Highland Rim.

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 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Cumberland Mountain Tunnel (here, next to this marker); Dr. Charles Doyle Couser (within shouting distance of this marker); Tullahoma Campaign (within shouting distance of this marker); Passing Through Cowan (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Tullahoma Campaign (within shouting distance of this marker); Cowan Railroad Museum (within shouting distance of this marker); Goshen Cumberland Presbyterian Church (approx. 3.2 miles away); Peter Turney (approx. 4.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Cowan.

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, July 26, 2020

2. Cowan, Tennessee Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on November 10, 2024. It was originally submitted on July 28, 2020, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 1,155 times since then and 111 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 28, 2020, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.