Arlington in Shelby County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)
Orion Hill
Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, August 7, 2021
1. Orion Hill Marker
Inscription.
Orion Hill's story began in 1830 when Alexander Donelson arrived with a new wave of settlers and their slaves. Alexander, grandson of John Donelson, co-founder of Nashboro, now Nashville, and a nephew of the 7th president, Andrew Jackson and Rachel Donelson Jackson, was one of the first settlers in what is now Arlington. Before 1844, he built his home as an exact replica of the Hermitage, calling it Orion Hill. The site has many of the original Eastern Cedar, Loblolly Pine, Osage Orange, Magnolia, and Pecan trees that were planted between 150 to 200 years ago. Several generations of the Donelson family lived and farmed in this area until the house burned sometime after 1923. The original house, as is the current home, was located at the top of a small hill and took the name of the constellation Orion. In addition to being a planter, Donelson was also a successful merchant and opened the second store in Arlington.
Orion Hill's story began in 1830 when Alexander Donelson arrived with a new wave of settlers and their slaves. Alexander, grandson of John Donelson, co-founder of Nashboro, now Nashville, and a nephew of the 7th president, Andrew Jackson and Rachel Donelson Jackson, was one of the first settlers in what is now Arlington. Before 1844, he built his home as an exact replica of the Hermitage, calling it Orion Hill. The site has many of the original Eastern Cedar, Loblolly Pine, Osage Orange, Magnolia, and Pecan trees that were planted between 150 to 200 years ago. Several generations of the Donelson family lived and farmed in this area until the house burned sometime after 1923. The original house, as is the current home, was located at the top of a small hill and took the name of the constellation Orion. In addition to being a planter, Donelson was also a successful merchant and opened the second store in Arlington.
Erected 2019 by Catherine and Don Wilson Shelby County Historical Commission.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1844.
Location. 35° 14.763′ N,
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89° 39.63′ W. Marker is in Arlington, Tennessee, in Shelby County. It is on Donelson Parkway half a mile east of Inglewood Place, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 12055 Donelson Parkway, Arlington TN 38002, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in West Tennessee and in Greater Memphis. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Deep South, in the Upper South, in the Mississippi Delta, and in the Great River Road Region. 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.
Also see . . . The Story of Orion Hill. Manuscript by Catherine Wilson for Orion Hill, now a wedding and special-events venue. Includes additional information about the Donelson and Jackson families. (Submitted on August 8, 2021, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)
Credits. This page was last revised on August 8, 2021. It was originally submitted on August 8, 2021, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 1,222 times since then and 94 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on August 8, 2021, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
