Baxter in Putnam County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)

Major Richard Fielding Cooke

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, September 25, 2021

1. Major Richard Fielding Cooke Marker

Inscription. Major Richard Fielding Cooke was one of the most prominent pioneer citizens of Putnam County. As a member of the General Assembly in its 1853-54 session he was untiring in his efforts to secure the re-establishment of Putnam County. On February 11, 1854 his colleagues in the General Assembly, in recognition of his valiant services to re-establish the county, amended his bill to provide that the county seat, when located by the commissioners, should be named Cookeviile in honor of Major Richard Cooke. This monument was erected by the Cookeville City Council on June 3, 1985 in honor of him.

Erected 1985 by City of Cookeville.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Political Subdivisions. A significant historical date for this entry is February 11, 1854.

Location. 36° 8.93′ N, 85° 36.911′ W. Marker is in Baxter, Tennessee, in Putnam County. Marker can be reached from Buffalo Valley Road east of Deer Creek Drive, on the left when traveling east. Marker is on rear side of Cooke's gravestone in Cooke Cemetery. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 5585 Buffalo Valley Rd, Baxter TN 38544, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Richard Fielding Cooke (within shouting distance of this marker); Baxter Seminary (approx. 1.3 miles away); Old Shipley Barn

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(approx. 5.4 miles away); Cookeville Confederate Memorial (approx. 5.9 miles away); Civil War In Putnam County (approx. 6 miles away); Tennessee Central Depot (approx. 6.1 miles away); Putnam County's Only Public Execution (approx. 6.1 miles away); a different marker also named Richard Fielding Cooke (approx. 6.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Baxter.

Regarding Major Richard Fielding Cooke. The Tennessee General Assembly first established Putnam County in 1842 from parts of Fentress, Jackson, Overton and White Counties. The county seat was to be named Monticello. However, Jackson and Overton challenged Putnam's creation, saying it would reduce their counties below the minimum size required by the state constitution. The neighboring counties won an injunction stopping any further work on Putnam's creation until a judge could hear their case. But when Putnam officials failed to reply to Jackson and Overton's complaints, a judge ruled that Putnam was unconstitutionally created and therefore dissolved it.

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, September 25, 2021

2. Major Richard Fielding Cooke Marker

Richard Fielding Cooke image. Click for full size.

via City of Cookeville

3. Richard Fielding Cooke

Front of Richard Fielding Cooke's gravestone image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, September 25, 2021

4. Front of Richard Fielding Cooke's gravestone

Credits. This page was last revised on September 26, 2021. It was originally submitted on September 26, 2021, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 227 times since then and 35 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on September 26, 2021, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.