Shelbyville in Bedford County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)

James S. Gilliland House

Photographed by John Flack, August 17, 2025

1. James S. Gilliland House Marker

Inscription. Born on November 15, 1858, James S. Gilliland, an African American native of Shelbyville and self-taught stone mason, work extensively with limestone. He envisioned turning his log house into a stone home with fifteen-inch thick walls quarried over six years. Some pieces weighing hundreds of pounds. Today the home has sections of walls open to highlight his mastery in craftsmanship. He died on December 12, 1949.

Reverse Side
Gilliland's stone masonry can be seen at many notable homes and businesses in Bedford County, including the Court House. In 1975, the James S. Gilliland House was listed in the National Register of Historic Places for its importance as a remarkable example of the African American building skill and masonry. The Gilliland Historical Resource Center, Inc. promotes and commemorates Gilliland's importance along with the multicultural heritage of Bedford County through programming and the collection of memorabilia.

Erected 2025 by The Gilliland Historical Resource Center, Inc. and Tennessee Historical Commission. (Marker Number 3G 51.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

lists: African Americans • Architecture. A significant historical date for this entry is November 15, 1858.

Location. 35° 29.652′ N, 86° 27.624′ W. Marker is in Shelbyville, Tennessee, in Bedford County. It is at the intersection of Lipscomb Street and W Highland Ave, on the left when traveling north on Lipscomb Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 803 Lipscomb Street, Shelbyville TN 37160, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Middle Tennessee.

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: Shelbyville Central High School (approx. 0.3 miles away); John McAdams-Bedford County Training Harris High Schools Ca - 1895-1966 (approx. 0.4 miles away); Austin C. Shofner (approx. half a mile away); The Eakin-Smith Home

James S. Gilliland House Marker - Reverse Side image. Click for full size.

Photographed by John Flack, August 17, 2025

2. James S. Gilliland House Marker - Reverse Side

(approx. half a mile away); First Presbyterian Church (approx. 0.6 miles away); Confederate Cemetery (approx. 0.6 miles away); Confederate Memorial (approx. 0.6 miles away); Church of the Redeemer (approx. 0.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Shelbyville.

Photographed by John Flack, August 17, 2025

3. James S. Gilliland House Marker

Photographed by John Flack, August 17, 2025

4. James S. Gilliland House Marker

Photographed by John Flack, August 17, 2025

5. James S. Gilliland House Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on August 22, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 17, 2025, by John Flack of Shelbyville, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 284 times since then and 42 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on August 17, 2025, by John Flack of Shelbyville, Tennessee. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.