Port Royal in Montgomery County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)

Port Royal

Photographed by Tom Bosse, October 2, 2026

1. Port Royal Marker

Inscription. From the 1840s to the 1860s Port Royal experienced its greatest economic period. In 1844 the Tennessee Manufacturing Silk Co & Agricultural School built a silk mill here. Gov. James Jones delivered his inaugural speech in a suit made from Port Royal silk. While only the 1859 Masonic Lodge stands today, stores of all sorts, inns and hotels, manufacturing companies, and educational institutes were in the old town of Port Royal. After the Civil war, Port Royal provided prospects for newly freed African Americans. In 1867 Mt. Zion Baptist Church was built south of town, which was pastored by the Rev. Horace Carr, who purchased his freedom before the Civil War. A carpenter, Carr ran the local ferry. Other local Black business owners included Tom Dorich – shoe and boot maker and John McGowen – broom maker. In 182, Benevolent Society No. 7, a Black fraternal society was established nearby. In 1893 they built their first lodge hall on Main St. in Port Royal. The church and lodge are active organizations today.

Erected by Tennessee Historical Commission. (Marker Number 3C 86.)

Topics and series. This historical marker

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is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Tennessee Historical Commission series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1844.

Location. 36° 33.238′ N, 87° 8.509′ W. Marker is in Port Royal, Tennessee, in Montgomery County. It is at the intersection of Port Royal Road (Tennessee Route 238) and Old Clarksville - Springfield Road, on the right when traveling east on Port Royal Road. Marker is located at the Port Royal State Historic Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Adams TN 37010, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, 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 2 miles of this

Photographed by Tom Bosse, October 2, 2026

2. Port Royal Marker

marker, measured as the crow flies: The Enslaved at Port Royal (within shouting distance of this marker); The Town of Port Royal (within shouting distance of this marker); Legacy of the Enslaved (within shouting distance of this marker); Stores of Port Royal (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Port Royal (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named The Town of Port Royal (within shouting distance of this marker); Baseball at Port Royal (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); a different marker also named Port Royal (approx. 1.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Port Royal.

Another marker is no longer nearby. 1859 Masonic Lodge & General Store (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been confirmed missing).

Also see . . . Port Royal State Park. (Submitted on October 31, 2026, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee.)

1859 Masonic Lodge & General Store image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Tom Bosse, October 2, 2026

3. 1859 Masonic Lodge & General Store

Credits. This page was last revised on October 31, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 31, 2026, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 6 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 31, 2026, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.