Sparta in White County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)

The Rock House

Photographed by Deanna Lack, July 11, 2014

1. The Rock House Marker

Inscription. Built of Tennessee sandstone between 1835 and 1839 by Barlow and Madison Fisk, the Rock House served as a frontier toll house and stagecoach inn along the Wilderness Trail. President Andrew Jackson stopped here on his trips to and from Washington to visit Samuel Denton, owner and operator of the Rock House. Other notable visitors included President James K. Polk and Sam Houston.

Erected by Tennessee Historical Commission. (Marker Number 2D 35.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #07 Andrew Jackson, the Former U.S. Presidents: #11 James K. Polk, and the Tennessee Historical Commission series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1835.

Location. 35° 55.207′ N, 85° 24.234′ W. Marker is in Sparta, Tennessee, in White County. It can be reached from the intersection of Country Club Road (Old County Route 2200) and Bockman Way (U.S. 70), on the left when traveling south. Located in the parking lot of the State Historic Rock House. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3663 Country Club Rd, Sparta TN 38583, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Tennessee’s Cumberland Plateau

and in the Highland Rim.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Southern Appalachia. 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 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: A different marker also named The Rock House

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(a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Rock House (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named The Rock House (within shouting distance of this marker); George Gibbs Dibrell (approx. 3 miles away); Lester Flatt (approx. 3 miles away); Rotary Club of Sparta Veterans Park (approx. 3.4 miles away); a different marker also named Rotary Club of Sparta Veterans Park (approx. 3.4 miles away); a different marker also named Rotary Club of Sparta Veterans Park (approx. 3.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sparta.

Additional commentary.
1. Operating Hours
The Rock House is open for tours Wednesday, Friday and Saturday 10-3.

— Submitted July 16, 2014, by Deanna Lack of Sparta, Tennessee.

The Rock House image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Deanna Lack, July 11, 2014

2. The Rock House

Credits. This page was last revised on August 27, 2020. It was originally submitted on July 16, 2014, by Deanna Lack of Sparta, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 1,128 times since then and 44 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 16, 2014, by Deanna Lack of Sparta, Tennessee. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.