Franklin in Williamson County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)

Hard Bargain

Photographed By Larry Gertner, June 17, 2019

1. Hard Bargain Marker

Inscription. In 1873, W.S. McLemore subdivided 15 acres which he called “Hard Bargain” because of a difficult land deal struck in 1866. Hard Bargain became a stable community, largely African-American. The Harvey McLemore house on this lot, built in 1880, was the home of a successful ex-slave and his descendants for 117 years. To the north stands the Franklin Primitive Baptist Church, organized in 1867, and Mt. Hope Cemetery, begun in 1875. On the east side stood St. John’s Episcopal Church, the church’s Negro mission, and a tobacco warehouse. Due south was the 1910 subdivision of Franklin banker E.E. Green and the Green Street Church of God. On the west stood Polk Town, a row of shotgun houses, now a playground.

Erected 1997 by Williamson County Historical Society.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Tennessee – Williamson County Historical Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1873.

Location. 35° 55.532′ N, 86° 52.798′ W. Marker is in Franklin, Tennessee, in Williamson County. Marker is at the intersection of 11th Avenue North and Glass Street, on the right when traveling north on 11th Avenue North

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. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 446 11th Avenue North, Franklin TN 37064, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Federal Breastworks (approx. 0.2 miles away); Charles C. Johnson School (approx. 0.2 miles away); DeGraffenreid Cemetery (approx. ¼ mile away); Campbell-Harms House (approx. 0.3 miles away); Campbell School House (approx. 0.3 miles away); Green-Moore House (approx. 0.3 miles away); McLemore-Apple House (approx. 0.3 miles away); Turley-Marshall House (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Franklin.

Also see . . . How the Hard Bargain neighborhood got its name. (Submitted on October 19, 2019, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

The McLemore House, 446 11th Avenue N image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Larry Gertner, June 17, 2019

2. The McLemore House, 446 11th Avenue N

"Home of the African American House Museum"

The McLemore House and Hard Bargain Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bradley Owen, October 22, 2022

3. The McLemore House and Hard Bargain Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on December 4, 2022. It was originally submitted on October 19, 2019, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. This page has been viewed 315 times since then and 24 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 19, 2019, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. 3. submitted on December 4, 2022, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.