Gruetli-Laager in Grundy County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)

Melchior Thoni, Jr

1849 - 1926

Photographed By Judith Barber, October 18, 2012

1. Melchior Thoni, Jr Marker

Inscription. One of the original Swiss settlers of Gruetli in 1869, Melchior Thoni become one of the most famous woodcarvers of Tennessee, executing carvings in the old Governor’s Mansion and the altar of Christ Church in Nashville. About 1880, among his many sculptural enterprises Thoni designed and carved the first wooden animals to stand upon a “Flying Jenny” (merry-go-round) in Tennessee.

Erected by Tennessee Historical Commission. (Marker Number 2E 71.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Churches & Religion • Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Tennessee Historical Commission series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1869.

Location. 35° 22.291′ N, 85° 40.024′ W. Marker is in Gruetli-Laager, Tennessee, in Grundy County. Marker is on Tennessee Route 108, 0.3 miles west of 18th Avenue, on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 27416 Tennessee 108, Gruetli Laager TN 37339, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Gruetli (approx. 0.4 miles away); Creighton's Store (approx. 3.1 miles away); United Methodist Church (approx.

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3.4 miles away); Forrest's Murfreesboro Raid (approx. 5.1 miles away); Grundy County Confederate Memorial (approx. 5.1 miles away); Altamont, Tennessee World War Veterans Memorial (approx. 5.1 miles away); In Memory of LTJG William (Billy) E. Stulce (approx. 5.1 miles away); Korean and Vietnam Conflicts Memorial (approx. 5.2 miles away).

Photographed By Judith Barber, October 18, 2012

2. Melchior Thoni, Jr Marker

Marker is in front of the Fire Dept. on TN 108.

Credits. This page was last revised on December 15, 2019. It was originally submitted on October 21, 2012, by Judith Barber of Marietta, Georgia. This page has been viewed 698 times since then and 40 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 21, 2012, by Judith Barber of Marietta, Georgia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.