McMinnville in Warren County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)

Clay Faulkner

April 11, 1845 - August 26, 1916

Photographed By Charlien McGlothin, March 16, 2013

1. Clay Faulkner Marker

Builder and original owner of Falcon Rest Mansion.

Inscription. In 1873, Clay Faulkner opened Mountain City Woolen Mills. He built a mansion in 1896 named Falcon Rest, which had indoor plumbing, electricity, central steam heat, and a telephone. After finding mineral springs on the grounds, he converted the woolen mills into Faulkner Springs Hotel health resort. Faulkner also led in building McMinnville Methodist Church and the Great Falls Cotton Mill at Rock Island.

Erected by Tennessee Historical Commission. (Marker Number 2E 73.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Man-Made Features. In addition, it is included in the Tennessee Historical Commission series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1873.

Location. 35° 43.03′ N, 85° 45.7′ W. Marker is in McMinnville, Tennessee, in Warren County. Marker is at the intersection of Faulkner Springs Road and Bluff Springs Road, on the left when traveling north on Faulkner Springs Road. Located in the northeast corner of the Falcon Rest Mansion & Gardens grounds. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2645 Faulkner Springs Road, McMinnville TN 37110, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. The Birthing Tree (approx. 1.7 miles away); Dorothea J. Snow (approx. 2.2 miles away);

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W. S. "Dad" Lively (approx. 2.4 miles away); Morgan's Headquarters (approx. 2½ miles away); Uncle Dave Macon (approx. 2½ miles away); POW and MIA Memorial (approx. 2½ miles away); Symbol of Strength (approx. 2½ miles away); Elisha Pepper II (approx. 2½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in McMinnville.

Regarding Clay Faulkner. Clay Faulkner grew up in the Faulkner Springs community where the marker is located. His father Asa was an early industrialist in the county and had a mill about ¼ mile down the road. Clay manufactured “Gorilla Pants” in his Mountain City Woolen Mill, which was located across the road from the marker. After discovering curative mineral water on the property, Faulkner converted the mill building in 1906 into a mineral springs resort called the Faulkner Springs Hotel.

By 1896, he had tired of the 2½ mile buggy ride from his home in McMinnville. He promised his wife "the grandest mansion in Tennessee" if she would move across the road from his factory. Their Queen Anne Victorian mansion, called Falcon Rest, is currently open

Clay Faulkner Marker at Falcon Rest Mansion image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Charlien McGlothin, March 16, 2013

2. Clay Faulkner Marker at Falcon Rest Mansion

to the public as a historic tourist attraction.

Clay Faulkner image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Charlien McGlothin, circa 1890

3. Clay Faulkner

Photograph by W.S. "Dad" Lively

Falcon Rest Mansion image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Charlien McGlothin, April 27, 2009

4. Falcon Rest Mansion

Clay Faulkner home, now historic tourist attraction

Advertisement for "Gorilla Pants" image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Charlien McGlothin, 1896

5. Advertisement for "Gorilla Pants"

Early Photo of Falcon Rest Mansion image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Charlien McGlothin, 1897

6. Early Photo of Falcon Rest Mansion

Rowboats on lake at Faulkner Springs Hotel image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Charlien McGlothin, circa 1907

7. Rowboats on lake at Faulkner Springs Hotel

Credits. This page was last revised on December 16, 2020. It was originally submitted on March 18, 2013, by Charlien McGlothin of McMinnville, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 1,035 times since then and 52 times this year. Last updated on March 19, 2013, by Charlien McGlothin of McMinnville, Tennessee. Photos: 1. submitted on March 18, 2013, by Charlien McGlothin of McMinnville, Tennessee. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on March 19, 2013, by Charlien McGlothin of McMinnville, Tennessee. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.