In 1837 William Locke Weems discovered
the mineral springs around which a resort
flourished for over a century. Among the
historical events which occurred here was
the establishment of the Bar Association
of Tennessee on July 4, 1882. The . . . — — Map (db m155761) HM
(side 1)
Major Philip Van Horn Weems, CSA
Born Nov. 6. 1837, Philip Van Horn Weems owned this property known as Weems's Springs prior to the Civil War. In May 1861, he enlisted in the Hickman Guards, later Co. H, 11th Regt. TN, . . . — — Map (db m155770) HM
One of the oldest buildings on the square, 400 West Public Square was built by Walker and Barnwell in 1884, following the fire of 1883. Clagett Brothers had operated a general merchandise store on this corner beginning around 1834. The structure has . . . — — Map (db m264625) HM
This building was referred to as the Arnold Building, constructed by R.A. Arnold in 1900 for his hardware store. It replaced a frame building. The Radio Shop, founded by Walter Medearis and Carl Marsh, moved here from down the street during the . . . — — Map (db m264619) HM
Hickman Co. resident, Blake was born June 19, 1976, in Ada, Oklahoma. At age 17, he moved to Tennessee, to follow his dreams of making country music. Yes, Blake is a dreamer, and his dreams are in his sights. He does not just sing words, he sings . . . — — Map (db m258176) HM
This bell hung in the steeple of the church building on College Avenue, where the Centerville Church of Christ worshipped, for almost 100 years. The Church relocated to the present site in 1966 after outgrowing its original location. The new church . . . — — Map (db m224727) HM
Built in 1911, this building was part of the Waynick Block, which consisted of four brick buildings on the south side of Church Street. Coble and Peeler Drug Store occupied this building until the mid-forties. The Waynick Block was sold to Loveless . . . — — Map (db m265538) HM
Centreville's first hotel, called Travelers Rest, was a log building on the northeast side of the square. In 1873, the building, then known as the Hornbeak House, caught fire and burned the entire eastern side of the square with it. Quillen Grocery, . . . — — Map (db m265545) HM
Five miles south, on Sulphur Creek, Adam Coble, a pioneer, established a pottery in
1823 It operated successfully until 1861, when the War between the States forced its closing. — — Map (db m156531) HM
Bill Clagett built a large two-story frame house here, which was later occupied by the Lon Bates family, then became Murphy Boarding House. The house was torn down, and the present brick building built sometime before 1949. Western Auto moved to . . . — — Map (db m264591) HM
This site was originally the location of Deason
Stonemason, where tombstones and other stone
markers were made. When a large brick garage
was built here to replace the old Huddleston
Livery Stable, it was part of the automobile
businesses that . . . — — Map (db m264626) HM
Prior to 1900, the buildings on this side of the square were frame buildings. Dee Murphree had a popcorn and peanut stand here on a vacant lot in the early 1900s. Peeler's Drug Store located in this building in the mid-1920s, later moving across the . . . — — Map (db m264581) HM
Derryberry Drug Store was the first recorded business at this location. It is believed to have started in a frame building. This brick building was constructed shortly after 1900 by C.A. Horner. Derryberry sold the business, and it was renamed . . . — — Map (db m264618) HM
This pioneer is buried under an ancient poplar 400 yds. S.E. While returning to the Cumberland Settlements from a surveying trip, with James Robertson, Robert Weakley, J. Smith, Richard Shaffer and John Garner, he was killed by Indians from ambush . . . — — Map (db m265609) HM
When this building was erected prior to 1900, it had a high Victorian Gothic front. The first record of an occupant was Stanfill Grocery and Feed Store. Cumberland Telephone Company was on the second floor. The decorative faηade of the building was . . . — — Map (db m264623) HM
First National Bank was constructed here as a frame building, then rebuilt as a two-story brick with mansard roof and glass front. Ed Laurent was the architect. It opened in 1885 with Horatio Clagett president and John T Walker cashier.
. . . — — Map (db m264578) HM
This site originally held a livery stable in the late 1880s. When the National Guard became a cavalry unit, they kept their horses there. In 1928 a service station was built which became a doctor's office, then a liquor store. B.C. Baker used the . . . — — Map (db m265491) HM
A large brick building on this corner was built for Barnwell & Woolard General Merchandise, replaced by Barnwell, McBride & Shouse. The building was divided in half, and the west section held the Blue Front Cafι then the original Loveless Cafι, . . . — — Map (db m265497) HM
After the building constructed for Barnwell and Woolard Department Store was divided, the east section was occupied by Harber Dry Goods in the early 1900's, followed by Coble Drug Store. A large apartment was located on the second floor. Emmett . . . — — Map (db m265501) HM
A large frame house was built on this lot in
the late 1800s, occupied by the R.M. Clagett
family until 1903. Dannelly Jewelry Shop was
in a section on the first floor. The house was
replaced by this brick building, where J.D. Hickman opened an . . . — — Map (db m265495) HM
The first known business on this lot was the T.J. Walker Grocery, which burned in 1873. It was replaced by a two-story brick building which housed Nixon Grocery and the Nixon School of Music on the second floor. During music lessons if the windows . . . — — Map (db m265548) HM
In the early 1940s, brothers Clifford and Clovis Harber opened a grocery store here. In 1945 Clovis opened a second store, Harber's Supermarket, across the street to the north. Clifford and his wife Virtrice operated Harber's Bi Rite for the next 30 . . . — — Map (db m265549) HM
In 1848, the Methodist Church, Sons of Temperance and Polk Masons Lodge jointly bought this lot and began a two-story brick building. Construction was by Anthony Gholson of Columbia, Tennessee, with 18-inch 063 double brick walls and three . . . — — Map (db m265542) HM
In 1886 William Douglas Thompson and Dee Cooper bought the general merchandise store that was operated by Clagett Brothers in this building, changing the name to Thompson and Cooper. In 1900, Thompson bought a brick building on the north side of the . . . — — Map (db m265531) HM
A long-time resident of Hickman County, Del's first number 1 hit came in 1965 with "Girl on the Billboard." This song cemented his trademark verse, "Doodle-Doo-Doo-Doo". In October of 1966, he achieved a lifelong dream of becoming a member of the . . . — — Map (db m258174) HM
The Haynes Building housed a drug store in the
early 1900's, then the Electric Maid Bakery. The
Beasley Edwards Infirmary was upstairs, later
becoming office space. In the 1920s, the post
office moved to this building, remaining until
the . . . — — Map (db m265488) HM
Sam Davis Lodge 158, Knights of Pythias, chartered in 1897, began construction of this building in 1901. It was formerly the site of the Old Hickory House Hotel and stables, which burned in 1883. The Lodge occupied the upstairs, which has been . . . — — Map (db m264629) HM
In 1864, the Hickman County Courthouse and Centerville's business district around the public square became a burned-out war zone. Confederate Col. Jacob B. "Jake" Biffle pursued Col. John Murphy's 2nd Tennessee Mounted Infantry for two days from . . . — — Map (db m99020) HM
The first known business on this lot was a general merchandise store. In 1920, the Jackson Restaurant, later called Lunn Restaurant, occupied this lot as part of the Beasley and Allen Building. The current building was constructed after the fire of . . . — — Map (db m265547) HM
Center tablet:
In honor of the men of
Hickman County who
gave the supreme
sacrifice in defense
of their country
Lord, remember me when you
come as king. Jesus said this
day you will be with me
in paradise.
Luke 24: . . . — — Map (db m265607) WM
In 1873, the hotel, Hornbeak House, burned on this corner. Afterwards, this lot held a small frame building housing a barber shop, Dodd's Beauty Shop, a shoe shop and a harness shop. J.A. Bates Law Office was behind that building, facing Huddleston . . . — — Map (db m264585) HM
A few years after the Civil War, Huddleston Brothers built a livery stable here, replacing the original structure with a handsome brick building after the fire of 1883. In 1885, the brothers built a Ten-Pin Alley on the north side of the stable. . . . — — Map (db m264627) HM
The first recorded businesses at this site were a jewelry store and a barber shop in 1907. Liberty Pharmacy was an anchor business on this side of the square for more than 40 years. Liberty Pharmacy began as Derryberry Drugs Store on the north side . . . — — Map (db m258170) HM
In the late 1800's, T.M. Huddleston built a stone faηade building here that housed Beasley and Allen Merchandise. Huddleston & Edwards Grocery occupied the space in 1908 and later became O'Connor Grocery. The Southern Hotel was on the second floor . . . — — Map (db m265546) HM
Bogle and Black, the first official auto dealership in Centerville, located here after Huddleston Livery Stable was torn down. It was replaced by Thompson Brothers Garage in 1924, followed by McElroy Kaiser-Frazer Motors. The building was gutted by . . . — — Map (db m264628) HM
One of the most recognizable artists in country music for 50 years, Sarah Ophelia Colley Cannon, professionally known as Minnie Pearl, developed gentle and affectionate comedic routines about the people she had known growing up in Centerville and . . . — — Map (db m224728) HM
Old Hickory House hotel was opened by A.H. Cunningham in February, 1882, on the west side of the square. An article from the Hickman Pioneer said, "Centreville can boast of one of the very best hotels in the state. The floors are newly carpeted and . . . — — Map (db m264630) HM
Around 1904, John Burchard built this grand two-story brick building that he called the Olympic Opera House. The first floor held retail space and the second floor was, at different times, a skating rink, a theater, city hall, and a basketball . . . — — Map (db m264631) HM
A large frame house originally stood here, occupied by the I.A. Hunter family. The Hunters owned all the land between that house to the Duck River on the east side of what was then called Bridge Road. The first known business at this location was . . . — — Map (db m264624) HM
This building, constructed around 1910, replaced a frame building where Goodman's Barber Shop was originally located. B.W. Edwards Grocery, the White Cafι, Owen Bates Grocery, and J.T. Tucker Grocery were also in this location in the early 1900s. . . . — — Map (db m265535) HM
Born Oct 25, 1912, in Centerville, TN. First performed on the Grand Ole Opry in Nov. 1940. Opened the show with the renowned phrase "How-deee! I'm just so proud to be here." The audience's reaction to this lady on stage wearing a cheap cotton dress . . . — — Map (db m258171) HM
Around 1823, the Methodists built the first church in town near this location. Former slave John Johnson opened the First Class Barber Shop in this area in 1870. The first newspaper, Hickman Pioneer, began next door in 1878. The log church was torn . . . — — Map (db m265543) HM
In the early 1920's, Leslie's Pie Wagon, a small frame building, stood here. John and Bessie Breece took possession in 1939, and in 1946 Edward and Lucille Breece took over the cafι and replaced it with a two-story brick structure, shared by Breeces . . . — — Map (db m265537) HM
By 1907, the Centerville Post Office had moved to this building from the north side of the square. The post office moved down the street in 1926. Young's Department Store opened here in 1949, moving to a larger building a few doors down in 1952. . . . — — Map (db m265533) HM
On this site in the early 1920s the Ali Vesta School opened as the first school in Hickman County to provide educational opportunities for African Americans. It was a two-room building that accommodated approximately eighty students and two . . . — — Map (db m264347) HM
This lot was occupied by the frame home of Dr. Samuel Moore, known as the Moore Mansion, in the mid 1800's. It also housed the Centreville post office. The house was torn down around 1900 when T.S. Colley and Sons began this two-story brick building . . . — — Map (db m264621) HM
Known as the Walker Building, 207 East Public Square was built in 1881 by Clint McClannahan, replacing a grocery store which burned in the 1873 fire. It originally had a two-story covered porch and the rear section contained living quarters. Adair . . . — — Map (db m264582) HM
The first five buildings on the south side of Church Street were known as the Waynick Block, built around 1911 by R.J. Waynick. This building, occupied by Model Restaurant, was sold to Columbia Produce in 1926. Other occupants of the block at that . . . — — Map (db m265541) HM
Before this building was constructed, this area was the location of Hunter's Blacksmith and Wagon Shop. Elkins Motor Company and Shapiro Produce Company were nearby, facing west. The brick building, known as the Yates Building, was built in 1937 and . . . — — Map (db m264580) HM
Hickman County
Established 1807: named in honor of
Edwin Hickman
Long Hunter and gallant explorer
who was killed by Indians near the
present site of Centerville in 1791.
Lewis County
Established 1843; named in honor of . . . — — Map (db m168647) HM
Goodrich, one mile west, once a furnace town producing pig iron from ore from Nunnelly mines, was the birthplace of Beth Slater Whitson, writer of poems, stories, and songs. Her best known song lyrics were “Meet Me Tonight in Dreamland” . . . — — Map (db m156539) HM
Hickman County's first courthouse and jail, hewn log structures, stood on the hill 300 yards away, in the midst of the pioneer of town of Vernon. The Legislative act making Centerville the county seat was passed in 1821 and the courthouse was moved . . . — — Map (db m156576) HM
An outstanding teacher dedicated to her pupils for 50 years, 30 of which she was the principal of Nunnelly School, retiring in 1972. She was an artist, a poet, a musician, a high school basketball coach of renown, a benefactor to her many needy . . . — — Map (db m156543) HM
In 1810 Lawson and Elizabeth Sandles Nunnelly settled in the area that became Vernon, just down the road from this garden. Their family farmed, operated a mining company, and ran a general store on the banks of the Piney River. In 1882 this . . . — — Map (db m156546) HM
Samuel B. Lee and James Gould built the furnace as part of an ironworks that employed hundreds. They located here due to the proximity of the raw materials needed to produce iron - iron ore, limestone, sand, wood for charcoal to fuel the furnace, . . . — — Map (db m156577) HM
The old Natchez Trace was a 450-plus-mile footpath that ran through Natchez, Choctaw, and Chickasaw lands.
The Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail consists of five separate sections for over 60 miles of trail, including some segments of the . . . — — Map (db m107106) HM
This trail descends to Jackson Falls, a beautifully sculptured cascade that seems ageless. But it isnt. For thousands of years before the falls existed, Jackson Branch flowed into this high valley, isolated from the Duck River below.
Then, in . . . — — Map (db m84576)
The Natchez Trace Parkway leads you 444 miles through three states and 10,000 years of North American history. Also designated as a National Scenic Byway and All-American Road, the Parkway encourages travelers to experience historic and scenic . . . — — Map (db m108199) HM
Preserved here is a 2,000-foot long section of the original Old Natchez Trace which follows a ridge 300 feet above the Duck River.
A 10-15 minute stroll will take you to the end of the trail and back and provide a change of pace from driving. . . . — — Map (db m84582) HM
The Morrow family farm, visible from this outlook, is an excellent example of agriculture working in harmony with the environment. The Morrows, like other conservation farmers, have a strong conservation ethic and a desire to leave improved soil . . . — — Map (db m84575) HM
is designed to encourage leisurely exploration of the history and beauty of Old Southwest. Here are a few pointers to make your trip more enjoyable.
Here are a few pointers to make your trip more enjoyable.
Regulations and Safety
Obey . . . — — Map (db m107105) HM
