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Historical Markers and War Memorials in Putnam County

 
Clickable Map of Putnam County, Tennessee and Immediately Adjacent Jurisdictions image/svg+xml 2019-10-06 U.S. Census Bureau, Abe.suleiman; Lokal_Profil; HMdb.org; J.J.Prats/dc:title> https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Usa_counties_large.svg Putnam County, TN (61) Cumberland County, TN (29) DeKalb County, TN (17) Fentress County, TN (12) Jackson County, TN (17) Overton County, TN (17) Smith County, TN (24) White County, TN (23)  PutnamCounty(61) Putnam County (61)  CumberlandCounty(29) Cumberland County (29)  DeKalbCounty(17) DeKalb County (17)  FentressCounty(12) Fentress County (12)  JacksonCounty(17) Jackson County (17)  OvertonCounty(17) Overton County (17)  SmithCounty(24) Smith County (24)  WhiteCounty(23) White County (23)
Cookeville is the county seat for Putnam County
Adjacent to Putnam County, Tennessee
Cumberland County (29)  
DeKalb County (17)  
Fentress County (12)  
Jackson County (17)  
Overton County (17)  
Smith County (24)  
White County (23)  
 
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1 Tennessee, Putnam County, Algood — White Plains — Old Walton Road
William Quarles, Revolutionary War officer, settled here ca. 1809, built a house, barns, general store, blacksmith shop, and school, and set up a post office. His residence was a noted inn along the old pike. When Putnam County was established in . . . Map (db m76177) HM
2 Tennessee, Putnam County, Algood — 2D 21 — White Plains
William P. Quarles, a Revolutionary War veteran, settled here in 1805. A favorite stopping place on the Old Walton Road, which was built by the state in the early 1800s to join Nashville and Knoxville, White Plains contained a first-class inn, . . . Map (db m76176) HM
3 Tennessee, Putnam County, Baxter — Baxter Seminary
This is the site of the former Baxter Seminary, operated by the Methodist Episcopal Church, 1910-1959. J. Daniel Harris led the drive for the secondary school; its first President was Samuel E. Ryan. Under Harry L. Upperman it attained an . . . Map (db m12505) HM
4 Tennessee, Putnam County, Baxter — Major Richard Fielding Cooke
Major Richard Fielding Cooke was one of the most prominent pioneer citizens of Putnam County. As a member of the General Assembly in its 1853-54 session he was untiring in his efforts to secure the re-establishment of Putnam County. On February 11, . . . Map (db m182566) HM
5 Tennessee, Putnam County, Baxter — 2D 32 — Richard Fielding Cooke
Born in Virginia in 1787, Major Cooke served with Andrew Jackson in the War of 1812. Moving to Tennessee with his family in 1816, Cooke settled nine miles southwest of Cookeville, acquiring 3000 acres. Serving in the Tennessee Senate, 1851-1854, . . . Map (db m182564) HM
6 Tennessee, Putnam County, Buffalo Valley — 2D 52 — Buffalo Valley School — 1929-1966
Built as the Great Depression began, Buffalo Valley School opened in 1929 and served continuously until 1966. It withstood flood and neglect as the once-thriving agricultural community gave way to urban consolidation. An important example of rural . . . Map (db m224766) HM
7 Tennessee, Putnam County, Buffalo Valley — Civil War in Tennessee — Partisan Warfare — Reported permanently removed
The rugged landscape of the Upper Cumberland experienced some of the most vicious guerrilla fighting of the war, as residents were about evenly divided between the Union and the Confederacy. North of Ext 258 is Carthage, where part of . . . Map (db m268179) HM
8 Tennessee, Putnam County, Buffalo Valley — Jim Denny
A foundational behind-the-scenes player in the early Nashville music business, Jim Denny worked for the Grand Ole Opry and later launched one of Country Music's most successful music publishing companies along with a major talent booking agency. . . . Map (db m224767) HM
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9 Tennessee, Putnam County, Buffalo Valley — 2D 10 — Last Stagecoach Hold-Up
Here, about midnight, Oct. 15, 1882, “Bug” Hunt and “the two Edward boys,” held up the Cookeville-Nashville stagecoach driven by John Rayburn, robbed mail and passengers, but missed the registered pouch and quantity of money . . . Map (db m157318) HM
10 Tennessee, Putnam County, Buffalo Valley — Site of Roulston Stand
. . . Map (db m157316) HM
11 Tennessee, Putnam County, Cookeville — 1886 Isbell Hotel
Operated for some years by the family of William Isbell, Putnam County Trustee and County Court Clerk.Map (db m295531) HM
12 Tennessee, Putnam County, Cookeville — 1907 and 1909 Views of the Cookeville Train Depot
1907 - Looking northeast. Building to the right is the original depot. Replaced in 1909 with the current building. 1909 - Looking south at current depot. Completed in this year. Note Duke House Hotel in background on the left.Map (db m294146) HM
13 Tennessee, Putnam County, Cookeville — Alexander L. Crawford — 1815-1890 — of New Castle Pennsylvania —
Responsible for the Nashville & Knoxville Railroad. First public transportation in Cookeville which had a profound influence on the growth of the whole upper Cumberland. First Engineer: David Elmer Dorman, 1883-1898Map (db m294151) HM
14 Tennessee, Putnam County, Cookeville — Buck's College
Isaac Buck led his family to this area from Pennsylvania in 1820. In 1849 he purchased land here, and in 1852 he and his son, Jonathan Buck, opened Andrew College, commonly called “Buck's College,” at this spot. It was the first known . . . Map (db m157380) HM
15 Tennessee, Putnam County, Cookeville — 2D 61 — Caney Fork Baptist Church
The first church services were held one-mile due east, on the south bank of Falling Water River. Joshua Bartlett founded the church after relocating to Tennessee from Boonesborough, Kentucky and began church services in his log house. Recognized as . . . Map (db m263867) HM
16 Tennessee, Putnam County, Cookeville — 2D 60 — Capshaw School
Founded in 1939, Capshaw School was part of Franklin Delano Roosevelt's New Deal Program. Named in honor of Cookeville attorney and co-founder of Dixie College Robert Byrd Capshaw, the land that the school sits on, was once part of the Capshaw farm. . . . Map (db m124067) HM
17 Tennessee, Putnam County, Cookeville — Citizen's Bank Building — West Side History Walk —
Built 1908 after P.M. Smith building burned down in late 1800's. Bank operated here until 1951Map (db m294145) HM
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18 Tennessee, Putnam County, Cookeville — Civil War In Putnam County — A Divided Land
Putnam County was a divided land during the Civil War as local residents enlisted in either Federal or Confederate units. It also was a crossroads, as both armies passed through the county numerous times over such important historic roads as the . . . Map (db m159208) HM
19 Tennessee, Putnam County, Cookeville — Cookeville Confederate Memorial
Front: The Greatest Fighting Force Ever Assembled The Confederate Soldiers 1861-1865 “Not for fame or reward, not for place or rank, not lured by ambition or goaded by necessity, but simple obedience to duty as they . . . Map (db m157400) WM
20 Tennessee, Putnam County, Cookeville — Cookeville Recappers
Cookeville Recappers moved to this location in 1960 from the S.W. corner on the square and operated here until the county bought the land for the Justice Center in 1990.Map (db m295528) HM
21 Tennessee, Putnam County, Cookeville — Dedicated to the Memory of Jere Whitson — 1853-1928
During his lifetime, Jere Whitson was a devoted and public spirited citizen of Putnam County. It was through his leadership that progressive movements of his era led the way for the progress of today. His accomplishments were many, such as . . . Map (db m262361) HM
22 Tennessee, Putnam County, Cookeville — Dixie College
This quadrangle was part of the grounds of the University of Dixie, commonly called "Dixie College," chartered 18 Nov. 1909. Jere Whitson and other Cookeville citizens led the drive for the college; Whitson donated twelve acres for the institution. . . . Map (db m27471) HM
23 Tennessee, Putnam County, Cookeville — 2D 46 — Israel Putnam — 1718-1790
Putnam County, created in 1842 and re-established in 1854, was named for Major General Israel Putnam, who was commissioned on June 19, 1775 by the Continental Congress. A popular hero of the French and Indian War and the Revolutionary War. Gen. . . . Map (db m75353) HM
24 Tennessee, Putnam County, Cookeville — Jere Baxter — Founder, Builder, and First President of the Tennessee Central Railroad
This tablet is placed here by the citizens of Cookeville to the memory of Jere Baxter who conceived the idea of this road and executed it by the cooperation of the people. "That I have loved her the more, I have left upon her she'll be my . . . Map (db m294149) HM
25 Tennessee, Putnam County, Cookeville — 2D 25 — Mount Granger
Located Ό mile south of this point on what was originally Old Walton Road, Mount Granger was the western distribution point for all U.S. mails to the southwestern frontier. In 1806 Mount Granger was named in honor of the Hon. Gideon Granger, . . . Map (db m157373) HM
26 Tennessee, Putnam County, Cookeville — Old Salem Methodist Church — South, one mile
Isaac Buck organized this church, one of the oldest in the County in 1820. Before the Civil War the site was a famous camp meeting ground. When Putnam County was permanently established in 1854, courts met in the old log church, and militia mustered . . . Map (db m75262) HM
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27 Tennessee, Putnam County, Cookeville — 2D 37 — Old Shipley Barn
Built in the 1830s, the Shipley Barn is one of the oldest structures in Putnam County. A uniquely preserved example of half-dovetail notched log construction, it was built by master craftsmen for Abraham Buck, a leading Upper Cumberland pioneer and . . . Map (db m157377) HM
28 Tennessee, Putnam County, Cookeville — P.M. Smith Building
Late 1800's - P.M. Smith Building. Consumed by fire. Replaced by current building in 1920's.Map (db m294147) HM
29 Tennessee, Putnam County, Cookeville — Putnam County Courthouse
Putnam County's third courthouse (above) was built in 1866 and burned in 1899. The present building (below) was completed in 1900 and remodeled in 1962, where the clock tower was removed.Map (db m295529) HM
30 Tennessee, Putnam County, Cookeville — Putnam County Courthouses
After Putnam County was established in 1854, this site was chosen for its courthouse. Fires destroyed the first building soon after it was erected in 1855, a second during the Civil War, and a third in 1899. Construction of this courthouse, James . . . Map (db m27474) HM
31 Tennessee, Putnam County, Cookeville — Putnam County POW * MIA Memorial
POW * MIA You Are Not Forgotten And if words cannot repay the debt we owe these men surely with our actions we must strive to keep faith with them and with the vision that led them to battle and to final sacrifice . . . Map (db m262356) WM
32 Tennessee, Putnam County, Cookeville — Putnam County Revolutionary Memorial
In memory of our Revolutionary ancestors and the pioneers of Putnam CountyMap (db m182579) WM
33 Tennessee, Putnam County, Cookeville — Putnam County Veterans Memorial
Putnam veterans who made the “supreme sacrifice” World War I Bartlett, John L. • Brewington, Fred • Bush, William C. • Butts, Bethel • Carter, Willis S. • Choate, James • Evans, Thomas J. • Haile, Max Morgan • Halfacre, Sherman • . . . Map (db m182673) WM
34 Tennessee, Putnam County, Cookeville — 2D 58 — Putnam County's Only Public Execution
On March 27, 1878, in gallows erected near here at the foot of Billygoat Hill, Joseph and George (Teek) Brassell were hanged in Putnam County's only publicly held execution. The justice system tried, convicted, and sentenced the brothers to death . . . Map (db m157393) HM
35 Tennessee, Putnam County, Cookeville — Putnam County's Third and Fourth Courthouses
Putnam County's third courthouse (above) was built in 1866 and burned in 1899. The present building (below) was completed in 1900 and remodeled in 1962, when the clock tower was removed.Map (db m182670) HM
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36 Tennessee, Putnam County, Cookeville — Richard Fielding Cooke
Major Cooke (1789-1870), b. Culpepper County, Virginia, veteran of the War of 1812, with his wife Margaret Cox settled on a farm about nine miles southwest of here in 1816. As a State Senator, 1851-55, he secured passage of a bill refounding Putnam . . . Map (db m157390) HM
37 Tennessee, Putnam County, Cookeville — Riley Gentry Grocery Store
Riley Gentry Grocery Store in the 1920's was located on this corner.Map (db m295526) HM
38 Tennessee, Putnam County, Cookeville — 2D 56 — Site of WHUB Radio's First Studios
On July 20, 1940, broadcast pioneer Luke Medley (1907-1998) opened WHUB, the first radio station between Nashville and Knoxville, making Cookeville one of the smallest towns in the nation to have local daily news, music, and sports . . . Map (db m150740) HM
39 Tennessee, Putnam County, Cookeville — Steam Tractor 1886
Made by: Advance Thresher Co. Battle Creek, MI #212F Powered by wood or coal 13hp, runs up to 5 mph Brought here from Gallatin, TNMap (db m75265) HM
40 Tennessee, Putnam County, Cookeville — Tennessee Central Depot
A locomotive on the Nashville-Knoxville Railroad first steamed into Cookeville in 1890. The Tennessee Central bought the line in 1902 and built this depot with its distinctive pagoda design in 1909. Soon six trains daily brought visitors, shoppers, . . . Map (db m99450) HM
41 Tennessee, Putnam County, Cookeville — 2D 40 — Town Spring
On July 2, 1855, Charles Crook sold forty acres of land to the Putnam County Court for $100. An uncovered spring, located approximately fifty feet northwest of the marker, became known as "The Town Spring" and was the determining factor in locating . . . Map (db m62611) HM
42 Tennessee, Putnam County, Cookeville — Veterans Statue
Donated by the associates of AverittExpress in recognition and appreciation for our country's veteransMap (db m164864) WM
43 Tennessee, Putnam County, Cookeville — Walton Road - Old Burnt Stand
This street generally follows the course of the Old Walton Road, completed in 1801 and connecting present-day Kingston and Carthage. Along this principal land route between east and middle Tennessee rolled wagons taking settlers west, and stages . . . Map (db m76175) HM
44 Tennessee, Putnam County, Monterey — Bank of Monterey
The Bank of Monterey moved into this handsome stone building in 1922 after a disastrous fire consumed the old bank, which stood at the southeast corner of Commercial Avenue and Holly Street. The building, which had an overall dimension of 28-feet by . . . Map (db m268225) HM
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45 Tennessee, Putnam County, Monterey — C.A. Bower and Son
Built in 1924, C.A. Bower and Son Grocery served the Monterey area for more than 50 years. Just to the right of this business was the 10-cent store, which offered notions, clothing, and toys. To the left of C.A. Bower and Son was the Monterey . . . Map (db m268249) HM
46 Tennessee, Putnam County, Monterey — Cup and Saucer
Benard and Robert McDonald opened the Cup 'n Saucer in the late 1940s shortly after returning from war. Originally housed in the middle section of the Phillip's Shoes complex, the brothers relocated the restaurant across the street to the roomier . . . Map (db m268259) HM
47 Tennessee, Putnam County, Monterey — Gen. John T. Wilder — East Tennessee Railroads and Bridges
Born in New York's Catskill Mountains, Union general and postwar Tennessee industralist John T. Wilder joined the 17th Indian Volunteers when the Civil War began. Wilder and his 17thh Indian Mounted Infantry (nickname "Wilder's Lighting Brigade") . . . Map (db m99010) HM
48 Tennessee, Putnam County, Monterey — Goff's Drug Store
Emmett Goff, seen standing on the corner, constructed this drug store on the same spot where his West Crest Hotel burned in 1905. The business combined elements of a well-stocked drug store and soft drinks, ice cream and a smoking parlor. Four . . . Map (db m268246) HM
49 Tennessee, Putnam County, Monterey — Hire, Jent & Bray
This shot was made in the middle 1960s and shows the old Ray building which at that time housed the Hire & Jent department store. Hazel Bray came to Monterey in 1952, after he got out of the army to manage Hire & Jent, in the Ray Building. The 5 & . . . Map (db m267714) HM
50 Tennessee, Putnam County, Monterey — Horn's Shed
W.A. Horn built this shed-like building in the 1920s to house his grocery store, which was in the middle portion of the complex. Several other businesses operated out of sub-divided spaces within the building, including a Parker's Shoes, Dow's Meat . . . Map (db m268251) HM
51 Tennessee, Putnam County, Monterey — Ludwig Lamp
This signal lamp was originally placed on the Nickel Plate RR in Ohio where, as a young USN veteran, John Ludwig worked as a fireman. John moved on to Florida where he raised his five children. After retiring from Bell South, John and his wife came . . . Map (db m268338) HM
52 Tennessee, Putnam County, Monterey — Monterey Hospital
Dr. C.A. Collins came to Monterey in 1946 from Wilder, Tennessee where he had worked as a camp physician at the Wilder coal mines for almost a score of years. Upon arriving in Monterey, he formed a partnership with local physician T.M. Crain and the . . . Map (db m267712) HM
53 Tennessee, Putnam County, Monterey — Old Cumberland Hotel / Saint Raphael Mission
After the railroad reached Monterey in 1893, the town became a noted summer resort. The Cumberland, one of several hotels, stood here. The Episcopal Church operated a mission at this site, 1914-43. At the peak of the Institute's activity under the . . . Map (db m182676) HM
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54 Tennessee, Putnam County, Monterey — Phillips Shoes
In 1972, Jack Phillips and his sister, Betty, bought Fred's dollar store and an adjoining restaurant from their brother Fred Phillips and opened Phillips shoes. The store would become a cornerstone business in downtown Monterey for 40-years. Jack . . . Map (db m268269) HM
55 Tennessee, Putnam County, Monterey — Post Office
Built in the early 1900's, this building served as the second Monterey post office. The upstairs meeting room was rented out to various church groups and other organizations. The building served as the post office until 1955 when a new one was . . . Map (db m268268) HM
56 Tennessee, Putnam County, Monterey — Standing Stone
In the early 1800s trayelers upon this highway, once part of the historic Walton Road, were mystified by a large stone which stood at this spot. It was believed to have been erected by Indians at some remote date. Because of the . . . Map (db m150743) HM
57 Tennessee, Putnam County, Monterey — 2D 57 — Standing Stone
A mysterious sandstone monolith of unknown origin stood just west of Monterey. According to local tradition, the structure resembled the shape of a large dog, which faced west over the edge of the Cumberland Plateau. Captain William Walton, . . . Map (db m150751) HM
58 Tennessee, Putnam County, Monterey — Standing Stone Monument
The sandstone rock atop this lighthouse-shaped pedestal is the only known remaining fragment of the 16-ft dog-shaped monolith that stood for centuries ½ mile to the west, marking an area of peace for the American Indians who travelled and hunted . . . Map (db m99000) HM
59 Tennessee, Putnam County, Monterey — 2D 45 — Stokes' Atrocity
(side 1) Four miles north of this site, the atrocity occurred during the War Between the States. On March 12, 1864, Federal Col. William B. Stokes and approximately 200 soldiers of the 5th Tenn. Volunteer Cavalry (Union) surrounded the . . . Map (db m98997) HM
60 Tennessee, Putnam County, Monterey — The Wilder Block
The Wilder Block was constructed by Union General John T. Wilder in 1903. The block consisted of Morgan Bros. Grocery, Officer's Hardware, W.A. Horn Dry Goods and Furnishings, and the Bank of Monterey (pictured above). Those establishments were . . . Map (db m268327) HM
61 Tennessee, Putnam County, Monterey — War Memorial for Monterey and Surrounding Communities
Memorial to all who have died so that we may enjoy freedom This memorial is dedicated to the men and women from Monterey and surrounding communities who made the ultimate sacrifice for their fellow man to insure the liberty and freedom for all . . . Map (db m278226) WM
 
 
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Sep. 10, 2026