Fite-Williams-Ligon House facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Fite-Williams-Ligon House
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![]() Fite-Williams-Ligon House in 2010
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Location | 212 Fite Avenue West, Carthage, Tennessee, U.S. |
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Area | 3.9 acres (1.6 ha) |
Built | c. 1850 |
Architectural style | Italianate |
NRHP reference No. | 03000663 |
Added to NRHP | July 17, 2003 |
The Fite-Williams-Ligon House is a beautiful old mansion located in Carthage, Tennessee, in the United States. It has a rich history and a unique architectural style.
Contents
Where is the Fite-Williams-Ligon House?
The house is found at 212 Fite Avenue West in Carthage. This is a small town in Smith County, Tennessee. It sits on a high piece of land, about half a mile from the Cumberland River.
A Look at the House's History
How the House Was Built
This two-story house was built around 1850. It was designed in the Italianate style. This means it has features like wide eaves (the parts of the roof that hang over the walls) and often tall, narrow windows. The house's bricks were painted white, and it has a gable roof, which is a roof with two sloping sides that form a triangle at the top.
Around 1877, more parts were added to the house. These included an "ell," which is a wing shaped like the letter 'L'. The house was updated again around 1920.
Who Lived in the House?
During the American Civil War, which was fought from 1861 to 1865, the Fite-Williams-Ligon House was used as a hospital. It cared for soldiers from the Union Army.
After the war, the house belonged to a person named Robert M. King. In 1873, a man named John Armenus Fite bought the house. He was a colonel who fought for the Confederate States Army. Colonel Fite lived there with his wife, their two daughters, and people who worked for the family.
Later, in 1905, J.W. Williams became the owner. He was the president of a company called the Carthage Packet Company. Then, in 1919, L.A. Ligon bought the house. After Ligon passed away in 1947, his daughter Margaret and her husband, J.T. Westmoreland, purchased it. In 1996, their granddaughter bought the house, keeping it in the family for many years.
Why is This House Important?
The Fite-Williams-Ligon House is important because of its history and its special design. It has been officially recognized and listed on the National Register of Historic Places since July 17, 2003. This list includes buildings, sites, and objects that are important in American history. Being on this list helps protect the house and its history for future generations.