Leiper's Fork, Tennessee facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Leipers Fork Historic District
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Hillsboro United Methodist Church in Leiper's Fork
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| Location | Roughly bounded by Joseph St., Old TN 96, Old Hillsboro Rd., and Sycamore St., Leipers Fork, Tennessee |
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| Area | 18 acres (7.3 ha) |
| Architectural style | Queen Anne, Bungalow/craftsman |
| MPS | Williamson County MRA |
| NRHP reference No. | 98000818 |
| Added to NRHP | July 1, 1998 |
Leiper's Fork is a small village in Williamson County, Tennessee. It's a rural area, meaning it's mostly countryside, not a big city. About 650 people live here, and the village covers about 1,100 acres. Most of Leiper's Fork shares a postal code with the nearby city of Franklin.
This village is special because it's located along the historic Natchez Trace Parkway. It's also recognized as a historic district on the National Register of Historic Places. This means it has important buildings and areas that tell a story about the past.
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History of Leiper's Fork
Leiper's Fork is found along the famous Natchez Trace, an old path that was very important for Native Americans and early settlers traveling long ago. In the late 1700s, settlers from North Carolina and Virginia moved here. They received land for their service in the American Revolutionary War.
One of these settlers was Lieutenant Jesse Steed. He received a large piece of land, about 2,560 acres, which included the area where the village is now. After Jesse Steed passed away, his half-brother, John McGee, inherited the land. In 1789, John McGee sold the land to Jesse Benton, who built a home there. Jesse Benton's son, Thomas Hart Benton, later became a U.S. Senator for Missouri. He moved his family to the homestead in 1801 after his father died. Travelers on the Natchez Trace called the community around the Benton home "Bentontown." Over time, it became known as Hillsboro.
How Leiper's Fork Got Its Name
In 1818, a post office was opened in the community. It's believed that the name Hillsboro was already being used by another town in Coffee County. So, the post office was named Leiper's Fork, after the stream that flows through the village.
The stream was named after one of two brothers:
- Hugh Leiper, who helped map the land early on.
- Captain James Leiper, who died in a battle at Fort Nashborough in 1781.
The village grew because of all the people traveling on the Natchez Trace. Because it was easy to get to, Leiper's Fork became an important place for trade in western Williamson County. It was also a center for religious and social gatherings. The Leiper's Fork post office served the community until 1918.
Education in Leiper's Fork
In 1890, a private school for students in grades 1 through 12 opened in Leiper's Fork. This school was called Hillsboro High School. It operated as a private school until 1904.
The Williamson County school board bought the school property in 1905. They opened a public school there for children from Leiper's Fork and the surrounding areas. In 1930, the school building was hit by lightning and burned down. A new school was built on the same spot in 1931. This school was used until the late 1970s, when a newer building replaced it. The new Hillsboro School opened in 1981 and serves as a public elementary and middle school.
In 1998, the old Hillsboro School building became the Hillsboro-Leiper's Fork Community Center. The county government runs this center. It has fun things like recreational facilities, a place for older adults called a senior center, and a branch of the county's public library system.
Businesses in Leiper's Fork
Leiper's Fork has many local businesses. These include cozy inns and tasty restaurants. You can also find antique stores, a woodworking shop, and private art galleries where artists show their work. There are also real estate offices if you're looking to buy or sell property.
Fun Events in Leiper's Fork
Leiper's Fork hosts many exciting festivals and events throughout the year.
- They have music festivals where you can enjoy live performances.
- In November, there are annual turkey shoots.
- In September, you can watch model airplane competitions.
- The Hillbilly Half Marathon & Little Billy 5K happens on the first weekend in June. About 1,000 runners from all over the country come to participate!
- Another race, the Heroes in Recovery 6K, takes place in mid-September and also attracts a big crowd.
- The annual "Almost Famous Leiper's Fork Christmas Parade" is held on the second Saturday in December. It's known for being a bit "quirky," with animals, classic cars, and lots of country fun!
