National Register of Historic Places listings in Franklin County, Tennessee facts for kids
Welcome to Franklin County, Tennessee! This page is all about the special places here that are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Think of this register as a very important list of buildings, sites, and objects across the United States that are worth saving because of their history, architecture, or what they mean to our culture.
These places help us learn about the past and understand how people lived long ago. In Franklin County, there are 21 amazing properties and areas that are on this list. Some other places were once on the list but have been removed for different reasons. Let's explore some of these cool historic spots!
Historic Places You Can Visit Today
Asia School: A Place for Learning
The Asia School is a special building located at 525 Asia Road in the small community of Asia. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2011. This old school building reminds us of how education used to be and the importance of learning in our communities.
Bank of Winchester Building: A Financial Landmark
In the heart of Winchester, you'll find the Bank of Winchester Building on 1st Avenue. This impressive building was constructed way back in 1899! It was also known as the Farmers National Bank Building. It's a great example of the kind of architecture popular at the turn of the 20th century. It joined the National Register in 1978.
Cowan Depot: A Train Station Turned Museum
The Cowan Depot, located on Front Street in Cowan, was once a busy train station. It was built to serve the trains that passed through this area. Today, this historic depot has been transformed into the Cowan Railroad Museum. It's a fantastic place to learn about the history of trains and how they helped shape the region. It became a historic site in 1978.
Cumberland Mountain Tunnel: An Engineering Marvel
Just southeast of Cowan lies the Cumberland Mountain Tunnel. This tunnel is a remarkable feat of engineering, allowing trains to travel through the mountains. It was added to the National Register in 1977, recognizing its importance in transportation history.
Estill-Fite House: A Historic Home
The Estill-Fite House, found at 114 Sharp Springs Road in Winchester, is another beautiful historic home. It was listed on the National Register in 1979. This house offers a glimpse into the past, showing us how people lived and built their homes many years ago.
Falls Mill: A Working Mill and Its Community
About a mile off U.S. Route 64 near Huntland, you'll discover Falls Mill. This historic mill, listed in 1972, used to grind grain using water power. It's a wonderful example of early American industry.
Falls Mills Historic District: A Village Frozen in Time
The area around Falls Mill is so special that it's recognized as the Falls Mills Historic District. This district, added in 1987, includes the mill and other buildings along Old Salem-Lexie and Falls Mill Roads. It shows how a small community grew up around an important industry like the mill.
Franklin County Courthouse: Where Justice is Served
The Franklin County Courthouse stands proudly on Public Square in Winchester. This important building, where local laws are made and justice is served, was built in 1936. It was designed by a famous architectural firm called Marr & Holman from Nashville. It became a historic site in 1995.
Franklin County Jail: An Old Place of Confinement
Also in Winchester, on Decherd Boulevard, is the old Franklin County Jail. This building, listed in 1979, tells a part of the county's history related to law enforcement and justice.
Isaac Gray House: A Glimpse into the Past
The Isaac Gray House is a historic home located southwest of Winchester, off U.S. Route 64. It was added to the National Register in 1976. Like many old houses, it holds stories of the families who lived there and the changes they saw over the years.
Haynes House: A Home in Decherd
The Haynes House, at 519 Spring Street in Decherd, is another historic residence. It was recognized as a historic place in 2005. These old homes are important because they show us the different styles of building and living from past centuries.
Hunt-Moore House: A Huntland Treasure
In Huntland, at 518 Main Street, you'll find the Hunt-Moore House. This house was added to the National Register in 2005. It's a significant part of Huntland's history and architectural heritage.
R.N. Mann House: An Old Salem Landmark
The R.N. Mann House is located north of Old Salem, off U.S. Route 64. This house became a historic listing in 1977. It's another example of the important homes that have shaped the landscape and history of Franklin County.
Sewanee Fire Lookout Tower: Watching Over the Forests
At 310 Fire Tower Road in Sewanee, stands the Sewanee Fire Lookout Tower. This tower was used to spot forest fires and protect the beautiful natural areas around Sewanee. It was added to the National Register in 2015. Today, it's owned by the state and is open to the public, though you can't go into the very top part.
Shook-Vanzant Farm: A Historic Farmstead
The Shook-Vanzant Farm, located at 210 Moore Farm Road in Winchester, is a historic farm. It was listed in 1998. Farms like this are important because they show us how agriculture shaped the economy and daily life in the past.
Peter Simmons House: A Rural Historic Home
The Peter Simmons House is about 11 miles southwest of Winchester, along U.S. Route 64. This house was added to the National Register in 1977. It's another example of the many historic homes scattered throughout Franklin County's beautiful countryside.
Trinity Episcopal Church: A Place of Worship
Trinity Episcopal Church, at 213 1st Avenue NW in Winchester, is a beautiful church with a long history. The church community started in 1859, and the building itself was constructed in the early 1870s. It was recognized as a historic place in 1980. Churches often serve as important centers for communities and their history.
Valentine Square: A Building with a Story
Valentine Square, at 111 North Cedar Street in Winchester, was built in 1899. It was constructed by Franklin Pierce McDowell for a local banker named Smith Morgan Alexander. This building, listed in 1984, tells a story about the business and social life of Winchester at the turn of the century.
Zaugg Bank Barn: A Unique Farm Building
The Zaugg Bank Barn is located southeast of Belvidere, off U.S. Route 64. This unique barn was added to the National Register in 1973. A "bank barn" is built into the side of a hill, allowing access to different levels from the ground. It's a great example of practical farm architecture from the past.
Places No Longer on the List
Sometimes, a historic place might be removed from the National Register. This can happen if a building is severely damaged, like by a fire, or if it's changed so much that it no longer has its original historic look or meaning. Here are a few places in Franklin County that were once listed but are no longer on the National Register:
- Circular Barn at Cloverdale Farm: This unique round barn near Belvidere was listed in 1976 but was later delisted.
- Hundred Oaks Castle: Located in Winchester, this grand home was once the residence of Arthur Marks, whose father was Governor Albert S. Marks. It was listed in 1975 but was badly damaged in a fire in 1990 and later removed from the list in 1994.
- Knies Blacksmith Shop: This shop at 118 North Jefferson Street in Winchester was listed in 1973 but was delisted in 2013.
- Col. James Lewis House: This house, east of Decherd, was listed in 1976 but was delisted in 1989.
Images for kids
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Hundred Oaks Castle, a former listing.
