National Register of Historic Places listings in Rutherford County, Tennessee facts for kids

Location of Rutherford County in Tennessee

Have you ever wondered about the old buildings and special places in your town? Many places in the United States are so important that they are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This list helps protect and celebrate buildings, sites, and objects that have a lot of history.

In Rutherford County, Tennessee, there are many amazing places that are part of this special list. These sites tell us stories about the past, from old churches and homes to important battlefields. Let's explore some of these cool historic spots!

Historic Gems of Rutherford County

Rutherford County is home to 47 properties and districts that are officially recognized for their historical importance. These places help us remember and learn about the people and events that shaped our community.

Homes with History

Many of the listed places are old houses, each with its own unique story.

• Arnold-Harrell House: Located in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, this house was added to the list in 1992. It's a great example of older homes in the area.
• Boxwood: Also in Murfreesboro, this historic home was recognized in 1984. It stands as a reminder of past ways of life.
• Childress-Ray House: This Murfreesboro house was first built in 1847 and later updated in 1874. It shows how homes changed over time.

The Childress-Ray House, built in 1847.

• Collier-Crichlow House: Built in 1879, this Murfreesboro house has a unique style called Second Empire. It's a beautiful piece of history.
• Collier-Lane-Crichlow House: Known as the "House of Mayors," this Murfreesboro home was built in 1850. Many important people have lived here.

The Collier-Lane-Crichlow House, also called the "House of Mayors."

• Sam Davis House: Near Smyrna, Tennessee, this house is a very important historical site. It was the home of Sam Davis, a young Confederate soldier who became a hero. It was listed way back in 1969.

The historic Sam Davis House near Smyrna.

• Dement House: Found in Lascassas, Tennessee, this house joined the list in 1986.
• Elmwood: Northwest of Murfreesboro, Elmwood was added in 1973. It's a large property with a long history.
• Idler's Retreat: This charming house in Smyrna was listed in 2004.

Idler's Retreat in Smyrna.

• Landsberger-Gerhardt House: Another Murfreesboro home, recognized in 1993.
• Uncle Dave Macon House: West of Readyville, Tennessee, this was the home of famous banjo player and showman Uncle Dave Macon. It was listed in 1973.

The home of famous banjo player Uncle Dave Macon.

• Marymont: Southwest of Murfreesboro, Marymont was added in 1973.

Marymont, a historic home southwest of Murfreesboro.

• William Harrison McCord House: In Eagleville, Tennessee, this house was listed in 1984.
• Morgan House: Southwest of Christiana, Tennessee, this house has been on the list since 1979.

The Morgan House near Christiana.

• Oaklands: This beautiful historic house museum in Murfreesboro was one of the first places in the county to be listed, back in 1970.

Oaklands Historic House Museum in Murfreesboro.

• Gen. Joseph B. Palmer House: Built in 1869 by Confederate general Joseph B. Palmer, this Murfreesboro house was listed in 1973.

The Gen. Joseph B. Palmer House.

• Charles Ready House: Known as "The Corners," this house in Readyville was built in 1829 by Charles Ready. It was listed in 1973.

The Charles Ready House, also called "The Corners."

• John C. Spence House: This Murfreesboro house was added to the list in 2004.

The John C. Spence House.

Important Churches and Schools

Churches and schools often play a big role in a community's history.

• Allen Chapel A.M.E. Church: This church in Murfreesboro was listed in 1995. Churches like this are important for understanding local community history.

Allen Chapel A.M.E. Church.

• Beesley Primitive Baptist Church: This church in Murfreesboro was added to the list in 1999.

Beesley Primitive Baptist Church.

• Bradley Academy: Established as a school in 1811, the current building in Murfreesboro was finished in 1917. It became a historic site in 1990.

Bradley Academy, a historic school building.

• First Presbyterian Church: This Murfreesboro church was recognized in 1993.

First Presbyterian Church in Murfreesboro.

• Middle Tennessee State Teachers College Training School: This Murfreesboro school building was listed in 1993. It was part of a college that trained teachers.

Middle Tennessee State Teachers College Training School.

• Old First Presbyterian Church and Old City Cemetery: This site in Murfreesboro includes a cemetery from the 1820s and the spot where the first Presbyterian church stood. It was listed in 2012.

The Old First Presbyterian Church grounds and Old City Cemetery.

• Providence Primitive Baptist Church: Located in Walterhill, Tennessee, this church was added to the list in 2000.

Farms and Rural Sites

Many historic places are farms, showing how people lived and worked the land.

• Caff-E-Hill Farm: This farm in Readyville was listed in 1995.
• Jarman Farm: In Lascassas, this farm was recognized in 1987.

Jarman Farm in Lascassas.

• Logan Henderson Farm: This Murfreesboro farm joined the list in 2003.

The farmhouse at Logan Henderson Farm.

• McGill – Becton – Cates Family Farm: Another Readyville farm, listed in 2005.
• Murray Farm: This farm in Readyville was added in 1991.
• Riverside Farm: Located in Walterhill, this farm was listed in 2006.
• Robert Andrew Smith Farm: This Murfreesboro farm was recognized in 1993.
• Searcy – Matthews – Tarpley Farm: In Walterhill, this farm was listed in 2011.

Other Important Structures and Districts

Beyond individual homes and farms, some entire areas or special buildings are listed.

• East Main Street Historic District: This area in Murfreesboro, including parts of E. Main, E. Lytle, College, University, and E. Vine Streets, was listed in 1985. It means many buildings in this area are historically important.

Central Christian Church, part of the East Main Street Historic District.

• Fortress Rosecrans Site: West of downtown Murfreesboro, this site was an important fort during the American Civil War. It was listed in 1974.

A wall at Fortress Rosecrans.

• Murfreesboro Veterans Administration Hospital Historic District: This hospital area in Murfreesboro was listed in 2012. It's important for its role in caring for veterans.
• North Maney Avenue Historic District: This area in Murfreesboro was listed in 1985, recognizing many historic buildings.
• Rockvale Store: This old store in Rockvale, Tennessee was listed in 1995. Old stores often served as community hubs.
• Rutherford County Courthouse: The courthouse in Murfreesboro's Public Square was listed in 1973. Courthouses are usually central to a county's history and government.

The Rutherford County Courthouse.

• Rutherford Health Department: This building in Murfreesboro was listed in 1992.

The Rutherford Health Department building.

• Stones River National Battlefield: Northwest of Murfreesboro, this battlefield was the site of a major Civil War battle. It was listed in 1966 and is a very important historical site.

A cannon at Stones River National Battlefield.

• Walter Hill Hydroelectric Station: This power station on the Stones River near Murfreesboro was listed in 1990. It shows how technology developed in the area.

Places No Longer Listed

Sometimes, a historic place might be removed from the National Register. This can happen if a building is destroyed or changed too much, or for other reasons. Five properties in Rutherford County have been removed from the list over time:

• Brown's Mill: A mill near Lascassas, delisted in 2002.
• Crichlow Grammar School and E. C. Cox Memorial Gym: A school and gym in Murfreesboro, delisted in 2002.
• Hiram Jenkins House: A house in Murfreesboro, delisted in 2006.
• Ridley's Landing: A site near Smyrna, delisted in 2008.
• Thomas Williamson House: A house in Eagleville, delisted in 2014.

These historic places, whether still listed or removed, all played a part in the rich story of Rutherford County. Learning about them helps us understand our past and appreciate the history all around us!