Restoration is under way on 1800s-era schoolhouse
Doug Davis, The Tennessean, July 4, 2008 Adjoining log home is part of the project An 1800s brink home that once housed the Eliza Ransom Private School is, after years of neglect, undergoing a restoration. “It’s coming along, yes siree”, said a jubilant C.B. Arnette, who has been spearheading the…
Union army destroyed historic church
The Murfreesboro Post, June 1, 2008 Citizens angered by cemetery desecration During the occupation of Murfreesboro, few things infuriated local residents more than the destruction of First Presbyterian Church and the desecration of the City Cemetery by Union troops. There has been an unprecedented destruction of property both private and…
Top 10: Old jail site to move on to another use
The Murfreesboro Post, June 1, 2008 Editors note: With the new Juvenile Center coming online this month, the original Rutherford County Jail will no longer be used for a detention facility. We thought it was appropriate to touch upon some of the facts that made the old jail historic. 1.…
Son writes book about Dr. Seatbelt’s legacy
The Murfreesboro Post, May 31, 2008 More than 8,700 children are alive today thanks to the tireless lobbying efforts of the late pediatrician Murfreesboro Dr. Robert Sanders. Sanders and his wife, Pat, lobbied the Tennessee Legislature for several years to pass the nations first child passenger seat law in 1977. …
The Petition Requesting the Establishment of Rutherford County
To the honorable, the General Assembly of the State of Tennessee. The petition of a number of the citizens of Davidson and Williamson Counties humbly sheweth that the vast extent of said counties renders it inconvenient for your petitioners to attend Courts, General Musters, Elections, etc. at the towns of…
Rutherford County Firsts
Rutherford County Firsts Brick house in Murfreesboro: erected by John M. Telford, 1811. Tavern, owned by A. Carmichael, 1813, near Pump Springs, north side square. Cotton factory, South Maple Street, 1831. First Negro to serve in State Legislature, Sam Keeble, 1867. Stage coach from Nashville, 1830. Turnpike, Nashville-Murfreesboro-Shelby ville, 1831. Automobile…
Spring at Evergreen Cemetery
Carol Robertson White, The Murfreesboro Post, April 17, 2008 Murfreesboro Post reader Carol White took this beautiful spring photo at historic Evergreen Cemetery where the dogwoods are in full bloom.
‘Top 10’ things you should know about Cannonsburgh
The Murfreesboro Post, April 6, 2008 1. Cannonsburgh was the original name of Murfreesboro. It was named in honor of Newton Cannon, a rising Williamson County politician and veteran of the Creek War. He would later become Tennessee’s first Whig governor. The little village’s name changed to Murfreesborough about 30…
Civil War: Women faced danger in roles as spies
As published in the Murfreesboro Post, Shirley Farris Jones, March 23, 2008 Second of three partsWhen one thinks of a Civil War soldier, a male image usually comes to mind. And, men fought the war largely, but not exclusively. Long ago, someone arrived at a ballpark figure of about 300…
Key ‘Boro Mafia’ members
March 13, 2008, The Murfreesboro Post The so-called “Murfreesboro Mafia” was an informal, self-financed group of businessmen who attracted new jobs to Murfreesboro back in the early 1950s. State Farm Insurance representatives and Murfreesboro VIPs met to celebrate the newly announcement agreement circa 1954 to open an operations center. Pictured…
A greeting card sealed the big deal
As published in the Murfreesboro Post, Erin Edgemon, Business Editor, March 9, 2009 A greeting card sent in 1953 wishing the president and the entire State Farm Insurance corporation a Merry Christmas sealed the deal to bring the first major white-collar employer to Murfreesboro. But it wasn’t a normal Christmas…
Stones River: A bitter night ends walk to gates of hell
As published in the Murfreesboro Post, Mike West, Managing Editor, March 9, 2008 Editor’s note: This is the final part of a series on the major points of the Battle of Stones River. It was a bitterly cold New Year’s Eve and the wounded from the Battle of Stones River…
Stones River: A look at the first day of battle
As published in the Murfreesboro Post, Mike West, Managing Editor, March 2, 2008 Editor’s Note: To put our ongoing coverage of the Civil War in perspective, here is a brief recounting of the Battle of Stones River hitting upon some key points. Why fight at Murfreesboro? Only 2,500 people lived…
Black Southerners in Confederate gray
As published in the Murfreesboro Post, December 21, 2007 February marks the beginning of Black History Month – a remembrance of important people and events of African American origin that began in 1926. There have been many major contributions to our nation and to our society by black Americans some…
Doctor Seatbelt’s landmark act remembered
The Murfreesboro Post, January 18, 2008 More than 30 years ago, Dr. Robert Sanders of Murfreesboro became a passionate advocate for child safety and led the effort to protect children while riding in automobiles. This month marks the 30th anniversary of the nations first child safety seat law. Tennessee was…
From Wife to Widow in 630 days
Shirley Farris Jones, The Murfreesboro Post, January 6, 2008 Gen. John Hunt Morgan made his miraculous escape from the Columbus, Ohio prison on Nov. 27, 1863 (the day his daughter was born) and managed to reach his beloved wife Mattie in time for Christmas. It was later felt that John’s…
Oaklands, Murfree Springs wetlands boosted
As published in the Murfreesboro Post, December 21, 2007 U.S. Rep. Bart Gordon has secured federal funding to protect green spaces and wetlands in Rutherford County. Legislation passed by Congress includes $1.8 million to complete ecosystem restoration work on the grounds of the Oaklands Historic House Museum and protect the…
The President is coming to … old Murfreesborough
As published by the Murfreesboro Post, Sunday, December 16, 2007 By Mike West, Managing Editor Murfreesboro is in the midst of a joyous Christmas celebration, 2007 style. Some 145 years earlier, the jubilation was similar, but for a much different reason. The President was coming to the bustling little town…
Heritage group seeks answers on historic marker on South Church
Erin Edgemon, The Murfreesboro Post, December 16, 2007 Little is known about a marker erected in memory of a Revolutionary War soldier located just 20 feet from South Church north of Barfield Crescent Road. No one living seems to know when this marker, erected by the Midland, Texas Chapter of…
Why does the legend of Sam Davis endure?
December 16, 2007, Mike West, The Murfreesboro Post “Google” the phrase “Confederate hero” on the Internet and you will get thousands of hits with many of them mentioning names like Stonewall Jackson and Robert E. Lee. So why does the memory of Confederate scout Sam Davis still endure? Smyrna can…