Rutherford County Tennessee Historical Society

Upcoming Events

Monday, August 19, 7:00PM

Monday, August 19, Rutherford County Archive, 435 Rice Street: Judge Ben Hall McFarlin will share the story of Civil War sharpshooter Jack Hinson and how Mr. Hinson’s one-of-a-kind Civil War rifle made its way to Rutherford County…

Ransom School House Old School Remembrance Celebration, Saturday, September 14, 9AM till noon

Saturday, September 14, 9AM till noon at the historic Ransom School House – the Ransom School House Old School Remembrance Celebration! Come and join us at the Historic Ransom School House for a class reunion! View Miss Eliza Ransom’s classroom of days gone by. Bring your yearbooks and/or school pics from your school, regardless of…

Saturday, September 17, 12:30PM – Board Meeting

Saturday, September 17, 12:30PM, Ransom School House – RCHS Board meeting All members in good standing are invited to the bi-monthly RCHS Board meeting.

Preserve and Promote OUR local history!

The Rutherford County Historical Society has been preserving and promoting OUR local history since 1971. Perhaps you are researching your family, your property, perhaps just plain, old fun facts - the RCHS is an exceptional resource. The RCHS hosts 'Coffee & Conversation' each Saturday morning from 9AM-noon at the Ransom School House Museum, 717 North Academy Street, Murfreesboro (Tennessee). VERY informal, VERY fun and VERY informative. Our funding comes from membership dues, grants, a trust fund and donations. We have no paid staff - we are all volunteers thus every penny of your membership dues or donations goes to preserving and promoting our local history.

State Farm Insurance Regional Office

Frank Caperton, April 2, 2019 State Farm Insurance has maintained a regional office in Murfreesboro since 1954. The following is a pamphlet that was distributed by the Data Processing department as a memento at the grand opening of the ‘new’ State Farm regional office location at 2500 Memorial Blvd., October…

Hayes more than a county all-star

Susan Harber, The Daily News Journal, March 25, 2019 I love studying the history of football, beginning with the first game of intercollegiate football in 1869, Rutgers vs. Princeton. My husband, Charles Dwayne Harber, played the game for seven years and was awarded a state honor in football as a…

Another Rutherford County FIRST, Preserving History!

March 25, 2019, WGNS Radio Rutherford County is the first in Tennessee to offer tax incentives for preserving historic properties. The concept started to take shape earlier this year as County Historian Greg Tucker requested that a historic property review board be established to provide tax abatement. The concept is…

Captain William Lytle Dedication

Lytle Cemetery, Murfreesboro, Tennessee, March 22, 2019 The Captain William Lytle Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution conducted a dedication ceremony commemorating a DAR marker for Captain William Lytle. Perhaps as many as 200 people attended the festivities held at the Lytle Family Cemetery, located next door to…

2019 Show & Tell

Oaklands Mansion, March, 18, 2019 Wow – what to say about the 2019 edition of the annual RCHS Show & Tell. More than fifty local history enthusiasts enjoyed a meal provided by Carriage Lane Reception House on the grounds of the historic Oaklands Mansion. The evening saw volksmarching sticks, rail…

Colgate Princess Doll Offer

The Daily News Journal, September 27, 1951 You know, it wasn’t too awfully long ago companies made offerings to entice customers new and old to purchase their product. Duz Detergent and their free glasses, jelly jars used as table glasses, and many,many more. Look at all the locally owned grocers…

Renault Dealership in Murfreesboro?

Murfreesboro Import Motors was operated by J.D. Tyner and A.R. Dyer at 612 West College Street (present day 610 Building and Todd Janitorial Service) approximately from March or 1959 till August of 1962. Note: You had to be married AND sober to sell Renault cars at Murfreesboro Import Motors…

First City Bank moves to the City Center

The Daily News Journal, April 30, 1989 Discussion regarding the tallest building in Murfreesboro officially began in 1987. First City Bank moved into the ‘tall building’ April 30, 1989. Want to learn more about Murfreesboro’s tallest building? Click on the following articles… February 8, 1987 – NHC plans 15-story Building…

Gloria Shacklett Christy Honored By DAR

March 17, 2019, WGNS Radio (MURFREESBORO) Rutherford County historian and community promoter Gloria Shacklett Christy will receive the prestigious Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) Historic Preservation medal from 6:00 to 9:30 Friday night, April 26, 2019, during a special presentation in Franklin’s Cool Springs Marriott. DAR’s Historic Preservation Chair…

NHC plans 15-story Building

Tom Spigolon, The Daily News Journal, February 8, 1987 Murfreesboro-based National Health Care Corp. could begin construction within six months on a 15-story office building to house its new headquarters near the Public Square. Please visit “A View from the Top” article from 2012 for a view from the top…

Big Daddy Bradley’s Red Barn Square Dance

Contributed by Randall Upchurch & Danny Campbell, March 15, 2019 Big Daddy Bradley’s Red Barn Square Dance, was located in Walter Hill behind Crossroads Market. Thank you Danny Campbell for sharing this pic. Danny had his first stage appearance here in 1974 at the age of 9!

1975 Map of Murfreesboro/Rutherford County

Rutherford County Historical Society, March 15,2019 Banks, gas stations, funeral homes, radio stations – so many businesses gave away maps back ‘in the day’. This is a map of 1975 Murfreesboro/Rutherford County Map from Citizens Central Bank. Citizens Central Bank was once located at 319 North Maple Street (Murfreesboro) current…

Boy Scouts presenting the Colors at the Alvin C. York Medical Center

Alvin C. York Hospital Collection, June 14, 1971 The Rutherford County Historical Society acquired thousands of photos from the Alvin C. York Veterans Hospital in December, 2018. Can you ID the people in this pic? Please send your answers to rutherfordtnhistory@gmail.com.

Hometown History

Nancy De Gennaro, The Daily News Journal, October 25, 2009

1982 Murfreesboro Noon Lions Club

The Daily News Journal, August 1, 1982

Kiwanis Pee Wee Division All Star Team

The Daily News Journal, August 3, 1983 Mike Bickford of Murfreesboro’s Screen Art is pictured presenting a banner to the Kiwanis Pee Wee Division champs. Screen Art has been serving Murfreesboro since 1975.

O’Reilly Auto Parts Distribution Center Land to become Stones River Battlefield Land

February 27, 2019, WGNS Radio The Tennessee Historical Commission and Tennessee Wars Commission announced the purchase of more battlefield land in Murfreesboro. The plot of land that was purchased by O’Reilly Auto Parts to build a distribution center will become part of the Stones River Battlefield. The purchase is moving…

Grant Acquires 42-Acres of Stones River Battle Land

February 26, 2019, WGNS Radio (MURFREESBORO) A grant from the Tennessee Historical Commission is enabling Stones River National Battlefield to acquire the 42-acres of battle land that once housed General Electric and Cummings Signs. $1,827,502 has been awarded for the acquisition of 42 acres of the Stones River Battlefield, formerly…

Smyrna High was a Fundamental and Innate School Established on Solid Ground

Susan Harber, The Daily News Journal, February 25, 2019 In part 2 of the collective history on Smyrna High, we will continue a journey into the tapestry of life within one exceptional school in our county, as we touch on the bare highlights of a longstanding legacy. Please click here…

Cub Scout Pack 337, 1972

Daily News Journal, November 11, 1972

Join the RCHS today!

Believe it or not, the $25-a-year family membership is our primary source of income. $25 goes a long, long ways to helping preserve our local history. A membership runs from January 1 – December 31 each year.