Daylighting of Murfreesboro’s Town Creek to begin Summer, 2017
WGNS Radio (www.wgnsradio.com), December 16, 2016 The Murfreesboro City Council voted Thursday to authorize Griggs & Maloney Engineering to conduct planning and design phase of “daylighting” Town Creek from Murfree Springs to South Church Street. Phase 1 of the Town Creek remediation project would not exceed $128,550. Construction could begin…
Harber’s History: McFadden’s Ford was a Civil War travesty
Susan Harber, The Daily News Journal, December 11, 2016 Every Rutherford County citizen is familiar with McFadden’s Ford, a shallow Stones River crossing in Murfreesboro that was the site of a crucial Civil War combat. Yet, it is intriguing to revisit this story and seek new discovery. Jim Lewis, longtime…
Haynes School (Eagleville), 1878-1920
HAYNES SCHOOL 1878-1920’s was on Fishingford Road, now Fruit Valley Road, at its intersection with Kingdom Church Road. It was across from King Cemetery and the Kingdom Cumberland Presbyterian Church, which is still used. The site, first in Rutherford County, is now across the county line in Bedford County. On…
McFadden’s Ford at Stones River a crushing loss for Confederacy
Susan Harber, The Daily News Journal, December 11, 2016 Every Rutherford County citizen is familiar with McFadden’s Ford, a shallow Stones River crossing in Murfreesboro that was the site of a crucial Civil War battle. Yet, it is intriguing to revisit this story and seek new discovery. Jim Lewis, longtime…
Gore Sr. knew Japan was ‘ready to strike’ before Pearl Harbor
Kent Syler, The Daily News Journal, December 7, 1941 “Washington is calm over the threat of war with Japan. The calm may be ominous.” With those words, Congressman Albert Gore Sr. began his Oct. 19, 1941 “radio talk” to Tennesseans. Almost two months before Pearl Harbor, Gore used his weekly Sunday…
Oaklands Candlelight Tour of Homes was a Hit
Sunday, December 4, 2016 Last night saw approximately 250 visitors to the Ransom School House as part of the 33rd Oaklands Candlelight Tour of Homes. All were warmly greeted, serenaded with Christmas carols by the Middle Tennessee Christian School choir; many visitors left as brand new members of the Rutherford…
Rutherford County Christmas Tree Lighting
Call it what you will but the Christmas tree lighting at the historic Rutherford County Courthouse is magical. To see thousands of citizens from our community gather around our 1859 Courthouse, sing carols, enjoy local business around the Square and come together as – wait, here’s that term again –…
Explore Murfreesboro – Oaklands Mansion
Murfreesboro City Television, November 30, 2016
Remembering Rutherford: Contentious presidential campaign evidenced American disunity
Greg Tucker, the Murfreesboro Post, November 29, 2016 The presidential campaign was bitterly divisive and some were threatening to reject the outcome if their favored candidate did not prevail. Rutherford County hosted an extravagant campaign rally for the party with the “non-committed platform.” Four political parties fielded candidates in the…
Past, future meet The Bottoms, Simmons Alley
Nancy De Gennaro, The Daily News Journal, November 27, 2016 MURFREESBORO — Gracie Turner knew when it “rained real hard,” she and her family would have to leave their home in the area known historically as The Bottoms for higher ground. “My daddy, he was resourceful. He would put our…
Greenwood School, 1871-1914
GREENWOOD SCHOOL 1871-1914 was on the west corner of the intersection of State Road 99 and Greenwood Road. Greenwood Church and School are on the Beers Map of 1878. The bottom floor of the two-story building was used as a school for the children of the area. The second floor…
A day at Oaklands Mansion
A Day at Oaklands Mansion, Frank Caperton, November 26, 2016 I visited Murfreesboro’s Oaklands Mansion on this beautiful afternoon. Oaklands offers some of the finest Italianate architecture I enjoy ‘gee-whiz’ facts including (thank you Oaklands Mansion for these incredible facts!): 1. Wealthy Memphis widow Elizabeth Swope purchased Oaklands Mansion and the property…
A day at the Sam Davis Home
A Day at the Sam Davis home, Frank Caperton, November 25, 2016 When was the last time you visited the Sam Davis Home and Plantation? I’ll be the first to admit – it has been far too long since my last visit. I spent a beautiful November afternoon at Smyrna’s…
Little Rock School, 1884-1923
LITTLE ROCK SCHOOL f 1. 1884-1923 was located on Little Rock Road about three and one-half miles northeast of Eagleville. It was on land owned by James E. Jackson. In the neighborhood ‘as a grocery store, a tiling mill, and rental houses for the ill workers. The two-room building was…
Harber’s History: Absalom Scales House continues as heirloom
Susan Harber, the Daily News Journal, November 13, 2016 The name Absalom is translated from a Hebrew origin meaning “father of peace.” Absalom Scales of Eagleville personified peaceful living and is one of my favorite early pioneers, who courageously established a real home in present-day Rutherford County that is still…
Murfreesboro’s SportsCom
Who remembers the day SportsCom opened? Many thanks to WGNS Radio, 1450AM or 101.9FM (www.wgnsradio.com) for documenting the opening of Murfreesboro’s SportsCom! June, 1987: Joe B. Jackson was Murfreesboro Mayor; E.C. Fite, Jr. was City manager and such as John Pittard and Mary Hutta were on the City Council. Take…
Lowe School, 1870’s-1890’s
LOWE SCHOOL 1870’s-late 1890’s was south of Mankin Road on the west side of the present Jap Johnson Road. It was School No. 4 in District 24. The school was on the Jap Johnson place. Tennie Lowe was a teacher. According to a school register which he kept, William Pleasant…
Local History with Truman Jones and Friends
November 8, 2016, WGNS Radio Today Truman visits with Rutherford County Historian Greg Tucker Bart Walker and the staff of Rutherford County’s WGNS Radio (1450AM, 101.9FM) have been supporters of our local history for a long, long time. Please click the WGNS icon and enjoy former Rutherford County Truman Jones…
Remembering Rutherford: Rutherford native played for Opry star, declined matrimony
Greg Tucker, Murfreesboro Post, November 2, 2016 After a successful tour of western Canada with Rusty Elder and the White Crackers, Rutherford County native Larry Pinkerton returned to Tennessee with fellow “Cracker” Paul Hollowell. Primarily a blues guitarist, Pinkerton saw in Canada the international popularity of country music and honed his…
Heart of Tennessee by Terry Weeks
Who remembers ‘”Heart of Tennessee”, by Central Middle School geography teacher and 1987 Tennessee Teacher of the Year and 1988 National Teacher of the Year Terry Weeks?