Remembering Rutherford, Daily News Journal, February 21, 2015, Greg Tucker Two uncommon surnames, Bilbro and Linebaugh, are familiar place names in Rutherford County. The namesake individuals, however, are relatively unknown. Bilbro North Bilbro Avenue is the eastern boundary for the Central Magnet School (formerly the Central High School) campus in…
Harber’s History Lesson, Daily News Journal, January 17, 2015, Susan Harber Reconstruction in Rutherford County was tedious, complicated, disfranchised and far-reaching with massive social and economic disaster. The emotional distrust among neighbors was highly fueled by acrimonious unrest in a succession of political missteps. The town folk referred to this time…
Daily News Journal, Greg Tucker, February 7, 2015 A local “good time house” is immortalized in song. Mrs. Lillie Ann McClellan owned her home at 535 Hancock St. in Murfreesboro. She lived there from the mid-1950s to at least the end of the 1980s. She was the widow of John…
Remembering Rutherford, Daily News Journal, January 25, 2015, Greg Tucker In the early 1970s, Tennessee Gov. Ray Blanton initiated an effort that dramatically changed the environment, economy and demographics of Rutherford County. This six-year team project involved leadership at many levels. It finally succeeded thanks to a personal business relationship.…
Harber’s History Lesson, Daily News Journal, January 17, 2015, Susan Harber Beesley Primitive Baptist Church is a sparkling diamond placed on the National Register of Historic Places in April 1999. The church and cemetery carry a rich history integral to the early Beesley settlers. The term “primitive” was strictly adhered to,…
Remembering Rutherford, Daily News Journal, January 10, 2015, Greg Tucker William “Pumpkin” Crockett was born and raised on the county farm. For him it was “heaven on earth.” Hoping to make the “poorhouse” a self-sustaining operation, Rutherford County in 1892 purchased approximately 175 acres of “good land” between the NC&StL…
Remembering Rutherford, Daily News Journal, December 28, 2014, Gregg Tucker Popular film stars, Dixie boosted ice cream sales The Rutherford County Gas & Oil Co. announced in March 1922 that the firm was reincorporating under a new name — Consumers Supply Co. This new business entity had “in course of…
Harber’s History Lesson, Daily News Journal, November 30, 2014, Susan Harber I have always enjoyed studying Thomas Rucker (1759-1843), originally from Amherst County, Virginia, as our forefather in Rutherford County. What struck me about this man was his intelligence and keen acumen for business. A 1797 deed indicates Rucker acquired land…
Remembering Rutherford, Daily News Journal, December 14, 2014, Greg Tucker Andrew Jackson, Tennessee’s first congressman, uncovered evidence of “suspicious” activity in the administration of the land grants given to Revolutionary War veterans. Further investigation led to revelations of massive land fraud implicating senior officials in Tennessee and North Carolina. …
