Historic Attractions in the Upper Cumberland

*Information from the Cumberland Business Journal Article

As the words “heritage tourism” buzz across the travel industry, the Upper Cumberland is one step ahead of the game with many historic attractions that draw people from near and far. With many of our counties touting heritage museums and genealogical research rooms, the region has embraced this trend and what it can do for our tourism. The attractions below are in no way a comprehensive list of historic attractions in the region. They’re merely a sampling of how our region is finding the future of tourism in the past.

Cannon
The Arts Center of Cannon County displays a wonderful assortment of white oak baskets and rocking chairs that played a large role in getting local residents through the Great Depression. These goods served as barter for those essentials that couldn’t be grown on the family farm.
To Go:
1424 John Bragg Highway
Woodbury, TN 37190
Phone: 615-563-2787 or 800-235-9073
www.artscenterofcc.com
Gallery Hours: 10-4 CST, Monday-Saturday

Clay
The Dale Hollow National Fish Hatchery has been protecting our future history for the last 42 years in Clay County. By ensuring that our waterways are healthy and full of native fishes, the hatchery continues to play a role in sustaining water recreation in the region. Visitors can enjoy hatchery tours and an aquarium at their visitor’s center.
To Go:
Dale Hollow National Fish Hatchery
145 Fish Hatchery Road
Celina, TN 38551
Phone: 931-243-2443
www.fws.gov/dalehollow/
Hours: 7:30-3:30, daily

Cumberland
Cumberland County is home to the Homesteads Tower Museum. Built in the late thirties as part of the program to help rural folks survive the Depression, the stone tower was the administrative center of the 250 plus farms that made up the Cumberland Homesteads. Brave visitors may climb the 97 winding steps to enjoy the view.
To Go:
Homesteads Tower Museum
96 Highway 68
Crossville, TN 38555
Phone: 931-456-9663
www.cumberlandhomesteads.org
Hours: Open daily, March through mid-December: 10-5, Monday-Saturday and 1-5 on Sunday: Closed on Easter, Memorial Day, Labor Day and Thanksgiving
Cost: $2 for adults, $1 for youth, kids under 6 are free

DeKalb
F. Z. Webb and Sons Drug Store has served downtown Smithville for almost 126 years. As the oldest, family-owned drug store in Tennessee, this charming DeKalb County icon is a local and tourist favorite with its unique specialty gift shop, friendly service, and hometown feel.
To Go:
F.Z. Webb and Sons Drug Store
400 Public Square
Smithville, TN 37166
Phone: 615-597-4185

Fentress
World War I hero Sgt. Alvin C. York called Fentress County home and much of his legacy is still available for the curious visitor to explore. The grist mill that York ran upon his return from the war and his country home are open to the public.
To Go:
Sgt. Alvin C. York Historic State Park Highway 127
Pall Mall, TN 38577
Phone: 931-879-6456
www.tennessee.gov/environment/parks/SgtYork
Hours: Open daily: April-October from 9-5 and November-March from 9-4

Jackson
As you step out onto Clover Street in historic Granville in Jackson County, you step back in time. Everything about this small riverbank town speaks of the past. The true gem is the Granville Museum with racks of family history waiting to be discovered. A historic attraction himself, be sure to speak to the curator, Mr. Joe.
To Go:
Granville Museum
155 Clover St.
Granville, TN 38564
Phone: 931-653-4511
www.granvillemuseum.com
Hours: Open June-October from noon-3 on Friday and Saturday

Macon
Visitors can not visit Macon County and not go to the historic trio of hotels in Red Boiling Springs. The town gushes with history just like the healing sulfur waters that made it a health resort mecca in the the late 1800 and early 1900’s. Visitors can watch a documentary on the history of the resort boom at the Donoho.
To Go:
Armour’s Hotel
Phone: 615-699-2180
www.armourshotel.com
The Donoho Hotel
Phone: 800-799-1705
www.thedonohohotel.com
The Thomas House
Phone: 615-699-3006
www.thethomashouse.com
All are on E. Main Street in Red Boiling Springs, TN 37150

Overton
The Governor A.H. Roberts Law Office in Livingston preserves the history of the Overton County native that served as Tennessee’s Governor from 1919-1921. His term dealt with issues like Prohibition and women’s suffrage, making this mini-museum an interesting stop.
To Go:
Gov. A.H. Roberts Law Office
University Street
Livingston, TN 38570
Phone: 931-823-6421
Hours: Ran by the Livingston Civic and Garden Club. Open to the public by appointment.

Pickett
The UC pays homage to another hometown legend at the Cordell Hull Birthplace in Byrdstown. Visitors can see where the young Hull was born and raised while browsing a wide collection of artifacts and historic items. Known as the “Father of the United Nations”, Hull won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1945. Visitors can also enjoy a mild hike to Bunkum Cave, the park’s newest addition.
To Go:
Cordell Hull Birthplace and Museum State Park
1300 Cordell Hull Memorial Drive
Byrdstown, TN 38549
Phone: 931-864-3247
www.cordellhullmuseum.com
Hours: Open daily: April-October from 9-5 and November-March from 9-4

Putnam
It’s all aboard for a fun history lesson at the Cookeville Depot Museum. Built in 1909 by the Tennessee Central Railroad Company, the depot has model trains and exhibits that illustrate the impact the railroad had on our economy and history. Kids of all ages can climb aboard the steam locomotive and 2 cabooses located on site.
To Go:
Cookeville Depot Museum
116 Broad Street
Cookeville, TN 38503
Phone: 931-528-8570
Hours: Open 10-4, Tuesday-Saturday
Smith
Smith County is home of the Smith County Heritage Museum, a hidden treasure for history buffs. The award-winning museum has fascinating exhibits on agriculture, industry, the Civil War and everyday living in the region. It’s always expanding so check in often for new displays.
To Go:
Smith County Heritage Museum
107 Third Ave. East
Carthage, TN 37030
Phone: 615-735-1104
www.rootsweb.com/~tnsmith/heritage
Hours: Open 10-2 Wednesday, Friday and Saturday
Van Buren
Van Buren County hosts the first coeducational college in the South. Burritt College, founded in 1948, closed briefly during the Civil War to house Union Troops. Today, visitors can visit the old campus where there’s the original entrance archway and a historical marker.
To Go:
Burritt College Historical Marker
Across from the Van Buren County Chamber of Commerce
500 College Street
Spencer, TN 38585

Warren
Cumberland Caverns in Warren County offers visitors an up close view of saltpeter mining operations from 1812. This National Natural Landmark is Tennessee’s largest show cave and boasts some of the largest underground rooms in the eastern United States.
To Go:
Cumberland Caverns
1437 Cumberland Caverns Rd.
McMinnville, TN 37110
Phone: 931-668-4396
www.cumberlandcaverns.com
Hours: Open for daily tours May 1-Oct. 31, call for a schedule

White
A few miles east of Sparta sits an old building that served as a stage coach stop and an early American Frontier home. The Rock House Shrine, built in 1835, sits along the old Wilderness Road that led travelers to broader horizons in the west and back.
To Go:
Rock House Shrine
Hwy. 70 East
Sparta, TN 38583
Phone: 931-836-3552
Hours: Open Thursday-Saturday from 1-3, March-November or by appointment

Other Can’t Miss Historic Attractions:

Falcon Rest
In Warren County, you can tour the mansion of a former textile giant, famous for making “Gorilla Pants”. Labeled as Tennessee’s Biltmore, the Victorian mansion and gift shop are true finds.
To Go:
Falcon Rest
2645 Faulkner Springs Road
McMinnville, TN 37110
Phone: 931-668-4444
www.falconmanor.com

Historic Rugby
Step back into the 1880’s at the restored British colony of Rugby in the northeastern tip of the region. Be sure to take the tour of the original library and stop by the commissary for a souvenir.
To Go:
Historic Rugby
5517 Rugby Hwy.
Rugby, TN 37733
Phone: 888-214-3400
www.historicrugby.org