Franklin, TN

chuck71 · #1 10-29-2005, 06:11 AM

I will be in the area in early December, and am going to visit. Other than
the Carter House, I don't really know that much about it. Any suggestions?

Chuck71

larry_cockerham · #2 10-29-2005, 09:51 AM

I could go on for a while but will spare you most of it. Welcome to middle Tennessee. Franklin is an "emerging" civil war site just now beginning to develop the remnants of the Battle of Franklin and the various events before and after that. At the moment there is much to see and do. In addition to the Carter house, also go southeast a couple of miles out Lewisburg Pike to the Carnton Plantation. Five Confederate generals were placed on the porch in state as a result of the nearby battle. There is a Confederate cemetery there with some museum pieces and a very well-stocked gift shop. Tours of the mansion and part of the battlefield are also provided. Additional battlefield is being purchased for addition to this site in the next few months. The Sons of Confederate Veterans own another area on Columbia Pike south were the Union Army of Gen. Schofield camped on their way into Franklin from Springhill prior to the Franklin battle. This is better known as the observation point for Gen. Hood during the battle itself on Nov 30, 1864. I highly recommend a stop at Ft. Negley in south Nashville which has now been interpreted rather well and is open to the public. A Union Fort, most of the massive stone walls are still standing having been restored by WPA back in the 1930s. Twenty miles east is the Stones River Battlefield site of the battle of Stones River in December 1862 and the battle of the Cedars Dec 6 and 7 1864. Many civil war homes and structures are identified and remain in the Nashville-Franklin area. One of my favorites is Traveller's Rest off Harding Place and Franklin Road in Nashville which is open to the public. This belonged to the Overton family who founded Memphis and was used as Confederate headquarters during the battle for Nashville. Plenty to see around here. Don't forget Shy's Hill on Battery Lane, a center point of the Nashville Battle. Go also to the Battle of Nashville Preservation Society website BONPS and look around. Hope to see you here.

gary · #3 10-29-2005, 11:32 AM

If in Nashville, go to the Tennessee State Museum (downhill from the state capital towards the river). Plenty of guns as well as other artifacts from the war. It's housed in a State building along with many offices. Find it on the net first (or look in the phone book) because if you ask the cops, they'll scratch their heads.

The Save the Franklin Battlefield supposedly bought the country club so it's only a matter of time before its restored. The Pizza Hut (site of Cleburne's death) was bought by the City of Franklin.

chuck71 · #4 10-30-2005, 08:05 AM

Larry and Gary:

Thanks alot for the info. I didn't realize there was so much to do around
the Franklin area. I definitely will check out the places you told me about.
I'll only be in the area a couple of days, but I'll see as much as possible.
Thanks again.

Chuck71

larry_cockerham · #5 10-30-2005, 09:54 AM

Gary, are you suggesting that Nashville policemen are culturally void? (I've heard them referred to in far less flattering fashion.) The museum is in the basement of the James K. Polk building about the corner of 5th and Deaderick (505 Deaderick) Here is a link:

http://www.bonps.org/tour/statemuseum.htm

gary · #6 10-30-2005, 11:09 AM

Well, I've only asked one police officer and one law enforcement ranger. Neither knew there was a museum nearby. So much for knowing one's beat. I asked the guys who sold tickets at the carousel and they were clever enough to look it up in the phone book.

BTW, Fort Negley, a stone Union fort in Nashville that has been recently restored and opened to the public, may be worth seeing. I've never been to it myself and it's just another reason to go back to Nashville.