HERITAGE TRUST MARKERS

One of the earliest projects of the Heritage Trust, beginning in the 1970s, was to place signs marking many of the significant historic locations in our community. By January 1975, thirty signs had been erected and an attractive “Walk with the President” brochure had been written and printed to guide historians, local citizens, and tourists alike on an educational tour of Greeneville and Greene County. Today, the brochure (amended in a few respects) continues in use, and the Heritage Trust is maintaining the following twenty-four signs:

1. Valentine Sevier House II & Office

These brick structures were built by the nephew of Tennessee’s first governor, John Sevier. Dating from circa 1820, this complex is an outstanding example of Federal architecture in Tennessee. The interior woodwork and wrought iron latches are particularly fine.

2. Henegar-Trim House

This house dates from the period immediately after the Civil War. A traditional four-room front with ell, the original kitchen was in the basement.

3. Jane M. Fowler House

Mrs. Fowler, widow of Dr. Francis Fowler, whose wedding coat made by Andrew Johnson now hangs in the Tailor Shop, acquired this home in 1862 from the Valentine Sevier estate. Originally a one-story cottage of batten board with stone foundation, the house was built in the 1850s. The kitchen was in the basement with a dumbwaiter to the dining room.

4 Ripley House

Built by David Ripley in 1868, this brick home is a fine example of Greek Revival architecture. The home still contains much of its original walnut woodwork.

5 Edmund B. Miller House

Another example of Greek Revival architecture, this home was built by Edmund Miller, who led the cavalry charge into Greeneville that resulted in the death of Confederate Gen. John Hunt Morgan. Renovations have retained much of the original woodwork.

6. St. James Episcopal Church

This white frame church designed by George M. Spencer was completed in 1850 and dedicated by Bishop James H. Otey. The congregation was formed in 1842. The interior is noted for the walnut woodwork and pews, slave gallery, and the oldest organ in the State of Tennessee.

8. Drake- Brown House

Built by Lewis J. Drake during the 1850s, this brick home is of the Greek Revival style. It became the John A. Brown home after the Civil War.

9. Samuel Snapp House

7. Dickson-Williams Mansion

This home was a showplace of East Tennessee. It was built by William Dickson, Greeneville’s first postmaster, for his only child Catharine Dickson-Williams Such important personages as Presidents Andrew Jackson and James K. Polk, Henry Clay, Marquis de Lafyette, Wade Hampton and his family were all entertained here. During the Civil War, both Union and Confederate Armies used this house as headquarters, and Generals Ambrose Burnside and Alvan C. Gillen of the Union Army, and General John Hunt Morgan of the Confederate Army styed here. The gardens surrounding the house embraced an entire city block bounded by Main, Depot, Irish, and Church Streets.

10. Rumbaugh-Hacker House

Dating from the 1840s, this home follows a style of late Federal architecture typical of many in Greeneville. A four-room front of two stories is joined by a two-room one-story ell. The small frame house in the read garden was originally a slave house.

11. Wheat Williams House

This house was originally of log construction and dates from the early nineteenth century. For many years, it was occupied by Wheat Williams, so-called because of his occupation as a wheat buyer.

12. McKee House & Law Office

Dating from the 1860s, the one-story frame house and brick law office were owned by the McKee family from which McKee street takes its name. The brick law office was occupied by Armitage and McKee, an early legal firm in Greeneville.

13. Dr. J. E. Alexander Home

Dating from the post-Civil War period, this was the home of Dr. J. E. Alexander, then pastor of the First Presbyterian Church. It is of Greek Revival architecture.

14. Greenwood: Clawson-McDowell- Brown House

This two-story brick residence was begun by Dr. Josiah Clawson in 1810 and added to by James P. McDowell in the late 1840s. It was occupied by the McDowell family until the Civil War and then became the residence of William R. Brown. It is an example of Federal architecture with Greek Revival influence.