HAYNES HAVEN FARM

HAYNES HAVEN FARM

 Haynes Haven Farm aka GM Welcome Center, is located south of Spring Hill on the west side of HWY 31. It was established in the mid 1930's by W. M. Tolley who used it as a breading farm for trotters and pacers. The farm was purchase by John L. Haynes. Col Haynes in the mid-1930s and who built the current house in 1938. 

The previous house on that location was known as Woodlawn.  It was named by Dr Spivey McKissack, first mayor of Spring Hill. He named it Woodlawn because of the large trees that filled the lawn. The trees were destroyed by a tornado in 1875.

Col Haynes continued to use the farm to bread horses until his death. 

After being owned by several notable families, the house was sold in the mid-1980s to General Motors. They converted the old stables into their Saturn Welcome Center. 

Source: Maury County Historical Society

320 W 7TH ST - CARMACK-DUNNIGTON HOUSE

The Carmack Dunnigton House is located at 320 W 7th St, Columbia, TN (35º36.939N, 87º2.367W). It is now better known as the Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home. The house was built in 1856. The original home burned and was replaced with this lovely building. It is named after is best known resident Senator Edward Ward Carmack who lived in it during the time he was an attorney in Columbia (late 1870's to early 1880's).

305 WEST 6th ST - MAYES-FRIERSON-FUSTON HOUSE

The Mayes-Frierson-Fuston House is located at 305 W 6th Ave, Columbia, TN (35º37.002N, 87º2.340W). It was built in 1833 by Patrick Maguire as a wedding gift for his daughter Eleanore (Ellen) and her husband Roger Bradley Mayer. The bricks are the original slaves made bricks. Because they were so soft, they had to be painted sometime early last century. 

In 1880, Ellen Mayer deeded the home to her granddaughter who deeded it to her granddaughter thus it was owned by the Mayer-Frierson women until it was sold in the 1970's to the present owners. The Fuston family has done a wonderful job in preserving the home and its history.

The current owner is Kathie Hicks Fuston. 

RIPPAVILLA PLANTATION

Arguably, Rippavilla is the most identifiable house or building in Maury County. Located on the major highway between Columbia and Spring Hill (and points north), thousands of people pass it every day. It also attackers many visitors because it is now a museum which exhibits items from the Civil War era.

Rippavilla was built during the 1850's by Nathaniel F. Chearis for himself and his family. The house is located on the south side of Spring Hill on the east side High Way 31 (Nashville Road) just within the city limits.

The outside is just as interesting as the inside. Located on a large and still active farm, it too displays many Civil War items. Built on land that was occupied during the War between the State, it is the focus on many events during the year.

Rippavilla is also along the road that the Union Army of Maj General John M. Schofield passed by the Confederate Army on the night of Nov 29, 1864. It was at Rippavilla that General Hood met with his staff for breakfast the next morning. It was a very heated meeting that resulted in the decision to move on the Franklin to engage the Union Army in Franklin. Many of those around that table died later that day in the Battle of Franklin.

FERGUSON HALL/MARTIN CHEAIRS HOUSE

Ferguson Hall was built by the Cheairs family. It is said to be the sister house of Rippavilla. It was completed in 1853. During the Civil War, it served as headquarters for Confederate Gen Earl Van Dorm during his retreat form the Battle of Murfreesboro. Although few details exist, it seems the Van Dorm had an affair with the wife of local doctor George Peters. When Dr. Peters became aware of the rumors, he waited at the house of Van Dorn. The result of their encounter was the death of Van Dorn and the escape of Dr. Peters. Later, his action was said to be a justifiable act and he was never prosecuted.

The Ferguson Hall is also known as the "Martin Cheairs House" (or Chairs House as it is sometimes spelled) after its builder, Martin Cheairs. It is located in Spring Hill, TN on the campus of the Tennessee Children's Home on the east side of HWY 31.

HAYNES HAVEN FARM - Spring Hill

Haynes Haven Farm, aka GM Welcome Center, is located south of Spring Hill on the west side of HWY 31. It was built in 1930 on the site of an older house which burned. Strictly speaking it is not the Welcome Center but it is on the same site and it is more visible from the road than the actual center.

GRACE EPISCOPAL CHURCH - SPRING HILL

Grace Episcopal Church in Spring Hill is located at the intersection of Main (HWY 31) and Beechcroft Rd (HWY 247). Grace Episcopal was established in 1878. The building is a lovely structure that gives a sense of peace and tranquility in a very busy intersection. The architectural style is Carpenter Gothic/Rural Gothic used in many churches of that era. The church boasts a very beautiful stained glass window dedicated the H. B. Estes.

ST PETER'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH, COLUMBIA

St Peter's Episcopal Church in Columbia was the second Episcopal Church in Tennessee. It was organized in 1828. The current sanctuary was completed in 1871. During the Civil War, it served as Union headquarters during the siege of Columbia.

JAMES K POLK ANCESTRAL HOME

James K. Polk was the 11th President of the United States of America. His father built the house when James was away in college. After graduation, he lived with his parents for a about 6 years until he married. The property included in the current museum also includes a second house know as Sister's House because his sisters occasionally lived there. There is a fee you visit the inside of the houses.

James Knox Polk Ancestral Home 

Sidewalk Next to the House

 The Sister's House

Garden Area

Stained Glass Window at

First Methodist Church Featuring James K Polk

THE ATHENAEUM RECTORY

The Athenaeum was built in 1935 for future President of the United States, James K. Polk's nephew, Samuel Polk Walker.  Nevertheless, it was first occupied in 1837 by the Rev. Frank C. Smith, rector of the Columbia Institute, an Episcopal school for girls. In 1852, the name was changed to Columbia Athenaeum. In days when few girls had many education options, the Athenaeum attracted students from all over the country. The school functioned until 1904.

The building is an example of Moorish Gothic Architecture... the only building of its kind in middle Tennessee.

MAURY COUNTY COURTHOUSE

This building is the 5th building to serve as the county's courthouse. It was built in 1904 after the 4th needed replaced. It was remodeled in 1999.

Maury County Convetion and Visitor Bureau