FRANKLIN FLOWER AND GIFT SHOP. Williamson County, Tennessee Site Documentation Report December 2016

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1 FRANKLIN FLOWER AND GIFT SHOP Williamson County, Tennessee Site Documentation Report December 2016

2 SITE DOCUMENTATION Franklin Flower and Gift Shop Williamson County, Tennessee A Public Service of the Tennessee Civil War National Heritage Area By Dr. Carroll Van West Laura S. Holder Ashley Brown October 2016 The Tennessee Civil War National Heritage Area, a statewide program administered by the Center for Historic Preservation at Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro, is a partnership unit of the National Park Service. The Professional Service and Outreach initiative of the Heritage Area provides trained staff to assist communities, agencies, and organizations in planning and conducting interpretive, education, and heritage development projects across the state. 2

3 Franklin Flower and Gift Gallery (Jewell-Lovell House) 1152 Columbia Avenue The Franklin Flower and Gift Gallery, built ca at 1152 Columbia Avenue, is located on the former garden and orchard lots that were once a part of the Carter House and farm s southern boundary. Currently known as the Lovell property, the home sits on a portion of 1.6 acres purchased by Franklin s Charge, Inc. and donated to the City of Franklin Parks Department by Franklin s Charge, Inc. and the Battle of Franklin Trust. Architectural Description The home is a Foursquare plan, a popular style built from the 1890s through This type of home was much less ornate than their Victorian predecessors. Comprised of simple, straightforward plans, these expansive homes were designed to be affordable, efficient, and able to maximize space on small lots. Cubic in shape with two and a half stories and a hipped roof, the home has a symmetrical façade with a centrally located main entry. The roof contains three 3

4 pyramidal dormers, located on the façade, north, and south elevations. The second story has three bays, the center comprised of a 20-over-1 bay window flanked by a pair of 10-over-1 double hung windows. Pairs of 20-over-1 windows are located on either side of the central bay. A wide one-story front porch, supported by square wood fluted columns, spans almost the length of the facade. The hipped roof has projecting eaves with Craftsman-inspired exposed rafter tails. The original clapboard siding has been replaced with vinyl siding ca over-1 double hung windows have been used on the remaining three elevations. 4

The rear elevation shows single story additions built ca. 1980.

The carport is supported by Craftsman-style piers with stone bases topped by square tapered

5 The rear elevation shows single story additions built ca The south elevation contains a carport, which may have been added at a later date. The carport is supported by Craftsman-style piers with stone bases topped by square tapered wood posts. The south-facing parlors and bedrooms have single or pairs of 1-over-1 double hung windows, several of which have been replaced. 5

Front Porch The front porch, set on a limestone foundation, is fully

1980 modern metal and glass paned enclosure inserted into the original

An original 1-over-1 window remains to the left of the front entry, but

6 Front Porch The front porch, set on a limestone foundation, is fully enclosed by a ca modern metal and glass paned enclosure inserted into the original wood columns. The porch s concrete floor was also added ca An original 1-over-1 window remains to the left of the front entry, but the second original window has since been removed. The home retains the original wood front door flanked by sidelights and an 8-paned transom. 6

Interior First Floor This floor retains several original features, including pocket doors, mantels, wood floors (some of

built-in shelving. Some original windows remain on the first floor, although several have been altered or replaced.

decoratively painted in a checkerboard design which was likely added at a later date.

7 Interior First Floor This floor retains several original features, including pocket doors, mantels, wood floors (some of which have covered with linoleum), brass door knobs, decorative metal floor grates, crown molding, wainscoting, and built-in shelving. Some original windows remain on the first floor, although several have been altered or replaced. Interior Left Parlor Upon entering the first floor, the interior left (south) parlor retains the original wood floors, decoratively painted in a checkerboard design which was likely added at a later date. A refrigerator and benches were installed ca when the property was remodeled into a flower shop. This parlor s original pocket doors remain, but have been recently painted. 7

windows, and window air conditioning units.

8 Interior Right Parlor The interior right parlor has been significantly remodeled, including the installation of modern cabinets, painted floors, a pergola, modern windows, and window air conditioning units. Metal roof panels were attached to the rear wall installed ca The remaining three walls retain the original plaster surface. 8

Right (North) Rear Parlor This room retains several original features, including hardwood floors, decorative molding and

9 Hallway Original built-in shelves remain in the hallway between the two parlors, although they have been altered by the installation of mirrored panels. The original hall closet has been removed. Right (North) Rear Parlor This room retains several original features, including hardwood floors, decorative molding and baseboards, and an intact brick fireplace with a decorative wood mantel, flanked by a built in six-drawer built-in cabinet. Mirrors above the cabinet were added ca

The original wood flooring was replaced with linoleum ca. 1980.

10 Left (South) Rear Parlor This room has been significantly altered, including the removal of molding and doors. Doorways also appear to have been enlarged. The original wood flooring was replaced with linoleum ca Kitchen The former kitchen occupies an L-shaped rear section along the north elevation. One original window remains, but the original side door has been removed. Hardwood floors 10

have been replaced with linoleum. This connects into a pantry and bathroom. A slight step up leads to a ca. 1980 rear addition, used as an additional work room located off the kitchen area. Ca.

11 have been replaced with linoleum. This connects into a pantry and bathroom. A slight step up leads to a ca rear addition, used as an additional work room located off the kitchen area. Ca addition This ca served as a work space for the flower shop. Note that the kitchen s original exterior wall, including 4-over-4 double hung window, door (which has been removed), and exterior wood siding, is visible in this addition space. 11

retaining the original hardwood floors, as

12 Second Floor The second story remains relatively intact, and each room contains a greater number of original features. A stairway leads up to the second floor, retaining the original hardwood floors, as well as wood posts, balusters, and railing. Front Left (South) Bedroom 12

This bedroom remains primarily intact, with hardwood floors and wood baseboards.

The south wall has a pair of original double hung windows.

Much of the window molding appears to have significant water damage.

13 This bedroom remains primarily intact, with hardwood floors and wood baseboards. Two 20-over-1 original windows with decorative wood molding remain on the east wall. The south wall has a pair of original double hung windows. A small closet is located along the north wall, with the original door and brass knob. Much of the window molding appears to have significant water damage. Bay Window Room A small enclosed room surrounds the central bay window upstairs, and it is unclear whether this room was originally enclosed or changed at a later date. It retains the original 30-over-1 double hung window flanked by a pair of 1-over-1 double hung window, although a modern window air conditioning unit has been added. The floor has been carpeted. 13

A small closet is located along the west wall. Rear Right (West) Bedroom A 1-over-1 double hung window remains on the north wall.

14 Front Right (North) Bedroom Modern track lighting illuminates the hallway leading to this bedroom. A pair of 20-over- 1 original windows on the east wall remain. The north wall has an original double hung window. A small closet is located along the west wall. Rear Right (West) Bedroom A 1-over-1 double hung window remains on the north wall. A small closet and a large credenza (added ca. 1980) are located along the east wall. This room contains a small brick fireplace, adorned with a unique mantel and decorative metal grate. 14

15 Bathrooms Two small side by side bathrooms are located between the back bedrooms. The hardwood floors have been replaced with linoleum. Each contains a small 1-over-1 double hung window. The wall between may have been added at a later date. 15

16 Rear Left (South) Bedroom This bedroom, the smallest of the four upstairs, remains primarily intact. It has two 1- over-1 double hung windows and a closet. Modern cabinetry was added ca Attic 16

A steep narrow staircase leads up to the attic, which remains largely intact and retains most of the original features. A large iron attic fan hangs along the east wall.

Architectural Summary Overall, the Franklin Flower Shop is an attractive example of a very popular early twentieth century house style.

17 A steep narrow staircase leads up to the attic, which remains largely intact and retains most of the original features. A large iron attic fan hangs along the east wall. Two 15over-1 dormer windows flanked by 6-over-1 side windows are situated on the north and south walls. The attic retains the original hardwood flooring and beadboard walls. Architectural Summary Overall, the Franklin Flower Shop is an attractive example of a very popular early twentieth century house style. As it transformed from a residence to a retail business, the home underwent numerous changes. It remains somewhat well-maintained with several original architectural features, but does not appear to be architecturally significant. Substantial changes have been made to both the interior and exterior. Exterior changes include vinyl siding, modern windows, and a front porch enclosed entirely in glass. Several rear additions to the home changed the floorplan and the original appearance of the home, as does the flat-roofed carport which also appears to be a later addition. Interior changes include hardwood floors either replaced or covered with carpet and linoleum, door and window removal, modern air conditioning unit installation, the addition of modern work units and decorative features, and the addition of modern appliances used to operate the flower gallery. 17

18 Franklin Flower Shop Floor Plan 18

19 19

20 Property History The Early Years the Fountain Branch Carter farm In October 1829, Fountain Branch Carter purchased 19 acres along Columbia Pike from Angus and Nancy McPhail for $950 (Williamson County Deed Book K, p. 198). In 1830, he and wife Mary built a one-and-a-half story brick house just south of downtown. Over the next two decades, the Carter farm grew from 19 to 288 acres. Fountain later built a cotton gin, greatly increasing the farm s value and production. But the Civil War transformed the once peaceful and prosperous farm. The vicious 1864 Battle of Franklin brought death and destruction, devastating the farm s rich fields and changing the Carter family s lives and landscape forever. The Carter Farm and the Battle of Franklin Having lost Atlanta in September 1864, C.S. Gen. John Bell Hood marched his army of 30,000 soldiers toward Nashville, planning to retake the Tennessee capital which had fallen to U. S. troops in U.S. Gen. William T. Sherman sent troops under the command of U.S. Gen. John Schofield to Middle Tennessee with orders to slow Hood s advance. After failing to destroy Schofield s army near Spring Hill on November 29, Hood marched his troops to the outskirts of Franklin. Just before daybreak on November 30, 1864, U.S. Gen. Jacob D. Cox woke the Carter family. He took possession of the house, using the parlor as his headquarters. Still hoping that he might stop Schofield s army before they had the chance to advance to Nashville, Hood decided to launch a frontal assault. The fighting began at 4 p.m. in the fading light of a beautiful fall day. Roughly 20,000 Confederates attacked a similar number of entrenched Federals. The two armies clashed shortly before 4:30 pm, and five brutal hours of horrific fighting ensued. Despite nearly breaking through the center of the Union line, Hood s forces were eventually driven back with heavy losses. The Carter family, the Lotz family that lived across the street, and several Carter slaves took refuge in the basement as the fighting raged around their home. Bullets flew overhead, and many lodged in the walls of the house. Fountain s middle son C.S. Capt. Tod Carter (assistant to quartermaster C.S. Gen. Thomas Benton Smith in the Army of Tennessee) received a mortal wound during the battle. Although his quartermaster duties did not require him to fight, Tod chose to participate in the combat that erupted around his childhood home. When his family finally emerged from the basement, they were told of Tod s devastating injury. Brought home to the Carter House, he perished shortly after. The battle that raged across the Carter farm resulted in nearly 10,000 casualties. Roughly 2,300 men died at Franklin; more than 7,000 were wounded, with almost 1,000 taken prisoner. The ferocious assault cost Hood more than 6,000 casualties, including six dead generals. More Confederate generals were killed during the Battle of Franklin 20

21 than in any other battle of the war. The battle s devastation to the Carter House, their family, and throughout the town, continued long after the final shot was fired. After the War In the years following the war, the Carter family worked to rebuild their farm and reestablish the prosperity they had enjoyed before the battle. But the farm was never again as profitable. Fountain Branch Carter s son, Col. Moscow Carter (who fought alongside two of his brothers in Company H, Twentieth Tennessee Infantry Regiment, C.S.A.) eventually sold the house and property to S.G. Mullins (Deed Book 18, p. 528) in 1896, who in turn sold it that same year to O.E. Daniels (Book 18, p. 523). Twentieth Century History By the early twentieth century, the most devastating memories of the war began to fade. Franklin s economy flourished again, as the town established the Interurban masstransit rail into Nashville, a new water system, and an upgraded city school system. Although the town was growing, the Battle of Franklin s landscape remained largely unchanged at the beginning of the twentieth century, with the exception of Battle Ground Academy. Recognizing the dangers that continued growth posed to the battlefield and wanting to honor the heroism of the battle s soldiers, local officials lobbied both state and federal representatives in an effort to establish a national park. For numerous reasons, it never came to fruition. However, these efforts reiterated that the battle s impact on the land and properties associated with it remained the community s most nationally significant story. During the early twentieth century, the parcel now housing the Franklin Flower Shop changed hands several times. In 1910, O.E. Daniels sold 3 ¾ acres south of the Carter House to J.H. Truett. A year later Truett sold the land to Frank P. Brumbaugh, Jr., and the current home was built ca Brumbaugh later sold the house and lot to J.H. Porter in In 1942, the Porter heirs sold the property to local developer Walter Roberts, who in turn sold to tobacco businessman (and later Mayor of Franklin) Asa Jewell in John H. Truett, Sr. owned this property (along with several others that surrounded it) for a brief time during the first decade of the twentieth century. The Truett family traced their Franklin roots back to 1845, when A. Truett arrived to start one of the first commercial nurseries in the South. John Sr. later owned and operated the J.H. Truett Livery Stable, a thriving business on East Main Street. However, rumored dealings in bootleg liquor estimated that he operated as many as ten illegal stills in Williamson County during Prohibition. In 1925, Truett was implicated in the sensational murder of Constable Sam Locke, a lawman determined to enforce the county s Prohibition laws. Accused of hiring a hitman to kill Locke, Truett was eventually acquitted (despite numerous accounts that supported his involvement) and continued to operate his 21

22 stable. However, he was later charged and convicted in federal court for violating federal liquor laws Truett s legal troubles occurred several years after he sold the property at 1152 Columbia Pike. In 1912, 1912 by Frank Brumbaugh, Jr., and his family occupied it until ADD, when the J.H. Porter family purchased it in 1918 (Deed Book 43, pg. 22). It remained in the family until Porter s heirs sold it to local real estate investor Walter A. Roberts. In 1943, local businessman Asa Jewell purchased the home (Deed Book 80, pg. 23). Jewell owned Franklin s biggest tobacco warehouse during a time when burley tobacco provided the county s largest cash crop. Jewell Tobacco Warehouse cured and stored tobacco in locations north of the city as well as on Columbia Pike. In addition to running a highly successful business, Jewell believed in public service, serving as one of Franklin s aldermen. In 1961, Jewell ran for mayor of Franklin, serving two terms. During his tenure, he presided over the desegregation of the city s schools, which were fully integrated by By the time Jewell was elected mayor, his family had already left the home at 1152 Columbia Pike. In 1956, the Jewell family moved to the famed Winstead Place (current home of O More College of Design). From that point forward, the property at 1152 Columbia Pike served as a commercial business, housing antique, gift, and flower shops. In 1980, Reid and Brenda Lovell acquired the flower shop property (Deed Book 373, pg. 763). Lovell s father started the original flower business in a building on Fourth Avenue and later moved it to Five Points. In 1980, the business moved to the site on Columbia Avenue. Raised in Franklin, Lovell grew up hearing stories of the Battle of Franklin and the Carter House. Five members of his family fought in the battle, and his mother served as a Carter House trustee. As Franklin continued to grow at an incredible pace during the last several years, the Lovells had several opportunities to sell to developers, but always hoped that the property would be incorporated into a battlefield park. Their sale of the property for a battlefield park demonstrates their commitment to Franklin s rich and powerful history, and the Lovell family s own connection to the Battle of Franklin. The Property s National Significance Although the many owners of the Franklin Flower Shop provide intriguing and unique local stories during a century of change in Franklin, there is no doubt that the property s greatest significance stems from its association with the Battle of Franklin. The land is adjacent to the Carter House, epicenter of the Battle of Franklin and a National Historic Landmark district. The property, which was once the Carter family garden and orchard, is much more historically significant than the ca home situated on 1152 Columbia Avenue. 22

23 The Carter House is a National Historic Landmark, recognized for its exceptional historical significance. One of only 29 NHLs in the state of Tennessee, the site s importance to local, state, and national history remains unchallenged. The newly reclaimed property surrounding the Carter House that is associated with the Battle of Franklin has a similar significance that far surpasses the local history associated with the existing twentieth century structures. In addition to its Civil War significance, this property is part of a present-day effort of national significance. During the last decade, over 200 acres of the Franklin battlefield (that most considered lost forever) have been reclaimed for a battlefield park utilizing an investment of nearly $15 million dollars. Civil War Trust President James Lighthizer has stated that "something on this scale has, to my knowledge, never been done in American history. The property surrounding the Carter House survived the devastating Battle of Franklin, only to succumb to the greater threat of development. This land reclamation offers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to reclaim an incredibly valuable portion of hallowed ground associated with the Battle of Franklin and the Carter House. 23

24 Bibliography Battle of Franklin Trust; History: The Battle of Franklin, Accessed October 13, Civil War Trust; Battle of Franklin Summary, Accessed October 13, Crutchfield, James A. and Robert Holladay. Franklin: Tennessee s Handsomest Town. Franklin, TN: Hillsboro Press, McAlester, Virginia and Lee. A Field Guide to American Houses. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, Save the Franklin Battlefield Newsletter February 16 online edition; President s Message, Accessed October 16, State of Tennessee website; Archeological Investigations at the Carter House State Historic Site, arter_house_2010.pdf. Accessed October 16, Tennessee Encyclopedia of History and Culture online edition; The Carter House, Accessed October 13, The Tennessean online edition; Strip mall demolished to reclaim Franklin battlefield, Accessed October 16, Warwick, Rick, Heritage Foundation of Franklin and Williamson County historian. 25 October 2016, correspondence, 25 October 2016, Franklin, TN. Williamson County Real Estate Assessment Data online edition, Accessed October 16, 2016 Williamson County Register of Deeds. Deed Books 6670, 4587, 373, 353, 189, 106, 80, 67, 46, 43, 31, 18, Franklin, TN. Williamson Herald online edition; Two more acres added to Franklin Battlefield, Accessed October 16,

301 7½ Street SW

301 7½ Street SW 104-0213-0072 Primary Resource Information: Single Dwelling, Stories 2.00, Style: Other, ca 1890 July 2006: This late-19th-century, 3-bay, 2-story, hip-roofed frame I-house features projecting