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Allen House
Old Harding Rd
Built: Ca. Civil War
Around the time of the Civil War, Johnson Vaughn Linton built an elegant ten room home on 600 acres given to him by his father, Silas Linton. This beautiful land bordered the South Harpeth River and today also contains the South Harpeth Church of Christ.
The ante-bellum home overlooked the river. Constructed of yellow poplar that was selected and cut on site, the home had ten foot ceilings and floor to ceiling windows. Inside wooden shutters are still in place.
Besides several outbuildings which are still in existence, an orchard was located on the property. Other landscaping included persimmon trees, hemlocks, roses, and huge boxwood shrubs which lined the brick front walk.
The house was given by Mr. Linton to his daughter Bettie who was born in the house in 1872. There, she and her husband John David Allen began their family. After living to the age of 91 ½ years Bettie Allen died.
Before her death, the house was sold to the Haynes family from Bon Aqua. Later Johnny and Olivia Groves became the owners. After Olivia Groves Cunningham's death the house was purchased by Dr. Clara Womack.
"Beech Grove" T. J. Allison Home
Old Harding Pike
Built 1850
This magnificent antebellum home was built by Thomas Jefferson Allison on property acquired from James Roberson. The original home had no indoor kitchen and so, several years after construction a nearby schoolhouse was moved and attached to the house to become its kitchen. The schoolhouse is said to have a bullet hole which dates from the Civil War and was fired by Union soldiers in order to discourage classes meeting. After Allison's death, the house was inherited by his granddaughter, Allie Morton. She then passed the home place on to her daughter Sallie who remained there until 1975 when the house was finally sold out of the family.
Clear Water Beach Resort on the South Harpeth
As told to Nancy Schwartz by Robert Stamps
All of the land that was just purchased by Mickey Mitchell, previously owned by Robert and Richard Stamps, and the land where Fox Hollow Farms is now, the land where Emmanuel Church is meeting, and land along the river where the Lutheran Retreat is was owned in the early 1900's by H. T. Allison. His great grandfather, W. H. Allison had purchased this land from James Robertson, founder of Nashville, in 1804. Mr. Allison was married to Robert Stamps aunt.
Around 1920 a wonderful new resort was opened by Mr. H. T. Allison along the river behind the South Harpeth Church of Christ and where the Lutheran retreat is now located. Clear Water Beach Resort was an instant success. Mr. Allison had spent a great deal of time in Clear Water Florida and chose this name because the water WAS clear and because of his love for the city in Florida. There was a lodge with a dance floor, a dormitory, and a club house. Mr. Allison also had an unusual arrangement for the cabins that were built along the river on the property. He would allow the builders to construct the cabins, but after fifteen years the cabin reverted to his possession. Water for the resort, and some of the other homes around there, was provided by a Spring on the Allison property behind the McGavock home in Fox Hollow Farms. The Spring House is located just over the property line now on Mitchell's property. The old Spring house is still there with water still flowing out- feeding a stream which flows into the South Harpeth River.
Orchestras played on weekends for dances and big barbeques and parties were held in the clubhouse. There was an old Mill where the bridge is now, and Mr. Allison had a large dam to create his swimming area at the resort. He had an innovative method to move large timbers to release the water to prevent flooding, and every winter he would reconstruct the dam. The Clear Water Beach Resort was closed sometime during the Second World War. Many people living in this area, including my parents, have memories of this resort. Behind the Lutheran Retreat you can still see part of the old dam and an old cabin.
Dora Whitley Cabin
1142 Dora Whitley Road
Built ca. 1940
Built in the 1940's Dora Whitley's cabin stands as one of the many monuments to Williamson County's past. Dora Whitley , a native of Williamson County, was married to 'Buck' Whitley who at one time worked for Will Linton.
The couple owned much of the land on the ridge along what was then Little East Fork Road. The cabin was built on their property and Dora inhabited the cabin until her death in the early 1970's. After the new highway was built in the early 1970's the road was renamed in her honor.
A rope pulley with a bucked rigged to fetch water from the spring pond and the outhouse were the only amenities. At Dora's death she bequeathed the cabin to a niece. Barry and Mary Watkins bought the house in 1987 and continued to use the cabin as a guest house.
Hacienda del Sur
9479 Highway 96
Built ca 1910
This beautiful country home was built by Mr. Will Linton for his new bride. This house was built on part of a 300 acre farm and faced what was then Little East Fork Road. The lovely sugar maples were removed from the ridge and planted on the grounds. The house was later purchased by Dr. Burton Grant and then by Maxie Dector before Dr. Mary Ann South bought it and christened it "Hacienda del Sur"
The Begining
The first settlers to the South Harpeth Valley were the Allisons, Greers, Smiths and the Lintons. This was a few years after the settlement of Nashville. The Allison family founded a mill, a store and a community center, which they hope to name Allison's Mill. When the Post Office was established it was discovered that there was already a post office in Williamson County by the name of Allisonia. So it was decided to use the name of Linton.
Highway 100 was built in 1927. Before this that section of the Valley from Linton toward Faiarview was know as Charlton Hollow. Many factories and mills were located in this area which brought in several families such as the Furloughs, McNeils, and the Phillips.
Linton Hollow follows Hester Beasley Road. This road was named for a preacher named Beasley and neighbor named Hester. Allegedly they never could get along in life, but live together now in history! The upper part of the Hester Beasley Road area was the home of the Pritchards, later by the Beasleys, Jim Linton and Archie Greer. The area south of Linton and the Harpeth River was settled by the Greers, Smiths, Mays, Thompsons, Thorntons, and the Hatchers.
In the farmland known as Big East Fork, the families of the Andersons, Lintons, and McPhersons inhabited the entire area. Their heritage is still seen today in the Valley.
At one time all of the roads in this area, with one exception, were located in the creeks. The one road was located from Linton to Nashville. It had been set out of the creek, which meant that a person just got up on the bank and followed the twists and turns of the creek on the best side. The old saying, "We'll see you if the good Lord's a willing and the creek don't rise," had true meaning back then.
One of the earliest physicians in the area was Dr. Hill from the Pasquo community. He lived in a log cabin on the south side of Highway 100 between McCrory Lane and the Natchez Trace Office. Another local doctor, Dr. Smith, prescribed Calomel for every ailment. He charged $1.00 for a house call, and could be seen on Saturdays, which was payday, at the general store in Linton trying to get his fees from the sawmill workers. The first automobile owned by someone in the community was by Dr. Smith. It was a model T Ford (1917 model.)
The first public schools in the South Harpeth Linton area were known as pauper schools. Prior to their establishment, the only schools in the area were academies and private subscription schools. South Harpeth Academy, which was taught by William Anderson and Sallie Morton King's mother was located on the hill of Highway 96.
About 1898 South Harpeth School became a public school and taught grades one through ten. In 1921 the tenth grade was removed and a four year faculty and course was started at Coleman Brown High School. This school was located on Highway 100 in front of the McClain's Grocery- where Jimmy Dean's Market was located. The student body in 1929 consisted of 42 students.
Around the turn of the 20th century the South Harpeth School, now the South Harpeth Civic club was built. Until 1939 the school served all the children of the community in grades one through eight. Around that time the school was incorporated into nearby Harpeth Valley School.
On March 1, 1940 a group of citizens from the community headed by Mr. Albert Rose met and adoped 27 articles and by laws from which the South Harpeth Civic Club would be governed. The club was established to create interest in community affairs. Our group of concerned neighbors and friends used this club for our first meeting to insure that our beautiful area remains rural and peaceful. The South Harpeth Civic Club is still serving its original purpose.
South Harpeth Church of Christ
Old Harding Road
Built 1812 (original building)
The land on which the South Harpeth Church of Christ is located was originally given by Johnson Vaughn Linton who rode in the Calvary with General Nathan Bedfor Forest during the War Between the States. The original building constructed in 1812 was a log building that had dirt floors. When this structure was destroyed by fire it was replaced by a frame building. This also burned, and in 1845 a building was constructed of bricks made on the site by slaves. The meeting house faced the river where baptisms occurred, and the main road which at that time ran between the church and the river. The old building had two front doors, and the threshold stones, though worn, are still in place. The oil burning chandelier also still hangs in the old section though the building was wired for electricity in 1927.
The rock fence surrounding the graveyard beside the church building was erected by slaves who used rocks found in the hills around South Harpeth. The body of a slave who spent many hours at the bedside of sick children in the community was lovingly buried in the cemetery. Ladies who in earlier times rode side-saddle used the mounting block still in place behind the cemetery. There was also at one time a hitching post for wagons and surreys.
Many memories evolve around the "Second Sunday in May". Members donated hogs that were barbecued by the river. The ladies brought special dishes and after services everyone gathered together to share a time of homecoming. For sixty years F. C. Sowell Sr. preached on this special day without missing a single year.
Conditions in the building at South Harpeth have changed through the years. Air conditioning has replaced the funeral home fans; central heating has replaced the pot-bellied stove; electricity has replaced the coal oil lamp; padded seats have replaced the hard board benches, and the spittoons have been removed. Yet some things have never changed, as services continue to be held and the South Harpeth Church is still strong, still growing and still serving our community.
The Linton House
Big East Fork Road
Built 1863
Present owners: Lloyd and Frances Linton
William Anderson, the first president of what is now David Lipscomb University, built this lovely log home for his family in 1869. Anderson was the great uncle of the present owner, Lloyd Linton. Five generations of this family have occupied the cabin, now flanked on either side by more modern additions. Ben and Mary Linton Little are the current residents.
The Smith Farmhouse
8600 Highway 100
Built ca 1815-25
This classic rural farmhouse is unique in its illustration of evolving architectural influences. A family cemetery is located on the property. Four generations of the Smith family were merchants who operated country stores in the communities of Brush Creek, Una, and Pasquo for over 170 years. In recent years the Smith Farmhouse was placed on the Davidson County Historic Register.
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