The Old Tennessee Trail
Explore early history along the Old Tennessee Trail south of Nashville, site of pioneers, plantations and Civil War battles.
Nashville & Franklin
In Nashville, visit cultural and historic sites such as The Hermitage – Home of President Andrew Jackson, Fort Nashborough and Travellers Rest Plantation & Museum, headquarters for General John Bell Hood before the Battle of Nashville. In nearby Franklin’s Historic Downtown District and Square, pick up a trail brochure at the Visitors’ Center and simply follow the signs. Check out historic sites and Gentry’s Farm, where you can pick your own fall harvest pumpkin.
Shopping, Arts & Antiques
In charming Leipers Fork, a thriving community of farmers, artists and musicians, take in art galleries, antiques shops and Southern food before travelling through Tennessee’s charming countryside to see the beauty of the Land Trust of Tennessee.
Passing through Bethel (have some pie at Nett’s Country Store), Fly and Canaan, you’ll arrive at historic Mount Pleasant, part of Tennessee’s Main Street Program. Enjoy shopping, museums and a meal or hand dipped milk shake at Mount Pleasant Grille. In Columbia, tour the James K. Polk Ancestral Home & Presidential Hall or search for antiques. You might recognise this downtown square from Hannah Montana: The Movie.
Historic Tennessee
Down the road in Spring Hill, tour antebellum homes like Rippavilla Plantation, an 1855 mansion and the site where General Hood berated his officers the morning after the “Spring Hill Incident,” which led to the Battle of Franklin.
Follow the trail to Thompson’s Station, where the Battle of Thompson’s Station took place. Visit historic homes and a railroad depot, before returning to Franklin to visit sites connected with The Battle of Franklin, including Carnton Plantation and McGavock Confederate Cemetery (setting for the New York Times best-selling novel, Widow of the South), the Carter House (some of the bloodiest combat took place here) and The Lotz House. Just a few blocks away, you’ll return through Franklin’s Main Street and to its downtown square.
With over forty points of interest to take you from beautiful historic houses to quaint heritage towns and significant historical landmarks you can download the Old Tennessee Trail Guide and Map to give you further information. Or get in touch with our team!
