Historical Markers in
Maury County, Tennessee

1946 Columbia Race Riot / A.J. Morton Funeral Home Advance and Retreat Alfred Osborn Pope Nicholson Andrew Johnson Athenaeum Rectory Bethel House Hotel / The Princess Theatre Billy Direct Birthplace of James Percy Priest Branham and Hughes Military Academy Breckenridge Hatter's Shop Brigadier General John Carpenter Carter Camille Leonie Herndon Capt. John Gordon Capt. Meade Frierson Clarke Training School Cleburne's Pursuit College Hill High School Columbia Fire Department Columbia Military Academy Confederate Attacks at Spring Hill Confederate Deployment Confederate Movements After Sunset Culleoka Cantaloupes Culleoka Methodist Church Davis' Ford Delaying Forrest Edward Franklin “Pop” Geers Edward Ward Carmack Ewell Farm Ewell Farm Fairview Park First County Seat Location Forrest & Wilson Forrest and Capron Forrest's 3:00 p.m. Cavalry Attack Freedmen's Savings Bank and Trust Company Frierson Cemetery GrafTech International / National Carbon Company Greenwood Highland Hall Historic Elm Springs Hood and Schofield Hood's Command Post Hood's Maneuver James Edwin R. Carpenter James K. Polk James K. Polk House James Knox Polk Jane Knox Polk Chapter John Harlan Willis Memorial Bridge Jonathan Webster Joseph Brown Left of the Union Defensive Position Lt. James C. Wooten, II Lt. Joseph A. Irvine Major Nathaniel F. Cheairs Martin Cheairs Home Maury County Colored Hospital Maury County War Memorial Maury Light Artillery Mount Lebanon Missionary Baptist Church Mount Pleasant Commercial Historic District Mount Pleasant Confederate Memorial Nashville and Decatur Railroad Nathan Vaught Nathan Vaught Nelson House Hotel Oaklawn Old Natchez Trace Old Well Cemetery Pleasant Mount Cumberland Presbyterian Church Polk's Boyhood Home Rattle and Snap Plantation Rev. Franklin Gillette Smith Rippavilla Plantation Road to Nashville Rose Hill Confederate Memorial Saint Paul African Methodist Episcopal Church Sam Davis Sam Watkins Schofield's Retreat Side by Side Site of the First Law Office of James Knox Polk Spring Hill, Tennessee ~ November 29, 1864 St. John's St. John's Episcopal Church St. Peter's Church (Episcopal) Stands on the Old Trace Tennessee Tobacco Farm The Battle of Spring Hill The Battle of Spring Hill The Battle of Spring Hill The Bigby Greys The Confederate Monument The Forrest-Gould Affair The Founding of Maury County and Columbia The Gordon House The Gordon House The Natchez Trace at the Tobacco Farm The Polk Family The Reverend Edmund Kelly The Tobacco Barn The Town of Spring Hill, Tennessee Tobacco Farm - Old Trace Union Station Train Depot William Banks Caperton Zion "Betty Lee Park"
The Oak Ridge National Laboratory, located in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, played a crucial role in the development of the atomic bomb during World War II. It was also a key site for nuclear research during the Cold War.
Tennessee random facts
Maury County, located in Middle Tennessee, has a rich and diverse history that dates back to prehistoric times. The area was initially home to Native American tribes, including the Cherokee, Chickasaw, and Shawnee. European settlers began arriving in the late 18th century, with the establishment of Fort Hampton in 1807 as a defense against Native American attacks. This paved the way for the creation of Maury County in 1807, named after Revolutionary War veteran Abram Poindexter Maury.

During the early 19th century, Maury County quickly grew in population and importance. The county became a center for agriculture, particularly tobacco, as well as cotton and hemp. The arrival of the railroad in the 1850s further fueled economic growth and enabled trade. The county seat, Columbia, saw the construction of impressive antebellum homes and became a hub for education and culture.

However, the prosperity of Maury County was interrupted by the American Civil War. The county witnessed significant battles, including the Battle of Spring Hill and the Battle of Franklin. The destruction and loss of life in these battles were devastating for the local community. After the war, Maury County experienced a slow recovery, but thanks to its fertile soil and favorable climate, the agricultural economy gradually rebounded.

By the 20th century, Maury County embraced industrialization and diversification of its economy. The county's manufacturing sector expanded, attracting companies such as Murray Ohio Manufacturing, which produced bicycles and lawnmowers. The county also experienced advancements in education and infrastructure, with the establishment of Columbia State Community College and the construction of highways.

Today, Maury County continues to blend its rich historical heritage with modern development. The area boasts a thriving agricultural community, vibrant arts scene, and a growing tourism industry. Visitors can explore historical sites, such as the President James K. Polk Home and Museum, the Athenaeum, and the Rippavilla Plantation. Maury County's commitment to preserving its past while embracing progress ensures a bright future for this dynamic Tennessee county.

This timeline provides a glimpse into the major events and milestones that have shaped the history of Maury County, Tennessee.

  • 1807 - Maury County was established on November 16, 1807, as a result of an Act of the Tennessee General Assembly.
  • 1818 - Columbia, the county seat, was incorporated on November 26, 1818.
  • 1828 - James K. Polk, the 11th President of the United States, moved to Columbia, TN, and began his political career.
  • 1836 - The county experienced a boom due to the opening of the Duck River Navigation Company, making Columbia an important center for commerce.
  • 1861-1865 - Maury County, like the rest of Tennessee, was torn by the American Civil War.
  • 1884 - The Columbia Railway System began operation, connecting Columbia to other parts of Middle Tennessee.
  • 1928 - The James K. Polk Ancestral Home in Columbia became a designated National Historic Site.
  • 1963 - Rippavilla Plantation, a historic Greek Revival mansion, was added to the National Register of Historic Places.
  • 1990 - The population of Maury County reached 59,343, marking significant growth over the years.
  • 2010 - The Maury County Park was established, providing a recreational area for residents.