National Register Listings in
Williamson County, Tennessee

Adams Street Historic District Allison, William, House Bank of College Grove, The Bank of Nolensville Beasley-Parham House Bostick Female Academy Boyd Mill Ruins Boyd, William, House Boyd-Wilson Farm Campbell, William S., House Carnton Carothers, John Henry, House Cedarmont College Grove Methodist Church Cox House Crafton, John, House Craig-Beasley House Critz, Jacob, House Critz, Thomas L., House Crockett, Andrew, House Crockett, Samuel, House Dortch Stove Works Douglass-Reams House Elliston, Joseph, House Fewkes Group Archeological Site Fewkes Group Archeological Site (Boundary Increase) Forest Hills School Fort Granger Franklin Battlefield Franklin City Cemetery Franklin Historic District Franklin Historic District (Boundary Increase) Franklin Historic District (Boundary Increase) Frost, John, House Giddens, James, House Glass, Samuel F., House Glen Echo Glenn, Abram, House Gray, Henry P., House Green, Sherwood, House Hadley, Denny P., House Hamilton-Brown House Hardeman, Franklin, House Harlinsdale Farm Harrison House Herbert, John, House Hincheyville Historic District (Additional Documentation) Hiram Masonic Lodge No. 7 Hodge, Robert, House Holt, Thomas, House Homestead Manor Huff Store Hunter, John, House Hyde, Hartwell B., House Johnson, James P., House Johnson, William W., House Johnston, James, House Jordan, Newton, House Jordan-Williams House Kinnard, Claiborne, House Knight-Moran House Knights of Pythias Pavilion Leaton, William, House Lee, Samuel B., House Leipers Fork Historic District Leipers Fork Historic District (Boundary Increase) Lewisburg Avenue Historic District Liberty Hill School Lotz House Maney-Sidway House Maplewood Farm (Boundary Increase) Martin, William, House Mayberry, H. G. W., House Mayberry, Henry H., House McEwen, David, House McGavock-Gaines House McLemore House McMahan, Daniel, House Meeting-of-the-Waters Montpier Mooreland Morton, Samuel S., House Motheral, John, House Mountview Natchez Street Historic District Neely, John, House Nolensville School Oak Hall Oden, Dr. Hezekiah, House Ogilvie, William, House Old Town Old Town Bridge Owen Chapel Church of Christ Owen, Dr. Urban, House Owen-Cox House Owen-Primm House Parks Place Perkins, Nicholas Tate, House Pollard, George, House Pope, John, House Puryear, Mordecai, House Rainey House Ravenswood Rest Haven Cemetery Rizer, Y. M., House Roper's Knob Fortifications Scales, James, House Scales, Joseph, House Seward, John, House Shute, Thomas, House Smith, Alexander, House Smithson, Nathaniel, House Smithson-McCall Farm Sneed, Constantine, House Sparkman-Skelley Farm St. Paul's Episcopal Church Steele, William, House Thompson Station Bank Toon, Beverly, House Toussaint L'Overture County Cemetery Triangle School Trinity United Methodist Curch Truett, Alpheus, House Vaughn, Andrew C., House Webb, James, House Wilhoite, James, House Winstead Hill Winstead House Winstead, John M., Houses WSM Radio Transmission Complex Wyatt Hall
The Great Train Robbery of 1866, one of the most famous train robberies in American history, took place in Tennessee. A group of Confederate veterans stole $90,000 from a train traveling from Nashville to Chattanooga.
Tennessee random facts
Originally inhabited by Native American tribes, including the Cherokee and Chickasaw, Williamson County in Tennessee was first settled by European settlers in the late 18th century. Named after Hugh Williamson, a North Carolina politician, the county was officially established in 1799. The first settlement, known as Thompson's Station, was established in 1780 by Dr. Elijah Thompson. Over time, more settlements developed, including Franklin, which became the county seat.

During the early years of its settlement, Williamson County was primarily an agricultural community, with crops such as tobacco and cotton being the main source of income for many residents. Slavery was widespread in the area, and Williamson County had one of the highest slave populations in Tennessee. This led to a strong pro-secession sentiment during the Civil War, and the county became a major battleground. The Battle of Franklin, fought in 1864, was one of the bloodiest battles of the war, with thousands of casualties.

After the war, Williamson County slowly recovered and began to modernize. Agriculture remained important, but industry and commerce started to play a larger role in the local economy. Railroads were built, connecting Williamson County to other parts of the region, and the population steadily grew. In the early 20th century, a strong sense of community and preservation of historical landmarks emerged, leading to the establishment of organizations such as the Heritage Foundation of Franklin and Williamson County.

Today, Williamson County is one of the wealthiest counties in Tennessee and has experienced rapid growth. It has a diverse economy, with sectors such as healthcare, technology, and entertainment contributing to its prosperity. The county is known for its beautiful landscapes, historic sites, and vibrant cultural scene, attracting tourists and residents alike. Despite its modernization, Williamson County continues to honor its rich history and maintain a strong sense of community.

This timeline provides a concise overview of the key events in the history of Williamson County, Tennessee.

  • 1799 - Williamson County is established by the Tennessee General Assembly.
  • 1800 - The county's first courthouse is built in Franklin.
  • 1818 - The Battle of Franklin takes place during the War of 1812.
  • 1830s - The county's economy revolves around agriculture, particularly cotton and tobacco.
  • 1861-1865 - Williamson County is heavily impacted by the American Civil War.
  • 1868 - Freedmen's Bureau established in Franklin to assist newly freed slaves.
  • 1874 - The Agricultural and Mechanical College of Tennessee, now known as the University of Tennessee, opens its doors in Nashville.
  • 1925 - Harlinsdale Farm, a renowned thoroughbred horse farm, is established in Franklin.
  • 1960s-1970s - Suburbanization begins as Franklin and other areas experience significant population growth.
  • 1997 - The Cool Springs Galleria, a large regional shopping mall, opens in Franklin.