By Michelle Korgis-Fitzpatrick
Lynchburg, TN has a population of 361 and was established in 1866. It is the not only the home of Jack Daniel’s Distillery, but also holds a lot of memories of past times. Lynchburg, on Hwy 55, is most known for the eye-catching greenery in Tennessee. It is also the seat of Moore County.
On the square--built in 1883 by SLP Garrett--stands a stunning Court House with walls twenty inches thick, made of brick and held together with sand and lime.
Around the square are many different shops and restaurants where you can find many Jack Daniels collectibles, handicrafts of all kinds, to antiques from the Civil War. Serving soups, sandwiches and lemonade, the White Rabbit Saloon on the courthouse square is still open for business. Also, you might meet the "Town Dog."
Formed on, December 14, 1871 from the counties of Bedford, Franklin and Lincoln, became Moore County and named in honor of Major General William Moore, a Kentuckian who lived in Tennessee in 1808.
Because of the rolling hills and plentiful springs, many pioneers moved to this area from many different states, especially from North Carolina. Some that settled here migrated south to Alabama.
Thomas Roundtree, the original proprietor of the lands, laid out the towns in 1818. December of 1883, a fire broke out and consumed a large portion of the town. 1893, a Jail construction Committee was appointed by the County Court to obtain a lot on main street and the facility operate until the construction was completed on the new Moore County Jail in 1990. In 1991, the old jail was turned into a museum after completion of the new one.
Built in 1810 was the Ledford’s Mill and a waterwheel Mill that, are located at the head waters of Shipman’s Creek near Tullahoma. Changing hands several times, Sanford V. Ledford came to Tennessee from working in the mines in Colorado. Buying the mill in June 30, 1875 and 1,015 acres of land. Mr. Dennis and Mrs. Kathleen Depert bought the mill and moved east from their home off the coast of Washington State on an island in Puget Sound.
March of 1996, the Depert’s reopened Ledford Mill as a shop for antiques, collectible and folk art. With no plans to reopen the mill to grind corn, they’re intention on keeping all the parts of the mill still intact for the historical interest of the mill. Although, they are converting the mill into a bed and breakfast inn with three special accommodations all having access to the gardens, waterfall and creek. The main will be the lobby with kitchen facilities, a private dining area and a small combination gift shop and museum.
By Michelle Korgis-Fitzpatrick
Published in U S Legacies Magazine December 2003
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